By Denise Ryan (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Saturday, August 23, 2008 - 3:43 pm: |
I am planning a trip to the caribbean for mid-October and would like to just snorkel myself silly. But, where to go? My boss is a repeat visitor to Bonaire to dive. She always comes back with raves about all of the fish and creatures in the water, so I thought it would be just the ticket -- especially since I really don't want to cancel my trip due to a hurricane. Bonaire is out of the way for most of those hurricanes, so it seems like a sure thing.
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By Vince DePietro (Bellevue Bonaire Condo ) (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1651) on Saturday, August 23, 2008 - 4:39 pm: |
Hi Denise & welcome to the board! I really suggest you keep this simple..The answer is Bonaire.
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By Susan Taft (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #901) on Saturday, August 23, 2008 - 5:56 pm: |
Denise, my husband and I are long time Bonaire visitors, first as snorkelers many years ago and now as divers. Last Feb we had friends join us in Bonaire. They have snorkeled in the Keys, Grenada and both the US and British Virgin Islands and they were absolutely blown away at the snorkeling in Bonaire... they even booked a second trip before leaving the island! And I would really disagree with your boss. There is soooooo much to see just steps from shore! Also, tides are not really an issue on Bonaire.
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By Denise (ParodyQueen) (BonaireTalker - Post #36) on Saturday, August 23, 2008 - 6:22 pm: |
Oh my gosh Denise, Bonaire is snorkel heaven. My husband and I have gone around, Cemetary Reef is just sad in comparison. We went every day snorkeling in Bonaire, rented a truck, the most folks we ever bumped into was about 4 at any location back in March. We've done Buck Island but forget the cost of boat trips, done Cayman, Turks & Caicos, blah blah blah. Anyway, nothing is as pristine as Bonaire and you can venture out about 10 feet in some spots and there you are. You will see more fish on one day than you will in a week at the other spots and I've been going around for years. I fell in love with Bonaire and really, I don't dive and don't care to. Where else can you walk in at least 50 different spots and find fish?? Wow, go for it and don't listen to anyone else! We didn't use anything but a map from the rental car place, and the Shore Diving Made Easy Book which lists all the spots from Excellent to Fair. They were all awesome in their own ways, but stay away from Windsock when the cruise ships come in to avoid the crowds. Go up to the Washington Slagbaii park one day and do all the entries there. It's wonderful and once you've been there, you'll not want anything else.
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By Corney Ann Carter (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #344) on Saturday, August 23, 2008 - 7:54 pm: |
We have snorkeled and dived the Grand Cayman and British and American VI. Bonaire is by far the best place to snorkel from shore. Most other places you have to take boat trips to see a lot.
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By Denise Ryan (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Saturday, August 23, 2008 - 10:59 pm: |
Keep your comments coming folks! This is great! Based on these and other recommendations, I will try Renee and Woodwind. I am also planning on the booties with the fins - a very good investment. I'd love to try a night snorkel too. I'd love to see some lobster and an octopus! I will also be ordering the book on Diving and Snorkeling in Bonaire. Thanks!
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By Denise (ParodyQueen) (BonaireTalker - Post #37) on Sunday, August 24, 2008 - 8:28 am: |
Denise, I had soft soled socks and they worked fine but everyone is different. Open backed fins are great. You can drive up within feet of where you get in. And don't worry much about drop off from the reefs. The book has it pretty exact and some you just walk right in and there's the stuff. Each one is different and the book will tell you each individual site, how far out, where to turn, where to look, etc. Once you're there, you'll know and no need to ask.
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By Bud Gillan (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #316) on Sunday, August 24, 2008 - 1:06 pm: |
DR.
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By Ron Edison (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #144) on Sunday, August 24, 2008 - 1:39 pm: |
I have to echo your boss's concerns. We honeymooned on St. John USVI and spent 6 hours a day snorkeling and loved it. We looked forward to much of the same on Bonaire but found mostly coral rubble at the depths we'd snorkeled on St. John. (Hurricane Lenny decimated the shallows around '97 and it's still recovering.) There's much more to see on Bonaire, but the reef proper starts at 15-20 feet, so on many sites you would in fact be hovering and watching the divers. (Unless you're really good at holding your breath and powering down to the reef.) Our focus on Bonaire was diving and after a few dives, snorkeling just didn't cut it for us. After following this board for a few years, I realize that our opinion is in the minority as far as snorkeling goes. Consider taking some of the guided snorkel trips with Rene or others. Bonaire is a lot less touristy than St. John, the restaurants offer better quality and more variety. Getting around Bonaire is so much easier and you have so much more freedom than on other islands--no cab rides or parking problems and unlike most of the Caribbean, they drive on the proper side of the road. Bonaire is also a great place to learn how to dive.
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By Cecil (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6773) on Monday, August 25, 2008 - 11:12 am: |
Ron you are correct about most sites on Bonaire, Lenny did take out a lot of the shallow coral....but there are places that were not destroyed. The trick is to find them. Three places (that I know) where the staghorn coral comes right up to the shoreline are; Andrea I & II, No Name Beach on the Klein and to south of the Tipsy Seagull Restaurant. As proof Andrea II last March.
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By SCUBAchef (BonaireTalker - Post #26) on Monday, August 25, 2008 - 11:23 am: |
St. John, as an island, has a lush beauty
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By Denise Ryan (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Monday, August 25, 2008 - 11:48 am: |
Scubachef and Cecil, thanks for responding. Last night I decided to go visual and look for videos on Youtube that depicted snorkeling in Bonaire and St. Johns. The coral looks healthier in the St. Johns videos, but the water clarity looks worse. Cecil, your photo is fantastic! A few more of those and I'll be totally convinced.
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By SCUBAchef (BonaireTalker - Post #27) on Monday, August 25, 2008 - 12:07 pm: |
Oh, and the reef depth wasn’t really
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By SCUBAchef (BonaireTalker - Post #28) on Monday, August 25, 2008 - 12:23 pm: |
One more thing. Don't discount
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By DARLENE IN MA (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2562) on Monday, August 25, 2008 - 12:24 pm: |
Denise,
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By Cecil (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6774) on Monday, August 25, 2008 - 12:32 pm: |
OK Denise here's a couple more from March while snorkeling.
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By Denise K (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2077) on Monday, August 25, 2008 - 12:56 pm: |
If you want to do a night snorkel, I suggest you consider doing it once with Dee of the Woodwind. I have done this with her her a couple of times and it was great. I've done night snorkels with out her and did not see nearly as much! I am a diver, but I really have enjoyed snorkeling with Dee. Her night snorkel of Town Pier is equal to, if not better than, diving it !
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By Freddie (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #10606) on Monday, August 25, 2008 - 1:27 pm: |
Denise go here to see more photos and some videos.. Bonaire Photography and Videos
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By Jennifer Parmley (BonaireTalker - Post #77) on Monday, August 25, 2008 - 7:53 pm: |
My mom and I are snorkelers and love snorkeling in Bonaire. We were there in June for our 2nd trip. We found many places with coral in shallow enough water, and we went in the deep water too and could see many fish and turtles. We snorkeled three days with Renee and saw many wonderful things in the shallows. The coral is beautiful and healthy. You will not regret a trip to Bonaire.
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By Brad Ford (BonaireTalker - Post #33) on Monday, August 25, 2008 - 9:30 pm: |
For snorkeling:
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By Denise Ryan (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #4) on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 - 8:05 pm: |
You all have got me pretty darn convinced. Thank you! Now that Gustave is headed right for the Caymans, that kind of seals the deal. So, for you all that are out there snorkeling for 6 - 8 hours a day - sounds good if I pace myself and float more than kick.
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By William Gates (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #165) on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - 4:21 am: |
Denise:
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By William Gates (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #166) on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - 8:02 am: |
.. my boss who raves about diving Bonaire was very concerned I wouldn't be happy. She thinks because of the drop off of the reef from the shore, there isn't much to see for snorkelers. Is this true?
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By Bambi (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #5) on Sunday, September 7, 2008 - 12:18 pm: |
Denise - for snorkel-ware, I got a UV-protective long-sleeved swim shirt (it's snug fitting and long enough to extend down past my bum) a few years back and I've never regretted the investment. The sun is brutal on Bonaire, and it sounds like you'll be snorkeling lots! The brand is Sunsafe, and you can find them online. Lightweight and quick-drying as well.
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By Denise Ryan (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #5) on Sunday, September 7, 2008 - 3:28 pm: |
Thanks for the suggestion! I just booked my flight to Bonaire on Friday night. Whoopee! I purchased some dive skins on ebay last night for the bargain price of $36 new. Hey, I don't care if they aren't the latest fashion.
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By Freddie, (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #10662) on Sunday, September 7, 2008 - 3:48 pm: |
Probably be a good idea Denise especially if it should get kind of clingy when wet or OMG what happens if you should split a seam or get a rip??? Bathing suit for me under mine...
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By F. Keaton (BonaireTalker - Post #43) on Sunday, September 7, 2008 - 5:38 pm: |
Denise, We just returned this morning from 15 days on Bonaire. We are strictly snorkelers, and we must have seen 20 turtles! Took scads of photos of them, along with at least 40 different kinds of fish as well as squid and eels. Like someone else said--even at places where there is not much reef (like around docks and piers) there is SO much fish life. And in the sandy areas, you will find flounder, rays, crabs, etc.
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By Denise Ryan (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #8) on Monday, September 29, 2008 - 12:17 am: |
I'm getting closer to my departure for Bonaire. Every time I get in a stressful place at work, I reach for my angelfish necklace and hold it and chant Bonaire ommmmm Bonaire ommmmmm. Just 20 days to go.
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By Vince DePietro (Bellevue Bonaire Condo ) (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1689) on Monday, September 29, 2008 - 6:15 am: |
Hi Denise..Cultimara in town is open on Sunday morning. I believe they're open to about 1:00PM.
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By Skip C (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #150) on Wednesday, October 1, 2008 - 6:01 pm: |
Hi Denise,
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