Help! we are returning to Bonaire in a couple weeks (loved it last year) But my wife had rotator cuff surgery 8 weeks ago and I'm afraid she might hurt her shoulder entering and exitting snorkeling sites. We don't really know the sites... last year we did all boat scuba dives; this year we renting a pickup and going to explore the island.
Any suggestions as to the easiest entrance/exit snorkel sites that provide great shallow snorkeling?
Thanks... Jeff Carter (and Carol)

My favorite snorkel site is Andreas ii and it is easy to enter as it is a boat ramp. Always saw at least one turtle !

Also easy entry would be the invisibles (supposedly u do this one mid morning) to see the eagle rays. (saw one in first 5 minutes) then go 20 feet down the road to Toris reef - good snorkling & easy entry

Jeff....pick up a copy of "Bonaire Shore Diving Made Easy" @ Chat -N- Browse, (it is also available in other places.....I just know Michael carries it!) Susan gives wonderful, insiteful directions on what sites are "easy" "intermediate" or "difficult" She tells you exactly how to approach each site, and what sites are good specifically for snorkeling.

LaDonna

(plus she gave mentions me in the forward...thanks Susan)

Ps....I am not affiliated with BSDME....I just love Susan!!!!

Bonaire Shore Diving Made Easy is also available from the author's website at www.bsdme.info.

Andrea II, Old Blue, Witch's Hut, Bari Reef at Sand Dollar are all easy entries. You can also take the water taxi to the sandy beach on Klein, but BDSME will give you a lot to choose from. They should make a waterproof edition.

Jeff -

I would suggest you not forget that several of the resorts have ladder entry. In that category, we have had particularly good snorkeling at Plaza Resort and Don's Habitat. I'm sure other can expand that list considerably.

Charles Poteet
Dallas

While not a "marked" site, the area just south of Port Bonaire (easily identified by the a small sunflower-yellow building) offers an easy sand entry. The only issue with this area is once fully in the water (over 5 feet of depth), some of the sheet coral comes very close to the surface. Snorkelers can easily float over the top or weave their way out around it. Quite popular with snorkelers in general.

I would also suggest trips with Renee who would arrange appropriate trips and offer great opportunity to visit the best sites. After a couple of trips with Renee you will have a source to revisit those sites you like best.

The area the Dr. Director talks about can be dived also. We dove it twice the last time we were on island. Take the time to use mask and snorkel and check out the lay of the coral. There is a small area that you can get thru as long as you go in on the surface and then descend. There was a ray that was seen by many divers and snorkelers the week we were there.
The pier that is right at the end of the runway is also a good snorkel/dive area too.

Andy

Andy, I did that dive with Bas on my last trip and loved it ! It's a great entry/exit.

Margate Bay and the Divi are two easy snorkel sites, too.

Andy & George,

Agree with both of you about this site and snorkeling with Renee.

This is a great site for both diving and snorkeling (but don't tell anybody about it). My wife and I dove it while her sister snorkeled it with Renee. As divers, one needs to be careful to stay submerged below 20 feet if you head towards the marina entrance between Port Bonaire and Plaza (and to not actually go into the marina). My wife and I also dove it several times on our own later during our extended stay.

Plaza - enter [and exit] via the ladder at the Tipsy Seagull and head South.

Divi - Enter at the sand beach by the Cement [Tanning] Pier or off one of the ladders at the other Divi Piers. This is a great -- I mean GREAT -- area for a night snorkel.

The site Dr Director mentioned is one of the unsung snorkel sites of Bonaire. I've been there twice with Renee. That says something for it right there. Many of the pictures on the post immediately below this one were taken there.

IMHO, the best advise that you have received or will receive was from George Blanchard. Go, at least a couple of times, with Renee. Renee is very helpful with entries and exits, she knows where the critters reside, and she will give your wife a feeling of safety and security.

A slight correction. The ladder at the Tipsy Seagull are wooden steps. You can do butt entries and exits, no shoulder needed.