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Diving Bonaire: Snorkeling conditions?
Bonaire Talk: Diving Bonaire: Archives: Archives 1999-2005: Archives - 2000-12-29 to 2002-08-31: Snorkeling conditions?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kristen Whelan on Monday, February 12, 2001 - 1:11 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi,

I've been reading quite a bit about damage from Lenny and wondering how the snorkeling is on Bonaire? We are thinking of staying at the Plaza and would like to do some snorkeling from the beach. Any info? We will also take some boat trips. Any information about snorkeling conditions on Bonaire after Lenny would be appreciated (we don't dive). Thanks!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Amy Martin on Monday, February 12, 2001 - 3:56 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi, Kristen!! Well, I can't do a before/after comparison for you because I've only been there post-Lenny, but last September I stayed at the Plaza and both dove and snorkeled the 18th Palm (that's the name of the dive sight in front of Plaza's beach). I can report that there is a lot of rubble straight out until you get to the bouy, but where the drop starts, the reef is gorgeous. If you can free dive deep, that would be a possiblity.

For surface and shallow snorkel, when you hit the water, take a left and go parallel to the shore south towards Windsock (the dive site located in front of the airport). Between the beach entry at Plaza and the dock further down (can't remember the restaurant's name), there are some very nice groupings of coral and tons of fish (stoplight parrots, needle fish, puffers, wrass, blue tangs, trunkfish, filefish, etc. etc....be sure to take along a fish ID card!!).

And remember, its also fun to take a snorkel trip (I HIGHLY recommend Renee and Woodwind - make a request for Janice to videotape your trip...its the best money you'll ever spend), or you can rent a car and stop at one of a million excellent other sites along the coast for a change of reef scenery. Your possiblities are limitless here!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ross Pezzack on Tuesday, February 13, 2001 - 12:53 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

We stayed at the Plaza and conditions were good outside the Plaza, but somewhat crowded because of the location. i agree off the airport is good and only a short walk. the boat trip with the Toucan dive shop was excellent, i think they only go out once a week for a snorkel but it was very good. Rent a car a few times and snorkle the coast.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Linda & Stan Kase on Monday, February 19, 2001 - 4:12 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

We stayed at the Plaza a couple of weeks ago. The snorkeling was only OK if you've never been anywhere else. Reasonable amount of fish, but the each site is only a single outcropping of one or two coral heads. Lots of bleaching, lots of broken coral.The diving may still be good, but we don't free dive and the reef is too far down. We also went to Klein Bonaire with Renee, the trip was pleasant but the snorkeling is really marginal. What are your comparisons?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By George DeSalvo on Wednesday, February 21, 2001 - 5:56 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Snorkel the east side of Klein Bonaire. NO RUBBLE, turtles almost guaranteed, lots of fish,depths from belly scratching to as deep as you want.
Get the Skiffy water taxi to No Name Beach. Walk towards the main island of Bonaire following the shoreline for 5 to 15 minutes. Find yourself one of the private "pocket" beaches to drop your stuff. Most likely you'll be the only one(s) there.
Swim around in the shallow water if you like, or go about 100 ft. out to the dropoff. Along the "wall" is where you'll see the big 'uns.
Check the current. It can run at about 1/2 mph. Start off against the flow for an easy return trip.

 


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