Hi,
DH and I both have full fins for snorkeling. We have used them several times on other islands with no problem. We are not willing to go to the expense of switching to the open back fins and booties. We are only going to be in Bonaire for 8 hours off a cruise ship. So this would be very costly for us for just a few hours of snorkeling.
So I would like to hear opinions on what would be the top 2 snorkeling spots that would work well with full fins.
We will probably rent a car so suggestions need not be near the cruise ship pier.
Also I am not a strong swimmer so I would like to snorkel somewhere without big waves or strong currents.

Thanks
Carrie

There is an easy sandy entry walking distance from the cruise ship to Cha Cha pier and if you head south to the Divi resort 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.
I would also suggest sailing on the Woodwind. It 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
Or maybe doing a guided snorkel with Renee from www.reneesnorkeltrips.com. She is incredible and is very reasonably priced. I call her eagle eyes. She find so much and knows where a lot of the little critters live. She could bring you to easy entries.

Oil slick leap has a ladder entry/exit. It is north of town. You could also seek permission to snorkel off of some of the resorts (i.e, the Divi would be a nice choice) as they tend to have docks/ladders. Some may charge a fee for use of the docks and showers.

The woodwind would be another great choice.

I think you could probably do Tori's Reef (south of town) and, perhaps (others please chime in) Windsock

Ditto to what Darlene wrote. You'll have good snorkeling without spending time and money renting a car.

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions!

Darlene...is the Cha Cha pier at the Divi resort?
Or is it before you get there?

David...is Windsock beach the one by the airport runway? If so...is this doable with full fins. What kind of access does it have?

Nathalie...I'm not sure we are renting a car. But if we do it would be more for touring the island. We will probably do a few hours of snorkeling than drive around and see the sights for a few hours. When an island is new to us we like to go exploring. We will be bird watching too.
Any suggestions of a good place (not the national park) to spot flamingos and other cool birds.

Thank
Carrie

For birds and scenery, I suggest Goto Mer, a large shallow brackish lake in among the northern hills. Drive north on the western shore road and it will eventually get you there. Be sure to stop at the pull-out for the Goto Mer overlook. You'll come to Rincon, a small village. You can get food/drinks at the outdoor rustic Rose Inn there. Returning to town you can go on the "highway"(straight and fast). Or, if you can find it, the scenic, shorter, adventurous route, up over the hills on the bumpy dirt road. Have fun.

Cha Cha beach is a public beach in front of the Dive Inn which is right next to the Divi. It will be the first pier you see that is not a town pier. You won't miss it.
Lake Gotomere had a lot of flamingos when I was there in October.

Darlene & Nathalie...thank you again for all the great info! I will be sure to check out these areas. I am really looking forward to seeing the Feathers and Fins of Bonaire!

Carrie

Do not miss an opportunity for a drift snorkel at Klein Island. You'll find several boat operators such as "Captain Mike" at the downtown pier front for the short trip over to the island.

You can arrange to drop a bag/cooler at the sandy beach, then be taken out to the reef for the drift back the beach. Also note that there are no amenities on Klein Island.

Cheers, Melissa

You can also go south along the coast past salt pier and see flamingos and some amazing wave action on the coastline. I spent the better part of a day that direction on my first trip... got to see some wild donkeys too

I would check out Lac Bay. The water is very shallow, you can walk in waist deep water for a couple of hundred yards to the reef. With the water being so shallow the sun lights up everything around. Lot to see. There are also a couple of floating docks to rest if you wish. Enjoy your trip. Although I hate to hear the cruise ships have found Bonaire.

I can't believe no one said it yet.....welcome to BT Carrie!

I hope you will take all these wonderful suggestions....and you'll come back for a longer visit.

Thanks again for all these great suggestions!
I am taking notes on all the great snorkeling and wildlife viewing spots. I know one day isn't going to be enough time to see everything...but I'm going to try and see as much as possible.

Mercy...thank you for the kind welcome

Carrie

1000 Steps is another good full fin site. I am assuming you would be wearing some form of shoe to the beach. It is one of more scenic sites on Bonaire and there is some shade at the site.

May I suggest Bari Reef? It has a ladder at the dock. Just ask someone from the dive shop when the boats come in and you can go on either side. You have the reef balls to the north and some of the best snorkeling this diver has ever seen to the south.

Have fun - and hopefully you'll make a trip back to see more!

I've really got to second the vote for Oil Slick Leap!!!It's fairly close to town, the leap itself is great fun, and if you head south once in the water you'll come upon fields of coral that you'll daydream about for years....

just be carefull of oil slick and the wind and current it is hard to swim back if you go with the wind allways go towards town then it will carry u back to the ladder . I did that 2 years ago and the wind and waves were so strong along with the current that I really had a hard time getting back