STINAPA Nature Fee Made Simple: Where, When, and How to Pay Before Your First Dive

Don’t let paperwork delay your first splash in Bonaire. The STINAPA Nature Fee is a simple, mandatory step that every diver, snorkeler, and water‑sport enthusiast must complete before entering the Bonaire National Marine Park. Here’s exactly where to pay it, when to do it, and how to bring the right proof so you can start diving smoothly at Captain Don’s Habitat.

What Is the STINAPA Nature Fee?

STINAPA Nature Fee (Definition): A required conservation fee of USD 40 per calendar year for all divers, snorkelers, and other water‑sports participants entering the Bonaire National Marine Park.

• Amount: USD 40 (per calendar year)
• Who must pay: All divers, snorkelers, and water‑sports participants
• When it’s required: Before you enter the Marine Park (i.e., before any in‑water activities)

Why it matters: Marine parks thrive when users follow shared rules and contribute to upkeep. The STINAPA Nature Fee helps support stewardship so Bonaire’s reefs remain healthy for everyone to enjoy.

Where and How to Pay the STINAPA Nature Fee

Paying the STINAPA Nature Fee is fast and digital.

1. Go to our website and use the link labeled “Click here to pay your nature fee!”
2. Complete the online payment process for USD 40.
3. Save and print your proof of payment (you’ll receive an email from noreply@bonairenaturefee.org).

Tip: If you arrive without having paid, you can still purchase your online tag using the computer in our lobby.

What Proof Do You Need to Bring?

Bring a printed copy of your STINAPA Nature Fee proof of payment (or be able to retrieve the email from noreply@bonairenaturefee.org).

• You’ll be asked to present proof to our dive shop.
• The dive shop is not allowed to issue weights and gear without valid proof of payment.

Can’t Find Your Receipt?

• First, check your spam folder for noreply@bonairenaturefee.org.
• If you still can’t locate it, email info@stinapa.org to have your ticket resent. A USD 5 administrative fee applies if retrieval by STINAPA is necessary.

When Should You Pay the STINAPA Nature Fee?

Before your first dive or snorkel—ideally before you travel. Paying in advance ensures you’re ready to complete your on‑island requirements without delays.

Remember these timeline essentials at Captain Don’s Habitat:

• Mandatory 09:00 orientation: Required for anyone who hasn’t attended during the current calendar year. No diving is permitted without attending this orientation.
• Mandatory warm‑up dive on our house reef (“La Machaca”) before any additional diving.
• No diving on the day of arrival: Our packages are set up with no arrival‑day diving to comply with the orientation requirement.
• No diving on the day of departure.

Marine Park Rules You Must Follow

Bonaire’s Marine Park rules protect the reef and are strictly enforced:

• No anchoring
• No spearfishing
• Do not touch corals
• Do not remove anything from the reef

These simple rules keep Bonaire’s reef life vibrant for your dives—and for the divers who follow you.

Orientation and Warm‑Up Dive: How It Works at Captain Don’s Habitat

• Daily orientation at 09:00: Briefs you on local procedures and Marine Park rules.
• Warm‑up dive on “La Machaca”: Confirms gear and buoyancy before you head to other sites.
• If your stay includes a Dive Package, the warm‑up dive is already covered.
• If you’re diving à‑la‑carte, the standard warm‑up‑dive fee charged by the dive center applies.

Planning boat dives? Regular departures leave the dock at 08:30, 11:00, and 14:00, and our boats access more than 50 moored sites, typically within a 15‑minute ride from the pier. Schedule boat dives after you’ve completed orientation and your warm‑up dive.

Quick Answers (Featured Snippet‑Friendly)

• How much is the STINAPA Nature Fee? USD 40 per calendar year.
• Who needs to pay it? All divers, snorkelers, and water‑sports participants entering the Bonaire National Marine Park.
• Where do I pay? Use the “Click here to pay your nature fee!” link on our website to purchase online.
• Do I need proof? Yes—bring your printed receipt or retrieve the email from noreply@bonairenaturefee.org.
• Can I dive on arrival day? No. Orientation is required first, and no diving is permitted on the calendar day of arrival.
• Is a warm‑up dive required? Yes—on “La Machaca” before any additional dives.
• Lost my receipt—what now? Check spam; if needed, email info@stinapa.org (USD 5 administrative fee may apply).

Your First‑Dive Game Plan (Step‑By‑Step)

1. Before you travel:

   • Pay the STINAPA Nature Fee (USD 40) online.
   • Print your receipt and pack it with your travel documents.

2. Arrival day at Captain Don’s Habitat:

   • Settle in and prep gear, but note no diving on the day of arrival.

3. Next morning:

   • Attend the 09:00 orientation.
   • Complete your warm‑up dive on “La Machaca.”
   • Plan boat dives after your warm‑up; regular departures are 08:30, 11:00, 14:00.

4. During your stay:

   • Follow Marine Park rules (no anchoring, no spearfishing, don’t touch or remove reef life).
   • Keep your proof of STINAPA payment accessible.

5. Departure day:

   • No diving on the day of departure.

Practical Tips for a Smooth Start

• Print your receipt: Digital backups are helpful, but a printed copy speeds things up at the dive shop.
• Do the fee early: Pay the fee before your trip so orientation and warm‑up dive are the only remaining steps.
• Bring what you need: If you use a DIN regulator, note we carry INT valve only; DIN adapters are not for rent but can be purchased at the on‑site Vista Blue Store.
• Repeat visitors: You must attend orientation unless you can prove you completed a Captain Don’s Habitat orientation in the current calendar year.
• A‑la‑carte divers: Budget for the standard warm‑up‑dive fee if you don’t have a Dive Package.

Related Guides to Help You Plan

• Get certified with confidence: How to Get Scuba Certified in Bonaire
• Know what you’ll see: Bonaire’s Marine Life: Creatures You Might Encounter
• Timing your trip: The Best Time of Year to Dive in Bonaire
• Beyond the bubbles: Best Things to Do in Bonaire Beyond Diving

Essential Checklist Before Your First Dive

• [ ] Paid the STINAPA Nature Fee (USD 40) online
• [ ] Printed proof of payment (or can access email from noreply@bonairenaturefee.org)
• [ ] Attended the 09:00 orientation at Captain Don’s Habitat
• [ ] Completed the warm‑up dive on “La Machaca”
• [ ] Scheduled boat dives after your warm‑up (08:30, 11:00, 14:00)
• [ ] Committed to Marine Park rules (no anchoring/spearfishing/touching corals/removing reef items)

Conclusion

Paying the STINAPA Nature Fee is easy—and essential to getting underwater faster in Bonaire. Handle the USD 40 payment online, bring your printed proof, complete the 09:00 orientation and warm‑up dive, and you’re set to explore more than 50 moored sites just minutes from our pier.

Ready to dive in? Use the “Click here to pay your nature fee!” link on our site, then book your stay and dives. For reservations, email book@habitatbonaire.com or call +599 717 8290. For dive‑specific questions, contact roger@habitatbonaire.com.