The Marine Park extends all around the island, from the high water mark to the 60m depth contour, encompassing an area of approximately 2700 hectares. The reefs of Bonaire are well developed, they offer a wide array of reef structures and the fish populations are very rich. Since 1979, the waters around Bonaire from the high water mark to the 60 m depth contour have been designated a Marine Park. The Park has its own full-time manager as well as 4 rangers and administrative staff. Activities within the Marine Park are restricted, while destructive practices such as anchoring, coral collecting and spearfishing have been banned for decades.
Traditional fishing is permitted.
Dive tourism is the mainstay of the island's economy and Bonaire is one of the divers top ten destination worldwide. There were approximately 70.000 visitors to Bonaire in 1999 of whom 29,500 were divers. Since 1992 and the implementation of an admission fee payable by divers the Marine Park has been self financing with respect to its running costs. The goal of Bonaire Marine Park is to protect and conserve the island's marine resources and ensure sustainable use of coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangroves, whilst maximizing safe levels of use for recreation and commerce. By the end of 1992, the Park had become entirely self-financing with respect to its operational costs.