Snorkeling



This was our first visit to Bonaire. We snorkeled every day but one when the water was a bit wavy from Emily passing to the north. It was our two boys first time snorkeling so we played it safe. Emily impacted visibility and waves for our last three days. I may sound critical but It wasn’t as good as I expected. Keep reading and I’ll explain why. I’m also not saying it was bad, but different than expected. The coral down past the ledge looked phenomenal. But that was at 30+feet. I dove down many times and was impressed by what I saw, but up near the surface less than 10’ deep there isn’t as much as I had expected. From what I read and talked with people about is that Hurricane Lenny really did a number on the shallow coral. There isn’t a lot of coral within 10 feet or so of the surface. You can see that from this photo where there is a lot of staghorn coral rubble. We did not get over to Klein Bonaire. We didn’t get a night snorkel either which we (I really) wanted to do.




We have snorkeled in Thailand, Australia, Fiji, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, and Cancun. The stuff in Australia was the best of it all of the stuff near the surface. They are patch reefs that you float above, sometimes just 3’ above the coral. Patch reefs you can swim over and around are the best for snorkeling in our opinion. Here's what one looks like on the surface:



Here’s a picture from GBR, note the white coral from coral bleaching:



Bonaire is great in that you don’t have to take a 2 hour boat ride to most of it and if you want to stop and then move to another place it is very easy. During our stay, Bonaire’s low tide was in the early morning and there isn’t much difference between low and high- maybe a foot or so. That is nice, you don’t have to worry about having to walk across a bunch of coral or rocks when you get out and the tide has gone down. But you really can’t swim over the coral in too many places




Places We liked:
Oil Slick
Andrea II
Windsock

What we didn’t like
Salt City
Tori’s Reef

We wanted to go to Karpata but couldn’t due to the waves. (Ocean’s Classroom Marine Biologist recommends it.)

1000 Steps didn’t look worth it for snorkeling as there didn’t appear to be much coral in between the shore and dropoff. After 1000 steps the road is one way which makes for at least 3/4 hour to return back to the city.

Oil slick: Great. Lots of coral in the shallows which is about 8’ deep. Coral growth is right up to the cliff from the dropoff. Even saw some healthy staghorn coral. It had the most diversity in coral of all the areas we snorkeled. It was clear and would be great for kids as you don’t have to worry about the entry or exit- it is by ladder. You can even jump in. No problems with anyone touching the coral either due to the 8’ depth at shore.




I wouldn’t bother with Tori’s and Salt City and to the left of the yellow Windsock rock on the road. The south area near the Salt Works has a lot of sand and not much coral except at the shoreline. Would be good for stingrays. We also saw a dolphin down at the slave huts. It was going along the dropoff line. (We weren’t snorkeling.) As previous posts have said, Windsock is best from yellow hut on right over to the yellow Windsock rock. We went past on the left and didn’t see anything. I can say we did see a HUGE 5’ long barracuda on the way back. Of course we used the last of the film up so no proof! It was hovering over a brain coral in about 20’ of water. From the shore at Windsock you can see there are coral outcroppings and growth closer to shore. That is what you are looking for in the best snorkeling. Lots of nooks and crannies to keep you busy. It’s really good for eels, we saw two. The second photo has one swimming.




Andrea II has lots of bigger fish. Fair amount of coral in the shallows and along shore. Sorry, these photos are on disposable cameras which haven’t been developed yet. Maybe insert them later.

Bari’s reef at Sanddollar doesn’t really have much in the shallows but staghorn rubble and some brain coral. There is a bit over to the left around the rocks by the concrete patio to the right of the dive shop dock. Only good for a little bit and just when you get there before you get a chance to go to the much better places.

As a whole we liked it. It is nice and quiet and easy to just go down the road and snorkel. We will probably try somewhere else next in the Caribbean to compare and see if there is any difference. Remember, take our comments in stride. We have our own particular biases and are just hoping to impart a little info to those wanting more than what the travel books will give before visiting.

We took these photos with a Sony DCR-HC42 in a Sony Handycam Sports housing SPK-DVF3. Color correction done using the AutoLevels command in Photoshop 6.0.

One addition, I would swim from Andrea II to Andrea I (to the left). That seemed to be better than going to the right from Andrea II.

Thank you,Pee Wee! We are leaving for Bonaire next week. Most important thing to do: snorkeling. Any suggestions welcome!
Toos

PW, Maybe it is time to consider a Diving Certifacation in your next travels? I love to snorkle but Diving puts you in the picture... Ron

I am certified. I didn't dive as it was our kids first experience snorkeling. And it's no fun for my wife, who can't dive due to asthma, when I dive. I'm content just snorkeling most of the time.