and I'm wondering about water temps and such. We plan to snorkel. I've never done it before and am very excited! I thought it would be good to buy basic equipment here before we go. I have read everything I can about Bonaire on this site and others, so I understand that we need fins with booties, but does anyone have any other suggestions for beginning snorkelers? Should I worry about a vest for floatation? What about sun protection while I'm in the water? I've borrowed a full wet suit from my dad, but it's kind of heavy, should I bring it?

What about mosquitos? Anything else I should remember to bring?

Thanks!!!

If you're a decent swimmer and comfortable in the water, forget the vest. You're a lot more buoyant in salt water. Forget the wetsuit, too. Buy a lycra skin before you leave (or rent one from a dive shop on island). Gives coverage from the neck down and no need for the greasy sun block, except on the back of your neck. I speak from experience of getting scorched more than once while snorkeling.

Have fun!

I wear a teeshirt sometimes when snorkling and that should be all you really need except for a bathing suit! You shouldn't need the wet suit since the water will be pretty warm. You might bring some sea drops to clean your mask so it doesn't fog up. The booties are a must and yes, there are mosquitos on Bonaire, and they do bite.

Suggestions for beginning snorkelers

Download the dive site descriptions and a map before you go. Great planning material for the plane ride. Having all these choices can be bewildering.

Sign up for a guided naturalist snorkel through one of the bigger dive operations. Your appreciation will be greatly enhanced.

Yes, you will definitely want waterproof sun protection, plus sunglasses and a hat for when you are out of water. I almost burned my ears off the first day I was there.

Bring small bottles of water and freeze them overnight. By the time you get out of the water, your ice will be mostly melted. It is easy to dehydrate when snorkeling.

Buy anti-fog for your mask, and a "save-a-snorkel" kit (spare mask strap, spare snorkel holder (or rubber bands) spare fin straps. It is a real pain when a bunch of people goes to a site and one has to stay out because of a broken strap. Any dive shop can help you put a small kit together.

Bring a small collapsible cooler for picnicking, and accept the possibility that it may not be in your car or on the beach when you return. Leave your rental car windows rolled down while you are away.

Bring all the spare batteries and film you think you might need. Both are quite expensive on Bonaire.

Try a night snorkel: You can rent a dive light from any of the dive operations. The nightlife can be pretty wild.

Post a trip report when you get back!

remember to bring spent batteries back home with you...our landfill thanks you

For Mosquitos. I suggest and also bring down a supply of Off... Outdoor Woodsman brand.. 100% DEET .. comes in a small bottle, green/grey in color... just put on a few drops and spread... Not a spray.. so works better.

Some advise:
1. You can rent or buy practically anything in Bonaire, but if you can have good advise at home it would be a good idea to have your own mask, snorkel and fins.
2. Go to a good store and choose a mask. Try many, preferably while wearing a snorkel in your mouth, for fit and leaks. Choose a low volume one: it is definitely preferable.
3. A snorkel is a snorkel, but for an inexperienced snorkeler one with a bottom valve is helful (but not essential) when the snorkel gets flooded
4. You don't NEED booties, though for some sites (the Andreas and a few others) booties definitely help! If you find you prefer the full foot fins, you will be OK. In case you go to one of the "difficult" entry places, you can always rent the appropriate fins. However, Apollo have recently (last Spring) announced a new type of fins (Bio fins) that got great reviews, and are reported by amateurs as requiring less effort for good results. Check them out.
5. You don't need an inflatable vest. However, in my first boat snorkel trip, I wore one, and have seen other people do the same. For psychological support, you may feel more comfortable with one, but there is no real need. In any case, you can always rent one.
6. Some people will laugh at me, but body protection is useful (and depends a lot on the individual). A 2 or 3 mmm shortie, or a lycra full body suit, are all you need for longer trips; for everyday, a T-shirt over your bathing suit is a good idea - it will protect your back and shoulders, especially in the first days, and if your skin in sensitive. Don't forget to use sun screen in the back of your legs and neck, though! In this field, there are tech improvments, as well: this Summer, a new type of tropical 1 mm neoprene suit was announced, which is said to be better on comfort and protection against cold. Don't bring Dad's thick suit!
7. Snorkel, snorkel, snorkel! Do the guided snorkel trips - at least one. Go to Windsock, Playa Funchi, Boca Slagbaai, Pink Beach. Go to the area in front of the resorts (Habitat, Buddy's, Sand Dollar, Plaza). Go to Klein Bonaire: with the guided trips, and the "Baca di Laman" (Sea Cow) water taxi. A very pleasant morning can be spent with a "sail-and-snorkel" trip: we tried the "Seawitch", and it was very terrific.
8. Try a resort dive: you may find diving is for you!
Have fun!

Do you have a mustash? If so, shave a liitle under your nose, so that your mask has a bettter seal.
Snorkeling is great on Bonaire! Like a fish tank with lots of fish. Warm clean, clear, water. with hardly any current and the reef is right off the beach The saltyness of the water makes you more boynet and once you put your face in the water you'll see why the licsence plates read "Diver's Paridise"
Taking a resort course is a good idea to get the taste of it. No better place then Bonaire to try i
t! The reefs right off the beach.
Try night snorkleing it's fun too,you can
see alot of the same fish and coral snorkeling.
Divers are such a nice bunch of people too!
Have a great time!

My wife has never seen me without a moustache. If I shave it, she won't recognize me! I prefer to do a bit of mask purging, now and then!

Not the whole mustach! just a little right underyour nose.It grows back right away its dosen't do any harm to the "stash".
My husband of 30 years has mostly always had a mustach too and a man when we first started snorkelng ,a long time ago, told him that tip We pass it on to everyone with hairy lips When Jim forgets he feels the difference.
He's one of the NY City Firefighters who "invades" the island in May of every year.
Anyone else familiar with this tip?

Thank you Lorraine, I certainly will keep it in mind. Unfortunately, my next visit to Bonaire will happen only in the next milllenium!

Thanks for all of the great suggestions!

More questions:

I can't afford a lycra skin or anything like that. I do get cold pretty easily and want to spend as much time in the water as I can! I'm thinking that I could try wearing a t-shirt (maybe long-sleeved) or a turtleneck (better neck protection!) and maybe even cotton/spandex pants. Would that help keep me warmer? Would synthetic pants/top (poly/spandex) be better? Or should I simply scrap those ideas and rent a lycra suit when we get there?

Also, I'm wondering about the keep-nothing-in-the-car concept. What about a towel? Is it not safe to leave a towel in the car? What do I do with my glasses!!

Thanks!

Don't give up on buying a lycra skin: you can usually get them mail-order for a lot less that you find in a dive shop. Try Performance Diver (www.performancediver.com) or skim thru the ads in any dive magazine.

Curiosity got me so I just checked Perforamnce Diver myself. They have new lycra skins for 24.99 and refurbished ones for 19.99. Go for it.

You can do without the Lycra Skin, on most occasions. Why don't you rent one (or a shortie) for the night trips? The water temperature is very pleasant.

I agree with Jim..The lycra skin would make you more comfortable for the cost..treat yourself..