Hilma Hooker is one of Bonaire’s most popular dive sites and the island’s best-known wreck. At a depth of less than 100 feet (31 meters) and within swimming distance from shore, Hilma Hooker is ideally situated for boat and shore divers of all experience levels.
Built in 1951 in the Netherlands, the freighter was originally named MV Midsland and began her service with a shipping company that operated out of Rotterdam. After changing her name and ownership multipe times, and sinking off the coast of the Dominican Republic in July 1975, she was raised and resold and ultimately got the name Hilma Hooker under Columbian ownership. Hilma Hooker assumingly experienced problems with her rudder as she was passing the coast of Bonaire and had to be towed to Kralendijk’s harbor, where the authorities found out she was sailing without official papers.
The authorities decided to search her as both the FBI and Interpol suspected she was being used to smuggle illegal drugs and they found 25.000 pounds (11.300 kg) of marijuana hidden behind her bulkheads. The authorities had little to no success identifying her owners. After growing concerns about the vessel’s ability to stay afloat, the port authorities towed Hilma Hooker away from Kralendijk’s main pier and on September 12, 1984, Hilma Hooker sank for the last time, settling her starboard side at the base of the first reef slope. The wreck is fully encrusted with soft corals and sponges, particularly around the exposed propeller.
Keep watch for the plentiful marine life that has colonized the wreck, including green moray eels, tarpon, snapper, angelfish and parrotfish. Patrolling barracuda also frequent the water column above the masts.
