Playa Benge

A Washington-Slagbaai National Park reef dive accessible only by 4WD — pristine, remote fringing reef on Bonaire’s northwest coast. Note: currently listed as closed for diving on infobonaire.com (verify current status before visiting).

Overview

Playa Benge is located inside Washington-Slagbaai National Park on Bonaire’s northwest coast, accessible only by 4WD via the park road. The site offers pristine fringing reef diving in an unspoiled setting, with the lower visitor numbers that come with the access barrier. As of early 2026, infobonaire.com lists several Washington-Slagbaai park sites as currently closed for diving — verify the current status of this site with STINAPA or the park entrance before visiting. The difficulty rating of Advanced reflects the remote location and the logistical challenges of diving without nearby support.

Site Information

• Location: Washington-Slagbaai National Park, northwest Bonaire (4WD + park entry required)
• Entry Type: Shore entry
• Site Type: Reef
• Difficulty Level: Advanced
• Maximum Depth: 30 meters
• Typical Visibility: 20–30 metres
• Current: Can be present; northwest-facing exposure
• Best Time: Calm-weather days only; verify site is open

Marine Life

The protected national park location supports excellent reef health with typical northern Bonaire species: parrotfish, angelfish, groupers, snappers, and turtles. The lower visitor traffic means fish are less accustomed to divers and behaviour is more natural.

Dive Profile

Shore entry and gradual reef slope. The northwest exposure means conditions should be carefully assessed before entry.

Entry and Exit

4WD access through the park. Entry over rocky or sandy beach depending on conditions. Exit at the same point. The park closes at 17:00 — plan time for the drive out before closure.

Tips

• Check current site closure status with STINAPA before visiting
• A park entry fee is required in addition to the STINAPA nature tag
• Combine with other park sites on the same day to justify the access effort
• Carry more water and sun protection than usual given the remote setting

Safety

Remote location means no nearby emergency services. Advanced difficulty despite moderate depth reflects the isolation and logistics. Dive conservatively and ensure buddy protocols are tight.

Photography

The pristine reef and clear northern water are excellent for photography. The wildlife is less habituated to divers, which can yield more natural behaviour shots.

Nearby Sites

Boka Bartol, Playa Funchi, and Bisé Morto are other park sites in the same area.

Sources: InfoBonaire Dive Site Map, Divers-Guide – Playa Benge, Bonaireisland.com. Last updated 2026-05-24.