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Snorkeling Bonaire: New to Bonaire and snorkeling
Bonaire Talk: Snorkeling Bonaire: New to Bonaire and snorkeling
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By jezza (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 - 9:52 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi all,

The wife and I are going to Bonaire for a week. We have rented a house near the water on the south west of the island and wanted to do a little casual snorkeling on our own.

Can we rent some masks/fins/snorkels on the island or is this something you typically buy before you leave the US? Obviously we have not Done this before.

Thanks,

Jez

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Vince DePietro-www.bonairebeachcondo.com (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2778) on Wednesday, February 3, 2010 - 7:20 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jez..Of course you can rent snorkel equipment for the week at any of the local dive shops. I would however recommend that you do invest in some hard soled dive boots. Many of the entries are rocky coral rubble. Enjoy your stay & welcome to BT.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By sue dilorenzo (BonaireTalker - Post #13) on Wednesday, February 3, 2010 - 9:03 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Husband and I only snorkel we do bring our own but we've been snorkeling forever..... we got our booties for 20 at our local dive shop and they really are a must have!! enjoy your trip!! When will you be on island?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By a retired Grunt (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #952) on Wednesday, February 3, 2010 - 9:25 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

The Caribe Inn has everything you will need and at prices probably cheaper than you will find in the States for comparable gear.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cecil* (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #8083) on Wednesday, February 3, 2010 - 9:28 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Welcome to BT, Jez. I like the other recommend getting the equipment before Bonaire, especially a good fitting mask. A bad mask can ruin the experience. Get to your local dive shop and get a good mask that fits properly. The hard soled booties are also very good to have.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By pat murphy (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2583) on Wednesday, February 3, 2010 - 11:03 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

and most, not all, dive shops on bonaire rent only full-foot fins and you can't get boots in them. so either plan on bringing open-heeled fins with you or buying them on bonaire. it makes for a much more pleasant experience.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By ***Ron Gould*** (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2155) on Wednesday, February 3, 2010 - 11:55 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

The Buddy Dive Shop at Bonaire Oceanfront Apartments rent open heal fins, and boots with hard soles... Ron

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By George Blanchard (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #363) on Wednesday, February 3, 2010 - 5:28 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

If new to snorkeling I would recommend buying your gear from Caribe Inn. They have everything and really know their business. Their prices beat most dive shops in the States and you will get a proper fit.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By pat murphy (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2597) on Wednesday, February 3, 2010 - 5:41 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

oh yeah...welcome to BT.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Patricia Shapiro (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #127) on Saturday, February 6, 2010 - 2:05 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Where is the Caribe Inn? Location please. We are on Bonaire right now and would like to replace some snorkeling gear.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fredster on BON no longer......( (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #13575) on Saturday, February 6, 2010 - 2:10 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Patrica, it is on the same road as the Divi resort and Richards Restaurant ..

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By ***Ron Gould*** (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2158) on Saturday, February 6, 2010 - 3:51 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Caribe Inn is one building south of the Divi Flamingo resort.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lee Heller (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Sunday, February 21, 2010 - 10:30 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hello, I read that you need a "tag" to snorkel or to get into the park for free. Where can I get that?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Melissa (BonaireTalker - Post #83) on Monday, February 22, 2010 - 10:46 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Nature fee tags can be purchased at any dive shop- note there is a snorkel tag for $10 versus scuba for $25. see www.stinapa.org for more info.
Also consider get getting the shore diving and snorkel sites book by Susan Porter titled Bonaire Shore Diving Diving Made. www.infobonaire.com/bsdme

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lee Heller (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Monday, February 22, 2010 - 8:32 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

thank you Melissa, I have been to Bonaire twice in the 1980's and they did not do that back then or at least I don't remember it. Can't wait to go back, 5 days and counting! Lee

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lorraine Meadows (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1299) on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 - 9:27 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Bonaire has had some changes since the "80s, Lee
Just like any other place.
Some good ,some bad, but the attitude of the people still remains the same, friendly and laid back. The freedom of diving is still the rule.
It still has great diving, but some old sites have changed.
There are many more turtles.
You don't have to wait for the container ship to come in to get fresh milk anymore.
Mona Lisa is still owned and operated by the same great guys.
Pink Beach is gone. Cruise ships come in.
You can now see Bonaire on the web-cams !

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lee Heller (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #6) on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 - 2:31 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Lorraine, We just got back last Saturday after spending a wonderful week. I have been to 4 other islands and Bonaire beats them all, hands down! My only disapointment was the loss of the Stag Horn coral which used to be in abundance then. I guess it is because of the storms but I did see several people standing on it while snorkeling in the park.
I will not wait so long to return this time and I go to the webcams when I need a fix!
Wish I were still there, Lee

 


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