We looked a bit and passed up this reef twice! Once we found it through the round about we dove right in. It has very easy access right among the resorts. It was almost like a wall in the drop off. We dove it in the late afternoon and did not have problems with the current. I saw a lot of nice coral, a few eels and a pair of really cool looking cuttle fish. The sponges were spawning! If we would have had time we would have done more diving on this reef.
I am new scuba diver and I thought the water was warm, clear that day and huge amount of fish to watch.
I recommend Bari Reef, especially if you are staying at Sand Dollar--this is their house reef. We enjoyed our snorkels and dives....if you are good with your air, you can enter at the north end of Sand Dollar and exit at the Aquarium (great snorkel spot at the end of the broken pier just south of Bonaire Dive and Adventure) on a half-tank.
Probably one of the two best dives on Bonaire, especially great for night dives. We stay at Sand Dollar, which is right on Bari Reef, so it all works perfectly!
Dive site is a good location and close to town. Plenty of parking. Reef wall is close to shore and currents are very mild.
Bari Reef was a wonderful spot to snorkel. It has an easy entry into the water and lots of sea creatures close to shore. We saw tons of fish, squid, Christmas tree worms, anemones and even a sea horse. The old pier makes a perfect spot to drift through to look at all of the fish and coral. A nice, shallow, calm area for children.
It stands to reason it is good as why else would Sand Dollar, Buddy, Habitat and Captain Don's all pick this stretch! We saw lots here. Dived it 5 times and it should have been more. Also makes a good last or dusk dive.
We have been to Bari Reef many times dating back to 1998. In November 1999, much of the shallow coral was destroyed by a storm surge so, it lost the "wonderland" factor but still a great dive. I have seen everything here from Snook and Tarpons cruising within arm reach on night dives to frogfish, sea horses, and anomie shrimp. Eels, including spotted, chain, sharptail, green, and goldentail. There is easy entry from the beach or the pier if you are diving with the owner.
Nice plants and Corals, we saw a seahorse and som Frog fishes there...We dived two times on this reef, this year...
This was one of the best snorkel sites we found (didn't see them all...) with healthy growing coral and a myriad of fish. Easy parking and entry. Remember to look under the jetty for octopi.