Cai

An advanced drift dive at the mouth of Lac Bay on Bonaire’s wild east coast — channel currents, large tarpon schools, giant anemones, and turtles for experienced divers with a local guide.

Overview

Cai is on Bonaire’s east (Atlantic-exposed) coast at the mouth of Lac Bay, well away from the calm western dive belt where most island diving happens. The site is widely described as the most famous and most challenging dive on the east coast. A natural sand channel cuts out of Lac Bay and funnels tidal water past the dive site, generating strong, changing currents that drive plankton and pelagic fish through the channel. Diving here is not an option in marginal conditions, and a local guide is mandatory: surface logistics, currents, and the lack of nearby exit points make this a different kind of dive from the western shore sites.

Site Information

• Location: East coast Bonaire, at the mouth of Lac Bay (near the village of Cai)
• Entry Type: Shore entry
• Site Type: Drift dive
• Difficulty Level: Advanced
• Maximum Depth: 20 meters
• Typical Visibility: Variable; depends on wind and tidal flow
• Current: Strong and changing — channel currents combined with open-ocean influence
• Best Time: Calm-weather windows only; consult local operators

Marine Life

The sand channel out of Lac Bay acts as a highway for large fish. Tarpon are the signature species — schools of 50 or more are commonly reported. Green sea turtles, eagle rays, large barracuda, groupers, snappers, and parrotfish all frequent the site. Bonaire’s highest concentrations of giant anemones have been documented here. The transition between mangrove nursery (inside Lac Bay) and open coast supports a wide mix of juvenile and adult species in close proximity.

Dive Profile

The channel itself drops down a steeply sloping wall on one side; the inside of Lac Bay is shallow and protected. A standard plan is a current-assisted drift along the channel with a guided exit back to shore. Hard coral grows in formations interspersed with sand patches and soft corals; rays, lobsters, and flatfish inhabit the sand. Profile is generally shallow but the current and exit logistics keep this firmly in advanced territory.

Entry and Exit

Access by 4WD from Kralendijk via the road to Cai. The shore entry is over sand near the shell piles at the bay mouth. Boat entry is also possible and removes the surface-swim and exit complexity. Either way, plan with a local operator who runs this site regularly — entry/exit timing must match the current state.

Tips

• Do not dive Cai without a local guide
• Check forecasts and abort if east-coast wind/wave conditions are unfavorable
• Bring an SMB; a surface drift exit is possible if conditions change
• Combine with kayaking the Lac Bay mangroves on the same day — a unique ecosystem few divers visit

Safety

Cai is exposed to Atlantic swell and tide-driven channel current. Conditions can change during a dive, and exit options outside the channel are limited. Local guides are essential not as a formality but because they know which channel current is safe to enter and when to call the day. Carry SMB and reel; never attempt this dive solo or on the wrong tide.

Photography

Wide-angle works well for the tarpon schools, particularly when the current concentrates them into the channel. The giant anemones photograph beautifully on macro. Visibility is the variable that drives everything — on a calm day with clean water, Cai is genuinely spectacular; in surge it is unphotographable.

Nearby Sites

White Hole, the other true east-coast site, lies a short distance south near Sorobon. Both are advanced and weather-dependent. The remainder of Bonaire’s dive sites are on the western leeward coast, well away from this side of the island.

Sources: Divers-Guide – Cai, Bonaire.com – Cai, ScubaBoard – Shore diving the east side. Last updated 2026-05-16.