BonaireTalk Discussion Group
Snorkeling Bonaire: Snorkeling Vacation in 2004
Bonaire Talk: Snorkeling Bonaire: Archives: Archive 2001- 2007: Archives - 2003-04-01 to 2004-04-30: Snorkeling Vacation in 2004
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By KrisWriter (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Tuesday, November 11, 2003 - 7:15 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi, we are planning a trip to Bonaire in May of next year and are virgin Caribbean travelers. Great snorkeling is our top priority, and I heard Bonaire is one of the best places to go. I was looking for some helpful suggestions on places to snorkel & places to stay in Bonaire. We are interested in charming B&B or nice resorts. I really want to enjoy where we are staying, and I would love some tips on good dining experiences too...if it's not asking too much!! Thanks in advance for recommendations!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Susan Taft (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #234) on Wednesday, November 12, 2003 - 12:55 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Kris, welcome to BT. You will find lots of helpful people here! Look through the accommodation threads and dining threads for good info on places to stay and places to eat. Everyone has their favorites and each place is different. If you narrow your choices down to a few and post a question here you will get lots of opinions!

One of the beauties of Bonaire is the availability of snorkel spots -- a different one for each day of your vacation if you want! They are easy to find since sites are marked with yellow rocks. Once on the island you can buy the shore diving book by Jesse Armacost as it also has great info for snorkelers. Look back through the thread here as well for favorites. Another site to check out for places to stay and snorkel info is www.infobonaire.com.

One thing you should certainly consider is purchasing hard soled booties for entering the water as most sites (except those at resorts with ladders) require you to walk over some coral rubble. Many people opt for booties and open heel fins while others wear tevas or similar sandals into the water and then find a way to attach them to themselves.

In order to fully enjoy the range of snorkel sites you will want to consider renting a vehicle.

You will not be sorry you chose Bonaire! Her waters and people bring us back as often as we can get there!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Belinda Z (BonaireTalker - Post #50) on Wednesday, November 12, 2003 - 1:40 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Kris,

You can also order the Jesse Armacost book before you get there from the Bonaire Reporter. Do a search in the archives for Jesse's name and you should find the thread with the link to where it can be purchased online (I don't remember the link or I would post it here.) We are going to Bonaire for the first time in February 2004 and I am using the book to get some tentative snorkeling plans made.

If you do a search there was also a thread a while back where people listed their top 5 snorkeling sites - you should search the archives to find it. It was full of lots of good information.

Belinda

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By C Poteet (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #162) on Wednesday, November 12, 2003 - 3:02 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Kris -

Bon bini a Bonaire Talkers!

Since you are new to the Caribbean, perhaps a little overview perspective on Bonaire would be helpful.

It is a small island; it is somewhat out of the way; it is much less developed (but with all the needed requirements of good water, usable roads and pretty dependable electricity) than many Caribbean islands; it is a blend of Dutch, African Caribbean, South American, European and American cultures; it does not have luxury shopping, all-inclusive resorts, the young party crowd or five star restaurants; it is a desert environment complete with cactus, wild goats and donkeys; the vast majority of tourists come for the diving and snorkeling; the majority of the tourists are from the U.S. and The Netherlands, with a few from other European countries,
South America and beyond; English is widely spoken, as is Spanish, Papamiento and Dutch; and, in the considered opinion of those on this board, who do hail from all over the world and have dived/snorkleled all over the world, it is one of the best dive/snorkeling destinations on the planet.

Those who might find Bonaire disappointing are the ones looking for what it does not have. Those who are looking for a world-class dive/snorkeling experience, characterized by walk-in diving/snorkeling at some 60 locations, and who like a relaxed, local feel fall, and fall hard, for Bonaire.

As Susan says above, you have found an incredibly valuable resource for all things Bonaire. The more specific your questions, the better we can answer them.

Once again, Welcome!

Charles Poteet
Dallas

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2804) on Wednesday, November 12, 2003 - 6:30 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi, Kris! My husband and I are avid snorkelers, too, and once we "discovered" Bonaire we have never gone to any other Caribbean islands for our water activities. Plain and simple....the diving and snorkeling does not get any better or easier anywhere on this planet Earth than what you will be able to do on Bonaire. Booties are a must if you want to explore a lot of the spots worth checking out. You will be in for the treat of your lives IF the water is your main priority. The rest of Bonaire is actually quite unique, too, and very intriguing and exciting in its own quiet and peaceful way. Nature abounds on Bonaire. It is not a plush, green tree covered island....as Charles mentions above.....it is a desert isle...cactus, rocks, critters, sun, sun and sun and trade winds and the best waters in the world.

Come on down and explore Bonaire and fall in love with her natural beauty and see what she has to offer. You will be amongst the few folks on this planet to have discovered Bonaire on your first outing to the Caribbean....I hope you do go and that you will fall in love with her, too. Keep us posted as to your plans!

There are a couple of "resorts" on Bonaire....non of them are very large in size or extremely "fancy". We go to the Divi Flamingo Beach on the timeshare side. It has a small intimate beach, tanning pier, dive dock, 2 pools anda 2 restaurants, mini mart, spa, workout room, etc. It has the Woodwind, too, which is a catamaran which takes folks out on different snorkel trips and outings. If you are a diver, the dive shop and dive operation (Divi Dive) is right there, too. We love it. Oh...there is a small (very, very small) casino there, too.

The Plaza Resort is larger and has a bigger beach. Might be "pricier", too, I think. Good snorkeling (no, GREAT snorkeling!) at both places, too.

Good luck! Carole

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2805) on Wednesday, November 12, 2003 - 6:32 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Oh...the dining is superb! There are sooo many great restaurants on Bonaire now..it is hard to decide where to go to eat now! LOL. Prices are about the same as the area we live in...Northern New Jersey and the selection is huge. There are local places too, which offer you quite a range of great treats to try and these prices are much lower than the restaurants.

You can't go wrong when it comes to dining out on Bonaire, too! Carole

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By C Poteet (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #163) on Wednesday, November 12, 2003 - 8:07 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Kris -

Another thing you might want to know about Bonaire: sun protection is mandatory.

Unless you have been that close to the equator before, you cannot appreciate how intense is the sun. While Bonaire's breeze keeps things pretty comfortable, it masks how the sun can absolutely broil you in a fraction of the time it takes in North America or even latitudes such as Hawaii.

As a snorkeler, you know the importance of wearing sun protection in the water and on Bonaire it is even more important.

And of course the protection is not so much to protect you from sun burn, as to protect you from potential skin cancer. As is said, "there's a reason they call it a killer tan."

But once you take resonable precautions and you're on your way. With simple planning, you will wonder about what was all the fuss.

What a place for your first Caribbean adventure!

Charles Poteet
Dallas

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2811) on Thursday, November 13, 2003 - 1:19 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Charles, you are sooooo right! I tan easily and don't burn, but on Bonaire I use block 45 and 30...it is nothing to mess around with. Just so close to the equator. Keep reapplying the block every couple of hours, if not more often, while you are in the water, too. You can pick up a plastic container to wear around your neck to keep the lotion/block in.

This year was the first time I had a sunburned scalp, too (getting older, I guess! LOL) so you might want to consider picking up a nice Bonaire floppin hat for the water, too. Just a thought. Carole

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Susan Taft (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #235) on Thursday, November 13, 2003 - 8:34 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Carole ... don't you just hate when the sunburn scalp starts to flake!

Kris ... one thing that I don't think has been mentioned yet is the fact that you will not find miles of powder sand beaches on Bonaire as you can on many islands. I love a great long, soft beach but once we discovered Bonaire I have been willing to give that up for the amazing underwater world. I remember on our first visit standing in ankle deep water with three parrot fish swimming around my ankles -- I was hooked!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Susan Feldman (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #648) on Thursday, November 13, 2003 - 9:53 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

About 10-12 years ago I went skiing in Switzerland (Davos). It was early march and quite balmy - you could ski with no hats, mittens and jackets (being a skier from the Northeast US, used to skiing in 0-10 degrees F not counting the wind chill, this was amazing to me.)

I knew we were at a higher elevation, so was using some sunblock (though it seemed odd, given the pleasant temperatures). I slathered it on my face and hands.

Anyway, this was the first (and last, I hope) time I ever got sunburned ears. It never occurred to me to put sunblock there.

Yikes, there is NOTHING worse than peeling ears!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By KrisWriter (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Friday, November 14, 2003 - 5:18 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks for all the feedback everyone, I really appreciate it. I am collecting lots of data and research so that I am as prepared as possible. Do you recommend using a wet suit when snorkeling on Bonaire?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By C Poteet (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #164) on Friday, November 14, 2003 - 8:43 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Kris -

You are on the right track. I think the main thing is to cover up as much as reasonably possible. It is so easy to get caught up in the underwater world while snorkeling that too much sun exposure can happen in no time.

My wife uses a pair of light weight running tights and a long-sleeve dense cotton shirt.

I use either a SPF 30 long-sleeve plus tights swim suit (http://www.sunprecautions.com) or a knit SPF 30 long-sleeve shirt and pants (http://www.solarveil.com). Both work perfectly and both are quite comfortable out of the water.

Susan's tip about covering your head area, all of it, carefully with sunscreen is right on target. And do apply it at least 1/2 hour before you get in the water. In fact, my dermatologist tells me that for maximum effectiveness I should apply it up to 12 hours in advance. Of course, that means no shaving for us men in the morning. Well, it is holiday, after all!

You are going to be so well prepared. We do look forward to your report. And if you have any other specific questions, I think you have learned this group wants to try to help others enjoy Bonaire as much as we.

Charles Poteet
Dallas

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jerry Besco (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Monday, November 17, 2003 - 2:21 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Kris,
Great choice you made. I dive/snorkel and my wife snorkel. I use a .5 mil wet suit when diving to keep the sun at bay and it also gives protection from things we bump into. Maybe thats why my wife always brings a case of sunburn home. Our favorite restaurant is "Richards" just north of the Plaza, great seafood and steaks with outdoor dining and sunsets that you'll always remember.
Was in Bonaire for 10 days in May sun was strong.
Best wishes, Jerry

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By DAVID FRANK (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #6) on Thursday, November 20, 2003 - 1:21 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Kris,

My wife, daughter and I are making our 7th (0r 8th?) trip to Bonaire in a few weeks,since becoming hooked in 1998. I am envious of your "first time" - you are going somewhere unique and wonderful.

We have stayed at the Belmar condos last few visits (www.belmar-bonaire.com) It is south of the airport if you have a map- most of the hotels are north. Extremely nice oceanfront condos with kitchens, great views, a nice but small oceanfront pool, and walk out your door and jump in the ocean. Small onsite dive shop is very helpful with advice, repairs, etc. No restaurant but it's about 5 minutes to the Plaza, less than 10 to Kralendijk, and a few more to the hotels north of town (Sand Dollar, Lions Dive, Buddy Dive, Capt Don's are all in a row within a short walk of each other and all have at least one restaurant).

We like Croccantino restaurant in town. Nice garden but not on the water. There are loads of dining choices though. We find it more relaxing sometimes to use one of the barbcues at Belmar and eat on our veranda.

If you have time take the drive through Washington-Slagbai park. Take a picnic and eat at Boca Kokolishi(sp?) one of the most beautiful spots on Bonaire. Be prepared for driving on one lane RUGGED dirt roads inside the park - a pickup is advisable and is the standard rental vehicle on bonaire.

I mostly dive but I like a microprene suit for snorkeling - SPF 10,000, some thermal protection and takes 2 seconds to don.

Have a great trip - you won't be disappointed.

-David

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mary Mueller (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #971) on Thursday, November 20, 2003 - 5:31 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Kris,
I went on my first trip to Bonaire this past October. It was a snorkel only trip!!
See my trip report in the trip report section - labeled Mary M's Oct 7 - 14 trip report. Is in 3 sections and full of pics and impressions on what we saw and did. Also recommendations!!!

One thing - I did not see mentioned is that you will need booties - since the beaches are mostly coral rubble - so not expect to see wide sandy beaches!!
Everyone is right on as far as protection from the sun - it is intense and will burn you fast!!!!

Good luck and I am sure that you will enjoy your time there!!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Larry Keeton (BonaireTalker - Post #50) on Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 12:27 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Kris, My wife and I have a very detailed report which includes reviews of restaurants and snorkle sites along with a lot of other helpful info for first-timers to Bonaire (or even repeat visitors). You can find it under TRIP REPORTS. The name of it is "How to Describe It??-Aug. 16--30." Hope you find it helpful!
Larry

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Donna M. Leiss (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #7) on Saturday, January 24, 2004 - 6:03 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

You can also contact Renee (former owner of the Woodwind) at www.reneesnorkeltrips.com, who will pick you up at your hotel and drive you around to the best snorkel spots on the island. We just came back from a week at Divi and spent 4 days snorkeling with Renee. We saw the biggest octopus she had ever seen!!

Donna

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By DARLENE ELLIS (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #954) on Sunday, January 25, 2004 - 12:27 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I ditto snorkeling with Renee!!! She is so helpful and finds the neatest things. I never would have seen a seahorse or frogfish.
On my last trip when we was at Lac Bay, there is no way I would have ever seen all that I saw, including the upsidedown jellis. When they are on the bottom they blend in so well. They are absolutely gorgeous as they float and pulsate through the water. Renee also made sure that I had the right camera with me. She told me to bring the digital that does movies instead of the MX10. That kind of tip was invaluable for that trip.
When we arrived there there were a couple of boys on the dock that were around 9 or 10 years old. As we were entering the water they tried to give us some kind advice and said there isn't anything to really see here. Then they watched us snorkel and could see all our excitement at seeing all the little creatures that were on the pillars of the pier. Renee popped up her head and invited them in the water to join us and showed them a multitude of life when they thought there was nothing there! I thought that was awesome!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cindy Gartzke (BonaireTalker - Post #35) on Sunday, January 25, 2004 - 1:57 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Kris,
We will be heading to Bonaire in 27 days for our second trip. We learned so much from this site when planning our first trip. The following are a few of my suggestions although obviously there are more seasoned travelers out there. We have been to Jamaica, Antigua, St. Lucia and Bonaire and Bonaire is my favorite with Antigua running a close second:

Where to Stay:
We stayed at the Plaza Resort and thought it was a very nice resort within walking distance to town and across the street from the airport. We really didn't notice much airport noise. If you are looking for oceanfront accommoations I would recommend the Jr Oceanfront or Grand Oceanfront rooms. They are huge rooms with two double beds and the grand oceanfront rooms had a refrigerator and dining table as well. We made a grocery trip to Cultimara to stock up on bottled water, beer, wine, and snack foods for the room. We did visit a few other resorts while there to see where we might have interest in staying this year and really found the Plaza suited most of our needs. The Harbour Village Resort was a beautiful resort but a little too fancy/formal for our taste.

Places to Eat:
We are still looking for good breakfast spots although I'm told The Lost Penquin is a great spot for breakfast or lunch, they are closed at dinner. We walked to the Divi Flamingo Resort for their buffet breakfast and it was pretty good.

We had some wonderful dinners at the following:
Tipsy Seagull - at the Plaza
Mona Lisa
Richards
Cappricios

Snorkeling:
We snorkeled in front of the Plaza and thought it was a great spot. We do plan to hook up with Renee at Renee's Snorkeling Trips this year for some trips. You can find her on infobonaire.com.

Good luck with your planning.

Cindy



 


Visit: The Bonaire WebCams - Current Bonaire images and weather!
The Bonaire Insider - the latest tourism news about Bonaire
The Bonaire Information Site, InfoBonaire
Search Bonaire - Search top Bonaire Web sites


Topics Last Day Last Week Tree View    Getting Started Formatting Troubleshooting    New Messages Keyword Search Contact Moderators Edit Profile Administration