BonaireTalk Discussion Group
Snorkeling Bonaire: Woodwind - a great 4 or 5 hours of snorkeling
Bonaire Talk: Snorkeling Bonaire: Woodwind - a great 4 or 5 hours of snorkeling
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By B&M (BonaireTalker - Post #32) on Thursday, November 18, 2010 - 5:19 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

We are first-time visitors to Bonaire. So glad we are here for 2 weeks instead of just one week. Our experience with Woodwind yesterday was wonderful. Their staff is extremely personable and tended to our every need, making sure that we were enjoying ourselves from the moment we set foot onto their pier. They were very professional and were ever diligent for our safety. Can't believe how many "creatures" we were missing now that Dee has pointed them out. The lunch was fantastic too!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Vince DePietro-www.bonairebeachcondo.com (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3321) on Thursday, November 18, 2010 - 7:30 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Indeed, absolutely correct. We've taken them on several occasions and always had a wonderful trip. De and her staff are amazing. And yes, two weeks on Bonaire is MUCH better than one week! ;)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By PatsyJones (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Thursday, November 18, 2010 - 9:02 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

My husband and I agree. We went out on the Woodwind last week and would do it again if we came back to Bonaire. People often talk of how you can take the water taxi to Klein Bonaire and snorkel on your own, but why bother? This is well worth the money and convenience. We saw many people who came without any equipment and were outfitted entirely by Dee and her staff, including prescription masks. We made our reservation on the internet before we came.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chris (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #328) on Thursday, November 18, 2010 - 11:35 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

My husband and I loved our trip on the Woodwind in April! It is a mix of a marine biology and snorkeling class, accompanied by great people, good food and an amazing photographer, who captures everything on her camera. This on the beautiful island of Bonaire is the perfect adventure. Even for diehard divers!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Just little ole me with a (*) (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6148) on Wednesday, November 24, 2010 - 7:18 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

are cameras permitted on cruise to get shots of turtles

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chris (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #329) on Wednesday, November 24, 2010 - 9:19 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Yes, you may take as many pictures as you wish.....But it is a great memento to see yourself in the professional picture CD after the cruise....

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By nestor kopko (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #139) on Wednesday, November 24, 2010 - 2:12 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Remember, take pictures, leave with memories. Glad you had a great trip

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By DARLENE IN MA (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2747) on Thursday, November 25, 2010 - 10:05 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I am a Huge fan of Woodwind! Just check out my most recent trip report in October. The beautiful corals and the turtles were taken while out on Woodwind as well as a few others. The ones with me in them were taken by the photographer on board and I agree 100% that it is a great memory to see yourself captured when you are in paradise! Even with the hundreds of photos that I take, I always get her DVD! Well worth it!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By DARLENE IN MA (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2748) on Thursday, November 25, 2010 - 10:11 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I should also say that I love to do guided snorkels with Renee from www.Rennesnorkeltrips.com. Same as Dee,she knows which fish that I want to get photos of and makes sure that she finds them for me! The one difference is that I get to go to a lot more sites.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Michael Carvalho (BonaireTalker - Post #36) on Saturday, November 27, 2010 - 4:31 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Both Woodwind and Renee come highly recommended by me as well! Check out my trip report (see the thread labeled "trip report in blog form" ) in the Trip Report section.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mellen (BonaireTalker - Post #26) on Saturday, November 27, 2010 - 5:17 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I have a question about the Woodwind. Is there any real shade on the boat? Unfortunately, I cannot deal with hours of total sun---no matter the am't of sunscreen and sunscreen clothing. Thanks! mellen

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wlliam Pontin (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Sunday, November 28, 2010 - 5:00 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

No shade to speak of on the deck. If you spoke to Dee I am sure she would allow u to take stints downstairs to avoid the sun when you needed to. Or but a full very lightweight skin. I use mine all the time, fantastic for snorkeling too

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mellen (BonaireTalker - Post #27) on Sunday, November 28, 2010 - 5:46 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks William! mellen

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Vince DePietro-www.bonairebeachcondo.com (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3330) on Sunday, November 28, 2010 - 7:36 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Mellen..A lightweight lycra skin and a hat is the way to go. No need to take it off and you'll be completely protected. Wear SPF 50 on your face.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mellen (BonaireTalker - Post #28) on Monday, November 29, 2010 - 9:14 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks Vince! And, again to William. I am a "special case" when it comes to the sun. I have lots of issues with skin cancer from sun damage when a child---before sunscreen. I wear Neutrogena 70 spf with heliaplex to block both UVA and UVB "rays". And, because I have no shame, I even wear zinc oxide on parts of my face! I should own stock in Coolibar sunscreen clothing!!! Hats, long sleeved lyra shirts and long pants AND gloves that I wear to snorkel. Even have permission to snorkel with them (gloves) from the Bonaire authorities--STINAPA? Something like that anyway. So, why do we vacation on Bonaire? Well, c'mon! YOU all know the answer. We love it!!! I'd just like to snorkel more this next vacation. Mike just goes from shore or takes the water taxi over to Klein. I'd like to do more snorkeling with him and we've never gone on the Woodwind---hence, the question about shade. We stay for a month----no envy please! We're "oldies" and worked hard for this time in paradise!

Again, many thanks for the answers. I think I will contact Dee to see about a few "shade breaks" downstairs on the boat. I will have some "new skin" when we return in February due to grafts to cover removed areas. Going thru all these surgeries right now ----so a post here and there keeps me focused on our "Bonaire month" and a little bit sane!

Mike has done a night snorkel with Renee and loved it! So, I think the Woodwind is a definite MUST for our third visit to Bonaire! Peace. mellen

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Eric M. "CamMan" (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1465) on Tuesday, November 30, 2010 - 12:58 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Columbia makes a sun suit that is awesome for people who want to be out in the sun but need to stay out of the sun. It is a lightweight UV protective shirt and pant set that keeps the sun off but keeps you cool as well. It has slots in it to allow air flow and you can wear it in the water. Then when you get out, the water increases the cooling effect of the garment. I've never used it for snorkeling, just sailing, but I'm sure it would be very good for that as well.

e.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By v.cioffletti (BonaireTalker - Post #93) on Saturday, December 18, 2010 - 6:37 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Just returned a week ago from our now annual trip to Bon, and had once again an AWESOME time on the Woodwind with Dee and her friendly crew! Seeing Dee again makes me so happy - she is one of the most lovely people I know, inside and out! Our trips were lovely, saw lots of turtles, some lovely coral viewing off Klein on a drift snorkel! Wow, I could have stayed there all day! Picture perfect! It would be so lovely to be wealthy enough to do that day in and out, in my dreams! <g>
By the way, I too have had skin cancer (two areas of squamous cell removal). I was very careful this time, had a much "bigger brimmed" Australian type hat from REI, used 100 Helioplex Neutrogena sunscreen on my derm's recommendation on my face, used 50 on the rest of me - I wear a sunshirt and wetvest while in water (sunshirt for sun protection, vest cos I get a bit cold). I just reslather the sunscreen on me often, including something on my lips. I really didn't get burnt at all, not even a little. I have pretty fair freckled skin. I also wear a ScoobaDoRag (purchased in years past at Carib, have two) on my head, since my hair is thin - it does a great job of protecting my scalp and my ears/forehead.

Until next year!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By elaine sculley (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1902) on Saturday, January 22, 2011 - 4:29 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

patsy jones

elaine sculley here. will u be going to bonaire? how are u

we are in califoria now. northern about 40 minutes outside sf

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mellen (BonaireTalker - Post #31) on Saturday, January 22, 2011 - 10:18 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks for all the "sunscreen" info and so happy to see that many folks are aware of the need for protection. We head for paradise in mid Feb. for a month. I think I just need to email Dee/Woodwind. My "skin" will be extra vulnerable this year. It is old, childhood stuff---but! it sure is rearing the ugly head! I've had four surgeries since mid October---many over the past 11-12 years. Yes, I use mega sunscreen (UVA/UVB), sunscreen clothing---including for snorkeling! I even have permission to use protective snorkeling gloves from the Bonaire authorities. This year will prove to be a bit more ?? I've had a skin graft to my right hand from the underside of my right forearm. Obviously, all this is going to be very sensitve to the sun. But, I have been "cleared" to snorkel and use the pools, etc. during out stay. Again, thanks for all the ideas!!! Enjoy paradise!!! I'll try to email Dee and see if I could get a bit of shade.

We are counting the days now!!!! peace. mellen

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By elaine sculley (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1915) on Wednesday, January 26, 2011 - 3:34 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

patsy
misread ur blog. u have already gone. hope u enjoyed it very much. u should write a trip report. where stayed,where u ate and anything else u want to add
hugs

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By PatsyJones (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #7) on Wednesday, January 26, 2011 - 4:28 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Elaine S: I did write a trip report here. Regards to you and your family...Patsy

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Beverly Weigand (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Thursday, March 24, 2011 - 1:59 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I will be in Bonaire on March 31 with Princess. Woodwind is already booked. Has anyone used Compassbonaire? Does Renee supply snorkeling equipment or flotation vests. I can't swim but I snorkel with vest. What is Windsock? Any suggestions will be appreciatd. I will be departing for my cruise this Sunday March 27.

Thanks,
Bev

 


Visit: The Bonaire WebCams - Current Bonaire images and weather!
The Bonaire Insider - the latest tourism news about Bonaire
The Bonaire Information Site, InfoBonaire
Search Bonaire - Search top Bonaire Web sites


Topics Last Day Last Week Tree View    Getting Started Formatting Troubleshooting    New Messages Keyword Search Contact Moderators Edit Profile Administration