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Hilma Hooker (wreck)
 Bonaire, Bonaire
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Max Depth: 91-100ft/28-30m
Average Viz: 91-100ft/28-30m
Entry Type: Shore
Bottom Composition: Sand
Aquatic Life: Might See Something
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Rating: 4.25 by 65 divers
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Hilma Hooker (wreck) is a shore accessible salt water dive site, located in Bonaire, Bonaire. This dive site has an average rating of 4.25 out of 5 from 65 scuba divers. The maximum depth is 91-100ft/28-30m. The average visibility is 91-100ft/28-30m.
A very popular dive site, The Hilma Hooker, is a must-do dive. The 70 meter cargo ship was purposely sunk on this location back in 1984. It’s a fascinating dive, if you’ve never had the opportunity to explore a vessel this size before. At a depth of 20 to 35 meters, you’ll need to watch your air, depth and time carefully.
From SportDiver magazine.
Drug-running boats are a boon to the diving community. They’re sunk often and quickly. For divers who like a good story, they tend to keep revealing details long after the drain-plug was pulled. On Bonaire, the Hilma Hooker is one such gift — although it wasn’t deep- sixed quickly in the dead of night. The DEA was already hot on its stern in 1984, and would have preferred its evidence dry, but the already detained vessel couldn’t comply. Over the next five days, it took on water and sank. Luckily for us, this happened in a convenient location. Find it 3 miles south of the main city of Kralendijk, marked by yellow stone 43 on shore — the swim out is only 300 yards. Buddy Dive Resort instructor German Arango favors this wreck because even a simple swim around its entirety — and it’s just 235 feet long — yields a look at the wreck’s nameplate. The vessel sank with everything inside. Those who penetrate can easily identify the crew quarters, the head and the engine room.