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Snorkeling Bonaire: Need opinions - Wayaka vs. Klein
Bonaire Talk: Snorkeling Bonaire: Archives: Archives 2008: Need opinions - Wayaka vs. Klein
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jay Jack (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #4) on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 - 9:39 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I will be vacationing in Curacao and will be visiting Bonaire for one day, flying in very early in the morning and leaving later in the evening. The purpose of my day-trip to Bonaire is to experience the island's best snorkeling possible. I am most interested in seeing fish rather than coral, particularly large parrotfish and french angels. I've read many trip reports and both Wayaka and Klein Bonaire seem to rate high on the list of snorkel spots for some.

I understand that Wayaka is a long drive but I would go if that were the only place I could experience these fish (parrot and french angel)in great size. What other fish are there? Are they in large quantities/schools? Is it worth the trip? How long of a drive is it? Is it difficult to get to? Is it easy to find the spots with the best snorkeling? How does the Klein Bonaire experience compare to this? What about Karpata?

Any opinions or suggestions are welcomed especially from those who have snorkeled these locations. Thanks in advance!!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By SCUBAchef (BonaireTalker - Post #12) on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 - 10:17 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Both of those locations are a pain in the a$$ for a "quick trip". Wayaka, being in the National Park, will definitely require a high-clearance vehicle and a long drive over rough dirt roads. Karpata will also eat up a lot of time because once you leave the site, you are forced to drive through Rincon and the East side of the island to get back into town or to other sites south of Karpata (the road north of 1000 Steps is only one-way). If you're mostly looking for Angels and Parrotfish, you can find them all over. For up-close encounters and unexpected surprises, I say it's hard to beat Tori's Reef to Pink Beach. With the shallow ledge running the whole way, there was something to see in every nook and crannie. We even had a huge green moray swimming around our feet no more than 20 feet off shore. 1000 Steps is also great, with a great diversity in both the shallow and deep areas, plus scenery above ground is stunning and it has easy entry.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Boat Chick************** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5733) on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 - 10:24 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Where's Darlene???

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By DARLENE IN MA (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2550) on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 - 12:01 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I have seen Midnight Blue Parrotfish, Rainbow Parrotfish and Blue Parrotfish at Andrea 1 and 2 quite often. The Rainbows love the shelf so look into shore on top of the shelf. I have seen them at many sites butthey seem to be more plentiful at the Andreas and so are the turtles! The french Angels are everywhere. There are some really friendly ones on the drift at Kline.
I have never been to the park so I can't speak for that.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Debbie B. (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #7509) on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 - 12:06 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I agree with Darlene, for what you are looking for, go no further than Andrea 1 & 2.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By DARLENE IN MA (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2551) on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 - 12:06 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I should also mention that the Woodwind sail and snorkel stops at both Kline and one of the Andreas. It is a really nice way to spend the day.
www.woodwindbonaire.com
If you don't want a sail and snorkel you could set up a guided with Renee. She knows where everything is and will find it for you!! Her web site is www.reneesnorkeltours.com

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jay Jack (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #5) on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 - 12:12 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks SCUBAChef and Darlene. I'm relieved that I don't have to travel far to see my favorite fish while snorkeling in Bonaire. So if you (or anyone else reading this) had to recommend 4 of the DO-NOT-MISS snorkeling sites, which 4 would you suggest I visit? Remember, I'm more interested in seeing large fish, schools of fish, and turtles, As you can see, I'm really trying to make this day very memorable.

Thanks again!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Boat Chick************** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5753) on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 - 12:45 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Yeah Darlene:-)

jay, if you can book a snorkel trip with Renee, do it, she can find ALL of what you want to see. It would make it worth the money for sure.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jay Jack (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #6) on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 - 12:56 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Then Renee it is...Consider it done. I have already been in contact with her and she is available on the day I will be there. It seems that she is very well respected on the Boards so this just confirms that Renee is the best option. Getting opinions from others helps a lot.

OK, that's half of the day planned. Any other suggestions for what to do with the remainder of the day? I know this is moving away from the snorkeling topic but since I have your attention, I might as well ask. I'm traveling with my 15 year old son.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Boat Chick************** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5757) on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 - 1:34 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jay, there are lots of things to do. Are you renting a car? You really need a car if you want to explore the island.

1. It isn't very big, you can drive south over to the Windsurf Place (it's a great drive) and have burgers with your feet dipping in the sand.

2. Rent blokarts and go land sailing.

3. Kayak the mangroves

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By SCUBAchef (BonaireTalker - Post #13) on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 - 2:42 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Yeah, you've got to rent a car. The drive south of the airport past the salt piles and slave huts is a can’t miss for the other-worldly landscape. Then there is the scenic drive along the carved-out roadway between Oil Slick and 1000 Steps.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Patricia Shapiro (BonaireTalker - Post #44) on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 - 2:55 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Feb 2008 (and also Feb 07)we snorkeled at Wayaka II and found the resident French angels both LARGE and VERY friendly! I believe they owe this to frequent feedings? :-) These guys are dinner plate size and follow you around like puppy dogs. Bonaire is a place where you can experience not just you looking at the fish but the fish definitely looking back at YOU! A little strange but definitely a great experience.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By SCUBAchef (BonaireTalker - Post #14) on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 - 3:12 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

And believe the warnings to wear footwear/booties with hearty soles; pretty much all the coastline is coral rubble. But I found no need for a wetsuit, at least while snorkeling, as some had suggested. I was in the water pretty much all day in shorts and a tee shirt and only felt a slight chill a couple times around sunset, even then only when not actively moving (just floating in place watching a turtle or eel).

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Diane Korzeniewski (BonaireTalker - Post #54) on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 - 4:20 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Another nice snorkel is the salt pier. I know you need a guide to dive, I'm not sure about snorkelling. Prior to the regulations we dove this and then returned for a snorkel. The light coming thru the pier supports is stunning. Another place (I think we have always seen midnight blue parrot fish here) is at windsock, just north of the fuel pier where the little yellow hut is. There is always something cool to see there, including barracuda. Enjoy, it will be a day to remember. Renee will take good care of you.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Patricia Shapiro (BonaireTalker - Post #45) on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 - 8:18 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hello, Jay! I got your message saying: how far is Wayaka II from the airport? Getting to Wayaka II is a bit tricky: it is in the National Park at the north end of the island. Once you start around the park, the road must be travelled in one direction only and Wayaka II is towards the END of the loop, sadly. So, answer is: airport is at south end, Park is at north end. Then you must go around the loop to Wayaka II. The road in the park is similar to the type of road that North Americans associate with cottage roads: i.e. not paved, very bumpy and full of giant potholes. Is it worth it? Yes, yes!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jay Jack (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #7) on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 12:00 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I still can't get Wayaka off my mind. Is this a trip I could complete, including driving time and snorkel time, in 4 to 4.5 hours? If so, I think I will rent a vehicle, do this trip on my own, and also do the snorkel with Renee. I would love to have the opportunity to interact with a French angel. I would be sure to bring my video camera.

Thanks everybody for your input. I will talk to Renee about Andrea 1 and 2, and the Salt Pier.

SCUBAchef, thanks for the advice about the wetsuit because I was wondering if we would need them.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mickey McCarthy (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #608) on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 9:03 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jay
While Wayaka is very nice I would say that your brief time on Bonaire would be better spent at nearer sites. It's very long drive up there. You always have to remember fish swim so there is no guarantee that you will see French Angels at Wayaka. The only place you see fish is in the water, so that's the place to spend your time. I agree with Andrea and near the little building at windsock. I also like Karpata. Ask someone about the shortcut coming back (kind of long to explain here) but it saves a lot of time getting to your next spot.
My 2 cts. Mick

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By ***Boat Chick*** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5815) on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 10:12 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jay, listen to Mickey. The park is a long drive, four to five hours, hot, you need to take water and munchies. I've had interactions with large French Angels at a lot of sites on Bonaire. Tell Renee what you want to see, and I can pretty much guarantee she will come through for you.

Skip the park. Save it for your next trip when you have more time and won't feel rushed. If you have vehicle issues in the park, it could create problems making your flight back.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jay Jack (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #8) on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 11:43 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Boat Chick, I am going to take your advice and listen to Mickey and the others. Patricia, while the French Angels at Wayaka seem so inviting, it looks like I will pass on this trip because of time constraints, keeping my fingers crossed that I will see everything I want to see and more on my trip out with Renee. You have all been so helpful in making me feel secure in knowing that I'm making the best decision for my one-day getaway to Bonaire. I still have another 5 weeks before I actually get there and I can't wait. My hope is that I enjoy Bonaire so much that my next vacation will be there. That's why I'm checking it out while visiting Curacao.

One more thing, any great seafood restaurant recommendations for lunch???

I'll pop back up to let you all know how my day in Bonaire was.

Thanks everybody. This board has been wonderful.

 


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