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Snorkeling Bonaire: Snorkel & picnic on Klein?
Bonaire Talk: Snorkeling Bonaire: Archives: Archive 2001- 2007: Archives - 2007-01-01 to 2007-07-31: Snorkel & picnic on Klein?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Nanette Oselett (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #10) on Wednesday, June 20, 2007 - 10:43 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hello, Is there a boat that will take you to Klein to snorkel & picnic for the day? Can you walk from dive/snorkel site to site-ie. Forest to? Is there shade on Klein? Our friends will be visiting Bonaire 6/23 to 6/30? Nan

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jennifer A. Rose (BonaireTalker - Post #43) on Wednesday, June 20, 2007 - 2:00 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I know there is a water taxi that will take you to Klein - not sure where it picks up I know someone on here will know. As far as I could tell there is no shade on the island. It looks like it would be fun to snorkel and have a "beach" day/picnic. You must bring all your own provisions. It also looked like it was pretty easy to walk around the island. I only saw the island from the dive boat but I did see people snorkeling at different areas on the island.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By carey moluchi (BonaireTalker - Post #24) on Thursday, June 21, 2007 - 10:31 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

There is a boat that goes from the pier at It Rains Fishes restaurant downtown.(They post the schedule at the dock there on the board) If you pay an extra $2 (which makes it about $17 round trip- if my memory serves me okay)and tell the captain, he will let you drop off your picnic etc at the island and then take you over and drop you off so you can drift snorkel for about an hour along the coastline back to where your picnic is. This is the most awesome snorkelling, but be aware that you are in really deep water to start so you must be comfortable in that. I wear a wetsuit shorty for additional floatation and am a good swimmer. We saw numerous turtles and the coral and fishlife was fabulous. We did the trip at the end of our vacation and wish we had done it at the beginning because we would have gone numerous times. There is some shade at the drop off point but we did not have much time to enjoy it as we drank our drinks and headed back halfway along the beach to drift again! Take the 10am ferry out and the 4pm back and ensure you have some hard beach shoes to explore at bit as the sand turns to coral along the shoreline. Enjoy!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tom Tarnowski (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #9) on Friday, June 22, 2007 - 1:28 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I have done the drift snorkel and it is great. Hope to do it again in July when I'm there. You should reserve the water taxi in advance to be sure there is a place, and tell them what time you want to return There is a small shack that is continuously rebuilt at No Name beach where the taxi will drop your picnic stuff and you can get a bit of shade. You will likely be sharing the shack with others. Highly recommended, but plan on a long outing and bring plenty of beverage and sunscreen.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By William Gates (BonaireTalker - Post #72) on Sunday, June 24, 2007 - 8:31 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

For a first visit to Klein, I would strongly recommend the Woodwind trimarand. It sails from the southern most pier at the Divi Flamingo. Dee and Ulf -- the owner-operators -- run a really nice snorkel tour including a multi-course lunch. They also provide unlimited soft drinks, juice and water and a second stop to snorkel at Andreas or Petri.

You can view some of my pictures on a Woodwind tour this past May at:

http://falls4sale.com/Bonaire/Woodwind.html

And you can read about or contact the Woodwind at

http://www.woodwindbonaire.com/

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron Edison (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #121) on Tuesday, July 3, 2007 - 11:05 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

When we were there in 2003, the Water Taxi picked us up at the Sand Dollar pier at 10AM. (You have to call them to request a pickup.) I want to say there were boats making the run at 10AM, 12PM, and 2PM. We stayed for two hours of great snorkeling, but make sure you wear skins or bring sunblock--my wife's 'waterproof' sunblock wore off and we had to buy the giant bottle of aloe vera from Cultimara.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim Sambataro (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Wednesday, October 10, 2007 - 10:13 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I will only be there for a day - cruise ship.
I was planning on going over to the island. Where is the water taxi in relation to to cruise ship docks? I saw something about an annual $10 fee for snorkeling in the Marina. Is this required for snorkeling at Klein?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By William Gates (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #109) on Wednesday, October 10, 2007 - 7:57 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jim:

You didn't indicate which ship or what dates so I don't know if you will dock early enough or depart late enough to book a trip on the Woodwind. If so, and if they are available, I highly recommend that you do so.

The one time that I visited Bonaire on a cruise ship [the Ryndamn in 2006] we docked at the Commercial Freight Pier (South Pier] and the Water Taxis came right up to the pier and picked up Klein bound passengers at the small boat landing there. Immediately on our left as we walked down the gangplank.

Cruise-Piers

If you dock at the Town Pier I don't know for certain but I imagine that there will be someone there to direct you to the Water Taxi.

Bill.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim Sambataro (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Wednesday, October 10, 2007 - 9:55 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks Bill. Crown Princess on WED, Nov 14 arrive at 11:00A and sail at 7:00P. I had planned to go right away to Klein and spend 2 to 3 hours on the island, mainly to snorkel. I will have my own equipment. With less than 8 hours on the island I'm not sure how to best use my time, but I do like to snorkel and from what I've read it is pretty good on Klein. I will search the Woodwind. Thanks for any advice.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By William Gates (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #110) on Thursday, October 11, 2007 - 12:31 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Jim:

Ah, the Crown Princess [That is a Mega-ship]. Your plan is a good one if you can get space on the water taxi. As noted previously, for a couple of dollars extra they will drop you at Ebo Reef for the drift to No-Name Beach. The drift takes about an hour depending on how often you stop to observe and/or take pictures. Another option is to try to find out more about the ship sponsored snorkel tour. I believe Princess has a two-stop advanced snorkel trip that includes Klein and a stop on the main island as well. It probably costs $40 or $50; however, assuming that it allows the full drift at Klein [I suggest verifying that first] and that it stops at Andres or Petri or Small Wall or Something Special as a second stop it would provide a great introduction to the underwater world of Bonaire.

Actually, My wife and I will be on Bonaire off Holland America's Veendam on Nov 13th. I have a morning snorkel scheduled with Renee and in the afternoon will probably snorkel from Cha-Cha Beach to the Tipsy Seagull at the south end of the Plaza resort. We dock at 9:00 AM and sail at 6:00 PM.

The following links are to pictures posted for the drift to No-Name Beach at Klein as well as other shots at various locations around Bonaire that I took on a weeks visit back in May.

http://falls4sale.com/Bonaire/Woodwind.html

http://www.falls4sale.com/Galleries/Gallery1.html

The last picture on Gallery 2 [linked from GalleryI is of the Crown Princess just before it sailed from Bonaire on May 2, 2007. I had arrived via Divi-Divi air an hour or so earlier.

Have a great trip. I hope to return for a week in early May.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim Sambataro (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Thursday, October 11, 2007 - 8:13 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks again for all the info not to mention the beautiful pics. There is a 2 stop excursion being offered at $62 aboard Seacow, but no detail as to where. Also sail on Mushi Mushi and snorkel in Bonaire Marine Park ($62). $30 to $40 each for my wife and I is our budget and that is why I am trying to bypass the cruise line deals.
We would be content to go over to Klein via the water taxi and spend a few hours exploring on our own. The cruise line is charging $29 for the water taxi. I see the cost is $14. My concern is the $10 tag re snorkeling in the Marine Park which I read Klein is part of. If necessary I'm wondering if cruise package includes (I doubt it). Also, if I need ground transp. to get to taxi I'm uncertain if that is included. And last, but not least the early time is not available and that is my preference since we don't dock until 11:00 AM. I tried to email water taxi company, but for some reason it wouldn't go through. Any further advice is welcomed. Another couple is doing a Day at the Beach including a lunch for $79 which is not our cup of tea (just to lay on the beach and $$).

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Freddie (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #9147) on Thursday, October 11, 2007 - 8:36 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I think Jim if I were you I would take my gear and walk or get a taxi south to the Divi and ask permission to snorkle on their it can't be more than a 1/2-1 mile to the Divi.. look at Google earth find town pier and then go south..You might even email them first..

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron Gould (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1141) on Thursday, October 11, 2007 - 9:16 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jim, Just north of the Divi is Cha Cha Beach, it is a public beach, and it is free. You can enter there and snorkel to the south at the Divi or to the north at the working pier. That area is a great snorkel or dive...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By carey moluchi (BonaireTalker - Post #31) on Thursday, October 11, 2007 - 10:14 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi there. If I were you, I would be concerned that the cruise line has monopolized the water taxi for the day. Having said that, the taxi normally goes out every hour so maybe they have not. If the cruise line is charging $29 including the tag then their "mark up" is not a large one and would be your cheapest option. We spent one month last February on Bonaire and the time spent on Klein was our favourite for snorkelling.
You can walk from the Cruise Dock to the water taxi, but the cruise line will probably have transportation arranged. Hope this helps.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By William Gates (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #111) on Thursday, October 11, 2007 - 7:14 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jim, what are the times that the later ship organized taxi tour[s] to Klein leave and return?
My thinking -- since the earlier tour[s] are sold out -- is the following:

1. Disembark as soon as you can and head south [right] to Cha-Cha Beach. It is less then two-tenths of a mile and may be closer depending on which pier you are at. My guess is you will dock at the Southern pier [see map higher up in the thread] in which case Cha-Cha is right next door.

Enter the water at Cha-Cha alongside the Dive Inn Pier. I hold onto the pier for support while putting on my fins and getting into the water. Very easy entry just be careful not to step on any sea urchins [black and spiny]. As Ron pointed out this is a public beach. It will probably get very crowded [with crew and passengers from the the ship as well as some locals].

Immediately snorkel south around the Divi Flamingo Dive shop spending a few minutes observing the pilings of the dive shop pier. You'll see some nice Orange-Cup Corals and various fish. I have seen eels and scorpion fish there. Continue to the Cement Pier [also known as the tanning pier] You can recognize it by the large bolders that make up its foundation. It's one of the really really good spots to snorkel on Bonaire either day or night and certainly from the ship it is the easiest of those spots to get to.

Spend time snorkeling all around the Cement Pier [peer down into the nooks and crannies --there are all sorts of things to see there. Then snorkel along the rocks below the Chibi-Chibi restaurant [#8 on the above map] and to the south of it. Watch in the crevices just below the restaurant for ells, octopi, or is it octopuses? lobster. small shrimp, etc -- as well as for other interesting critters. Also spend some time snorkeling out onto the sand flat. Squid, needle fish, and I have even seen a starfish there. Depending on how much time you have you can snorkel down to the Divi Flamingos Southern most pier. Then snorkel back re-visiting the spots you passed on the way in. In about 15 feet of water off the end of the Cement Pier I am told there is a small sunken boat which is often well populated with fish and critters.

I would plan on an hour-and-a-half [One-hour would be pushing it] but once you exit at Cha-Cha you are only 5 minutes to the ship and I'm assuming to the water-taxi.

2. Take the ships Water Taxi Tour to Klein. Let them know you want to be dropped off at Ebo to do the drift to No-Name. The drift is not to be missed. No-Name is just a nice beach.

The above two stops will provide you with excellent snorkeling. The drift at Klein and the Cement Pier at the Divi-Flamingo and should be easily accomplished in the time that you are there. By doing the taxi through the ship you are assured of getting to Klein and back rather then having to wait around to see if there is space available on the taxi.

CAUTION! Don't take or leave anything of value on the beach at Klein or at Cha-Cha. Also be very cautious of the sun and take a bottle of water each with you.

I actually snorkel FULLY dressed including long pants, long shirt AND an undershirt, hat, long stretch socks and a weight belt. I also cover any remaining parts with sunscreen. I stick my old shoes/sandals inside of my shirt and button it over the top when I am in the water. I haven't had them fall out yet. You can also tie your shoes to you with a belt worn around the waist.

As far as the Marine Park Pass. Will you and your wife have to buy one? I do not know. The taxi may or may not collect the fee. If they do be sure that they give you the tag. I bought one as it is for as good cause. The proceeds go to the Marine Park. Also, they makes a very nice souvenirs.

2007 Marine Park Tag

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Marlene Robinson (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Thursday, October 11, 2007 - 7:49 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Actually, buying a Marine Park tag is not just about supporting a good cause: you are required by law to purchase a Marine Park tag if you are using the water. It is not the taxi driver's responsibility, but rather yours (the user). Find a vendor and buy a tag before entering the water. And when you see all that life and beauty, you will feel extra happy.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron Gould (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1143) on Thursday, October 11, 2007 - 7:53 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

The Dive Inn diveshop(across the street from Cha Cha Beach) sells the tags...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By William Gates (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #113) on Friday, October 12, 2007 - 3:48 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

As long as we are talking about the fee, it needs to be pointed out that there is a one day Park fee not just the annual fee. The one day fee for Snorkelers would be $2.00.

Here is an excerpt from the Park Fee Brochure

one-day_Park_Fee

and a link to the full brochure.

http://www.stinapa.org/brochure_naturefee.html

This link was provided by Susan just two posts prior to this one on this same thread.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim Sambataro (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #4) on Friday, October 12, 2007 - 8:26 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Greatly appreciated. My goal now is to get a reservation on the water taxi for 12 noon. If I understand all the informative posts I should be able to walk to the water taxi or get a taxi for a few dollars, pay a $2 tag fee for the day and snorkel for a few hours including the "drift". I will be sure to get back in plenty of time for the scheduled 7:00P Princess sailing. Even if the cruise charge includes transp. to water taxi and the tag we will save at least $20 going it on our own. Not a big amount, but why not.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Stew Podolsky (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #4) on Saturday, November 10, 2007 - 7:39 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Can anybody recommend whether it is worthwhile and, if so, how to get to Klein South side sites such as Rockpile and Captain Don's? We have drifted from Ebo to No Name and hiked to Lenora/Knife/Sampler - all great, but would like to visit the other side on our upcoming trip.

 


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