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Snorkeling Bonaire: Getting in/out snorkeler
Bonaire Talk: Snorkeling Bonaire: Archives: Archive 2001- 2007: Archives - 2003-04-01 to 2004-04-30: Getting in/out snorkeler
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Fienberg (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Tuesday, September 2, 2003 - 2:09 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi,

I am use to snorkeling where the access is easy.
Can one get into the water and put on flippers or do we need socks to walk in and then put on flippers or do we just walk in with flippers?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cecil Berry (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2901) on Tuesday, September 2, 2003 - 2:19 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

You will need something on your feet. Most entries are either lava rock, dead coral or coral rubble. Some people wear water shoes in, put on the funny feet and throw the shoes on to the shore. Others keep the water shoes on them. The best are booties and strap fins, booties make great water shoes, you can't get sand in them.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By C. Kritagent (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #132) on Tuesday, September 2, 2003 - 3:54 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

If you opt for dive booties make sure the soles are heavy. A "stone bruise" from stepping on the coral wrong can leave you with sore feet for your entire vacation. Another option is to locally purchase a pair of inexpensive rubber sandals and clip them off to you when you snorkle so you will also have them where ever you exit.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2545) on Tuesday, September 2, 2003 - 6:08 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi, Steve! Some spots are very easy to enter with sandy bottoms, but we use our heavy soled booties along with our strap securing fins. I do enjoy being "barefoot" while we are at the Divi, tho. Nice to feel the water between those free-moving toes! LOL. I vote for the booties and the strap fins. You will LOVE Bonaire! The snorkeling is superb, and that is putting it mildly. I won't come out of the water for at least 8 hours once I am in! Racoon face tan, too as my face is always in a mask and face down in the water! LOL. I have to make an effort to take the mask OFF once in a while and just let the sun hit my face so it matches the backs of my legs and my back! LOL. I wish I were in the water right now. Where and when are you going?? Carole

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kathryn Hall (BonaireTalker - Post #11) on Tuesday, September 2, 2003 - 8:10 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

A minor question - do we rent these "booties" if we are renting gear there, or should we just buy them? I assume we can get all that stuff on the island? We are going to need wet suits as well, something I've never worn, but I get cold very easily, so I'll need one.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2550) on Tuesday, September 2, 2003 - 9:19 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

We bought our booties on Bonaire. Very reasonably priced. I don't recall the "exact" price, but I do remember there was no "sticker shock" involved at all! LOL. I think we picked up our fins and booties at the Caribbe Inn down the road from the Divi. Good deal on everything. We don't use wetsuits, so I can't help you on that one. Carole

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By C. Kritagent (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #134) on Tuesday, September 2, 2003 - 9:31 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Booties are considered "personal" equipment, it would be akin to renting someone's shoes. As Carole said, a thick sole bootie will not bring sticker shock, however !!! the open heel "scuba type" fins will indeed stop your wallet. These babies can run between 99.00 to 200.00 depending on size and gee-whiz factor.

You can purchase snorkel equipment reasonable, and can rent wetsuits at most dive shops. As I remember, Capt Mike's Snorkle Tours provides mask and fins, but you have to buy the snorkle (because of the mouthpiece).

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kathryn Hall (BonaireTalker - Post #12) on Tuesday, September 2, 2003 - 9:51 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

We'll definitely buy some of the cheaper ones, then. We have fins and snorkel gear from our trip to St. Martin 2 years ago, so we'll just have to rent the suits and dive gear. Thanks for the tips!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Annette Roswell - The Last Bite Bakery (BonaireTalker - Post #15) on Tuesday, September 2, 2003 - 10:42 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Steve...
Another consideration would be to buy a pair of "water shoes" at a Wal-mart or whatever...they are very inexpensive, thin mesh top with rubber bottom...wear them into the water and then slip on fins to snorkel. ("water-shoes" can then be sliped into a waistband or mesh snorkel bag while snorkeling.) This is what I do and I find it very comfortable and not to cumbersom :-) Shore here is usually lava rock and not very friendly to the bear foot :-) Also...be sure to check out Jeff Davis as an easy sandy entrance....decent snorkeling and most of all....sandy bottom perfect for playing in the surf :-) Enjoy your trip !

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Annette Roswell - The Last Bite Bakery (BonaireTalker - Post #16) on Tuesday, September 2, 2003 - 10:44 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

spelling inaccuracies ignored please :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By mary pequinot (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #345) on Thursday, September 4, 2003 - 8:06 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Before I started diving, I was an avid snorkeler. I was walking along the shore in Bonaire and cut my foot. It hurt for WEEKS. Put out a little money and buy booties and open heel fins. They will be worth the investment-and you can always use them if you decide you want to start diving!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By MariaShaffer-Gordon (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Saturday, September 6, 2003 - 8:03 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I haven't been to Bonaire yet, but I did what Annette suggested (cheap water shoes). I don't have strap/open heel fins, and didn't feel like buying them since the fins I own have hardly been used. I wanted to take the water shoes with me, but didn't want the discomfort of having them hang off of me while snorkeling. I purchased a fanny pack with a mesh bottom that won't make me more buoyant. There's a second, smaller mesh pocket for keys, etc. The fanny pack is just big enough for the shoes, or it can be used with the dry pack insert that came with it. I think it won't be too uncomfortable to wear while snorkeling. Trident makes this fanny pack.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2577) on Saturday, September 6, 2003 - 9:03 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Soundsl like a plan to me, Maria! Good luck and keep us posted as to how your trip goes. Have fun!! Carole

 


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