We will be on Bonaire in a few weeks for the second time. I was reading through old notes from last year, and ran across notations about going out to snorkel with divers. Is this true? We have done this on other islands. Are there certain dive operators more likely to allow this? Thanks

Rosie,
I know the Divi Flamingo will allow people who snorkel to go along on their boats. Here is a link to their website. http://www.diviresorts.com/DiviFlamingo/diveRates.html
It appears they charge $10.00 USD to go along.

(Message edited by billc on October 12, 2007)

http://www.tropical-divers.com/ this shop will take snorkelers as well...

We also are snorkelers and have gone out with Bonaire Dive and Adventure several times. They were very accomodating and specifically went to sites off Klein that was good for snorkeling as well as diving. I think(???) we paid $10-$12 per person for the boat ride. You can also go to Karel's and take the water taxi to klein for #16. Lots of good shore based snorkeling at Klein.
Vann Evans

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the information.

I too have an interest in snorkeling at Klein. I've done Ebo to No-Name on the Woodwind and plan to repeat that next May. I thought that that was a really Great Trip! I have read on BT that Forest and Rock Pile are good snorkel sites although no details were given. The person accessed them via dive boat from Bonaire Dive and Adventure I believe they are the dive shop for Sand Dollar and Den Lamen.

What I would like to know is:

1. What other sites on Klein are really good snorkel sites?

2. How do you get to them?
As I have an interest is photography I prefer the sites to be shallow [10 feet or so] OR along the edge of the reef [like the drift from Ebo to No-Name.} That way I can get close to the critters, corals, and sponges. On the drift from Ebo I hugged the edge of the reef [without actually touching it LOL] and had many really good photo opportunities. Scorpion fish, Sponges, Sea Cucumber, Trunkfish, Porcupine fish, etc. Also Jacks, Barracuda etc.

3. Does anyone have any suggestions on walking from No-Name to other spots.
What I'm asking is are there trails, easy shore entries any way short of GPS of knowing that you have arrived at the site. What direction to head, approximately how far [and what will I see In addition to fish I like sponges of all sorts, as well as soft and hard corals and of course good to excellent visibility which works wonders for the photos.

Thanks for any help. Bill

We have snorkeled at Klein in 3 different ways.
1) We took the dive boat from Bonaire Dive and Adventure(you are right-Sand dollar and Den lamen shop) when they were going to a north side site on Klein. We would drop off 2 or 3 sites before their destination and then drift snorkel toward their destination for about an hour until we caught up with the moored dive boat. It is at first a strange feeling for the boat to drop you off and then zoom away!!
2)Go with the dive boats and snorkel one area for an hour while the divers are down. Thirty minutes out and thirty minutes back to the boat. This is the "normal" way.
3)Take the sea taxi from karel's bar and land at the beach on Klein. Walk west until the sandy beach ends and then enter the water. Drift snorkel west along the coast for an hour or so, get out and rest wherever you can exit without coral damage. Get back in and continue snorkeling as long as you want. There is a trail all along the waters edge-with hard sole booties it is easily walked to return to the beach area where you started and catch the sea taxi back. The biggest problem is that you can't take water or liquids with you. Staying out snorkeling or walking back can get you very thirsty.
Vann Evans

Great inputs Vann! You provided exactly the type of information that I was looking for.

I do have one question though. Why not take water or lemonade along? It's more or slightly buoyant and if you are wearing shorts [or in my case slacks to help protect against stingies and the sun] it shouldn't be a problem. Just stuff a bottle in each pants pocket. I generally look like a homeless person when I am in the water with all my earthly possessions clipped, strapped or otherwise attached to me.



I wear a weight belt to reduce somewhat my buoyancy and an un-inflated snorkel vest just in case of cramps or some other problem. Unfortunately, it is not by choice, but I usually snorkel alone.

Are you aware of any currents around Klein that might carry one away from land? I don't want to end up on a sea journey to Aruba, Curacao or Venezuela [LOL}.

Bill

Bill, I don't care what anyone says...YOU ARE TOO CUTE!!!

Nice web site, Bill. (But no music on Gallery B?)

I love the enhanced peacock flounder!

PegiSue: I think I had better pass on that[lol].

Gail: OK, I have added music [of sorts]. I'm just not sure if I like these 7-11 renderings.

Bill

Bill, that's a great picture, but I have to ask...are you wearing jeans? Don't they get heavy?

You are a site, Bill !!(What ever "floats" you!)
No wonder why you go it alone LOL

Cynde
Back when I first started diving Bonaire (1980) everyone that didn't dive in just a bathing suit dove in jeans and T shirt. There were no skins. One guy I dove with wore a full set of long johns. I have been trying to figure out when skins became uniform of the day, but can't quite nail it.
Mick

---

quote:

What ever "floats" you!

---

Mickey and Bill...you are not THAT old ;-)

I really wasn't asking to be critical, all I could relate to was my experience with jeans in the water

I guess when I saw the jeans, all I could think of was all of the training I did for the USCGA to get my PWC coxswain, and Crew qual. We had to dive in the pool fully clothed, and for me (and I have PLENTY of fat...lol) my legs always sink when I try to float, so the jeans...well, let's just say if I hadn't had my life vest on, I would have sunk like a rock...lol...

It also reminds me of a white water river raft trip I took down the Grand Canyon years ago. My relatives are farmers, and they were on the trip, plus a few other farmers, and they all wore their jeans day and night, swimming, etc. I tried it but got "chafed"...lol!

And I agree with Lorraine, whatever floats you...lol!

And, hmmm...I do wonder where skins came from. Growing up in So Cal, we swam in bathing suits...all year round, or the really OLD wet suits for surfing. Anyone remember those? They weren't really neoprene, more like rubber with ribs/dots on them?

OK, I had to search for pics. I had one from the late 70s and I gave it away at a garage sale a few years ago...what was I thinking???

Sea Hunt

Lloyd Bridges

Oh, Cyn! That was my favorite show as a kid living in Fort Lauderdale, Florida!! Great stuff back then. I think I first saw Beau and Jeff way back then, too, and fell in love with Jeff..still love him, today! LOL. cb

well, now that I looked at the title of the thread...lol!

Rosie, most dive boats will take snorkelers. I know Wannadive does for sure

Carole, I had fun looking at the pictures

Buddy Dive definitely takes snorkelers: their sign up board even has a special abbreviation for you to put down (SN for snorkeler, as opposed to ST which is for small tank).

Thanks everyone for all the information. We spent the night in Atlanta, fly this morning to Aruba, and hopefully get to Curacao tonight. Then to Bonaire in a week.

I am looking forward to your trip report!

A listing of the specific sites that you snorkel at off the Dive Boats and your opinion of each site from a snorkeler's perspective would be greatly appreciated.

Have a FABULOUS time on both Curacao and Bonaire.

Bill

Rosie,
Safe travels and snorkeling!!! Definitely let us know how your two trips go; we'll be here

A co worker who is a diver told me about diving with Larry's "Wild Side" diving boat.........said a blow hole they were over was spectacular. He wondered if they would take experienced snorkelers/people v comfortable in rough water out with the boat? He told me he thought I would love it. Anyone know?
My friend sure wouldn't go, she isn't comfy in water that is rough, she even gets nauseated in that never mind on a boat.......she takes meds before we are on the Woodwind!
Ginni in WI

We are traveling to Bonaire for the first time in March. We've been thinking about the rough entries and have decided to go with old sneakers and put on our split fins once we are out a ways. I came up with a new idea for towing things with us while snorkeling using a small kickboard. It doesn't take too much room in the suitcase. If I tether it to me, we can cart our sneakers, maybe a bottle of water or two, definitely my otter box, and our safety sausage.