Most Caribbean guidebooks stop at the waterline. Reef Smart Guides start there. Each title pairs a written site briefing with a detailed 3D map, so you can see the entry, the reef crest, the drop-off and the likely current before you ever pull on a fin. On the ABC Islands, where so much of the best diving is done independently from shore, that kind of preparation is the difference between a good dive and a confident one.
We first reviewed the Curaçao title when it launched. With the release of a new and expanded Bonaire edition, this guide now covers both islands: what is inside each book, what changed for Bonaire, how to use the maps to plan a Curaçao scuba diving vacation or a Bonaire scuba diving vacation, and where to pick up your copy.
On this Page
What Are Reef Smart Guides?
| Quick answer: Reef Smart Guides are 3D-mapped scuba diving and snorkeling guidebooks for Curaçao and Bonaire. Reef Smart Guides Curaçao (October 2023) describes 95 dive and snorkel sites, including Klein Curaçao, with 3D maps of 38. Reef Smart Guides Bonaire Second Edition (October 2025) covers more than 100 sites and adds 32 new ones, including Klein Bonaire and the East Coast. Both come as paperbacks, e-books and waterproof dive site cards. |
Reef Smart is a dive site mapping company founded in 2016 by marine biologist Ian Popple and underwater cartographer Otto Wagner, with Peter McDougall leading Reef Smart USA. The three co-author the guidebook series. Their team builds 3D models of reefs and wrecks using photogrammetry, stitching thousands of overlapping underwater photographs into a scaled model, then annotates each map with depths, bearings, suggested routes, hazards and the marine life you are most likely to meet.
The same map library powers far more than books. Reef Smart produces waterproof site cards, briefing charts for dive centers, beachside orientation signs and interactive web maps. If you have studied a site map on a dive shop wall in the Dutch Caribbean, there is a good chance it came from Reef Smart.
Why 3D maps matter for shore divers
Shore diving in Curaçao and Bonaire often means you are your own dive guide. A Reef Smart Guides map shows where the sand channel cuts through the shallows, how far out the drop-off begins, and which way the reef runs, so you can plan your route out, your turn point and your path home. It is the information a good dive briefing gives you, available before you leave home.
Reef Smart Guides Curaçao: What’s Inside
Released on October 24, 2023, Reef Smart Guides Curaçao was the first complete scuba and snorkel guidebook dedicated to the island, and it quickly reached #1 New Release in Amazon’s Scuba Travel Guides category. Reef Smart’s team spent nearly two years on the project, from first mapping dives to print.
- 95 dive and snorkel sites described, from Westpunt to the east end, including the north coast and Klein Curaçao
- 3D maps of 38 popular sites, plus access imagery for another 46 entry points
- A 31-page species guide to help you identify fish, invertebrates and corals
- 304 pages that also cover beaches, surfing and kiteboarding spots
- Formats: paperback, e-book and individual waterproof site cards
Curaçao sites you can preview in 3D
Mapped highlights include the MV Superior Producer, Curaçao’s signature wreck, which turns 50 in 2027; the Tugboat at Caracasbaai; and shore-access reefs the Reef Smart team singled out as personal favorites, such as Director’s Bay, Double Reef, Fisherman’s Wharf and Playa Marie Pampoen. If wrecks are your focus, read the book alongside our wreck diving in Curaçao guide.
How the book pairs with our Curaçao dive site guide
Use the guidebook together with the free Curaçao Dive Site Guide and interactive map and our Top 10 Dive Sites in Curaçao. Our pages add local access notes, current conditions and the nearest partner dive shop; the Reef Smart map shows you what lies underwater. The species section is a natural companion to our Marine Life in Curaçao guide, and the maps are a great help for framing shots if you are into underwater photography.
For the full picture of shore, boat, drift, night and snorkel diving on the island, start at our hub for Scuba Diving in Curaçao.
As an Amazon Associate, Dive Curaçao earns from qualifying purchases.
Reef Smart Guides Bonaire Second Edition: What’s New
Bonaire is where the series earned its following in the Caribbean. The first edition, published in 2016, gathered more than 350 Amazon reviews with an average rating of 4.8 stars. The new and expanded Second Edition launched on October 28, 2025 and, like its Curaçao sibling, went straight to #1 New Release in Scuba Travel Guides.
- More than 100 dive and snorkel sites, each with access details
- 32 new sites, including every Klein Bonaire site and the island’s wild East Coast
- 16 new maps and refreshed 3D models of favorites such as Oil Slick Leap, Tolo, Bari Reef, Front Porch, 18th Palm and Lighthouse Point
- 3D models of 36 headline sites, including 1000 Steps, Karpata and Salt Pier
- A species guide documenting 95 species
- Advanced and technical content, including the deep Windjammer wreck site
- 320 pages, in paperback and e-book
For guests on a Sleep, Drive & Dive package at Buddy Dive Resort or Grand Windsock Dive & Beach Resort, the Bonaire edition becomes a daily dive planner: choose tomorrow’s sites over dinner, study the entry photos, then follow the yellow rocks. You will even find a Reef Smart 3D sign of the house reef at Buddy Dive.
| Local tip: Bonaire’s East Coast is a very different dive from the sheltered west side. Swell, surge and current can be strong, and it is normally dived with a professional guide in suitable conditions. Use the new East Coast chapters for orientation, then let us arrange a guided trip. |
As an Amazon Associate, Dive Curaçao earns from qualifying purchases.
Reef Smart Guides Curaçao vs. Bonaire at a Glance
| Feature | Reef Smart Guides Curaçao | Reef Smart Guides Bonaire (2nd Ed.) |
| Release | October 24, 2023 | October 28, 2025 |
| Sites described | 95, including Klein Curaçao | 100+, including Klein Bonaire and the East Coast |
| 3D-mapped sites | 38 | 36 (plus 16 new maps) |
| Extra access imagery | 46 additional sites | Updated entry details for all sites |
| Species guide | 31 pages | 95 species documented |
| Length | 304 pages | 320 pages |
| Best for | Independent west coast shore diving, wrecks, Klein Curaçao trips | Unlimited shore diving, Klein Bonaire boat dives, East Coast planning |
Still deciding between the islands? Our Curaçao vs. Bonaire comparison breaks down the differences, and plenty of our guests simply dive both on one trip.
How to Use Reef Smart Guides to Plan Your Dive Vacation
Before you travel
- Build a must-dive list. Flag sites that suit your experience level and interests: wrecks, walls, macro, or easy snorkel entries for non-divers in your group.
- Share it with us. When you request a quote, send your list along. We use it to match accommodations to the sites you care about. If Westpunt reefs dominate, for example, staying on the west end of Curaçao saves hours of driving.
- Decide on structure. One island or two, shore or boat, independent or guided. Our customized dive vacations are built around exactly these choices, and our step-by-step planning guide walks you through each one.
On island: shore diving needs wheels
Reef Smart Guides assume you can get to the entry. On both islands that means a rental vehicle, ideally a pickup truck or SUV with space for tanks and gear and enough clearance for unpaved access roads. We arrange car and truck rentals in Curaçao and Bonaire, and our Sleep, Drive & Dive packages bundle the vehicle with your room and tanks so everything is ready when you land. Keep a waterproof card on the dashboard and you are set.
Group trips and dive clubs
For dive clubs and instructors leading group dive travel, the Reef Smart Guides maps make excellent pre-trip club-night material. Brief sites in advance, pair buddy teams by experience, and plan which days are shore, boat or free time. A set of waterproof cards also makes a memorable trip gift for every group member.
Safety first: the map is not the dive
- Start with a check-out dive on a house reef to fine-tune your weighting and buoyancy control before tackling deeper sites.
- Check same-day conditions with a local dive shop. A map shows a typical day, not today’s swell or current, especially on drift dives and night dives.
- Make yourself visible. Carry a surface marker buoy on every shore and boat dive so boat traffic can see you.
- Dive conservatively. Several shore dives a day add up. Plan shallower repeat dives, make safety stops, stay hydrated, and learn the early signs of decompression sickness.
- Get dive-specific cover. Standard travel insurance often excludes diving. DAN Europe dive insurance plans for 7, 14 or 30 days are available through Dive Travel Curaçao.
Reef-Smart Diving: Protecting the Reefs You Are Mapping
The best way to honor a well-mapped reef is to leave it exactly as you found it. Curaçao’s reefs are the focus of active coral restoration by Reef Renewal Curaçao, which Dive Travel Curaçao supports with 1% of net proceeds. Bonaire’s entire coastline has been protected since 1979 as the Bonaire National Marine Park, managed by STINAPA, and every diver and snorkeler must purchase a Nature Fee tag before entering the water.
- Hold neutral buoyancy and keep fins, hands and gauges off the reef.
- Use mineral, reef-safe sunscreen or cover up with a rash guard.
- Never collect shells, coral or marine life, and use mooring buoys rather than anchors.
- Learn more about responsible diving in our Sustainable Dive Tourism section.
Where to Buy Reef Smart Guides
- Online: Reef Smart Guides Curaçao and Reef Smart Guides Bonaire Second Edition are available in paperback and e-book on Amazon, and through major book retailers.
- On island: many dive shops and Your Scuba Store Curaçao stock the paperback.
- In the water: individual waterproof dive site cards for Curaçao and Bonaire are sold through Reef Smart.
Our tip: Order the paperback before you travel for planning, load the e-book on your phone for the truck, and bring a card or two for your favorite sites.
More from the Reef Smart Guides series
Building a Caribbean dive bucket list? The Reef Smart Guides series also covers Grand Cayman, the Florida Keys and Barbados, while Beneath the Blue Planet is the team’s ocean science companion for divers who want to understand the reef as well as explore it.
As an Amazon Associate, Dive Curaçao earns from qualifying purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions About Reef Smart Guides
What are Reef Smart Guides?
Reef Smart Guides are scuba diving and snorkeling guidebooks built around photogrammetric 3D maps of reefs and wrecks. Each map is annotated with depths, bearings, suggested routes, hazards and common marine life. The series includes dedicated titles for Curaçao and Bonaire, sold as paperbacks, e-books and waterproof dive site cards.
How many dive sites are in Reef Smart Guides Curaçao?
Reef Smart Guides Curaçao describes 95 dive and snorkel sites, including the north coast and Klein Curaçao. It includes 3D maps of 38 of the most popular sites, access imagery for another 46 sites, and a 31-page species guide across 304 pages.
What is new in the Reef Smart Guides Bonaire Second Edition?
The Second Edition, released on October 28, 2025, covers more than 100 dive and snorkel sites. It adds 32 new sites, including every Klein Bonaire site and the East Coast, plus 16 new maps, refreshed 3D models of favorites like Bari Reef and Oil Slick Leap, and advanced sites such as the Windjammer wreck.
Are Reef Smart Guides useful for snorkelers and non-divers?
Yes. Both titles cover snorkel sites, beaches, and surfing and kiteboarding spots, and the species guides help snorkelers identify what they see. Shallow sections of the 3D maps show exactly where reef life starts from each entry point.
Where can I buy Reef Smart Guides for Curaçao and Bonaire?
The paperback and e-book editions are available on Amazon and from major book retailers. On island, many dive shops and retail stores in Curaçao and Bonaire stock the paperback, and individual waterproof site cards are sold through Reef Smart.
Do I still need a dive guide if I have a Reef Smart Guide?
For most west coast shore dives, certified divers can dive independently using the maps once they have completed a check-out dive. For the Bonaire East Coast, strong currents, unfamiliar sites and night dives, book a guided dive with a local professional and always confirm same-day conditions.
Can Dive Travel Curaçao plan a combined Curaçao and Bonaire dive vacation?
Yes. Dive Travel Curaçao builds customized dive vacations on both islands, including two-island itineraries with accommodations, diving, rental trucks, DAN dive insurance and inter-island logistics, all matched to your travel dates, group size and experience level.
Plan Your Curaçao and Bonaire Dive Vacation with Dive Travel Curaçao
A guidebook shows you the reef. We take care of everything around it. Dive Travel Curaçao is a boutique dive travel service based in Curaçao, building tailor-made dive vacations for Curaçao and Bonaire: accommodations matched to your must-dive list, shore and boat diving with trusted partner operators, rental trucks, DAN dive insurance, group logistics and two-island itineraries.
Tell us your travel dates, how many people are traveling, who dives and who snorkels, and the Reef Smart sites at the top of your list. Our team will design a customized dive vacation around them. Contact our reservations team, call toll-free from the USA and Canada at +1 (855) 650-1558, or email reservations@divecuracao.info.
| Ready to Dive the Reefs in the Reef Smart Guides? Send us your travel dates, group size, experience level and must-dive sites, and the Dive Travel Curaçao team will build a personalized Curaçao or Bonaire dive vacation around them. Start Planning My Dive Vacation → Toll-free USA/Canada: +1 (855) 650-1558 · Email: reservations@divecuracao.info |
As an Amazon Associate, Dive Curaçao earns from qualifying purchases.
Be Social… Follow us!