Bonaire is therefore also a popular destination for both for snorkelers and Scuba divers of all skill levels and is a popular destination for underwater photographers. Water temperature is warm, ranging from 25°C to 29°C (78-84°F), with visibility averaging over 30 meters (100 ft), potentially reaching up to 50 meters (150 ft). The climate is dry and the vegetation little more than scrub, slow-growing hardwood trees and cactus but it is prized by birdwatchers.
Once important as a salt producer, this Dutch island now makes its living out of tourism. Bonaire is easily accessible for Europe, South America and the US, and is therefore a Caribbean crossroad for water sports and sun. It is the least densely populated of the ABC islands and it has a laid back, quiet atmosphere. The island is clean, quiet, peaceful and very safe. It has earned a reputation for being one of the most environmentally conscious islands in the Caribbean and a leader in sustainable tourism. The inhabitants are mostly of mixed native South American, European and African descent. The population is a mixture of more than 80 nationalities and ethnic backgrounds and the official languages are Dutch, Papiamentu and English. Spanish is widely spoken too.