CARIBSS (CARIBBEAN SPELEOLOGICAL SOCIETY) was founded in 2016 on the island of Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands, by a diverse group of dedicated professionals who share a strong passion for different aspects of caves, including exploration, cultural heritage, ecology, geology and recreation, among others.
To ensure that the caves in the Island of Bonaire and the Caribbean and the values they contained are recognized, respected and protected by residents and visitors.
CARIBSS aims to explore, document and preserve the cave systems of the Is land of Bonaire and the Caribbean while ensuring their optimal management, and to serve as a forum where all the different organizations or individuals can share information, projects and initiatives.
The goals of the society are:
Personal :
Institutional:
The following individuals have successfully attended and met the requirements of the society to guide tours inside the caves of the Bonaire Caves and Karst Nature Reserve. Course classes included but were not limited to:
Guiding cave tours on Bonaire since 2014, Dirk Groeneboer was trained by the outdoor adventure company Flow and participated in the first CARIBSS karst and cave tour guide course. With a focus on safety, fun, and environmental conservation, he leads visitors through some of the island’s most fascinating caves. His tours are available in English, French, Dutch, Italian, German, and Swiss-German, offering an immersive and educational experience.
Father and son, Jos and Jim De Schrijver, moved from Belgium to Bonaire in 2018, drawn by their love for diving and adventure. Both are certified CARIBSS cave guides, leading visitors through Bonaire’s breathtaking cave systems, hidden chambers, and crystal-clear pools while prioritizing safety and conservation. With Jos’s deep knowledge of the island and Jim’s background as a scuba diving instructor, they create unforgettable and educational experiences. They offer tours in Dutch, English, French, and some Papiamento.
Originally from Colombia, Alejandro Gutiérrez has been guiding cave tours on Bonaire since 2013. A certified Full Cave Diver trained by Steve Boegarts, he is a founding member of CARIBSS and has contributed to cave exploration, underwater mapping, and bat monitoring projects. With a background in electrical engineering, he combines adventure with science education, making each tour both exciting and informative. He offers tours in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, with some Dutch and Papiamento.
Originally from Colombia, Tamanaé Vargas Salazar is a Full Cave Diver and passionate explorer of Bonaire’s underground world. A founding board member of CARIBSS, she has been guiding cave tours since 2014, after completing her IANTD Full Cave Diver training in Mexico and contributing to various cave exploration and conservation projects on the island. With a deep love for adventure, she offers immersive and educational tours in both English and Spanish.
For all legal purposes, CARIBSS is an Association legally formed and registered on Bonaire’s chamber of commerce under register number: 9624