Somewhere on BT, I once read a post about top snorkel sites. Unfortunately, I can no longer find it. Does anyone remember this post or would anyone like to give their opinion of some of the best sites.

Since I'll be snorkeling with two children, I'm interested in sites that are good in the shallows. The children swim pretty well but feel safer in the shallows. Also, it's difficult for them to dive down constantly in deeper water.

Thanks for your opinions.

If you want to see beautiful soft corals and fans, my favorites are Old Blue, Country Garden and Southwest corner over at Kline howere the Southwest corner at Kline is by boat access only and the boat moring is in very deep water and then you head toward shore to the shallows.
My usual favorites for an absolute abundance of fishlife are: Divi house reef, around the cement pier and the little sunken boat as well as under the docks and near the shore along the whole resort; No Name Beach over at Kline from the Woodwind of course; Andrea I and II; Bakadera; Small Wall. Basically I have named all the sites I can remember and I loved them all. All the sites I mentioned you can be deep or head into the shallows. Most of the fish life are in the shallows. I have never rented a car so there are many sites that I haven't been too yet so I am sure there are a lot more great sites that I did not mention!

I live here so I'm spoiled but here's my favorite snorkel sites (I dont even think I'll get to 10 ;-)

1)
Drift from LaDania's Leap to Karpata. Just gorgeous! 9 of 10 you see turtles!! Very nice corals, soft corals, fans. Lots of different fish. No swimming... just float and you'll get there.

2)
Ol Blue. Either go north or south. Right in front of the 'beach' is not that great... mostly sand. Some interesting formations of coral when you swim south. Wind/waves bring you right back again. When you swim north with waves remember that you have to swim back also.

3) the reef in Lac Bay. Not outside the reef in the big waves! but just behind it on the inside from the raft towards the piles of conch shells at Lac Cai. This is all shallow. There might be a current pushing you back into the bay from the water being pushed over the reef by the big waves. This water is 'let' out again at the entrance of the bay at Lac Cai so do not go play in the opening there!!!! Corals are very healthy, lots of fish life. Good chances for seeing the odd like sting ray, nurse shark, turtles.

4) 1000 steps. Kinda like ol blue.

5) south side of Klein Bonaire. (forest, south bay, hand off & capt. Dons) For snorkeling with kids I would avoid South West corner because there can be a strong current and can also be pretty wavy. For these you need a boat however.

6) you can let the water taxi drop you in front of Klein and you drift to No Name Beach. Nice drop off, might see a turtle or 2...

7) you might be interested to check out the mangroves on snorkel. You either find it very interesting or dead boring! I love looking at all the baby stuff.. it's just very different.

8)maybe not for kids but white/blue hole is great too. Located outside the reef of Lac Bay it's a long walk, hard to get in through the waves and a long swim. Often the hole is filled with a school of Tarpon and/or Barracuda. Many times seen black tip reef sharks, spotted eagle ray and bunches other 'special' stuff on the way out there or back.

I've snorkeled on Bonaire since I was 6 (27 yrs ago) Funny thing is that after all these years I still 'live' on the same reef (small wall area) So I remember what it was like then and I see how things are now. A HUGE difference. Maybe thats why I'm spoiled and like to look only at those sites that resemble most what it was like back then.
It makes me sad to see 'barrier' reefs like we have here at small wall, Andrea's because they are DEAD. This reef used to be inpenetrable, ALL live corals 10 feet from shore to the shallows which at that time were filled with staghorn and elkhorn all the way to the drop off. Before Lenny some of it was still there. Now the barrier reefs are smashed and dead and the shallows are empty sand flats. I do agree that new patches of coral are sprouting out and I do like to keep a positive eye on stuff but I doubt very much things will ever go back to how they were 25 years ago. I wont live to see it... thats for sure!!
So,... in the shallow shallows (upto 10 ft. deep) there is not much there as far as corals go. You do find a nice variety of fish there and it can be fun looking for stuff in all the holes and under the ledges.. find octopus and lil lobsters, crabs and other stuff. This would the 'barrier' reef area. Going a lil deeper 10 feet deep towards the drop off it can be very interesting (namely the sites mentioned above)however being able to dive down to 10 - 20 feet can be a very handy skill to get up close to stuff. Dont have to 'constantly' but once in a while to check out something neat. Teach the boys how free dive and let them practice... it's not that hard and may be valuable skill!! And once they get the hang of it I'm sure they'll love it. Fins for the kids recommended!!!
Anyway... thats just my 2 cents.
I'll be happy to team up for a snorkel or 2, give them a few pointers and show some stuff. If you like give me a call when you get here.. 717 8830
Bas

Susan
With the children to consider do not miss Tori,s reef. Very easy entery in the channel to the salt pans,lots of juvenile fish in shallow water and a terrific variety.Also of coarse Andrea I and II. I feel that the entry at II is a little easier but not really a problem in most places if you wear booties and open back fins.Here at Andria there is a good chance of seeing squid near the mooring and also turtles.
Have FUN! Mickey

At Tori's, just make sure not to get within about 10 feet of the sluices leading into the salt pans if the sluice gates are open to let water fill the salt pans. Major suction... Otherwise a great snorkel or dive!

Jake

Bas,
When I was reading up on Bonaire, I wondered about the mangroves. Is it easy access?

Hi Becky,

It's very easy. I go to 3 places.

1) Sorobon, get in next to the fishing boats dock. Beach... VERY easy.

2) On the windy road from town to Sorobon there one very sharp turn with a big concrete marker. You'll see the water through the mangove trees. Sometimes there's a wooden fishing boat pulled on shore. No sandy beach but still easy.

3) Lac Cai, nice beach there too. Also very easy. I like this site best.

There's also guided kayak trips to the mangroves. However I'm not sure if they let you snorkel.

Keep in mind it's all very shallow and very easy to kick or hit something. Also, do not walk on the seagrass beds.
Look for the upsidedown mangrove jelly fish and all the little stuff hiding out between the roots of the trees and the grass.

It's different and very interesting, especially if you know what you are looking at.

Thanks, Bas. This sounds like a "must do" even if I don't know what I'm looking for. By the way, I'll be bringing you a personalized license plate from Washington State - SEA NMF. I don't even need to trade you anything for it. I'll be in touch closer to September so we can figure out a time & place to meet.

Becky,

Think of it as the maternity ward of the reefs... lotsa baby stuff.
Coolio @ SEA NMF !! great vanity. Is that yours?;-))

Bas

Yes. That is the nickname my instructor gave me during my OW scuba class. The state of WA recently replaced the vanity plates so I have a spare!

Blue Water Snorkeling.
I've snorkeled off Bonaire since 1966. Some the most interesting and incredible sealife is off the coast in the blue water, past where you can see any reef. First, I'll add a caution to be careful and have a buddy with you and regularly check the currents and your drift and for boats.

You have to learn to look in different angles, depths, times of day, focus on very close to as far as you can see. OK OK this creeps some people out, but when was the last time you saw an octopus the size of your pinky nail or swam with a school of blue runners or a pod of red land crab larva. Tiny creatures, translucent ones, jellies, all sorts of new stuff to see.

Bonaire's waters are teeming with life up and down the entire water column. I see new stuff every time I go into the blue water.

Bud Gillan
Flying Fish.
Boca Raton, FL

Thank you all for your suggestions and help. We will be leaving in a few days and I've got my list of sites to visit. I'll be sure to write a trip report when we return.

Thanks again!