After reading some of the posts ,I was thinking about using a hard bottom bootie and open fins.This is just for snorkeling from shore. Any one have any recomendations on brands and where to get them.Looks like we will be coming in June.

James, If you do a keyword search you will find this topic has been discussed many times. Most recently at:

http://www.oldbonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/22932/208603.html?1108232333

Good luck, Tom

James, I purchased a nice pair of Akona booties at Photo Tours Dive shop while in Bonaire. My original plan was to just use my cold water boots but found that when I packed them I mistakenly grabbed one of mine and one of my wifes. Duh!! Anyway the price was comparable to anything I would have bought here in the states. Have a great trip.
Gary

This is just what I wanted to know. Can you tell me what model" example 3mm". I should use for snorkeling with open fins.

would it make any sense to buy the hard sole booties at a local statside dive shop and then just rent some compatible fins on Bonaire?

Well James, I'm not sure they actually have a model name but they are Akona 3mm short tropical boots and I think I paid around $25 but don't quote me on that. As I had stated I bought them after forgetting my own at home so I was ready and willing to be hosed but I do remember thinking that the price was very reasonable and now I have a pair for my next warm water trip Cayman Aggressor, can't wait

Dennis, to each his own. I think that depends on your individual interests and how much time you want to spend shopping around for rentals. I going to assume that you're not a diver or avid snorkeler yet and not sure what gear to buy in which case I would browse these thread to get some info. I'm also going to go out on a limb and guess that by your profile I see you're from KY and there are probably not that many places to jump in the water this time of year for a test run. So if I'm correct on all counts I'd say sure, get a pair of booties at home, get to Bonaire and have the time of your life.

James, I have been wondering about the same issue recently now that I have finally settled on a pair of fins (the Apollo Bio-Fin Pro in black - http://www.apollosportsusa.com/Products/Fins/Biofin_Pro.htm). Many diving equipment retailers have told me that high booties are necessary with open heel fins to protect against strap chafing on the achilles tendon area. But others have assured me that many low-cut booties come up over the ankle high enough to work with traditional fin straps in warmer waters. For snorkeling, I just did not like the look of a traditional high diving boot; and the added neoprene may have a tendency, according to some, to float the feet and thus work against fin propulsion while swimming on the surface.

So I ultimately decided on the Deep See Aqua Purge model of booties (http://www.deepseeinc.com/products/aqua-purge.html), even though no retailers in my area carry them in stock to try with my specific fins. I am told that they come up high enough on the leg to protect the achilles area from the strap, and the puncture resistant "Safe Sole" is supposed to work well for entering ocean waters from rocks and various rough shoreline surfaces.

And for snorkelers there is always the dreaded tan line with high booties ....

Never thought of that. I can just imagine spending the week at Sorobon and coming home with white feet.

Hi Everyone:

We'll be down there to snorkel in April. Our previous experience has been strictly using full foot fins. We bought a set of Mares fins yesterday at the local dive shop (there's only one in Lex.KY and the kid on duty said they'd be fine for snorkel). I took the fins to the pool today to try and get used to them. My question is it seems that a lot more ankle and top of the foot muscle is required to use this style of fin compared to the shorter full foot fin. Is that the case or do I have an equipment/technique issue? Thanks for all your help. We want to have the best trip possible and are considering taking the fins back and buying some on Bonaire. The kid at the dive shop here is disinterested and not very helpful. Thanks

Dennis, I am pretty much a novice snorkeler. But I found my full foot fins to be extremely stressful on my feet and ankles during the last trip and not that great at surface propulsion, and they were a top-rated model. So I have been doing a lot of research for my next trip. The dive shops and web sites recommended open heel split fins for my next trip for more comfort and performance, and the ones I purchased (Apollo Bio-Pro fins) are actually shorter than my previous full foot fins (though certainly that may not always be the case). And the manufacturer claims that these fins will allow for a much shorter and less exhaustive flutter kick.

It almost sounds like you were being sold what your dive shop had and/or wanted to move rather than necessarily what you need. If you look through the archives on this board you will find many experienced divers who have given enthusiastic reviews of the Apollo Bio-Pro fins, the Atomic Aquatic fins, and Force Fins for performance and comfort. The many dive shops I checked with are virtually unanimous in praising the Apollo and Atomic Aquatic fin products; Force Fins are somewhat controversial, though their adherents are adamant in praising the product. You will find, as I did, that these are high end model fins. But you get what you pay for in this area, as I learned the hard way. Buying fins twice is the real problem for those of us who are new to this stuff.

The reason they don't feel right is that your Mares fins are made for below the surface. They are designed for scuba diving, not snorkeling and the kid at the dive shop should have told you that. My preference for just leisurely swimming around on the surface would be a full foot fin if it weren't for the fact that Bonaire's terrain is so unforgiving. To that I recommend the fins I use for all my diving and those are Force Fins. They are the most versatile, easy to pack, comfortable fins you'll ever use (and don't bother asking the kid at your dive shop as there has always been a conflict over their design characteristics). When I go snorkeling, it's usually more like freediving so it's nice to have the power to get to the bottom, something a full foot fin lacks.
Get you money back and spend more time on the message board, go back to some of the older threads. You'll be better informed and happier in the end.

Thanks Gary and PHS1. I really appreciate your input. That kid was just trying to move product. I'll take those back and we'll get what we need. The Tusa was recommended on another thread that I started as a new thread, because I didn't know if the muscle use issue maybe needed its own thread. Thanks again. I may shop around and get some open foot snorkel fins on Bonaire. The shop in out town is all about dive tours. Theor product selection is very limited.