We are avid snorkelers (Grand Caymen, Belize, Cozumel, Akumal, BVI, Keys), but are really looking forward to our fist trek to BON because of the ability to snorkel from shore. Our 6-year-old snorkels, and am looking for tips on:

1) shore snorkel spots that have easy in/out, calm waters/low current...

2.) should she wear a shorty suit for protection?

3.) any spots we should avoid altogether if she's with and going in?

We're staying at the Sand$ and will have vehicle. Will also be sailing with our friend and captain Dianne who has called BON home this winter -- so plan to snorkel Klein as well. Thanks!

Answers:

1) Pretty much anywhere from Red Slave north to BOPEC (about 40 marked entries).

2) Yes. We find that for our kids (ages 4 & 6) a shorty also provides a little extra buoyancy, plus sun protection.

3) Just check the surface current (if there is one, which is pretty rare). If it seems strong, either plan to do a drift snorkel and then walk back to your vehicle, or get out and drive a few minutes to a new location :-)

Extra suggestion: Hire someone like Caren Ekrich (see http://www.seandiscover.com) to take your daughter on a marine biology expedition and learn fish identification and some other things about what she's seeing.

Jake

Shelly
Something that has been discussed many times on BT in the past, but not recently, is foot protection. I probably going to start a uproar here but I strongly advise good strong neoprene boots. Then buy your fins to fit over them.Getting into the water over broken coral is tough on the feet.Boots make what can be an ordeal into a snap.
Buy the little book "Bonaire diving made easy",available on the island.It lives up to it,s name.It gives a lot of help picking snorkeling sites.
Mickey

Shelly -

Let me "second" Mickey's suggstion about booties.

There are many, many more limestone and rock entries on Bonaire than sand entries. Booties will be a huge comfort. The first time we went we did not have booties and felt really frustrated. We just got back and took booties and it made a world of difference about where we could enter and our enjoyment of snorkeling.

We have snorkeled some of the same places as y'all and boy, are you in for a treat! I think you're going to find the snorkeling the best you have experienced and the culture very different than your other visits to the Caribbean.

I predict the start "of a beautiful friendship" with Bonaire.

Chas.

Thanks guys for your comments! Appreciate the insights. We all have booties, so will just have to spring for a shorty rental. Chas, I can already tell BON is special from the "community" I sense exists from reading the online discussions. Can't wait.
17 days and counting :-) Cheers! Shell

Shelly,
For $35.00 you can buy a nylon/lycra shorty that has flotation pads in it. It provides great sun protection (spf 50+) and you can add and remove the float foam to adjust it. My 2 1/2 year old learned to swim and snorkel in one day wearing the one from Chapman Walters.
"This suit allows a child to swim freely, yet be supported by foam pads in the neck, chest and back. Nylon Lycra construction provides sun protection of 50-plus SPF. Fits like a traditional “shorty” wetsuit and can continue to be used beyond the swim training period by removing the pads if desired. Call (800) 500-8292."

If you want to see a picture you can email me at gordon@wave.net

BTW, I'm not affilitated with them.

Gordon

Shelly,

Your child will fall in love with Carin at Seandiscover. My daughter and her friend wanted to stay on the island and move in with her. I can't say enough about her and the program she has to offer.

Your child will find it to be lots of fun and real educational too.

Have a great trip!

Hi Shelly,

Maybe it is a little far for kids, but you can kayak to the reef and tie the kayak to a (don't know the word) something. I mean the reef at sorobon, I find it one of the most beautifull places to snorkel, but is is about ? 400 yards from the surfplaces. But it doesn't get any deeper then 1 yard. With low tide it may be 1 feet where you wonder through (wear booties). You can also walk to the point (Dive site White Hole at Sorobon and then it is about 50 yards through the water.

Also in the mangroves it is very beautifull, very different from anything else. You have to stich your head in the mangroves betwen the roots to see "The nursery" of the sea. I have seen 4 inch baracuda's. Also look for the upside-down yellyfish on the bottom. Enter the water at the fishing pier at sorobon and head to the left.

Oh I forgot, keep in mind that the snorkling spot at sorobon is close to the Naturist Resort and you might see them wonder through the water. You might have to explain something to your daughter.

Have fun, I'll be there from April 12. (Can't wait)

Kay,

My kids live on Bonaire and even so they still want to move in with Caren - they absolutely adore her (can't blame them - Caren's a real sweetheart) :-)

Jake