Hello all,

I have visited Bonaire three times, all in February or March. During our last trip in March, we asked our snorkel guide Renee to take us to some sites on the south side. Conditions were a little rough and visibility was not great in the shallows due to sand getting stirred up by the swells. Renee mentioned that the best time to snorkel the south side and Lac Cai is in October and November. The winds die down and the sea is not as rough.

Do any of you have experience snorkeling in both spring and fall, and what are the pros/cons of each? One benefit of going in the fall that I see right away is the lower cost of flights and accommodations. Is the hotter weather due to a lack of sea breezes a downside?

Thanks for any and all opinions!

Amy

Amy, Oct. is HOT HOT HOT. We went the end of Sept./beginning of Oct. a few years ago and could not believe how hot ! I just went in Feb. and it was perfect and even a little chilly on some dives !

So... compared to Feb. or March, yes it will be very hot.

You are - as my husband is so fond of saying - three feet from the sun.

Thanks Kelly,

How hot are we talking? 95 degrees (F) on land? I think I could handle the heat if the water clarity was an improvement over the spring season, and if the water was calm enough to let me see the reefs I can't get to in the spring.

I was thinking of going in late October into early November. I figure with the savings on airfare we could stay for 10 or 14 days instead of just 7. It's tempting!

Amy

Amy -

We, too, are snokelers and we have visited Bonaire in October, March, January, and July. March, indeed, was a bit windy the year we went and we had a lot of same experiences you did.

But to amplify Kelly's note, it is not just the temperature that gets you in October and November when the wind dies, it is the sun and humidity.

As someone else on the board has said (and as you know from personal experience) "Bonaire is about 3 feet from the sun." With the almost constant wind other times of the year, you don't notice the sun so much. But when that breeze dies...it is brutal.

As a point of reference, we're Texans and 105+ in the summer is routine. It's hot, but nothing like Bonaire at 90 when the wind dies. We are much farther away from the equator and when it gets that hot, our humidity falls.

Having said all that, if you really want to go for calmer waters in October/November, the odds are good you will be rewarded.

Buen viaje!

Charles Poteet
Dallas

As long as we're talking about this, I'd be curious to know what Bonaire is like in February in terms of crowds (i.e., dive sites, restaurants, pod people etc). We always go in September because its cheaper, less crowded and the water temps are 82 - 84 degrees. I retire in 7 years and wouldn't mind spending the month of February (once the Super Bowl is over that is) on Bonaire. Looking forward to hearing from the February crowd on this one!

Marcus when in Sept. will you be there.

Hey Patrick: The next trip is booked for 14 -23 Sep 07. My wife and I will be at the Belmar and my brother-in-law and his wife will be at the Golden Reef Inn. I'd love to save some money by staying at GRI, but we're hooked on the Belmar!!

Thank you Charles, for the comparison to Texas in summer, it kinda drives home the point about how HOT HOT HOT it is. I would imagine that we'd be running the air conditioning most of the time, and dining outside in the evening might be a tad uncomfortable.

I'll put those two in the "CONS" column.

In the "PROS" column I've got lower airfare, lower accommodation costs and calmer waters.

Hi Amy, I have been to Bonaire in Feb, May, Aug, Sept and November. I love, absolutely love the months of Aug, Sept., Oct., and November. Yes, it is very hot, but if you go for mid November, a little bit of wind may be returning and not so unbearable. Water temps are warmer, diving/snorkeling on the south side really rocks, and it is my favorite time of year to go. I had no problem with eating outside during that time. Especially in November. After a few days, your body adjusts to the heat, and most of the time I am in the water during the day, take a break during the hottest part of the day, and then back in the water, back home, dip in the pool, shower and out for a nice dinner, and sleep with the a/c on during that time. The water is like a sheet of glass! I dive and snorkel, and it is the best in MHO to go then. Restaurants are not as busy, airfare cheaper if booked well ahead, having the beach to yourself is a more likely occurance than in busier times, the island is even more relaxed and laid back, not as harried with high season exhaustion and just plain super duper on the south side for diving and snorkeling.

Marcus,

I guess we will see one another some where, as I'll be there from the 8th to the 22nd at Debbie place. Hope to catch up with you all when there.

We'll keep that in mind Patrick.

Marcus..I see no one responded on your inquiry on Feb. We've been down there many times in Feb & March & love it! Maybe it has something to do with watching the weather on the TV & seeing the northeast forecast for 20 degrees F & snow . Brrrrrr

I've found that you should make reservations for dinner during their busy season... But we've never had a problem diving at the shore sites. I start with a 1 mm suit & then work up to a 3 mil & hood depending on how I feel.

Likewise I'm looking forward to retiring in 3 to 5 & spending several months down there living la dolce vita.

Thanks Vince.

Hi Marcus, I am always on island for three weeks in Feb., sorry, forgot you asked about that one. I love being away from the cold weather, restaurants, make a reservation if possible, town is crazy with Carnival, so be aware of that and find alternate routes to the north side when it is going on. Water temps are a bit colder, more wind, but diving is still good. I posted a trip report recently, look under Trip reports, and it is called :Long Trip Report: Feb.7 to Mar. 4th! Enjoy the pics.

Thanks Debbie. Actually, I've already read your report - nice job!

Amy, I just booked my October trip at the Carib Inn from the 6-20th!! I go both in Oct and in March. The water is so clear and warm in October and you get the wind reversals so you can do the southern sites,Lac Cai and Sorabon for some great snorkeling. It is very hot. You sweat as soon as you step out the door. I am usually comfortable because I am usually in the water! Dinner time the temps are bearable. In my opinion the water temps and clarity out weigh the heat.

Thank you all for your excellent opinions! I really do value them.

I'm going to seriously consider going in October/November. I won't know what it's really like until I experience it, but at least I'll be prepared.

Oh, and I just thought of something else to ask you: What about flying in the Caribbean that time of year? Have your flights been delayed/cancelled because of hurricane activity? I'd either be flying through Miami/Curacao or Miami/San Juan.

knock on wood.... I haven't had a problem but there is always a risk during the season. In October, I risk hurricanes and in March, I risk snow storms!