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Difficulty
Current
Depth
Reef
Fauna
Level Advanced open water
Location
Washington plantation
GPS: 12°18’10.5”N, 68°23’54.6”W
Getting there
Start by making your way to the park entrance following the directions on page 21 that
describe the Washington Slagbaai National Park. Boka Bartól is the northernmost dive site in the park and can only be reached via the long route. After entering the park, follow the long road past Suplado Blow Hole and Boka Kokolishi on the east coast, after which the road cuts inland. At Boka Bartól, the road returns to the coast and runs southwest between the sea and Saliña Bartól. The overall drive from the park
Access about 45 mins from the park entrance
about 120 mins from Kralendijk
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BONAIRE
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Boka Bartól
entrance is just over 6 miles (10 kilometers), or about 45 minutes of driving without stopping. There is a parking lot with space for several cars just before a small yellow concrete structure and adjacent to a picnic bench with a tiki-style parasol.
Access
Descend the relatively steep beach composed of large coral rocks. The ground transitions to a rutted reef plateau at the shoreline, which is more stable but can be slippery, so watch your step.
Waves generally approach from the north and can break across the entire bay. However, the sandy area between the two large rocks at the southwestern end of the beach is slightly deeper – waves break less often here making
this the safest place to access the dive site. The buoy is located about 330 feet (100 meters) off the beach. The site can also be reached by boat.
Description
Boka Bartól is exposed to the open ocean, so the current can be incredibly strong, generally moving from south to north. The site is relatively pristine because its remote location means it is infrequently visited.
The site is known for its large fish, including barracuda, stingrays and eagle rays. The sand bottom shelters garden eels and peacock flounders and sea turtles may be found among the soft corals. The coral cover is better to the north of the buoy, but for safety reasons, most divers start their dive by heading south, into the prevailing current.
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1A
BONAIRE
Boka Katuna
Kralendijk
Boka Katuna
Difficulty
Current
Depth
Reef
Fauna
