BonaireTalk Discussion Group
Snorkeling Bonaire: Shallow Snorkeling for Old Fogeys
Bonaire Talk: Snorkeling Bonaire: Archives: Archive 2001- 2007: Archives - 2006-03-01 to 2006-12-31: Shallow Snorkeling for Old Fogeys
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Arthur (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Thursday, September 7, 2006 - 8:20 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

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?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kelly (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4714) on Thursday, September 7, 2006 - 9:36 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

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.

Just a nice place.

Let us know what you decide !

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Meryl Virga (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4692) on Thursday, September 7, 2006 - 9:41 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

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

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Linda Stoltzfus (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #947) on Thursday, September 7, 2006 - 11:41 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

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.

Welcome to BT !

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By George Blanchard (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #211) on Friday, September 8, 2006 - 6:36 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

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.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cheryl Ferguson aka 'snorkelady' (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #342) on Friday, September 8, 2006 - 11:56 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

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)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Arthur (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Saturday, September 9, 2006 - 10:44 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

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.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron Gould (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #626) on Saturday, September 9, 2006 - 5:26 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

John,
Most dive sites on the Island have a drop off at thirty feet or so 20 to 50 yards off shore. Some sites drop off quickly. I sugjest that you get a copy of Susan Porter's BONAIRE SHORE DIVING MADE EASY. Cline Bonaire is serviced by a number of shuttles. As far as Shelling, the whole Island is a Marine Park. No touch, no take, no break. Take pictures and leave only bubbles... Ron

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mara Mara on the wall (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #716) on Saturday, September 9, 2006 - 5:34 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

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.

Now that you have posted, we expect a trip report ;-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim and Jane Madden (BonaireTalker - Post #81) on Saturday, September 9, 2006 - 7:57 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

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.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Maryalice Mansur (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #5) on Saturday, September 9, 2006 - 8:49 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

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.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tom (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3495) on Saturday, September 9, 2006 - 9:15 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

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.

I hope you enjoy your trip and find the place to stay you are looking for:-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By T-Shirt Divers John and Sue (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #437) on Sunday, September 10, 2006 - 12:47 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

There is snorkeling off the little island, Klein.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By George Blanchard (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #212) on Sunday, September 10, 2006 - 3:24 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

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.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By pat murphy (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1010) on Sunday, September 10, 2006 - 4:55 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Andrea I has some good snorkeling...also, wayaka in the park

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kent Gerber (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #144) on Sunday, September 10, 2006 - 9:32 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

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

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By DARLENE ELLIS (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2204) on Monday, September 11, 2006 - 10:15 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

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.
The Woodwind is a trimaran that does sail and snorkel trips with unlimited drinks and lunch included. It does one stop at Kline where you usually see turtles and then another stop at Andrea, Pietre Pillar or Small Wall. It is a really fun day.www.woodwindbonaire.com.You mentioned shallow water so you should know if you sail on the Woodwind you do a drift right at the drop off in deep water on one side and shallow on the other.
Depending on which mooring line is free, it could also mean getting dropped off in deep water with a quick swim to shallow water.

I also would suggest doing guided snorkels with Renee from www.reneesnorkeltrips.com. She is incredible and is very reasonably priced. She will take care of all your needs and requests. I call her eagle eyes. She find so much and knows where a lot of the little critters live. Instead of renting a car, I usually do a guided with Renee or sail on the Woodwind in the mornings and around the resort in the afternoons. Otherwise you would need a car to get to various sites.
The Plaza resort has good snorkeling too but the resort is a little bit too spread out for my liking. You will love it in Bonaire

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cheryl Ferguson aka 'snorkelady' (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #343) on Monday, September 11, 2006 - 11:34 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

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!

John, we also walked down to the Plaza to snorkel off their beach and had a great snorkel as the variety of fish were different. We also snorkeled there and back as there's a great variety of fish along the shoreline. You will be amazed at how wonderful the snorkeling is, there is nothing like it.

Bob Voyage!! Cheryl

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cheryl Ferguson aka 'snorkelady' (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #344) on Monday, September 11, 2006 - 11:38 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

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

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Arthur (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 11:29 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

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.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By jenny (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #244) on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 11:41 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

John,

You are not supposed to take shells from anywhere around Bonaire. If you still like looking for them, gather them up & make some 'beach art' by arranging them creatively then leaving them there for others to see & enjoy.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Arthur (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #4) on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 5:52 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

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.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Arthur (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #7) on Tuesday, December 19, 2006 - 3:58 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

If we stay at the Divi can you still go to Captain Don's and snorkel for an afternoon?

 


Visit: The Bonaire WebCams - Current Bonaire images and weather!
The Bonaire Insider - the latest tourism news about Bonaire
The Bonaire Information Site, InfoBonaire
Search Bonaire - Search top Bonaire Web sites


Topics Last Day Last Week Tree View    Getting Started Formatting Troubleshooting    New Messages Keyword Search Contact Moderators Edit Profile Administration