We are going to be on the Princess Cruise and will be on the island for just 7 hours and would love to snorkel. We probably will never be back to Bonaire, so we want to make sure we see the best we can on this one trip. Renee's is already booked and some of the other tours don't go out on Wednesdays. Any suggestions??

Lori,

You could rent a car and snorkel at several locations around the island. Seven hours is a long time,so you could see a lot. If you do rent, the park on the northern part of the island is well worth the trip and you could do some snorkeling there. Or you could take a taxi out to Lac Bay to the windsurf place. The snorkeling there is great and the water is shallow, just walk out for a couple of hundred yards to the reef, there is a lot to see. they also food for lunch. Enjoy your day.

Lori, another suggestion. Walk South from the cruise dock ti Divi. The gate will be open, so just enter and go past the dive shop to the pier by the Balashi Bar. You can snorkel on the reef around the pier area and then go South toward the Plaza. You will see many fish and perhaps an eel or two.

An alternative is the Woodwind. This is a tri-maran that leaves from Divi as well. However, it is often booked in advance by cruise passengers. Finally, you can take a water taxi to Klein Bonaire, this is the uninhabited Island 1 mile West of Bonaire. The taxi will drop you off on "No Name Beach" and pick you up later.

Lori, I'm not sure if this is an option on your itinerary, but the Mushi Mushi catamaran also takes cruise ship passengers on a three hour snorkel. Some friends and I chartered the Mushi Mushi on my last trip in January, and it's a great boat. Bob and Ingrid are very nice.

If you really want to study and find a good snorkel site, pick up a copy of Bonaire Shore Diving Made Easy (it also rates snorkel sites). You can find it at www.bsdme.info.

I second George's suggestion on taking the water taxi to Klein Bonaire, if your schedule permits. As I recall, the taxi leaves from downtown at 10AM and returned at noon. The next return was at 2PM, but be sure to check the current schedule. Klein is very isolated and has absolutely NO facilities, so come prepared (water, food, sunscreen).

I second George's suggestion on taking the water taxi to Klein Bonaire, if your schedule permits. As I recall, the taxi leaves from downtown at 10AM and returned at noon. The next return was at 2PM, but be sure to check the current schedule. Klein is very isolated and has absolutely NO facilities, so come prepared (water, food, sunscreen).

Lori
Hopefully, like myself your one Bon visit will lead to more. My first visit was a one day'er 7 years ago and now I find myself returning in October for visit #7. As for snorkeling and diving I have done both on Bon. Assuming that you are from Hawaii, permit me to say that Bon & HI are two completely different venues for either diving or snorkeling. Each has its unique appeal and character. I spent a week in Maui in January and totally enjoyed being in the water in the vicinity of the humpbacks and totally enjoyed diving with the giant green sea turtles. A great trip for me and now I look so forward to my Bonaire trip. Being a big city boy originally, I did not certify until age 58 and have enjoyed the wonder of the sea each time I enter, whether diving or snorkeling. Please enjoy the wonders of Bonaire and come back.