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Snorkeling Bonaire: Mangrove access
Bonaire Talk: Snorkeling Bonaire: Archives: Archives 2009: Mangrove access
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kevin (BonaireTalker - Post #18) on Sunday, February 22, 2009 - 1:28 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Do you have to take a guided tour through the mangroves? Is any of it open access to those who prefer to explore it on their own?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By silvia taurer (BonaireTalker - Post #14) on Sunday, February 22, 2009 - 2:08 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

hello kevin, absolutely, easy access to snorkel is at Sorobon, where the fishermen pier is, besides seeing upside down jellyfish, grumpy baby barracuda's you also see egrets, pelicans when you pop your head out of the water, a beautiful and silent spot to snorkel and to discover - I do advise to use a wetsuit - just in case - sometimes the water is very shallow where you snorkel and the jellyfish might float up.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kevin (BonaireTalker - Post #19) on Sunday, February 22, 2009 - 2:15 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks Silvia.

Sorobon or Cai in the north? I looked at Google Earth and it looked like most of the mangroves were in the north near Cai.

I haven't explored Sorobon much so maybe I am just misunderstanding where you are talking about.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By silvia taurer (BonaireTalker - Post #15) on Sunday, February 22, 2009 - 2:19 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

no not at all Kevin, you have access to the mangroves from sorobon as well - very nice stripe to snorkel - you can also enter from the lac cai site as well - however - the access to the mangroves is an official top secret spot which I am trying to point out is certainly a very silent spot and you will not cross path with any other snorkelers! So now it is official!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By silvia taurer (BonaireTalker - Post #16) on Sunday, February 22, 2009 - 2:37 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

trust me on that - I might be a newbie on this forum but certainly not when it comes to Bonaire - a few things I have picked up by living in this great place - accessing via sorobon - you certainly have better visibility and a closer look into the mangroves as a habitat. when will you be on bonaire?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By SCUBAchef (BonaireTalker - Post #48) on Sunday, February 22, 2009 - 3:45 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Just behind the Sorobon Resort (west)
there appears to be a large patch of
mangrove, with a foot-shaped inlet.
Is this area deep enough to snorkel
in, or is it pretty much just a
murky mess. What about parking at
Kontiki and snorkeling north vs.
making your way to the north rim
of Lac Bay (Kaminda Lac - Cai) and
snorkeling along the north shore -
is that do-able?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By silvia taurer (BonaireTalker - Post #17) on Sunday, February 22, 2009 - 3:55 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

yes, the one you describe behind sorobon resort is the mangrove patch I am actually trying to point out. Parking at Kontiki and accessing from there is as well a nice idea - enter with dive boots or water shoes - since there are upside down jellyfish on the bottom - so far I have done quite some snorkeling in the mangroves and I find the mangrove entry at sorobon the most pleasant. my personal opinion is that the water is more murky at Lac Cai than at Sorobon or Kontiki.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By silvia taurer (BonaireTalker - Post #18) on Sunday, February 22, 2009 - 4:00 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

the entry to the mangroves at sorobon is best described as - drive to sorobon - pass sorobon resort - jibe city and the windsurf place - you end up at the local fishermen dock - there you park your car - there is a little entry between mangrove and dock - this is where you enter and snorkel into the mangroves.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By SCUBAchef (BonaireTalker - Post #49) on Sunday, February 22, 2009 - 4:02 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

More fun with Google Earth:

What about the snorkeling in
the "Lagun" (lagoon) at the
end of the road leading from
Kralendijk to the East coast?
Looks like there are some
interesting mangroves protected
from the waves.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By silvia taurer (BonaireTalker - Post #19) on Sunday, February 22, 2009 - 4:10 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

yes there is, however never snorkeled there, I suppose this area is too shallow to snorkel - better to go with a guide there - at Lac Cai they offer nice kayak tours entering from that point.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By silvia taurer (BonaireTalker - Post #20) on Sunday, February 22, 2009 - 4:15 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

i recommend if you want to snorkel by yourself and be safe - enter at Sorobon, Lac Cai or Kontiki as Scuba Chef pointed out, for all other excursions I advise to go with a guide - at Lac Cai they offer kayak trips through the mangroves as well BDA offers Kayak and snorkel tours through the mangroves.......

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kevin (BonaireTalker - Post #20) on Sunday, February 22, 2009 - 5:31 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks for all the info Silvia.

I will be there from September to October of this year. I am excited to put your advice to work.

What did you mean by, "i recommend if you want to snorkel by yourself and be safe...?" What are the dangers in the area I should be aware of?

:-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By silvia taurer (BonaireTalker - Post #21) on Monday, February 23, 2009 - 4:53 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

have loads of fun on Bonaire, there are no dangers in the mangroves - however - the mangroves are a very fragile eco system as well - the cradle of the ocean - entering from these spots is safe - for the mangroves, the wildlife and for you - ;-)
the best way to enjoy the mangroves is by not disturbing it.

 


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