Going in March, primarily for windsurfing, but would like to snorkel as well. Would you suggest renting (from where?) or would be worthwhile/easier/less expensive for us to buy equipment and bring down with us?

Hi Jason. I am a snorkeler, primarily, so bought my own gear for my first upcoming trip to Bonaire. I just bought what I needed off of Amazon ... a very nice and comfortable snorkel vest ($44), total dry snorkel ($20), booties ($30), and fins ($30). We already had the mask. For something as personal as the snorkel itself ... that you are sticking in your mouth for hours a day ... I'd definitely prefer to have my own ... no matter how good a rental place's disinfectant is.

I figure my gear will last for many many years to come, and eventually I'll have saved more by owning my own, then the initial cost of purchasing now ... since snorkeling is my main interest.

The one thing I still have to get is a skin suit. I don't need the coverage of an expensive wet suit, but I've heard the skin suit provides nice protection for snorkelers (sunburn, stings, scrapes, etc). Anyone have thoughts on this? I see one on Amazon for $39.

Hi! there - we snorkeled every single day from Feb 2 to 16 - a good mask and snorkel are really important, agree that hygiene dictates you should have your own. In Bonaire, which has few sand beaches, mostly coral or lava type rock, BOOTIES are a must! A snorkel vest is great too, it gives people like me that extra bit of security. I learned that when you buy a new mask, you must scrub and scrub and scrub, to get the manufacturer's coating off. One good trick is toothpaste - smear it on the mask lenses and rub in firmly in tiny circles for a good, long time, then rinse thoroughly. Most dive shops also sell a clear gel that you rub on the lenses (after the toothpaste treatment). After that, you can really see clearly.

If you use the toothpaste method, make sure you get the type with baking soda in it. You need a MILD abrasive to remove the coating in the mask.

Grunt,

Can one just use a paste of baking soda, w/o buying tooth paste?? Many households already have baking soda for other purposes.

Jason, also consider buying your gear on Bonaire. We found equipment at Carib Inn for less money than the States. Bruce will help insure a good fit and will make recommendations on equipment. The dive shop at Divi had some good sales in January as well.

I stand corrected. I have always used toothpaste containing baking soda, but a little more research indicates any WHITE toothpaste will work. Specifically, a gel type will NOT work. I do not know for sure, but would think a baking soda paste would be too abrasive. You are trying to remove an oily film and at the same time being careful not to scratch the mask lens. There are several commercial products (500 PSI mask scrub, for example) at about 5$ designed just for this.

Out of technical curiosity, what are we removing from the lens?? Why must the buyer of a $60-100 mask clean the faceplate themselves???

Will someone from the industry please enlighten us?

Glen - I may be wrong, but was told that the lens is coated with some type of film which protects the material during the manufacturing process? In any case, there was an amazing difference in the clarity of what I could see after the initial toothpaste cleansing followed by occasional treatments with the gel stuff. Before I did this (last year) my mask was fogging up every ten minutes, I spent a lot of time treading water, spitting in my mask, etc. etc.

I believe you are correct, Patricia. I just wonder why the film isn't removed during manufacturing. One of the small oddities of our modern life.

A Question regarding fins and booties:

It sounds that since booties are strongly encouraged, strap-fins are then required. I have those but my kids don't, they currently have full-foot fins. Is it worth it to get the other type for them or just rent?

Or, do people use both?

You can not rent boots on Bonaire. Buy the boots and rent the fins, if your kids are young. If they are young adults, buy them... Ron

Thanks Ron!