About the project and the island
The Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire is best known as Divers Paradise. Its shallow surrounding waters are famous for the vibrant coral reefs that attract thousands of divers each year. Bonaire’s underwater archaeological heritage, however, is largely unexplored.
Bonaire played an important role in colonial-period history, as it was a supplier of large quantities of salt. Its salt pans were very productive and produced high-quality salt, which was used to preserve food before the invention of refrigerators. Remnants of this industry can be found all over the island, including the surrounding waters. Moreover, as low-lying Bonaire was a navigational hazard that could not easily be seen at night, many ships wrecked along its rocky shores. As a result, Bonaire’s waters are littered with shipwrecks, cannons, anchors, remains of old docks, ballast piles, and artifacts.
The 2025 field school builds on previous research around the salt pans and the remote east coast.
This field school aims to explore, study, and map archaeological remains in the waters surrounding the island. We will be documenting remains of shipwrecks, historic anchors and cannons, and remains of maritime infrastructure around the historic salt pans. Located in the Bonaire National Marine Park, these sites offer easy diving conditions and are home to a large variety of marine life, which makes for a fantastic research environment. Participants will have the opportunity to be part of this highly varied project, gaining hands-on experience in underwater archaeological research while being completely immersed in Caribbean history and archaeology.
In addition, we will start a survey of Bonaire’s uninhabited sister island Klein Bonaire. Located just offshore, Klein Bonaire’s waters have never been archaeologically surveyed. If weather conditions permit, we will also conduct a diving survey on the remote east coast of Bonaire. Numerous ships have wrecked on this rough coast over the centuries. Some areas are littered with remains of foundered ships, but much of this coastline remains unexplored. Diving here is a truly special experience.
You are more than welcome to sign up for the program if you do not yet possess the required dive experience and certifications, as long as you meet the requirements at the start of the program. Bonaire is one of the best places in the world to do SCUBA training, so you can also opt to come to the island early for some dive training or fun dives.
The Field School
The field school will comprise an 15-day program focused on exploring Bonaire's waters and studying and documenting maritime archaeological remains.
Participants will be completely immersed in Caribbean history and archaeology through various presentations, workshops, and site visits around the island. You will be actively involved in SCUBA diving surveys and archaeological documentation, and have some fun exploring the island as well. You will also have the opportunity to brush up on your diving skills at the start of the program through several in-water workshops.
The program includes the following components:
- SCUBA diving surveys around Bonaire and Klein Bonaire
- Underwater photography and videography
- Photogrammetry (3D recording)
- Site reporting
- Recording cannons, anchors, and other artifacts
- Recording shipwreck sites
- Recording maritime infrastructure
- History and maritime archaeology of Bonaire
- Underwater cultural heritage management
- Underwater research methods
- Underwater photography and photogrammetry for archaeologists
- Diving skills for archaeologists
- Data processing
- Photo and video editing
- 3D modeling
- Report writing
- Island tour
- Night dive
- Washington-Slagbaai National Park and Brandaris hike
- Public presentation to the people of Bonaire
- SCUBA diving surveys around Bonaire and Klein Bonaire
- Underwater photography and videography
- Photogrammetry (3D recording)
- Site reporting
- Recording cannons, anchors, and other artifacts
- Recording shipwreck sites
- Recording maritime infrastructure
- History and maritime archaeology of Bonaire
- Underwater cultural heritage management
- Underwater research methods
- Underwater photography and photogrammetry for archaeologists
- Diving skills for archaeologists
- Data processing
- Photo and video editing
- 3D modeling
- Report writing
- Island tour
- Night dive
- Washington-Slagbaai National Park and Brandaris hike
- Public presentation to the people of Bonaire
Program Details
We will spend 14 nights at the Grand Windsock. This beautiful hotel opened just a few years ago, and is conveniently located with direct access to the sea. It features plenty of amenities such as air-conditioned rooms, a kitchenette, wifi, a pool, etc. Accommodation will be twin share. A private room is possible for a surcharge.
We believe that good food is key to a successful and productive project. Food and drinks will be provided for the duration of the project. We will make sure fridges are stocked with a variety of foods for breakfast and lunch. For dinner we like to mix things up: we will visit several different restaurants throughout the course and get take-out once in a while. Restaurants on Bonaire serve a variety of foods, including delicious local seafood, Western cuisine such as burgers, pasta, and pizza, and some of the best Chinese food in the Caribbean. Every restaurant we go to also has vegetarian options.
Participants are required to be certified scuba divers (PADI Open Water Diver or equivalent certification from another agency), and have recent dive experience.
Participants are strongly advised to have dive insurance for the duration of the course. Our recommendation is DAN (Divers Alert Network) insurance.
The total course fee is USD 4,900. This includes:
- 14 nights accommodation
- Food and drinks based on three meals per day
- Airport pick up and drop off
- All transportation on island
- All training, presentations, and workshops
- All diving activities
- All other activities, excursions, and park fees
We have space for just 10 participants as we like to keep the group small. Our field schools tend to fill up quickly so it is advised to apply as far in advance as possible. An application form can be downloaded here, and once filled out, emailed to info@theshipwrecksurvey.com. Once the application form is received, we will send you the payment instructions for a deposit to reserve your spot.
Getting to Bonaire is easy. There are non-stop international flights to the island from Houston, Newark, Atlanta, Miami, and Amsterdam.
The field school is carried out in cooperation with Bonaire East Coast Divers (www.bonaireeastcoastdiving.com). This is the only operator that offers daily boat dives on the east coast. They have been in business for many years and are experts when it comes to safe diving in this part of the island.
sign up for an adventure of a lifetime
sign up for an adventure of a lifetime
