By Susan Gobbo on Thursday, May 2, 2002 - 9:29 am: |
We are heading down to our first trip to Bonaire. Does anyone have suggestions of what we need to snorkel? We have basic (and cheap) snorkels,masks and fins from another trip-but maybe we need to update them. We also have three kids-ages 11,9 and 7. The 7 year old doesn't swim to good, but the other two swim well.
|
By Linda Richter - NetTech on Thursday, May 2, 2002 - 10:32 am: |
They are not really socks. What people are suggesting are dive booties with tough soles or what amounts to reef shoes. The reason is that many of the shore entries are over coral rubble and iron shore which can be very tough on your feet. You don't need them if you are only snorkeling from Divi since it has a sand beach and the piers. (As a shore diver on Bonaire, I prefer dive booties with open fins rather than fullfooted fins.)
|
By Susan Taft on Thursday, May 2, 2002 - 11:16 am: |
In addition to Linda's information about booties and open back fins I would add:
|
By Josie on Thursday, May 2, 2002 - 4:16 pm: |
If you do decide to buy equipment on Bonaire, I'd recommend Carib Inn (which is just next door to Divi). Their selection is good and they are very knowledgeable and patient. The Divi shop seemed to have a VERY limited selection. There are also a couple of shops on Kaya Grande that have a better selection than Divi.
|
By Lorraine Meadows on Thursday, May 2, 2002 - 7:13 pm: |
Your first snorkeling trip to Bonaire !! It was ours over 10 yrs ago and that's were we fell in love with the underwater world. Divi is a great place to snorkel. We're timeshare ownwer's and have brought many people ,who hardly swam at all, let alone snorkel and by the time they left , had them identifying in the book all the different fishes they saw right off the dock. Easy acess from the small beach or the tanning pier by the time share ,or off the dive dock. There are so many differant fihes and creatures you'll see right off Divi's premises.
|
By Lorraine Meadows on Thursday, May 2, 2002 - 7:19 pm: |
A good waterproof sunblock is an excellent idea too!
|
By jason thomas on Thursday, May 2, 2002 - 7:50 pm: |
Youll need a few dive lights which you can rent. Night snorkel.
|
By Susan Gobbo on Wednesday, May 15, 2002 - 12:19 pm: |
Thank you all for your helpful advice. I shopped around today and am starting to get a good idea of what we'll need.
|
By herman mowery on Wednesday, May 15, 2002 - 3:43 pm: |
After you get your mask, you need to "prepare" it, otherwise it will fog up on you. Here is the method most divers use. First, clean it good by placing a small spot of any plain toothpaste on the lens and rub with your finger, using it as a mild cleaner. This takes off a protective film used during manufacturing. Then rinse it well. Before the dive/snorkle you will want to apply a good defoging agent. I use any no-tears childrens shampoo. On a dry mask, put on a small drop, smear it all around the lens and let it dry (if possible). Just before the dive/snorkle, do a very quick rinse. Repeat between dives if necessary. I do hate a fogging mask! Enjoy your stay on Bonaire, I can't wait to get back.
|
By Lorraine Meadows on Thursday, May 16, 2002 - 7:17 pm: |
Herman, I like your idea on the no-tears shampoo for defogging. Here all these years and I go around buy the "expensive" defogers. Didn't realize that the no tears shampoo works too. Masha danke for the $ saving tip!
|
By herman mowery on Thursday, May 16, 2002 - 9:26 pm: |
Your welcome. A pole of the dive board I am on showed that about 80% of them use baby shampoo. The stuff works better than any commercial product and is super cheap. Think I paid $1.98 for a 12oz bottle of shampoo vers about $5 for 500 psi (1 or 2 oz)that does not work as well.
|
By Pat Relich on Friday, May 17, 2002 - 6:15 pm: |
Herman, I will also give this a try. Don't need the shampoo for my head seeing that I have no hair.
|
By Ken on Friday, May 17, 2002 - 7:20 pm: |
just a few divi snorkel suggestions...
|
By Sarah on Friday, May 17, 2002 - 8:01 pm: |
Susan, I shouldn't worry too much about Sea Wasps, BUT it doesn't hurt to exercise caution.. Should you ever experience a sting from any kind of jelly, the first thing to do is to reduce the number of nematocysts discharging into the skin and to reduce the effects of the venom. This can be done by using sand as well as vinegar.. wear a good sunblock too.. SPF 20 and above.. and as Linda mentioned, communicate regularly with the dive operation there. It might be an idea to look at a few pics of jellyfish too (to help you recognise the different species). If you think that you see a Sea Wasp(s), it's best to get yourselves out of the water!
|
By Susan Gobbo on Friday, May 24, 2002 - 12:10 am: |
Thank you all for your helpful suggestions. I'm getting set with the gear. I got the masks and snorkels. Now just the wetsuit question. I'll make a new post of that.
|
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