By John Arthur (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Thursday, September 7, 2006 - 8:20 pm: |
We have visited many different places. After reading about Bonaire, it sounds like just the place we're looking for. My wife and I love to snorkel. We're not divers. Because of physical handicaps we're limited to snorkeling in 10 feet of water or less. We'd like a hotel with shallow snorkeling close by. After reading many trip reports I can see we'd probably rent a vehicle for three days out of seven in order to go to a few shallow snorkeling places but we'd like to be staying at a place where we can snorkel on site most of the time. We're not partiers. Just like a relaxing vacation and shallow snorkeling is important. We'd like a place to come back to every year now instead of trying new places. Bonaire sounds perfect. Any suggestions for us?
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By Kelly (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4714) on Thursday, September 7, 2006 - 9:36 pm: |
John, it sounds like you might want to check out the Divi. Very good shallow snorkeling, very relaxed and laid back, onsite restaurant, nice little shop for trinkets and limited food items, and within walking distace to town and many restaurants.
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By Meryl Virga (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4692) on Thursday, September 7, 2006 - 9:41 pm: |
John, welcome...my recommendations would be Plaza or Sandollar. You will still be close to town and they both have great front porch dive sites. Enjoy
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By Linda Stoltzfus (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #947) on Thursday, September 7, 2006 - 11:41 pm: |
I love the snorkeling at Capt. Don's Habitat. Just to the north of the dive dock (with stairs) is a very swallow reef area that extends at least 100 yds. with varied fish species. We have stayed at Habitat for the past 5 years after searching for a "home away from home". We found it on Bonaire. I have always felt welcomed at Habitat as a non-diver.
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By George Blanchard (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #211) on Friday, September 8, 2006 - 6:36 pm: |
I would say Divi is definitely the best bet for you. Not only does it meet your snorkeling desires but its many amenities and proximity to town makes it so. If you want to make breakfast or lunch on-site get a time share unit. Otherwise a hotel unit is perfect.
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By Cheryl Ferguson aka 'snorkelady' (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #342) on Friday, September 8, 2006 - 11:56 pm: |
Welcome to BT John.I've only been to Bonaire 3 times and each time we stayed at the Divi. I have physical limitations as well and needed an easy entry and the Divi fit that bill. That being said, I'm open to trying new areas as long as I can follow my docs orders: no falling and no whiplash! Hope you find the place you are looking for :o)
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By John Arthur (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Saturday, September 9, 2006 - 10:44 am: |
Thanks very much for the feedback. If we stay at one of these places, do you have recommendations on places to drive to on a couple of our exploring days that are shallow for our limitations? For example, we've read a few good things about the snorkeling at the island nearby, but are they shallow like we'd need? Is that island a good place to walk the beach and go shelling? The whole Bonaire thing sounds very appealing to us.
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By Ron Gould (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #626) on Saturday, September 9, 2006 - 5:26 pm: |
John,
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By Mara Mara on the wall (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #716) on Saturday, September 9, 2006 - 5:34 pm: |
Some of the the northern sites are quite nice as well. Depending upon the wave action Karpata is quite a good snorkeling area. Can be a tricky entry/exit but good snorkeling. I agree with Ron - pick up a copy of Bonaire Shore Diving Made Easy as it describes each site for snorkeling as well and lists good snorkeling sites.
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By Jim and Jane Madden (BonaireTalker - Post #81) on Saturday, September 9, 2006 - 7:57 pm: |
Welcome John....for your exploring days' snorkeling be sure to try Tori's Reef...wonderful fish close to shore in very shallow water and easy entry. Definitely check out Bonaire Shore Diving Made Easy, while it discusses diving it also mentions snorkeling and ease of entry at the sites. Hope you decide to come...you'll love it here.
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By Maryalice Mansur (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #5) on Saturday, September 9, 2006 - 8:49 pm: |
Hi John - The book mentioned is well worth it - Tori's reef is a great shallow spot & I would suggest Margate Bay not far from there south of town. I also would suggest one of the car rental days be to the park - a little bumpy on the road but some very nice shallow snorkeling spots - start early and take lunch and water. You will have a great time. We are old fogeys,as well.
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By Tom (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3495) on Saturday, September 9, 2006 - 9:15 pm: |
Hello John, The resorts mentioned above are all great places. Don't worry sir, Bonaire is not a "party" destination. My recommendation for a snorkel away from the place you are staying is Soft Coral Gardens. Just hold hands with your lady and take your time. Sharing what I do, not preaching to you sir. Many times my dive buddies (both male and female) and I will hold hands, lock arms, whatever it takes to make entries/exits more comfortable.
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By T-Shirt Divers John and Sue (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #437) on Sunday, September 10, 2006 - 12:47 pm: |
There is snorkeling off the little island, Klein.
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By George Blanchard (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #212) on Sunday, September 10, 2006 - 3:24 pm: |
John, for other snorkel sites I highly recommend a trip with Renee at Renee's Snorkel. She will pick you up, she lives next to Divi, and take you to appropriate sites to meet your limitations. Renee has been on the Island for over 12 years and knows the snorkel sites better than anyone.
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By pat murphy (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1010) on Sunday, September 10, 2006 - 4:55 pm: |
Andrea I has some good snorkeling...also, wayaka in the park
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By Kent Gerber (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #144) on Sunday, September 10, 2006 - 9:32 pm: |
I vote the Divi and don't rent a car. Get in touch with Renee and tell her about your needs. She will take very good care of you. Also ask her about a night snorkle. It will be a high light of the trip. Hi Cheryl!! Havn't heard from you for awhile. Kent Gerber
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By DARLENE ELLIS (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2204) on Monday, September 11, 2006 - 10:15 am: |
Snorkeling is good in Bonaire no matter which resort you stay at. I am a fan of the waterfront rooms at the Divi Flamingo. The resort is a ten minute walk to town and the snorkeling there is awesome! They have a cement pier that tons of fish life in it. There is a little sunken boat just to the right of the pier in about 15 feet of water that is really neat too as well as under there southern most dock. The Woodwind also sails from the Divi which is an added convenience.
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By Cheryl Ferguson aka 'snorkelady' (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #343) on Monday, September 11, 2006 - 11:34 am: |
Darlene I couldn't agree with you more, beach entry at Divi is very gentle and snorkeling with Renee was a great experience. She was very sensitive to my limitations and actually chose snorkeling sites that would not be too rough (water & physical barriers). In other words she adapted the experience to our needs ..... and having been to other places in the caribbean, that is unheard of!
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By Cheryl Ferguson aka 'snorkelady' (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #344) on Monday, September 11, 2006 - 11:38 am: |
Hey Kent!! Hi back at you!! I've had a very busy summer as I imagine you have had as well. Are you folks planning to go back next year? If so, will it be for one week or 2?? Cheryl
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By John Arthur (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 11:29 am: |
Ron, thanks for your message. We didn't know the whole island was a marine park. Did you mean Bonaire or the little island next to it? We enjoy shelling for small ones, but we don't want to get in trouble.
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By jenny (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #244) on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 11:41 am: |
John,
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By John Arthur (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #4) on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 5:52 pm: |
That's another great thing about this forum is finding these kinds of things out. One of my "jobs" on previous vacations is collecting small shells from the surf to put in crystal when we get home. We have shells from many places. But Bonaire still sounds like our kind of place because of the shallow snorkeling and laid back atmosphere. We can't wait to see what it's like. I'll have a few more questions on other topics on different strings.
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By John Arthur (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #7) on Tuesday, December 19, 2006 - 3:58 pm: |
If we stay at the Divi can you still go to Captain Don's and snorkel for an afternoon?
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