I saw snorkel vests mentioned somewhere (can't remember). I'm a confident swimmer, but the wife is not (controlled drowning). We'll be doing some snorkeling and will be taking a boat out to Klein with drift snorkeling involved. Recommend vests or not? If so, can someone suggest a good place to buy them?

I bought a snorkel vest off amazon, it's actually a full vest ... not just a half one like most snorkel vests. Haven't tried it yet though. 23 more days. I say ... when in doubt, use a vest ... better to have it and not need it, then need it and not have it.

David, A vest is nice to have, but the sea is saltwater and very boyant! If you wear a vest you will not be able to dive under the water at all. If you lay face down in the water(without a vest),and fin a lazy pace, you would have no problem doing that for hour after hour. Make sure that you have some protection from the sun as well! Full skin or wetsuit is a must! Sun block on all exposed skin! have a good time and take a lot of pictures... Ron

Since a wet suit is a flotation device by itself, you wouldn't need a snorkel vest. Instead I would look into a "skin", usually a Lycra type one piece full suit that will give you protection from both the sun and things in the water that might sting or otherwise impact your snorkel.I would recommend a local dive shop so as to try for fit. I have found that people who want a "snorkel vest" really want someone to tell them that they aren't going to drown because they are not comfortable in the water. Any thing that will help is money well spent.

My vest will be a security blanket for me, but whatever it takes to make me feel comfortable. If I feel the need to shed it, I will.

We wear neon yellow vests as a safety measure so that we can be seen in the water.

This does not negate the important of looking and listening for boats etc.

The vest can be inflated but then trying to see anything under the sea is darn near impossible.

The vest is also equipped with a whistle.

Thanks for all the feed back. First trip to Bonaire. Used to be PADI (back in the 80's), but don't have time get back into it. Suggestions as to best places to snorkel would be great! April, what brand vest did you buy? Another question: Recommendations for the best sunblock? We spend a lot of time at the Jersey Shore during the summer, but as I expect the likelihood of sunburn at Bonaire to be greater, I don't want to ruin a first time vacation like this with sunburn.

David, as a PADI Instructor, I say get a vest. From reading about what you mentioned about your wife, go for it. I have a very good friend who is a good swimmer but only snorkels, she wears one all the time. It may not be inflated but she has it "just in case". She will now go in by herself and will follow her husband on top as he scubas. If needed for ANY reason you inflate the vest han it will keep the persons head out of the water. A wet suit should NEVER be used instead of a vest. I have seen too many times when a snorkler gets tired out and panics. Yes I know you are usually close to the shore in Bonaire but not every part of the shoreline gives you an exit point. It is cheap insurance!

A friend of mine recently use a regular ski-type vest while snorkeling on Bonaire just to have an added feeling of security. She loved it and it gave her the confidence to go out into the deeper waters over the reef and watch the divers.

David, I hope this link works ... this is the exact one I got:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000PKPSCK

I can report back on how I like it, once I try it out ... just 22 days until Bonaire!

Thanks April, I'll check it out.

I had a shorty wetsuit that made it tough to dive down, but had to get a full wetsuit after 4 days last week (cool currents underneath). Made it impossible to get under the water for closer peeks at the awesome marine life.
Ahhh will just have to come back in the summer.
When in doubt, wear a vest. Just like boating.

And yes to making sure you keep an eye out for boats, and kiteboarders. Have a great trip!

David: I wear a vest when snorkeling and it gives me the confidence to really enjoy myself. If my mask gets a little foggy or whatever, I can just calmly take it off and clean it up without threading water, etc. It is not a case of how buoyant are you (or not) it is just feeling safe and not worrying and so enjoying the snorkeling more. I know "nervous" swimmers like me benefit so much!

Hi:
I would totally agree. Get a vest.
Although you are buoyant, if you get anxious, it doesn't matter how buoyant you are; it takes all the fun out of it and you usually can't relax after that.

Although I don't NEED a vest, I do wear one to give me confidence to snorkel longer in deep water. It makes the experience so much more enjoyable.

Have fun!