Sue and Ken’s wonderful Snorkeling trip to Bonaire . . . .

We had a great trip to Bonaire and were there May 17 to 25th. The snorkeling was better than we expected. We met some nice people including Renee, Dee (of the Woodwind), and several Bonaire Talkers. The food was good, and accommodations were okay. The car rental was an expensive luxury.

FLIGHTS
We went to San Juan on American Air, then to Bonaire on American Eagle. Big mistake, as we had to spend 5 hours at the airport in San Juan, going and coming. Not enough time to do any traveling there, and we had to take our carry-on luggage with us. Got into Bonaire late at night (9:00 PM). Next time, I would go to Curacao on American, then to Bonaire via Air Jamaica. Or, do the trip completely on Air Jamaica.

DIVI RESORT
The 2nd floor deluxe room at the Divi Resort was nice. It looked out onto the water, and we could see some fish. The grounds are beautiful with different types of trees and plants. The resort workers were not very friendly and the maid did not do a good job on keeping the room clean. They talked in a bunch, and we had to get their attention to ask questions. They were not very helpful. However, two of the people were very good: Carlos the porter, and Ivy at the activities desk. We won't stay there again.

CAR RENTAL
We rented a Hertz car and picked it up at the Divi. That worked out really well - it was very easy to do. Prices of all the rentals were about the same; i.e., about $53 per day for a mid-size car. We had the car for 5 days of the 8 days we were there. We didn't use it much, as we went with Renee or Dee for snorkeling. The rental car was useful to get to restaurants outside town and to some snorkel sites on our own, but was an expensive luxury.

SNORKELING EQUIPMENT
We used dive skins, booties, and dive fins. I really recommend the dive skins and booties. The dive skins were very comfortable and worked well, but we were a little chilly after the third snorkel of the day. But we warmed up fast. I think that a wet suit would be too much trouble for me. For people that dive, a 2 or 3 mil wet suit would be needed.
The booties were a must for walking over the coral. I would recommend the booties that come up to the ankle bone.
I got a little sun burn on the head, so I should have used some sort of cap. I didn't see any other snorkelers using a cap.

SNORKELING
We went with either Renee or Dee (Woodwind) for snorkeling. I would really recommend both of them for snorkeling trips. They know where the best places are to snorkel and can find stuff that you would never see on your own. We went with Renee for two snorkel days, with Renee for night snorkeling, and with Dee and Ulf on the Woodwind to Klein Bonaire, and with Dee for one night snorkeling.
The best snorkeling day was with Renee. She has been there for 14 years and is very experienced.
The best night snorkeling was with Dee - she showed us stuff we hadn't seen all week! Dee is a real sweetheart - very enthusiastic. We started at the Town Pier, a little scary underneath, but well worth it! The coral on the pier columns were very colorful, all shades of bright orange and red. We saw some fascinating stuff such as 4 huge moray eels, one that Dee has named Carlton. He is five feet long, and is incredible to watch swim. We also saw Jeff and Jefferson, two large tarpons. Jeff was a bit of a ham in the underwater light. He got to be a pest. We saw some shrimp (bright eyes at night), spiny lobsters, a spotted eel, a sleeping parrot fish (different color when sleeping), soldiers, and squirrelfish. Also, a hogback turtle and 2 tiny seahorses. Great trip!!

We did a lot of snorkeling at the Divi on our own. Very easy entry, nice calm waters, and just a great place to start. They have a rock pier that has many of the fish that you will see on Bonaire. Then you can venture out a little on the reef. This is a great place to check out your equipment and gain snorkeling confidence.

Karpata - We really liked Karpata, we went there twice. It has a lot of underwater plants and coral. Beautiful - like a garden. We saw stands of elk horn and fan coral with lots of fish in shallow water. There was a great assortment of soft corals. However, you should get there early to avoid choppy waters. I would start snorkeling there no later than 8:30 a.m. Getting in and out is a little tricky.

Blue Hole - at Lac Bay, near Sorobon, inside the reef that protects the bay. Renee took us there. You have to wade out a long way and the water is very shallow, but once in the water there is a lot of plant life and a lot of fish. Everything is in miniature. It is the best place to do some underwater picture taking, so bring your underwater cameras. I think that even the cheap cameras would do well there, as you are right up and personal with the fish. I think that there are only certain times when you can go here due to tide and wind conditions. Ask Renee. This is a great place.

Other places Renee took us included Tori's Reef (good fish viewing and easy in and out), Lac Bay harbor (saw upside down jellyfish), Andrea I and II , Ol' Blue, Windsock, and others. Renee pointed out a lot of interesting fish and other underwater stuff.

RESTAURANTS
The best place we went to for food was Gibi's (pronounced Jibi's.). The food there was the best, the price was very reasonable ($30 for 2 people, including dessert) but plan to be there 2 hours. Gibi is a very nice person and very helpful. We ate there Tues. with other Bonaire Talkers and once again during the week.

Breakfasts - Don't miss the eggs Benedict at Lost Penguin - she opens at 8. City Café was fine - we shared the big American breakfast. Old Town Inn was a special treat for breakfast - if you order his special omelet (not on the menu), share it with your partner. He had the best coffee I had all week. Breakfast buffet at the Divi is $13 (American), so we didn't even try that!

Other meals - Chibi Chibi (at the Divi). Food was fine, portions small, service not friendly, but nice ambience, as you can sit overlooking the water and watch the fish. It Rains Fishes - again, slow service (very busy), good food - shrimp termidor delicious, grilled mahi mahi a little overcooked. Lunch at Bongo's was delicious - fish sandwich. Right on the beach, not too expensive - next door to Eden Beach Resort. Also, on Sunday, go to the local café over at Lac Bay with Renee- they have music and mostly local customers - had pastichio (meat or cheese pie) and limpia (like a spring roll).

WEATHER - very hot and humid while we were there - we were told that was very unusual. So being in the water was the best place to be! Shorts and t-shirts were all we ever needed, very casual island. Had several rain storms.

NEXT VISIT – to Bonaire, we want to stay in an efficiency so we can fix our own breakfasts and lunches - and dinner if we can buy fresh fish off the boat! Anybody have any suggestions? We do want to be on the water - a room with a view! Having breakfast will allow you an earlier start on the snorkeling.

Great Trip. Thanks to Renee and Dee . . . . . Ken and Sue

Thank you Sue and Ken for your trip report. Very nice to read.

You wrote:
"NEXT VISIT – to Bonaire, we want to stay in an efficiency so we can fix our own breakfasts and lunches - and dinner if we can buy fresh fish off the boat! Anybody have any suggestions? We do want to be on the water - a room with a view! Having breakfast will allow you an earlier start on the snorkeling."

We rented a affordable bungalow and made 50% of the time our own dinner. (www.bonairebungalows.com)
Gibi gives indeed good value. 10m further there is a very very small restaurant. Actually more a take away. There you can eat for half the price you pay at Gibi's
Breakfast and lunch at home.
The bungalow was not on the water, but only a couple of minutes drive.

We've found a very small "shop" in Kralendijk where fresh fish is sold every day. (take the road from the church in the direction of Rincon; after a few kilometers you turn left into the residential area) Not to difficult to find. "every" local can give you direction.

Hi, Ken and Sue. Thanks for the report. So sorry your experience at the Divi was not up to snuff. We love staying there. We are on the timeshare side and can't wait to return every year.

Sounds like you had some wonderful snorkeling experiences on your own and with Renee and Dee. We do know Renee but have yet to meet up with Dee on the Woodwind. Carole

I loved reading your trip report. I too love snorkeling with Renee and Dee when out on the Woodwind.I call Renee eagle eyes because she is always finding the neatest things that I would have never seen and she knows where a lot of the little critters live which is a huge advantage! Her knowledge of the easy entries is also very helpful to me. It's always a fun day sailing on the Woodwind with Ulf and Dee and you are almost always likely to see a turtle on the drift snorkel over at Kline!
Glad you enjoyed yourselves!

I would recommend Sand Dollar Condo Resort for your next trip to Bonaire. They are right on the water and offer apartments from Studio to 3 BR. All have fully equipped kitchens. Great if you want to do your own cooking. Bari Reef is almost at your doorstep and has some great snorkeling. We stayed there last year and are returning in July. Can't wait.

Marvin

All - Thanks for your response to our trip report. Specifically:

Bob - thanks for your tip on Bonaire Bungalous and location of the fish shop. We also got food at the takout near Gibis. However, they took a long time to prepare the food.

Carole - We thought that Dee was a wonderful person and great guide. The Woodwind trip was a lot of fun, you should try them next time.

Darlene - I agree that Renee and Dee were good and lead very informative trips. We also saw several turtles on the trip to Bonaire Kline on the Woodwind.

Marvin - thanks for the tip on Sand dollar Condo. We will check it out. Sounds link a good place for us to stay next time. We went by the place, but did not have a chance to snorkel there. I don't know how it compares with the reef section at the Divi.

ken and sue