Top 10 Fish You Will See While Snorkeling in Bonaire
- Su
- Jun 25
- 16 min read
Top 10 Fish You will See While Snorkeling in Bonaire
Bonaire is famous for having some of the best shore-access snorkeling in the Caribbean. With crystal-clear water, healthy coral reefs, and hundreds of marine species, it's possible to see incredible underwater life just steps from shore.
One of the things guests love most about staying at Treasure By The Sea Bonaire is how easy it is to spend multiple hours each day exploring the island's reefs. Many of the fish featured in this guide can be found on our nearby house reef as well as popular snorkel sites around the island.
Whether you're a first-time snorkeler or a seasoned underwater enthusiast, here are ten fish you're likely to encounter during your Bonaire snorkeling adventure.
Where can you see these fish? Many of these species can be found at popular Bonaire snorkeling sites including Bari Reef, Andrea I & II, Something Special, Salt Pier, Thousand Steps and our house reef.
Bonaire is famous for some of the best shore snorkeling in the Caribbean. Whether you're exploring a house reef or one of the island's many snorkel sites, these are some of the fish you're most likely to encounter.
Staying in Bonaire?
Treasure By The Sea is located just steps from the ocean and offers easy access to many of Bonaire's best snorkeling sites.
Guests staying 14 nights or longer at Treasure By The Sea also receive a complimentary guided fish identification snorkel tour and underwater video.
1. Blue Tang
Perhaps the most recognizable fish on Bonaire's reefs, Blue Tangs are often seen swimming in schools as they graze on algae. Their vibrant blue bodies make them easy to spot against the reef, especially when sunlight filters through the crystal-clear Caribbean water.
Many visitors know them as "Dory" from Finding Nemo, but seeing dozens of Blue Tangs moving together across a coral reef is unforgettable. Schools can range from just a few fish to hundreds of individuals, creating a dazzling flash of blue as they weave through coral formations and rocky reef structures.
Blue Tangs play an important role in maintaining healthy reefs by feeding on algae that would otherwise compete with coral for space and sunlight. Their constant grazing helps keep Bonaire's reefs in balance and supports the growth of healthy coral ecosystems.
Juvenile Blue Tangs look dramatically different from adults and are often mistaken for a completely different species. Instead of the familiar blue coloration, young Blue Tangs are bright yellow and often hide among corals and seagrass beds for protection. As they grow, patches of blue begin to appear until they eventually transform into the vibrant blue adults commonly seen cruising Bonaire's reefs. Spotting both juvenile and adult Blue Tangs during the same snorkel is a fun reminder of how dramatically reef fish can change as they mature.
Blue Tangs are commonly seen on Bonaire's house reefs, making them one of the first fish many visitors encounter when they enter the water. Whether you're snorkeling for the first time or your hundredth time, it's hard not to smile when a school of Blue Tangs glides past just a few feet away.
2. Queen Angelfish
The Queen Angelfish is often considered the crown jewel of Bonaire's reefs and is one of the most beautiful fish you'll encounter while snorkeling. Its brilliant combination of electric blue, turquoise, yellow, and neon accents makes it look almost too colorful to be real.
The species gets its name from the distinctive dark blue spot on its head surrounded by bright blue markings that resemble a crown. When sunlight catches its scales, the colors seem to shimmer and change as the fish moves through the water.
Queen Angelfish are usually found swimming around coral heads, sponge gardens, and rocky reef structures where they feed on sponges, algae, and small marine organisms. Unlike schooling fish such as Blue Tangs, Queen Angelfish are often seen alone or in pairs, quietly patrolling their territory.
One of the most fascinating things about Queen Angelfish is that juveniles look completely different from adults. Young Queen Angelfish are dark blue with bright electric-blue and yellow markings and often act as "cleaner fish," removing parasites from larger reef fish. Many snorkelers don't realize they're looking at the same species.
Although they can be found throughout Bonaire's reefs, spotting a large adult Queen Angelfish is always a special moment. Their graceful movements, vivid colors, and regal appearance make them a favorite subject and one of the most sought-after fish for visitors to Bonaire.
If you're hoping to photograph a Queen Angelfish, early morning snorkels often provide the best opportunity. The calm water and lower sun angle can make their colors appear even more vibrant against Bonaire's healthy coral reefs.
3. French Angelfish
French Angelfish are among the largest and most recognizable reef fish found in Bonaire's waters. Their dark bodies are covered with yellow-edged scales that create a beautiful speckled pattern, giving them an elegant appearance as they glide effortlessly across the reef.
These fish are often seen swimming in pairs, and unlike many reef fish that dart from place to place, French Angelfish move with a calm, deliberate grace. They can grow to over 15 inches (40 cm) long, making them one of the larger fish many snorkelers encounter.
Juvenile French Angelfish look dramatically different from adults. Young fish are black with bright yellow vertical bands and are frequently found near coral heads and rocky ledges. Like juvenile Queen Angelfish, they often serve as cleaner fish, removing parasites from larger reef residents.
Adult French Angelfish spend much of their time feeding on sponges, algae, tunicates, and small invertebrates found on the reef. Because Bonaire's reefs are healthy and rich in sponge growth, French Angelfish are commonly seen at many snorkeling sites around the island.
One of the reasons snorkelers love French Angelfish is their curious nature. They often seem unbothered by people and may continue feeding while you quietly observe them from a respectful distance. This makes them excellent subjects for underwater photography.
If you're snorkeling Bonaire's reefs for the first time, don't be surprised if you mistake a French Angelfish for a Queen Angelfish from a distance. Both are large, impressive fish, but the French Angelfish lacks the brilliant blues and yellows of the Queen Angelfish and instead displays a more subtle beauty with its golden-speckled scales and striking yellow eyes.
A close encounter with a large French Angelfish is one of those Bonaire snorkeling moments that you'll remember long after your vacation ends.
4. Stoplight Parrotfish
The Stoplight Parrotfish is one of the most colorful and important fish you'll encounter while snorkeling in Bonaire. With vibrant shades of turquoise, green, blue, and pink, these fish add a splash of color wherever they go and are often among the first large fish snorkelers notice on the reef.
Parrotfish get their name from their beak-like mouths, which they use to scrape algae from coral and rocks. As they feed, they help prevent algae from overgrowing the reef, making them one of the most important fish for maintaining healthy coral ecosystems.
The Stoplight Parrotfish is one of the larger parrotfish species found in Bonaire and can grow up to 2 feet (60 cm) in length. Adult males are especially colorful and feature a distinctive yellow spot near their gills—the "stoplight" that gives the species its name.
One of the most fascinating things about Stoplight Parrotfish is that they change both color and sex as they mature. Juveniles begin life as females and are often dark red with rows of white spots. As they grow, they enter their initial phase, displaying reddish-brown coloration on their backs with bright red bellies and fins. Many snorkelers assume the red and green fish are different species, but they are actually different life stages of the same fish.
The bright green and turquoise fish most people notice are terminal-phase males. These dominant males defend territories and maintain harems of females. If a dominant male disappears, the largest female in the group can change sex and gradually transform into a brightly colored terminal male, taking over the territory.
One of the most surprising facts about parrotfish is that they are responsible for producing much of the white sand found on tropical beaches. As they scrape algae from coral, they also ingest tiny bits of limestone. After digesting the algae, the limestone is expelled as fine white sand. A single large parrotfish can produce hundreds of pounds of sand each year.
While snorkeling, you may actually hear a crunching sound underwater. That's often a Stoplight Parrotfish feeding on the reef. Once you recognize the sound, you'll start noticing it everywhere.
Whether you're observing a bright green terminal male patrolling the reef or a red-phase fish grazing among the corals, the Stoplight Parrotfish is one of Bonaire's mostimportant reef residents.
5. Queen Triggerfish
The Queen Triggerfish is one of the most striking and colorful fish you'll encounter while snorkeling in Bonaire. Its body is a dazzling combination of turquoise, blue, green, yellow, and orange, often appearing almost fluorescent in the Caribbean sunlight. Few reef fish attract attention quite like a Queen Triggerfish.
One of the easiest ways to identify this species is by its unique shape. It has a deep, flattened body, a sharply sloping forehead, and long flowing dorsal and anal fins that give it a graceful appearance as it glides across the reef.
Queen Triggerfish spend much of their time searching for food among rocks, coral, and sandy patches. Using their strong teeth, they feed on sea urchins, crabs, mollusks, and other hard-shelled invertebrates. Unlike many reef fish that pick food from the water column, Queen Triggerfish are active hunters that constantly investigate every nook and cranny of the reef.
Like other triggerfish, they possess a unique defense mechanism. A strong spine on the top of their body can be locked into place, allowing them to wedge themselves into crevices where predators cannot easily remove them. This "trigger" spine is what gives triggerfish their name.
Although they are often seen alone, Queen Triggerfish are not shy. They frequently continue feeding while snorkelers watch from a respectful distance, providing excellent opportunities for observation and photography.
Because of their brilliant colors, unusual shape, and fascinating behavior, many visitors consider the Queen Triggerfish one of the most memorable fish they see during their Bonaire snorkeling adventures. Spotting one cruising over a healthy coral reef is always a highlight of any day in the water.
Ready to see these fish for yourself?
Our guests enjoy easy access to Bonaire's shore snorkeling, private dive lockers, outdoor rinse facilities, and comfortable accommodations just steps from the sea.
6. Banded Butterflyfish
The Banded Butterflyfish is one of the most recognizable fish on Bonaire's reefs. Its bright white body is marked by bold black vertical bands and accented with vibrant yellow on its tail and fins, making it easy to identify even for first-time snorkelers.
These beautiful fish are often found swimming in pairs around coral heads, rocky reefs, and sea fans. In fact, many butterflyfish form long-term pair bonds, so it's common to see two individuals traveling and feeding together as they move through the reef.
Banded Butterflyfish spend much of their day searching for small invertebrates, coral polyps, worms, and other tiny organisms hidden among the reef. Their narrow, elongated snouts allow them to reach into cracks and crevices that many other fish cannot access.
One of their most distinctive features is the dark black band that runs through the eye. This helps disguise the location of the eye from predators, while a false eye spot near the rear of the body can confuse would-be attackers about which direction the fish is facing.
Unlike some larger reef fish that cruise through open water, Banded Butterflyfish tend to stay close to the reef, weaving gracefully among coral formations. Their calm swimming style and striking patterns make them a favorite subject for underwater photographers.
Because they rely on healthy reefs for food and shelter, seeing Banded Butterflyfish is often a sign of a thriving coral ecosystem. Fortunately, they are common throughout Bonaire's protected marine park, making them one of the fish you're most likely to encounter during your snorkeling adventures.
7. Black Durgon
The Black Durgon is one of Bonaire's most elegant reef fish. Despite its name, adults are often a beautiful dark blue-gray color that can appear almost iridescent in the sunlight. Their deeply forked tails and streamlined shape make them graceful swimmers, often seen cruising above the reef or gathering in loose schools near drop-offs.
Unlike the brightly colored angelfish and triggerfish, Black Durgons have a more subtle beauty. Look closely and you'll notice tiny electric-blue markings around their faces and fins. They are members of the triggerfish family, but are generally more peaceful and spend much of their time feeding on plankton carried by the current.
Black Durgons are commonly seen around Bonaire's reefs and are especially impressive when encountered in groups. Their unique shape and effortless swimming style make them a favorite sighting for many snorkelers.
8. Peacock Flounder
The Peacock Flounder is one of Bonaire's most fascinating and elusive fish. Unlike the brightly colored angelfish and triggerfish that swim openly above the reef, Peacock Flounders are masters of camouflage. They spend most of their lives resting on the sandy bottom, blending so perfectly with their surroundings that even experienced snorkelers can swim right past them without noticing.
What makes this fish truly remarkable is its ability to change color and pattern to match the sand, coral rubble, or seagrass beneath it. In a matter of seconds, a Peacock Flounder can alter its appearance, making it nearly invisible to both predators and prey.
Like all flounders, the Peacock Flounder begins life as a normal-looking fish. As it matures, one eye gradually migrates to the other side of its head, allowing it to lie flat on the ocean floor while keeping both eyes pointed upward. This unusual adaptation helps it remain hidden while watching for danger or waiting to ambush small fish and crustaceans.
Although they usually remain motionless, Peacock Flounders can move surprisingly fast when disturbed. Many snorkelers first notice one when it suddenly bursts from the sand and glides away, revealing a fish they never knew was there. This moment often catches people completely by surprise.
Look closely and you may notice the bright blue spots scattered across its body, one of the key features that distinguishes the Peacock Flounder from other flatfish species found in the Caribbean.
Finding a Peacock Flounder often feels like a treasure hunt. The more time you spend observing the reef and sandy areas between coral formations, the better your chances of spotting one. For many snorkelers, discovering their first Peacock Flounder becomes one of the most memorable moments of their Bonaire snorkeling adventure.
9. Balloonfish
The Balloonfish is one of Bonaire's most entertaining and memorable reef residents. Covered in dark spots and equipped with large, expressive eyes, these curious fish often seem just as interested in snorkelers as snorkelers are in them.
A member of the pufferfish family, the Balloonfish can inflate its body when threatened, making it difficult for predators to swallow. While they usually remain relaxed and elongated while swimming along the reef, it's easy to see where they get their name.
Balloonfish are often spotted around coral formations, rocky areas, and seagrass beds, especially during early morning or late afternoon snorkels. Their slow, deliberate movements make them excellent subjects for underwater photography, and spotting one is always a highlight of any Bonaire snorkeling adventure.
Snorkeler Tip: Please admire Balloonfish from a distance and never attempt to make them inflate. Inflation is a defense mechanism that can be stressful for the fish.
10. Trunkfish
Few fish bring a smile to a snorkeler's face quite like the Trunkfish. With its box-shaped body, tiny fins, and quirky swimming style, it looks like something designed by a cartoon artist rather than nature. Instead of swimming smoothly like most reef fish, trunkfish appear to hover and bob through the water, moving in almost every direction with surprising precision.
Bonaire is home to both the Smooth Trunkfish and the Spotted Trunkfish. While their patterns differ, both species are easy to recognize thanks to their distinctive shape and hard, armor-like body. Their rigid outer skeleton protects them from predators and gives them their unusual boxy appearance.
Trunkfish use their small fins like miniature propellers, allowing them to maneuver effortlessly around coral heads, rocky ledges, and sandy patches. They often spend their time searching for tiny crustaceans, worms, and other small invertebrates hidden among the reef.
Juvenile trunkfish are especially adorable and are often covered in bright spots or intricate patterns that make them look like floating ornaments. Because they are relatively small and often move slowly, many snorkelers overlook them at first. Once you learn to recognize their shape, however, you'll start spotting them much more frequently.
Unlike some reef fish that travel in schools, trunkfish are usually found alone, quietly exploring the reef. Their curious personalities and unusual appearance make them a favorite subject for underwater enthusiasts.
A trunkfish sighting is often one of the highlights of a Bonaire snorkeling trip. Whether you encounter a tiny juvenile hiding among the coral or an adult slowly cruising over the reef, these charming fish are always a memorable find.
Snorkeler Tip: Many snorkelers confuse trunkfish with cowfish because both belong to the boxfish family and have a hard, armor-like body. The easiest way to tell them apart is by looking for horns. Cowfish have noticeable horn-like projections extending from the front of their head, giving them their name, while trunkfish have a smoother, more rounded appearance. Both species use tiny fins to hover and maneuver around the reef, making them some of the most entertaining fish to watch underwater.
Bonus Fish: Scrawled Filefish
The Scrawled Filefish is one of Bonaire's most intriguing reef residents and a fish that many snorkelers swim right past without ever noticing. Masters of camouflage, these remarkable fish can change their color and pattern to blend seamlessly into their surroundings, making them surprisingly difficult to spot among sea fans, soft corals, and rocky reef structures.
Their bodies are laterally compressed, giving them a thin, almost leaf-like appearance when viewed head-on. Combined with their ability to alter their coloration, this makes them experts at disappearing into the reef.
Scrawled Filefish get their name from the intricate maze-like markings that cover their bodies. These "scrawled" patterns vary between individuals and create a beautiful, artistic appearance when viewed up close. Their elongated snouts allow them to pick small invertebrates and algae from cracks and crevices throughout the reef.
One of the easiest ways to identify a Scrawled Filefish is by its unique swimming style. Unlike many reef fish that move with their tails, filefish often use their dorsal and anal fins to glide slowly and gracefully through the water. They can even hover almost motionless while inspecting coral formations for food.
Like triggerfish, filefish possess a small defensive spine on top of their head that can be raised when threatened. This adaptation helps protect them from predators and is one of the characteristics shared by members of the triggerfish and filefish family.
Spotting a Scrawled Filefish often feels like finding hidden treasure. Their camouflage is so effective that many snorkelers only notice them after spending time carefully observing the reef. Once you've seen one, however, you'll begin recognizing their distinctive shape and behavior more often.
For fish enthusiasts, the Scrawled Filefish is always a rewarding discovery and a reminder that some of Bonaire's most fascinating marine life is hiding in plain sight.
More Than Just Fish
While the fish are spectacular, Bonaire's reefs are also home to:
Green Sea Turtles
Hawksbill Turtles
Southern Stingrays
Spotted Eagle Rays
Dolphins
Squids
Octopus
Seahorses
Moray Eels
Lobsters
Shrimps
Crabs
Every snorkel session is different, which is one of the reasons visitors return to Bonaire year after year.
Want to See More Fish? Learn Where to Look
One of the biggest surprises for first-time snorkelers in Bonaire is how many fish they swim past without ever noticing. Many first-time snorkelers focus on swimming from point A to point B. The secret to seeing more marine life is slowing down, hovering quietly, and carefully scanning the reef.
Some species, like Blue Tangs and Parrotfish, are easy to spot because they are colorful and often found in the open. Others require a much more careful eye. Peacock Flounders can disappear into the sand, Scrawled Filefish blend perfectly into sea fans, and Balloonfish often sit motionless among rocks and coral where they're surprisingly difficult to see.
Many fish spend their days hiding in crevices, resting on the reef, or using camouflage to avoid predators. Knowing where to look can make the difference between seeing a handful of fish and discovering dozens of species during the same snorkel.
That's where a knowledgeable guide can make all the difference.
Learn Fish Identification with Saskia
If you've ever wondered, "What was that fish?" you're not alone. Many visitors spend their first few days snorkeling without realizing how much marine life is right in front of them.
Saskia's Fish Identification Snorkel Tour is designed to help guests recognize and identify Bonaire's most common reef fish while learning about their behaviors, habitats, and roles within the reef ecosystem. Along the way, she'll point out species that many snorkelers would never notice on their own.
Instead of simply swimming over the reef, you'll learn how to spot camouflaged fish, recognize different species of angelfish, butterflyfish, triggerfish, puffers, and parrotfish, and gain a deeper appreciation for Bonaire's incredible underwater world.
For guests staying 14 nights or longer at Treasure By The Sea Bonaire, Saskia also provides a complimentary guided snorkel tour of our house reef, complete with underwater video footage of your adventure. It's a fun way to discover marine life you might otherwise miss and leave Bonaire with memories you can share long after your vacation ends.
Stay Near Bonaire's Best Snorkeling
Treasure By The Sea Bonaire is located just steps from the ocean on our house reef and within easy reach of many of Bonaire's most popular snorkeling sites. Guests enjoy private dive lockers, an outdoor rinse station, and comfortable accommodations designed for snorkelers and divers alike.
Whether you're exploring our nearby house reef or venturing to famous sites such as Bari Reef, Something Special, or Andrea I & II, you will never be far from your next underwater adventure.
Complimentary Guided Snorkel Tour for Two-Week Stays
Guests staying 14 nights or longer receive a complimentary guided snorkel tour of our house reef with local snorkel guide Saskia.
This special experience includes a personalized guided snorkel, marine life spotting, fish identification, and underwater video footage of your adventure. Saskia has an incredible eye for finding marine life that many snorkelers swim right past.
Many guests tell us this guided snorkel becomes one of the highlights of their Bonaire vacation.
Guided Snorkel Tours Available
Want to explore even more of Bonaire's underwater world?
Saskia also offers guided snorkel tours throughout Bonaire, including experiences focused on:
Sea turtles
Bonaire's healthiest coral reefs
Fish identification and marine life education
Beginner snorkeling instruction
Underwater photography and video opportunities
Customized snorkeling adventures based on your interests
These tours are perfect for visitors who want to learn more about Bonaire's marine ecosystem while maximizing what they see underwater.
Ready To See These Fish For Yourself?
Whether you're hoping to photograph a colorful Queen Triggerfish, spot a well-camouflaged Peacock Flounder, or simply float above Bonaire's vibrant coral reefs, you'll quickly discover why Bonaire is considered one of the best snorkeling destinations in the Caribbean.
Book your stay at Treasure By The Sea Bonaire and experience the incredible marine life that makes Bonaire famous.
The next time you're snorkeling in Bonaire, don't just look for sea turtles and rays. Slow down and take a closer look at the reef. You may discover a camouflaged Peacock Flounder, a curious Balloonfish, or a colorful Queen Triggerfish hiding in plain sight. The more time you spend observing the reef, the more you'll see - and the more you will appreciate why Bonaire is considered one of the world's best snorkeling destinations.
Great read! Thanks so much for all the info, we can't wait to arrive on Bonaire and find all of these speices with you on our guided snorkel trip!