Bonaire snorkeling for non-diver?

[Tennessee Slim]

A coworker and I are going to Bonaire for a couple of days and a non-diving friend of his is thinking about coming, too. Since I’ve dived there before, they’re looking to me to tell the non-diver how good the snorkeling there is. Although I’d never really looked at it from the standpoint of a casual snorkeler, my first instinct was to tell him it was fan-freakin-tastic. Then I thought better of it and decided to ask the all-knowing, all-seeing board.

So can anyone tell me if the snorkeling on Bonaire is as entertaining as the scuba diving?

 

[laurelgsc]

I would go with your first instinct. IMHO it;s fan-freakin-tastic.

 

[H2Andy]

well, it's not nearly as good as the diving ... but it's not bad

the best reefs are a bit too deep to be appreciated by a snorkeler

they must go to 1,000 steps. i think that's the best snorkel site in Bonaire, if you go a little towards the dive buoy. Karpata is not bad, and it's nearby.

the Leap is nice too (also nearby) and you can find some sea caves that are nice to look around in

here's a good guide i just found:

Bonaire Snorkel Sites

basically any of the sites on there are great

 

[dvrliz1]

Actually it is amazing. Most know I was sick for a few years and couldn't dive. My husband told me that he would have nothing to do if he couldn't dive Bonaire, he would want nothing to do with it. The when I was sick he snorkeled alot with me and was amazed. Needless to say we live here now. Andy....next time you are on island, I can show you all some secret snorkel spots that will knock your socks off!

Liz

 

[H2Andy]

Andy....next time you are on island, I can show you all some secret snorkel spots that will knock your socks off!

you're on!

 

[gypsyjim]

We have both dived and snorkeled Bonaire. Snorkeling is almost as good as the diving (if that is ever possible) as there is quite a bit of life shallow. Kids and I snorkel when we aren't diving and there is always something to see!

 

[herman]

Another consideration if your diving while they are snorkling is shade. It gets hot on the surface in the sun. So, I would suggest 1000 Steps, Windsock and Old Blue in that order for possible sites because there are places (trees, rock overhangs) for your surface support to get out of the sun while your under.

 

[dvrliz1]

Herman is correct! There are other places too (Andy..you've got a deal!), but don't have the same shade coverage. I ALWAYS use at least a 50 water resistant sunblock on my back, legs and back of neck when snorkeling, or if I am going to snorkel for a long period of time wear my 3 mil shortie (still using the sunblock on the exposed parts).

Liz

 

[Web Monkey]

It's probably the best snorkeling in the world.

Bonaire is why snorkels were invented. My wife doesn't dive and she had a fantastic time while I dived my *** off.

Terry

A coworker and I are going to Bonaire for a couple of days and a non-diving friend of his is thinking about coming, too. Since I’ve dived there before, they’re looking to me to tell the non-diver how good the snorkeling there is. Although I’d never really looked at it from the standpoint of a casual snorkeler, my first instinct was to tell him it was fan-freakin-tastic. Then I thought better of it and decided to ask the all-knowing, all-seeing board.

So can anyone tell me if the snorkeling on Bonaire is as entertaining as the scuba diving?

 

[spectrum]

While there my wife was surface bound for a few days with an ear problem. She was cleared to snorkel and had a good time following us from above. With her birds eye view she observed a lot of things that we were oblivious to with our limited peripheral vision.

A daybreak skin-dive near the break of the reef off the dock at Buddy Dive was very cool. School after school of fish stormed up from the depths to greet the day.

Pete