we are avid snorkelers in our upper 70's and now
find that getting into and out of small boats has
become too difficult. we would love to find a good
beach access that would lead us to fine
snorkeling. Also a boat with easy on-off
facilities would be good. We would greatly
appreciate help in enabling us to continue with
our favorite sport. Many thanks, Hal and

Several of the Bonaire resorts are on nice (though small) beaches, and access into the water right off the beach is good). Check out the accommodations link at www.infobonaire.com.

The access at the Divi is great, also Harbor Village, Plaza and Sand Dollar (those are just the ones we've tried, there's probably good access at some of the others).

Check out the trip reports on this newsgroup, lots of great info, including for snorkelers. Also, ask any questions you want, this is a great place for answers. We just got back from two weeks on Bonaire (our third trip), and only snorkel, and love it.

Also, feel free to email me direct if you want to ask questions.

Alaine, for snorkeling (and diving) on Bonaire boats are not needed unless you wanted to travel to the nearby island of Klein. If you want to experience a wide variety I would suggest renting a vehicle and driving the short distance to the many beaches just south of the airport. All these beaches have excellent snorkeling, almost no waves or current, and the excitement starts right at the water's edge. This will allow you to select where you are staying based on budget and level of luxury you desire.

The snorkeling available at most of the resorts cannot compare to the more pristine areas, it is "adequate" but there is so much more to see if you are able to "hit the road."

How is the Woodwind for climbing on and off?

I've found that a water level platform works great for getting in the water with my bad knee. And wide stair like ladder to help getting back out.

Woodwind is excellent, but their boat only has a ladder (vertical, but wider than average)...probably not the best option for these folks. However, I have heard that Renee also does guided snorkel tours right from the Divi. Can someone back me up on that and provide more info, please?

Hal & Alaine - When are you going to BON? Mary and I are younger than you - We are in our early 70's and also enjoy snorkeling. We are relatively new at it. We would enjoy (and prefer) to snorkel with others for an added element of safety. We are scheduled for Mar 28 to Apr 11. We have reserved a pickup and would enjoy furnishing the transportation.
The offer to share is open to any takers.

way to go, bill - i want to be just as adventuresome at 70 as you are. you are setting a good example for all of us. i only started scuba at 45 and some silly folks thought i was too old to try new stuff. it all depends on health and how young at heart you are. had a great aunt who still rode her horse at 80.
be sure to get some booties for the rough seashore - it will make your snorkeling much easier to get in and out of the water.

have fun, i am sure you will.

Sherry, your suggestion about foot protection is super !!! As a diver I always have my booties on and never would have thought about caution first time snorkelers about the coral and ironshore.

And also make sure they have good stiff soles. Last year my feet hurt for 2 months after having booties with softer soles and walking over the iron shore, this year I bought new booties for Sherry and myself with much stiffer soles for this reason.

Stiff soles are important. I still use medium sole booties
because I am too cheap to also buy new fins when my
old ones are fine in themselves but entry would be
more comfortable with stiff soles under the weight of
tanks. Bare feet would be quite uncomfortable on the
sometimes slippery rocks.

If you have fixed-pocket fins you may want to wear
sandals into the water and change to fins there, and the
reverse on the way out rather than buy new booties and
fins. See the thread above.

All this isn't make-or-break, just comfort level.

Glen I am not sure you meant your last statement to seem as if foot protection is not necessary. It is very important, especially when crossing the ironshore, and even more so during entry, barefeet invite the spines of your resident sea urchins.

Bill Linker. Thanks very much for your response.
We can't be sure yet about our dates due to the
very serious illnesses of 2 friends. If we can
manage it we would very much like to join you. In
the meantime you had better accept anyone else who
is interested in your kind offer. We'll let you
know when we can finalize our plans. All the best,
Hal and Alaine

Josie. Thanks very much for your fast reply. We
probably will take advantage of your kind offer
and ask you some specific question via e-mail. Hal
and Alaine

Kelly Hirsh. Many thanks for your valuable
suggestions for finding good shore snorkelling. We
will do just as you suggest. Hal and Alaine

I have heard about the rough coral "beaches" on Bonaire, but am ignorant about what "ironshore" means. Would one of you kind and educated folks define that term for me? Muchas gracias. Nancy

Iron shore is roughly the same thing as "rough coral beach". The "iron" refers to it being very solid (hard). Iron shore is generally deemed to be exposed coral or volcanic rock in large dimensions, while a coral beach is usually iron shore covered by coral rubble (small pieces of broken up coral). Either is painful to walk on with bare feet, and the terms tend to be used interchangably.

Jake

As always, thanks for the information.