We were just wondering where one is most likely to see Turtles while snorkeling in Bonaire?

Thanks in advance.

Angela
Oklahoma

The place I've seen turtles most often is Ol'Blue, on the road north. It's a beautiful snorkel place anyway, so why don't give it a try? Somebody even told me they saw a Dolphin-fish there in the shallows, but that's very, very rare. It's also the only site a friend of mine has ever seen a Manta Ray passing by, and one of the two sites we've ever seen a reef shark. And this is 'just' my 7th time on Bonaire!
The only thing is you'll have to go back via Rincon, but it just takes a little more time passing this lovely town.

Gwen, You could also take the dirt road back into Kralendijk, you have some great views to Klein and the salt pier from there.

Thanks....well have to try Ole Blue...

Angela

Martin,

Where is the dirt road back to town? On our first trip there, I was the navigator, and had this little road picked out to take us back very close to Hato. But we couldn't find a road marked to get us there! Finally, we asked someone and they directed us all the way around the long way. Is it marked any way special?

Gail, if we are thinking of the same road it is a dirt road marked by a stone (painted orange maybe?) with a mountain biker painted on it. After leaving Karpata and heading towards Rincon it comes up pretty quickly on your right. It brings you back just north of Andrea 2 near Caribbean Club.

Angela, we have seen turtles while snorkeling Andrea 2 and doing the drift snorkel from LaDania to Karpata.

Ahhhh, so you don't even get to Rincon! That's where I went wrong. I thought it was in Rincon itself. Thanks!

Bypass Rincon and miss the Rose Inn? tsk,tsk,tsk.

Gail Susan is right. It's about 400 to 700 meters from Karpata.

there is one little tiny section of that road that, in some cases, will have you turning around and going home the long(er) way;) - you can't be timid;) - but it is just the one spot...

fun drive;)

We have always seen turtles snorkeling at Karparta. There seem to be 3 or 4 young resident turtles there.

Another spot we saw a turtle - a beautiful young Hawksbill 2 days in a row at Fish Hut and Fish Hut South in the shallows, I assume it was the same one. BTW, these sites were on the top of our list.

Hi, Just got back from Bonaire! We saw 3 turtles (count 'em THREE!!) during one snorkel when we did the drift snorkle off Kleine Bonaire. Also saw the largest moray eel in 15 years of snorkeling and a gigantic lobster. Take the water taxi over. It leaves from the pier in front of "It Rains Fishes" at 10, 12, and 2. "Kontika di Amor" is the name of it. They will let you drop your lunch/gear on the beach, and then they will take you up the reef and drop you at a place where you can slowly drift with the current back to the beach area. (It's also the best value for your money cashing in at only $16 a person).

The key is...take your time! Let all the other folks take off first, swimming like they are going to a fire and scaring all the underwater life. You lag behind. Then float and drift with the current...don't kick and make lots of noise...and it will be amazing what you will see. It took us 1 hour 45 minutes to drift back, and it was the BEST snorkle of our 2 week trip! Hope this helps!

Larry, I do the drift snorkel at Kline with the Woodwind and I almost always see turtles and one time I saw six in one snorkel. Another time I got to snorkel right over a huge loggerhead for about fifteen minutes!!! I was just in awe!!

Saw and turtle and queen angel playing tag three days in a row at the Lake on south end. Also saw amazing eagle ray at the same spot. Last march/april
didn't have a bad dive there tho...........anywhere