Dive the Hilma Hooker
The Hilma Hooker is a gem of a deep wreck dive located off Bonaire’s southwest coast. Hilma Hooker was a Dutch cargo (and drug-running) ship christened in 1951 and sunk in 1984 due to leaks in her hull. Now the vessel lies on her starboard side couched between two vibrant reef systems. The top of the wreck sits in 60 feet of water, while the mast marks it’s deepest point at 99 feet.
At 236 feet long and 36 feet wide, the Hilma Hooker bustles with marine life. Parrot and angelfish, yellow snapper and shrimp glide through the wreck, slipping through portholes and into small gashes in the ship. Tarpon and barracuda can be seen along the vessel’s mast and bridge. A large colony of garden eels find shelter along the ocean’s floor.
The Hilma Hooker is a textbook example of successful reef propagation. Polyp blooms blanket the Hilma Hooker’s bridge and cabin walls—a smorgasbord for hungry silverings and other small fish. Massive sponge clusters encrust the prop blades and shaft, girded with large purple tube sponges and tubastrea corals along the hull. It’s a beautiful sight, and—thanks to the dive’s great visibility—easy to video and photograph both day and night.
The Hilma Hooker is a great site for divers of all levels. Penetration of the wreck’s holds and wheelhouse are possible for advanced divers.
Prepared to explore the Hilma Hooker? Visit www.sanddollarbonaire.com for more information or call 800.288.4773.
Sand Dollar Condominiums offers guests everything they need to enjoy top-notch scuba diving on Bonaire. Relax in their spacious and comfortable ocean view studios, and one, two or three-bedroom condominiums. All units have air-conditioned bedrooms, full kitchens, dining and living areas and roomy porches or balconies overlooking the Caribbean Sea.
Sand Dollar’s on-property operator, PADI 5 Star Dive Friends Bonaire, provides a drive-up tank station with private gear storage lockers and a second tank station on the seaside for diving Bari Reef directly from shore.
** Book your stay at Sand Dollar Condominium today!**
