By Pontus Hamilton (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Tuesday, October 21, 2003 - 10:44 am: |
We are going to Bonaire in December (from Sweden)and although I have not been snorkeling before, the conditions on Bonaire seem to make that a perfect place to begin! Me and my father are both beginners but are reasonably good swimmers. Do you have any suggestions about how to begin, and where?
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By C. Kritagent (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #201) on Tuesday, October 21, 2003 - 12:24 pm: |
Get mask, fins and snorkle, find a place where the water looks nice and inviting and wade right in. The reef and the reef residents starts almost right at the water edge. Bonaire is indeed a perfect place to start.
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By C Poteet (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #156) on Tuesday, October 21, 2003 - 12:43 pm: |
Pontus -
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By Rita Daggett (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #133) on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 - 6:04 am: |
It might be worth giving it a try at home before you go away (in a pool or even in the bath)- the first time I tried snorkelling (was an experienced swimmer) I found it almost impossible to make myself breathe with my face in the water!
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By herman mowery (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #233) on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 - 9:46 am: |
By all means get yourself a GOOD mask. It does not have to be an expensive mask but it does need to fit correctly, a leaking mask is a big pain. Avoid the prepackaged ones, you must try on mask to find one that fits correctly. While it will cost more, go to a dive shop and have them help you find one that fits your face. I have tried on the entire product line of one maker and none of them fit my face, they all fit my wife. Fit is the key, not cost. Don't spend much on the snorkel, most any will do but try to pick one with a larger tube (bore) size. The very slim ones do not breath as easy. You may not want to purchase fins but I would suggest that you do invest in some form of dive bootie. These need to be of the hard soled varity. The soft sock like ones are not very good for the iron stone and coral rubble that are common on the shores of Bonaire. Your feet will thank you. You will also want some form of defog for your mask. There are lots of products on the market but I (and a lot of my dive buddies) use baby shampoo. I use it full strength, rub a DROP or 2 on the lens, let it dry and give it a quick rinse just before starting the dive/snorkel. Regular shampoo or dish detergent will work but taste horrible and stings your eyes.
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By v.cioffletti (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #8) on Sunday, November 16, 2003 - 2:20 am: |
Very interesting recommendation on a nylon dive "skin" instead of sunscreen. Out of curiosity, how much would one cost? I DO use sunscreen since I burn easily.......fair skin, and not thick hair even.....so I still do have to put sunscreen on the base around my hairline and even on my scalp where my hair parts. But the idea of not slathering myself over and over is appealing. Selfishly, I never thought of sunscreen and marine life, rather worried about what it might do to my skin.
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By Carole Baker (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2831) on Sunday, November 16, 2003 - 8:44 am: |
Hi, Ginni....this past trip was a first for me...my scalp (right where the part is) burned during our first day or so. That has never happened to me before in Bonaire. (we, too, are snorkelers). I will remember to take precautions this June...I will apply sublock to my head/scalp as well as the rest of my body! That was not a fun experience. I guess my hair is thinner now than it used to be...part of the "aging" process, I guess! LOL. So, watch out for your head, too. You will fall in love with Bonaire as have the rest of us. Ayo. Carole
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By C Poteet (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #165) on Sunday, November 16, 2003 - 2:07 pm: |
Ginni -
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By Deana Alexander (BonaireTalker - Post #25) on Sunday, November 16, 2003 - 2:23 pm: |
I always use a nylon or Lycra dive skin and also a hood made of the same material to protect my head, neck and ears. I have been burned on the top of my ears and the top of my head (my hair is thin). The hood also keeps my hair out of my face and eyes. I did have to put sunscreen on my forehead but that is all.
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By Jerry Besco (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #4) on Monday, November 17, 2003 - 2:30 pm: |
Pontus,
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