Hi folks! I'll be heading down for some R&R, swimming and snorkeling in about 5 weeks. I've been researching fins and hard-soled booties. Doing web searches has left me feeling quite overwhelmed, so I thought I'd ask the seasoned pros. I would like to wear the booties with the fins if possible to facilitate entry/exits. Should I get open-back fins or a larger full-foot fin? Are the shorter fins just as good? Or maybe the split fins? I'm a novice snorkeler, and plan on taking it nice and easy.

You will need good dive boots with decent soles for the rougher and rockier entries. With that said an open heel fin with straps is the only way to go. Brands are highly variable but I would expect a good set of boots and fins can be had for $200 - 250 +/- and last many many many years.

Denise, yes,you will indeed be more comfortable and have a more enjoyable time if you invest in booties and open heel fins. With that being said you do not need to "break the bank." Friends joined us last year for their first trip to Bonaire (they snorkel, we dive) and they found booties on line for less than 25 dollars a pair. Because you will not have heavy tanks and gear you can get away with a slightly less rugged sole than divers might prefer, which is what our friend found.) Also, if you have a local dive shop check with them. As for fins, there are several open back fins on the market that are designed for snorkelers who, like yourself, want to take it nice and easy. I believe that Tusa makes one. These will cost you less than ones designed for diving.

I agree that booties and open heel fins are absolutely recommended. The only exception is if you plan on doing only boat snorkeling. Get reasonably sturdy booties with rubber soles. Since you won't be carrying or swimming with heavy tanks, there is less need for the highest quality diving fins. Check out a dive shop or two, find comfortable boots, and then find some fins. Lighter weight ones will use less of your baggage weight allowance, but too light gives inadequate power/speed .

I've been to Bonaire the past 11 years, and still have the original boots and fairly heavy fins and snorkel. Been through 2 or 3 masks.

-Tom

Thanks for the responses, everyone! I wound up getting Deep Outdoors Six Gill Adjustable Strap Fins ($70) and TUSA 3mm Low Top Hard Sole Boots ($27). They haven't arrived yet, but I'll keep you all posted on how they work out. Thanks again!

Denise

My husband and I just used water socks on our last trip and visited 75% of the sites in the SDME book. They worked pretty well. After spending 6 hours a day in the water snorkeling though, we opted for full wetsuits by the 4th day last March. We had water walkers already from years ago for a couple bucks a pair which worked just fine.
The fins we just got at a local dive shop and have had them for years, open back definitely but can wear the dive socks with them for easy in and out. We also bought the OceanMaster snorkels that we thought were way better than the regular ones. The airway closes immediately with water contact if you dive down and opens immediately when you surface. 15 days and counting to Bon.

Denise,

If you are not diving then consider Zoomers. They are easy on and off. Plus they are short enough to walk in without tripping. They are used by competitive swimmers but provide plenty of power for snorkelling. Large fins can be a problem at the surface too. Here is a pic.
http://www.swimoutlet.com/product_p/1267.htm

Bud

Update: The TUSA 3mm Low Top Hard Sole Boots are awesome! Makes entry/exit so much easier!

Oh, and I got an Otterbox. Works great, and gives me peace of mind!