We just returned from a great 10 day trip to Bonaire . This was about our 6th trip there, most recently in 1999. One of our favorite snorkeling spots was just before you get to the BOPEC facility. It isn't listed on any maps that we had. Here are the directions. Take the west coast road. Right after the Karpata dive site there is an intersection. A right hand turn takes you into Rincon. Go to the left and continue up the coast, past the no diving area. There ia another intersection. The right hand turn will take you back to Rincon. Continue straight ahead. Almost immediately on your left is a concrete boat landing. This is the spot. The entry is easy. The waters, at least on the 2 trips that we made here, were bathtub calm. In the space of a city block I saw an incredible variety of sea life....6' Baracuda, Spotted Drum, French Angels, Balloon fish, File fish, Trigger fish, Parrots (& Super Male Parrots), Morray eels. The corals are also very nice. Both times we were there we were the only 2 snorkelers. It was incredible!!

Renee brought me to that site on my last trip and it was gorgeous!!! We saw four Queen Angels at picture taking depths... However,I didn't get a shot because they are just too fast for me!

I dove that site with Barry and Sherry Baker a few years ago, and it was fabulous, I really really enjoyed it.

Thank you, Barry!!! This is the reason why I'm reading all these messages on Bonaire Talk! Once in a while I get a really interesting tip. I will add it to my personal book-of-special-bonaire-things.
Toos

Hi Barry,

Yeah, Bopec is a great snorkeling spot! We went there a couple weeks ago and saw a hugh green turtle and I mean huge. There was certainly a lot of different species of fish as you have noted. Went there quite a few times and enjoyed it each time.

Ahh, BOPEC! Sometimes if I'm trying to get to sleep, I visualize the terrain, coral and fish life at this site, trying to remember as much as I can, even those big truck tires way down the sand slope past 60 feet that have interesting inhabitants, and those garden eels past 90 feet.
Sorry, I know this is the snorkelling Topic, and I did snorkel back over the shallows at the end of each dive and there is so much to see...
but let's just keep this site a secret between us all, ok?

We snorkeled BOPEC twice during our Feb 26 - Mar 12 stay in Bonaire. Once in late afternoon, once in mid-morning. Not calm, about a 1-1/2 ft swell, and a noticeable current setting north both times. The waves weren't a problem themselves, but made it easy to lose sight of my snorkel buddy unless we stayed really close together. Since we couldn't go south into the marine reserve, the northerly current meant that we had to start out down current and finish swimming against the current, not what you normally want to do.

But it was all worth it! The best combination of coral and fish that we found. We swam north about halfway from the shore to the edge of the shelf, then south in the shallows, as close to shore as possible. The advantage of snorkeling in the shallows, of course, is that you can be really "up close and personal" with all of the fishies. There's an old chain link fence on land, running perpendicular to the shore, and the sea life was particularly rich about 25 yards on either side of the fence line.

David

Is this a "only snorkel" spot or is diving aloud ??

I am very currios about this spot, diving or snorkling :-)

I've seen many divers at BOPEC.

David

Hi Rachid,

Bopec can be done as a dive or just a snorkel, both are great ways to see a lot of species of fish and critters! I do seem to recall reading a recent posting somewhere that Bopec is closed at the moment by gov't. Not sure when it will re-open, but hope it will be soon. Maybe one of the moderaters could remember what post I am referring to? Debbie

Hi, This is the post I was referring to:
http://www.oldbonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/30/219039.html?1111811690

Debbie thx for the info !! We r coming 1 July so i hope i can c the site, i ve been 2 times before on Bonaire but mist that 1 :-(

Debbie,

Just to clarify - BOPEC dive/snorkel site is posted closed by BOPEC, a private company which owns the land there, not the government. According to one of the messages at the link you posted, the resort operators are trying to get the site reopened. Since the regulatory requirement seems to be that divers/snorkelers stay clear of piers and ships by 100 metres, it seems to me that BOPEC is being a bit over-protective. But they don't have any economic interest in encouraging divers/snorkelers. Too bad, it was a great site.

David

Dave,

That's why I posted the link, wasn't sure of everything, just knew something was going on there at BOPEC, and don't give up on that site as in "past" tense. I am positive that it will be re-opened in the near future! There is a lot to be said for positive thinking!

I am curious as to what part of law gives BOPEC authority to limit in-water activity as opposed to use of their land for entry/exit. I thought all the waters around Bonaire were part of the Marine Park and government property, with public access below the high tide line. There have always been several small fisherman's boats there also; has that been prohibited also?? Where is the southern boundary of BOPEC property?

As I remember my one dive to the Windjammer, she is not all that close to the BOPEC piers. It is common sense not to dive there when the occasional tanker is present.

If it is part of the anti-terrorism rules that are being enforced in town and at the Salt Pier, wouldn't that require Bonaire government signs???