Our third trip to Bonaire begins in less than 2 weeks! We would love some comments on the best places to do some night snorkeling from shore. Easy entry, etc. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks.

I would suggest to go with Dee of the Woodwind. She will probably take you to the City Pier. BEAUTIFUL!!!! You might meet some tarpons, really, really huge!
Toos

Renee, where are you staying? Have you night snorkeled there? It's easier to night snorkel in a place you've done in the daytime. You'll have an idea of the "lay of the land" and will less likely get disoriented.

If you're at the Divi, you'll know in the daytime there's kind of a "desert" in the 15 to 20 ft depth. Even this area comes to life at night.

If you're planning to night snorkel a place at night that's not well-lit, check it out during the daytime to confirm entry sites, hazards and landmarks. Even with a full moon and starlit night, Bonaire gets incredibly dark in remote sites.

Two weeks ago we were on Bonaire for a week of snorkeling and we did do the night snorkel at the Town Pier with Dee from Woodwind. Last year we went with Renee to the Customs Pier. Both snorkels were fantastic!

However, having seen the piers in town twice, we wanted to go out on our own for a few night snorkels. The surf was pretty rough where we were staying at Bellafonte. The entry wasn't a problem, they have a dock with steps, but the bottom is quite sandy there and the water was very murky from all the stirred-up sand. We drove just down the road to Windsock, but the surf looked too rough for easy entry and finding our way out again. What looked easy during the day looked just too intimidating at night.

During our night snorkel I asked Dee where she would recommend that we night snorkel on our own. She said she had researched that subject and said that most of the places that looked interesting during the day were pretty boring at night. I asked her if Karpata would be good, and she said it might, but that we could drive all the way up there and not be able to get into the water due to rough conditions. She was concerned about currents that might change on us while we were in the water and recommended that we tell someone that we were going up there (in case we didn't come back?). It really put us off going up there on our own.

We never did go out on our own night snorkeling. We toyed with the idea of going into the water right in town, say, next to where the fruit vendors are and heading away from the Town Pier, because the water is so much calmer in town. Also, next time we might try snorkeling at night right at the Divi Resort. The water seems calm there as well.

We will definitely work harder to find somewhere to night snorkel on our own on our next trip. I'd love to hear any recommendations people have.

Amy

We have always gone with Dee, she is great. We have night snorkeled in front of Divi and it safe and fun but I would not venture other places without Dee or Rene.

Does Divi allow outsiders to use their beach entrance for night snorkels?

We are staying in Sabadeco so we won't be going out at night there. We'd like to go out alone though without a guide because of the cost.

Has anyone gone out at Plaza from the beach there? Or how about the beach area by Sand Dollar?

Renee, I don't see why not if it is at night and there aren't any registered guests who are "using" the beach or tanning pier areas, etc. Just use common sense and courtesies...you might want to stop at the front desk and let them know you would like to do some night snorkeling from their beach or dive dock, etc. I don't think they will have any issues with that at all. Don't leave anything of value unattended anywhere on the island while you are in the water, tho.

You might want to consider stopping at the restaurant or bar area at Chibi Chibi before or after your snorkel, too.....just to enjoy yourselves and as a good faith gesture on your part. It does not matter what you look like (wet, etc.) at Chibi Chibi....at least no one has ever denied us a meal when we were wet, grungy and covered in sea water! LOL. Go for it. Carole

PS We are timeshare owners at the Divi and love to snorkel day and night in their waters.

The beaches on Bonaire are open to the public. Only the facilities are private. Just north of the Divi is cha cha beach(public beach). It is a good entry day or night for a snorkle or a Dive. Parking by Dive Inn is ample. Have fun and be safe... Ron

Ron and Carole and all other repsonses,
Thanks for the info on Divi. We will try to find Cha Cha beach so we don't disturb the Divi guests. I can't wait to see what all this talk about night snorkeling is about. We may decide to go out with Dee too.

We did a pre dawn snorkel at Andrea I, and it was very nice. This was inspired by some BT posts. We snorkeled it many times during the day, so the entrance was easy, and it was light for the exit. This would also be a nice nite snorkel, especially if you were familiar with it.