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Snorkeling Bonaire: Renee or Woodwind??
Bonaire Talk: Snorkeling Bonaire: Renee or Woodwind??
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carol (BonaireTalker - Post #29) on Sunday, January 31, 2010 - 2:47 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Our upcoming trip will be our sixth visit to Bonaire. We have snorkeled all over the island and on Klein, but have yet to see a seahorse or an octopus. We are thinking we should take a trip or two with some experts. I have read lots of good things about both Renee and the Woodwind. Can anyone share their preference and why. Thanks!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By George Blanchard (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #356) on Sunday, January 31, 2010 - 3:07 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Both are excellent. Why make a choice; go with both on separate days. Dee on the Woodwind will show you stuff you will never see on your own. I suggest her Wednesday 3 stop trip. Renee is an "Eagle Eye" and her "Yewhoo!" shout is infamous. If you ask Renee to find a sea horse she may be able accommodate.

There was a sea horse just off the Divi dive pier near the sunken anchor during the wee of January 18th. He may still be in the area.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By bob fraser (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #145) on Sunday, January 31, 2010 - 3:29 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I'd be real shocked if Renee can't find you a sea horse. I have seen many more snorkeling then diving. Renee showed me several when I was last there in August in fact. Octopus maybe a little harder to find in the daytime. I have seen them a couple of time on my own snorkeling and an diving. but the time I saw one diving it really could of been snorkeling because it was in really shallow water. I seem to see Octopus more by chance, sea horses are where they are :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Susan Brown (BonaireTalker - Post #73) on Sunday, January 31, 2010 - 10:31 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

We loved the woodwind trip saw soooo much, but if you have to pick one i would say Renee because its just her and you and because its more shallow water you see so much up close and personal. we do both trips but i am saying if you must pick. we saw three octopi with her and so many eels but sadly never a seahorse.....maybe this year!!!!!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By BarbieRuth******Ken's forever love (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3123) on Sunday, January 31, 2010 - 10:58 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I haven't done the Woodwind trip yet, but have done the snorkel with Renee. She was fantastic and showed us so many new things on our first trip to Bonaire 2 years ago. At some point we plan to do the Woodwind trip as well, but in all honesty, if you can do both, I would say go for it! You will see so much more from the viewpoints of two fantastic guides.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Trevor Naylor (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #139) on Monday, February 1, 2010 - 7:19 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Whilst I cannot comment on Renee, I can highly recommend the Woodwind trip with with Dee. She is very professional, caring and can spot the 'invisible'.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Beck-ee, workin' on a countdown (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2506) on Monday, February 1, 2010 - 10:48 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Two different experiences. THe Woodwind goes to Klein, you can only get there by boat and you are almost guaranteed to see turtles.

Renee does shore snorkeling, and will find you lots of amazing stuff.

I agree with others - do both, and definitely go with Renee for a night snorkel!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carol (BonaireTalker - Post #31) on Monday, February 1, 2010 - 11:42 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks everyone - I think we are going to book Renee for a day and a night snorkel.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Michael Carvalho (BonaireTalker - Post #16) on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 - 10:03 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

We did both,and would definitely do both again. Renee informed us that the best night snorkeling was outside the Divi (where we stayed) so we bought lights and did our own night snorkel that night (great stuff, though no octopus!). Going to Klein with Dee is a great experience, and she took my camera down on a free dive to get shots of a seahorse, ray, and turtle.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By George Blanchard (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #358) on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 - 1:27 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

The night snorkel is not nearly as good as it used to be. The hurricane and cruise ships have destroyed the coral formations close to shore especially under the piers. However, you can do a night snorkel on your own off the Divi property. You can rent a light from the dive shop. If you do, be sure to spend a lot of time around the stone pier to see the resident lobsters. Also, you may be entertained by an octopus near the dive shop and tarpon near shore.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carol (BonaireTalker - Post #32) on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 - 5:05 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

George, Can you do that if you aren't staying at the Divi? We stay at the Plaza and have often thought about doing a night snorkel off the little pier by The Tipsy Seagull. Maybe I should start a new thread and see if anyone reading has done it.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Diane and Bea (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #618) on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 - 5:31 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Carol, we have done the night snorkel while staying at the Plaza and it was amazing. Lobsters, sea urchins, and a very friendly tarpon who had to come and say hello.. Scared the **ll out of us.. It was great.. Alittle scary at the beginning. You are taught not to go into the water at night, and when you finally do it.. IT WAS GREAT !!! I would do it again in a minute

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By George Blanchard (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #361) on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 - 9:40 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Carol, no problem doing your night snorkel at Divi. If you need equipment such as a light get it before 5:00PM at the dive shop. Park in front of the casino and walk to the pier for easy entry into the ocean. Snorkel toward shore and then go along the rocks to the stone pier. Spend time in this area and then go toward the Chibi-Chibi restaurant. Follow along the rocks to the next pier. If not too tired return to the dive dock along the boat moorings for a chance to see tarpon. Don't miss the large baracuda under the dive dock. Also, there is an octopus on the town side of the pier that makes himself visible sometimes.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carol (BonaireTalker - Post #34) on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 - 10:21 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Diane and Bea,

Did you go in at The Tipsy Seagull dock? if so, did you just hang around the dock?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Diane and Bea (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #621) on Wednesday, February 3, 2010 - 11:26 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Carol, yes we did. We went South , also by the pier by Plaza and North by the rocks. She also took us to a couple other places, I know one was in town, not sure where, but the sea life at night was amazing. Really fun to do

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By pat teeple (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Thursday, March 18, 2010 - 9:12 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Just returned 3/13, went with Renee on 3/12, what a great experience! she can deal with all ages and experience levels and can find more sea life under your nose than you could ever imagine!
She is a sweet, dedicated professional and is extremely passionate about her reef.
My only complaint is that we are hard of hearing and she doesn't have a built-in loud speaker system for her "youhoo's".
We will schedule a tour with her on every trip from now on and look forward to her "continuing education" about Bonaire and snorkeling.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jackie (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #6) on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 - 9:39 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

What is the Woodwind trip people are talking about?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Trevor Naylor (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #213) on Thursday, May 13, 2010 - 9:28 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Jackie The Woodwind trip is a 'MUST DO' if you visit Bonaire. It is a trimaran owned and run by Dee. She does guided snorkel trips to Klein Bonaire most days a week. She is very professional and especially considerate and caring for the nervous or inexperienced snorkeler. She is an expert free diver and spots the 'invisible'. I can highly recommend it.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By BonnieC (BonaireTalker - Post #94) on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 - 8:42 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Carol, last year I contacted Renee about seeing a turtle because in all my years snorkeling I had never seen one. Sure enough, I saw one the day she took us snorkeling. There's no guarantee, but she knows where to look. We learned a lot from her.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Trevor Naylor (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #216) on Thursday, May 27, 2010 - 2:51 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I think Dee gives a no turtle no fee guarantee. I have never missed seeing at least five turtles per trip. Highly recommended.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mel H. (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Friday, June 4, 2010 - 11:18 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Headed back to Bonaire at the end of the month for our 4th trip. Last time we booked Renee for an afternoon and we also traveled on the Woodwind for a cruise/snorkle trip. One of the most exciting things on the Woodwind was when a pod of dolphins decided to play along side the boat as we were traveling back to the dock.

I have to agree that both are definately worth doing. In fact my husband and I will be doing the Woodwind at least twice this trip and revisiting some of the locations Renee showed us on the last trip.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By michaelb (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #4) on Saturday, June 5, 2010 - 12:00 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I have been twice on the Woodwind. Great experience both times and saw many firsts. Dee is a very friendly and knowledgeable guide.

 


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