I usually never join in with the newsgroups, my wife said I am a lurker. I must admit, I have been collecting information for our trip for some time now thru this newsgroup. So I figured it was time to fess up. First, our trip went well. We stayed at the Sanddollar Resort and had no complaints whatsoever. I rented a bicycle at their bike shop and kept it at our room. I would ride in the mornings to Rincon and make the circle back. We ate our breakfast at Sanddollar and then headed for the snorkel sites. We snorkeled Bari,Front Porch,Windsock, Andrea I and II, Tori's reef, Wayaka I and II and 1000 steps. All had something that held my interest, especially the huge parrot fish at Andrea II. We saw ells at Bari and enjoyed the variety of fish at all the sites. We also went over to Klein for the day and were probably most disappointed with this site. perhaps someone could shed some light on this spot. We snorkeled no name beach. As far as eating we hit RunRunners,City Cafe,Pasa Bon pizza,Rib Factory,Blue Moon, Karels, and some others that I have now forgot. All were good, except Blue Moon did not have the ostriach steak that I went for. City cafe had great crepes and Pasa Bon pizza is a definite spot for me. The weather was good, a bit windy for me, but maybe there is a better time of year as when the wind is not so strong. We had been looking for a place to go once a year for a week getaway, I think we found it. We have already decided to return next year. Probably in June again. Thank you all for taking the time to read my message and thanks again for all the information. We'll see you next June. Happy snorkeling!!!!!!!!

another fan of Bonaire is born!! Welcome to the PBD club!!!

Randy -

Thank you for taking time to post your trip report.

As you well know, the trip reports are a gold mine of information for all. And all who have done one appreciate the time and effort it takes to compose a coherent dialog and to post it correctly.

We're delighted your first trip to Snorkelers Heaven merits a second...it seems to happen that way!

We're looking forward to our fourth trip soon and we have learned some important tidbits from your report.

Masha danki.

Charles Poteet
Dallas

If you only snorkeled Klein Bonaire from "No Name" beach, I can see why you were disappointed. Not much to see right there. You need to take the water taxi over and let the driver know that you want to do the drift snorkel. He will let you leave your things on the beach and then take you a ways up the coast, drop you in the water and you can drift back with the current. This was one of the best snorkels we did as the reef there is great! We saw three turtles. Just gives you another reason to return!

Randy,

I'm no expert on Bonaire weather but I seem to recall that June is generally a windy month... You might post a question about this on the Windsurfing section of BonaireTalk - I'm sure the windsurfers know when the best time of the year is (wind-wise :-)).

Barton

Thanks for sharing your report and welcome to the world where we are all planning our next Bonaire visit! You found some of our favorite snorkel sites and restaurants, especially Pasa Bon. Maybe next trip you will try Lost Penguin and Bobbejans. I am impressed by your morning bike ride!

Thanks for sharing your trip report and glad that you enjoyed your trip to paradise.
I agree with Larry that you need to do the drift snorkel over at Kline and my favorite way to get there is on the Woodwind. It is a trimaran and it does two snorkel stops with lunch and open bar during its sail. It is a really nice way to spend a morning. I most always see turtles and Queen angels among many other favorites on my drifts there. I hope this helps for next time!

Thanks Larry for the info on Klien. I thought we made a mistake somehow. Next year we will ask the taxi driver to take us up stream. I enjoy seeing turtles when we snorkel. We saw them in Bora Bora and also did not see any in the Caymans. Last year with all the rain, the Caymans water was not that clear. Thanks again

Randy - if you want to avoid the wind go late August through mid October - the wind does die down - however with no wind the temps soar and it gets hot. I was there in October - very little wind - very hot!!!! I am going back mid July this year as a diver!!! I snorkeled the last trip - and will definitely do snorkeling this year when I am not diving. But I am looking forward to having some wind.

We did the drift snorkel with the Woodwind at Klein and I would highly recommend this too!!!

Thanks for sharing your report - glad to see you will return!!!

Mary,
Thanks for the reply. I think next year we will wait and go late July or first of August. I will wait to hear how you make out in July!!!