Bonaire National Marine Park.

Wrapping around the entire coastline of Bonaire and the uninhabited islet of Klein Bonaire, this pioneered marine reserve is one of the oldest and most successful in the world. Established in 1979, the park protects a highly accessible ecosystem of fringing coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests from the high-water mark down to a depth of 60 meters. Because the reefs sit remarkably close to the shoreline, divers and snorkelers can bypass boats entirely and wade straight into the water from dozens of marked roadside entry points. From sea turtles and rays to nearly 60 species of coral, the marine life thrives under a strictly managed conservation model. To explore these waters, visitors simply pay a flat nature fee online, which also grants access to the island's terrestrial national parks.