My wife & I are planning a trip to the islands this spring. We've done quite a bit of snorkeling in the Pacific but this is the first time we're heading to the Caribbean. We enjoy snorkeling, but also like a place where we can hit the beach, go to a nice restaurant, and hang out and have a few beers. From what I've been able to find out, Bonaire is the best place to go snorkeling, but how does it compare to some of the other islands as an overall vacation spot. We're also considering Aruba, Antigua, and St. Johns.

I recognize that the opinions here will be a little biased, but from what I've been able to see the discussions are pretty even handed. Any help we can get would be much appreciated.

We are one week (and a couple of days) away from our first trip to Bonaire. Previous trips to Caribbean islands have been for snorkeling. From what you described you are looking for, I do not know how well Bonaire will saitisfy you. That is because I have no first hand experience with Bonaire.

But I can tell you that you should check out Anguilla. They have wonderful snorkeling, world class restaraunts, and gorgeous beaches. There is a great bulletin board about Anguilla at www.caribbean-on-line.com

If are interested in knowing more about Anguilla, let me know and I can tell you some good places to see and stay while you are there.

I have been to both Aruba and Antigua and liked them both but I found the snorkeling to be not good at either one. You could get a boat to take you to some decent snorkeling but nothing than can compare to Bonaire! Where ever you enter the water in Bonaire there are a ton of beautiful fish!!!Sailing on the Woodwind for a guided snorkel is also a nice way to spend a morning. Although Bonaire isn't noted for their long sandy beaches, they do have small uncrowded ones at some of the resorts and beautiful tanning docks with chairs and umbrellas to keep you comfortable and to relax by. I was going to go to a diffenet island every year untill I discovered the charm of Bonaire. The people are great, the food is great, the nature is great and the snorkeling is incredible.

Opps! I forgot. I couldn't lay on the beach in Aruba because the sand whips at you so bad from those great tradwinds!! It's just something to think about. Also I heard that snorkeling in St. John's is awesome and it is suppose to be a great island but I have never been there.

We have been to St. John's, Antuqua and several more islands. Nothing can beat the shore snorkeling and ease of it on Bonaire. Like Darlene said. on most of the other islands you have to take a boat to find good snorkeling. Of course the boat snorkeling on Bonaire is great too. Beaches are a little harder to find. Good food is not a problem.

Jim:

Been to St. Johns once. We spent a week there and another week sailing the Sir Frances Drake Channel.

However we, like Darlene, got hooked on Bonaire.

St Johns required a boat ride to dive, or snorkle. We did one of our best dives ever on Carvel Rock at St. John, but other than that it was kinda so so diving. Bonaire is far better diving/snorkling.

Night life is almost non existent on Boniare, unless your night life ends by about 11:00. Ours ends ealier. We like to go to various places and have a few beers/drinks, but we are always home early.

Beaches are few and far between, but are also very open. Very few people on the beaches, and you can snorkle or dive from most beaches.

If you like it quiet, go to Boanire, if you want to stay up all night and sleep on a nice crowded beach go Aruba, if you want see a lush tropical island with really good but busier beaches go to St. Johns, if want to go somewhere I have not, go to Antigua.

Dave
Dave

We like the party atmosphere on Cozumel. Snorkle we had to go out on a boat. But it was nice.

We were not sure about Bonaire But we loved it. There are places you can go and have the party atmosphere like City Cafe 3:00 am. Captain Don's.

You will truely enjoy Bonaire.

We love the snorkeling in Bonaire...far superior than ARuba's. We used to travel to Aruba every year for two weeks for about ten or more years then we "discovered" Bonaire in 1999 and will never return to Aruba. Bonaire does not have the miles of white sandy beaches Aruba has, but does have some smaller, very intimate ones at some of the resorts and a few other spots. You can access these, too. Bonaire has sooo many great restaurants to choose from that it is hard to sample all of them in one two-week trip. Bonaire does have some nite life, but not the "all niter" atmosphere of Aruba. There are spots to sit down and watch the sun set and sip on some brews or cocktails, for sure. You don't have to worry about taking boats everywhere to snorkel on Bonaire.....shore/foot access all over the place is great...millions of beautiful fish the moment you set foot into the water...even at 2 inches! We have done Aruba, and have left it behind for the "others" who wish to hang out with hordes of other tourists. Bonaire has approximately 10,000 population to Aruba's 100,000 plus and that does not include the tourists! There are probably more tourists on Aruba in any given day than people who actually live on the island of Bonaire all year round. Experience Bonaire....have fun with the wild donkeys and the goats and the iguana....experience the Washington/Slagbaai Park (13,000 acres preserved for wildlife and water). Picture ARuba 75 years ago and that is what it is like on Bonaire. But...I'm not prejudiced at all, am I?! LOL. Good luck on your selection....if snorkeling is a big item for your vacation, choose Bonaire, most certainly. Ayo. Carole

We found most of Antigua to be over developed. It is very hard to get some personal space. This is not the case in Bonaire but I agree with others, you have to look for the action at night in Bonaire but it is there!

My child and her Dad are Antiguan. Having lived and worked there I can speak to this.

Antigua is the same size as BON but has 70,000 people, most in the NW area. This is also where many of the hotels are situated. Also along the west coast.

It is a British West Indian island with charm and culture. It is very third world in some regards and modern in others. It has superior beaches but the reefs are pretty much dead due to anchor mooring and misuse and abuse.

There are museums, dining, better shopping that BON, lots of hotel, condo, cottage and villa options and is MUCH more money than Bonaire for housing.

You cannot compare the two. I love them both for different reasons.

If you seek snorkeling head to Bonaire or St. John out of the choices you offered.

Annie

Thanks everybody. I think you've convinced us, we're going to Antigua! No just kidding we're heading to Bonaire!

Good for you, Jim! I know you won't regret your choice. If you love photography at all, be certain to bring along a camera to take in the water with you and above sea level too, for the most unusual terrain and habitants...the critters and cactus, rocks, palm trees, birds, and on and on and on. We are Divi Flamingo parital...we own a timeshare there and love the small, intimate beach, restaurants and closeness to town. as a dive shop and dive operation; spa; a very small casino; two pools, etc, etc. It is not a 4 star resort, but it is nice and very cozy. Great reef right there at your toe steps..literally. The hotel side has rooms that literally hang over the water...what a view you have from there...watch the fish right from your room without even having to venture outside. But...you will want to venture outside and a lot at that! LOL. When are you going?? Where are you flying out of?? Carole

We often spend 3 nights in Aruba (for the casino's & beaches...Which are superior) and then 7 nights in Bonaire for the diving, our fave restaurants & the laid back benefits the smaller island (population wise) has to offer.

We have found the people are very friendly on both islands but perhaps more outgoing on Aruba.

If 9 or 10 nights are a possiblity you might consider this...
Tom

Actually, I think on weekend nights, the night life starts after 1am. I'm usually in bed by 9pm, but my last night of our Aug trip my wife was pooped out at 8pm. So I stopped by Bas's place to see if he wanted to go out. He had just got his Mini running so off we went. About 2am we were back in the center of town (I think City Cafe) and it was rocking!. Didn't get back to my room until 3:30am. Bas - I'm still grinnin' from ear to ear.

Hi All,
My family of 4 is booked to go to Bonaire during the kids February vacation and after reading all these notes, I am totally psyched! We've snorkeled in Cozumel, Ambergris, Caymen, St. John and just about anywhere else you might and was concerned that we might be disappointed in Bonaire. I feel like we've made the perfect choice and now can't WAIT for February to roll around.
Thanks for all the wonderful insight!

Denise

Denise, you and your family will be more than delighted with your choice for a family snorkel vacation....you cannot beat Bonaire when it comes to snorkeling...so many accessible places to choose from...that will be your only dilema...."where do you want to snorkel, today, kids?"....have a wonderful time! Carole