I've read many of the posts throughout BonaireTalk and I'm getting close to being "sold" on taking a trip there with my wife and kids this summer. The big attraction for us would be relative lack of commercialization, and diversity of underwater fish, corals, etc. One thing that sadly seems to be missing in Bonaire is much in the way of nice beaches - that sure would be a plus.

I'm wondering if anyone has ever been to the Grenadines and the Tobago Cays and can comment on the snorkeling opportunities there vs. Bonaire?
There sure are many beautiful pictures I've come across of the Grenadines.

Also, the pictures I've seen of the leeward waters of Bonaire always seems to reveal a bit of a surface chop to them. Is that a correct observation or are the waters often very calm? The chop seems to me like it could be enough to cause a snorkeler to breath some water now and then. Thanks very much in advance for any info you can provide.

I don't have much info on the Grenadas..but I heard Tobago has swift currents that have pulled alot of divers father out than they would have liked to be....strong currents. I have never been there but have read alot of article on this destination; Have you checked out Saba?

I have been to the Grenadines, Tobago Cays, and beyond. I have to say, it is breathtaking there. This area and BON vastly differ. BON is dry and one island with so much. The Grenadines are lush in areas, spread out over the prettiest blue water. IT has a West Indian feel/culture where BON is more Euro feel to me. You cannot compare the two. But there has been no reef damage from storms in the Grenadines yet boats harm many popular sites dropping anchors all the time.

Can you do both?

My favs are:

Young Island in St. Vincent (honeymoon spot)

Cotton House in Mustique (chic but the rental villas are better. You can rent Mick Jaggers house Stargroves I think it is called or the late Pr. Margaraets' Jolie something for oh 10k a week..)

Plantation in Bequia

Salt Whistle Key in Mayreau (very private)

Palm Island (the clearest water and soooo blue)

Canouan is cool as is Carriacou. I did not care for Union. Grenada was amazing but not my fav.

Annie
Cape Cod

Jim, I've snorkeled in the Grenadines and on Bonaire. And as Annie said, you can't really compare the two. However, both places offer plenty of marine life, though in terms of diversity, Bonaire is tops!

I would highly recommend snorkeling off of the Plaza Resort beach (yes, it's a beach, and a nice one at that) Out of all the places I have snorkeled on Bonaire, my favourite spots are Plaza, BelMar Resort, and 1000 steps.

Sarah

Thanks to all that responded to my inquiry.

Sarah:

I was just wondering - Do I
have to be staying at the resorts you mentioned (Belmar and Plaza) to get to their
beach/water and snorkel?

Do they charge non-guests a fee?

Is there a sandy beach of any size at 1000 steps?? Any trees to get away from sun
for a while?

Also, - are the waters quite still typically at these areas or is there a "chop" that would
make snorkeling problematic with water in snorkle, etc (especially for my young kids?)

Thanks much!

By the way - great photo/background on your profile.

Jim

Unfortunately, I have not been to the Grenadines so I can't help you there. You are correct about some chop in the water, at least from my limited experience in Bonaire. The farther North you go the more it seems to come into play. However, it never caused my wife and I any problems. Of course we've snorkelled in 2-3 foot swells before in the Bahamas! Now that's a riot... just stay away from the reef crest else you get splattered!

Jim, glad you like the profile pic.. it was taken in Switzerland (must try and find a Bon pic to put there)!!

Answers to your questions:

You don't have to be staying at Plaza to use their beach and snorkel, but you do have to pay a small fee to use their beds etc.. it's worth it though.. However, to access the water at BelMar, you do have to be staying there.. I think!!! Belmar doesn't have a beach, entry is off of the pier (steps or jump in)..

At 1000 steps, there is some sand and a sheltered area at the bottom of steps.. forgive me, I'm trying to remember what it looks like!! I can only ever remember those blasted steps.. by the way, there aren't 1000 of them, just feels like it when you're wearing dive gear (apparently)! But do buy your kids some booties (and yourself) as entry is a little hard on feet. I'd say it's OK for the kids to snorkel there. I've often seen families in the water. At Plaza there's plenty to see in about 10-15 feet of water (is that OK)? Again, wear some protection on feet. No problem for kids there either.. then again, I don't have any, so haven't experiened the problem!

Here's a pic of 1000 steps and directions:


Directions: On the stretch of road between Columbia and Karpata, 7 km North of Kralendijk. Off the entrance to Radio Netherlands.

I forgot to mention my other favourite spot for snorkeling and that's Old Blue.. I recall a little chop, but give it a go anyway, has a nice sandy beach and a few small areas for shade.. plenty of marine life there too. Although I mostly free dive these days, I don't like getting water in my tube (as it were).. so I bought a Mares snorkel (extra long).. much better.. just a thought

Hope this helps you.. all the best, Sarah

My husband and I were sailing on a 51 foot catamaran in the Grenadines last December. I was excited and looked forward to diving and snorkeling there, and had read how great it was. The scenery was spectacular. The snorkeling wasn't bad, although where we were, you would have had to take a boat. The dives were not that impressive. We saw very little fish life on our dives. Maybe our boat captain/divemaster just took us to the wrong places. I much prefer Bonaire. Not only are there several good sites, but you can get there so easily. As far as beaches are concerned, there are a few small ones both north and south. I guess for snorkeling, I would say Windsock with a good sized beach to the south and Ol'Blue to the north, also with a beach.

I agree with Karen. Bonaire has Tobago and The Grenadines beat as to the variety and number of fish. Also, many areas in the Grenadines are anchor damaged. Union island has its best(one of two) beach lined with stacks of chained up lounge chairs for the cruise line that calls it "their" beach. Of course, below the beach waters everything was trashed. One of the places I enjoyed in the S. Caribbean was Bequia - but not to be compared in the same breath as Bonaire. I did not care for Carriacou -(we had some rip-off horror stories there.) I think overall Bonaire has some of the best snorkeling I have been to in the Caribbean.- and the people are wonderful. It is non-touristy and yet you can have all the comforts of home. To me, it beats everything in the Southern Caribbean. Clare

Can't ask for anything more than that, now...can you? Carole