Someone just told me you must get a $10 permit/slip to snorkel. Any truth to this

Yes, the Marine Park fee for snorkling is $10, but it also gets you into the park for free(with the receipt.

(Message edited by ronindiana on January 3, 2009)

divers pay $25 and snorkelers pay $10. at least this charge goes directly to the maintenance and preservation of the marine park and not into a bureaucrats pocket like here in the states.

Ron
The Bonaire Marine Park surrounds the entire island and includes Klein Bonaire, so if you want to snorkel you should pay the fee. The Washington-Slagbaai Park is a wild land park in the north of the island. As Ron said entrance to it is included in the marine park fee. You can also snorkel there as well.
Mick

remember, if you are going to use your marine park receipt to get into the national park you also need a picture ID.

Although we've never been asked if we paid the fee, we always do. Consider it an investment in keeping Bonaire diving/snorkeling as good as it can be. We don't usually do the park, but did on our last trip and December and it was nice to not have to pay the entrance fee. They do ask for a picture ID. I didn't have mine, but luckily since my husband did, it wasn't a problem.

Hi Ronald,

I just posted the link to the Marine Park Regulations in another thread -- but here it is again. Click on this link to read all of the STINAPA Bonaire National Marine Park rules.

And have a great time.

Mare