By Shandra Copeland (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Thursday, July 28, 2005 - 5:33 pm: |
As avid snorkelers, Bonaire has always been on our list of places to go. Now that we're thinking of going, I keep reading posts that talk about how devastated the reefs are. I'm concerned that we will be disappointed when we get there. Can anyone give me some comparison of what we'll see compared to St. John, Cozumel, or Cayman?
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By C Poteet (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #303) on Thursday, July 28, 2005 - 6:28 pm: |
Shandra -
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By Kent Gerber (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #7) on Thursday, July 28, 2005 - 9:53 pm: |
Sandra, I will throw my 2 cents in. I always thought that Cayman Island was the best snorkling. We have been there 6 times and loved it. Our last trip some older guy was in the hot tub with a Aruba T-shirt on. We talked and he said that this was his first time to Cayman and he was very dissapointed. He told me If you like Grand Cayman, then you will LOVE Aruba and Bonaire. We then tried Aruba and he is right. Will Never bother to go back to the Grand Caymans. We have now been to Aruba 6 times for 3 weeks each. Now we are going to take his advice and go to Boaire in Feb for 1 of our 3 weeks. I have been looking at underwater pictures and reading this board for a month and I can assure you that you will not be dissapointed. Its quiet and laid back but thats ok for me. I have snorkled Bahamas, Keys, Dominine Republic, Grand Cayman, Kauie, Mauie, Honolula, and Aruba. Aruba is the BEST but after Feb, I'm sure that its going to be BONAIRE!!! Kent Gerber
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By Kent Gerber (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #8) on Thursday, July 28, 2005 - 9:56 pm: |
Shandra, I'm sorry that I spelled your name wrong the first time. Please forgive me. Also welcome to the board. I'm a beginer also. Just got home from Aruba for 3 weeks and I just can't say enough about the Carribean Waters. So blue and so clear. My wife says that I should of been a FISH!! Kent Gerber
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By Ron Gould (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #222) on Thursday, July 28, 2005 - 11:39 pm: |
Please people lets not forget the DRINKING WATER! The distilled sea water is the best drinking water we have ever had. Living close to Lake Michigan we get 55d water from the tap all year around. It is good water but nothing compairs to Bonaire Water!! It's not cold but that's what they make ice for... Ron
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By Corney Ann Carter (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #278) on Friday, July 29, 2005 - 7:39 am: |
The snorkeling depends a lot on which site you go to. For those of us who have been going to Bonaire for a long time, we are comparing snorkeling now to before the reef damage by Lenny's waves. A first timer would probably not notice. There are sites that are better than others just like anywhere else. Bonaire wins hands down for the ease and variety of snorkeling. No matter where you go you will find something of interest. We have snorkeled over most of the Carribbean and we have found no where else that allows you to just drive up and jump in and see so much. On most islands, there might be one or two spots to snorkel from shore and the rest must be done by boat. On Bonaire, there are all the dive site markers and the mangroves. Do a search at the bottom of the page for the snorkel sites that are most popular. Go and try Bonaire for yourself and you will see why so many of of return year after year.
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By DARLENE ELLIS (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1576) on Friday, July 29, 2005 - 9:34 am: |
I have snorkeled in ST Kitts, Dominican Republic, Antigua and Aruba and none can compare to Bonaire! I was going to go to a different island every year in search of a resort that had good snorkeling without having to wait to see if a boat had enough people to sail or not. As Corney said, different sites have different topology, but one thing is for sure...The fish life is abundant everywhere!!! The only things left on my wishlist to see are dolphins, a whaleshark and a Mantaray
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By DARLENE ELLIS (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1577) on Friday, July 29, 2005 - 9:38 am: |
I forgot! There is a book out for divers and snorkelers call Shore Diving Made Easy revised by Sue Porter. It describes in detail all the sites and where to enter and exit them. It is available on the island or you can order a copy here in the states from Susan Taft.
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By Kent Gerber (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #9) on Friday, July 29, 2005 - 7:25 pm: |
Darlene, I have it all set up with Renee for Feb when we will visit Bonaire for the first time. That sounds like a very good deal to pay her to take you to the good spots and I'm sure she knows where everything is at. Kent
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By George Blanchard (BonaireTalker - Post #100) on Saturday, July 30, 2005 - 11:22 am: |
Shandra, everyone has given you good information. I would add that Dee on the Woodwind can also provide a great snorkeling experience and she also leads night snorkels from Town Pier. We have snorkeled the Caymans and many other Caribbean Islands and Bonaire is our favorite.
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By Shandra Copeland (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Monday, August 1, 2005 - 5:12 pm: |
Thank you all so much for your information. We're booked and leaving in September. We can't wait!
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By Judy Trafford (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #588) on Wednesday, August 3, 2005 - 5:51 pm: |
Hi Shandra & Welcome
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By Kent Gerber (BonaireTalker - Post #11) on Wednesday, August 3, 2005 - 9:37 pm: |
Judy, When are you going in Feb? We are planning our first trip to Bonaire the first week in Feb. Were going to spend 2 weeks on Aruba where we have been for 6 years. Kent
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By Judy Trafford (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #590) on Thursday, August 4, 2005 - 6:44 am: |
Hi Kent,
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By Debbie Babcock (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1957) on Thursday, August 4, 2005 - 7:44 am: |
Hey Judy, Debbie here! Glad you have dates for February again. Guess since I will be on Bonaire from Feb 10 or 11th to around Mar. 5th, I will indeed meet with you at the airport with some Brights! Definitely will have to get together for lots of fun then! Can't wait. Debbie
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By Judy Trafford (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #591) on Thursday, August 4, 2005 - 12:27 pm: |
Hi Debbie,
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By Debbie Babcock (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1963) on Thursday, August 4, 2005 - 4:55 pm: |
Judy, Not sure if Tiffany will go or not in Feb., it's her senior year and not sure when exams fall yet. Debbie
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By BEVERLY A FILLIO (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #122) on Thursday, December 15, 2005 - 8:02 pm: |
Debbie, or any other informed person, What is the Story on the Woodwind and Ulf and Dee The last I heard that there was a move to try to move them out of docking at the Divi I have been trying to find out what is going on but I am not having any luck. Please help !! Are they still on the Island and at the Divi? I would be horrified if they are gone and it certainly leave a very bad taste in my mouth about the "New manager" I have seen several come and go during the 18 years and in my mind, only Allister and Fritz and Jennie were the only ones who thought about the Time Share Owners and the actual improvement of the facility and certainly no having the WOODWIND docked there is a very big asset to anyone that knows the facility over the years.
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By Cynde Loo Hoo WWNMT2 (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #15720) on Thursday, December 15, 2005 - 8:31 pm: |
Beverly, take a deep breath...Ulf, Dee, and the Woodwind are still at Divi, and it is business as usual. They worked things out with the Divi, in fact, the new GM posted to let us know that the Woodwind is still, and will be operating off the Divi dock
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