Bonaire (pronounced /bɔːˈnɛər/ or /bɒnˈɛər/; Dutch:Bonaire, Papiamentu: Boneiru) is an island in the Leeward Antilles in the Caribbean Sea. Together with Aruba and Curaçao, it forms the group known as the ABC islands, located less than a hundred miles off the north coast of South America near the western part of Venezuela. Unlike much of the Caribbean region, the ABCs lie outside the hurricane belt and have an arid climate. This helps tourism as visitors to the islands can reliably expect warm, sunny weather. Bonaire is a popular destination for scuba divers, and well known for easy access to its various reefs from the shore.