By Linda Smith (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Monday, January 31, 2011 - 2:52 pm: |
I have read so many posts and am still confused what to do. My husband and I leave next week on our cruise. I enjoy snorkeling but am not a good swimmer and tend to be most comfortable close to shore so that I can come in whenever I've had enough, especially since I tend to get cold if I stay in too long (I usually wear a vest). I am uncomfortable with current so prefer a protected area.
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By ***Ron Gould*** (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2355) on Monday, January 31, 2011 - 4:29 pm: |
Linda, Snorkeling on Bonaire is some of the easyest in the world. If you relax and float on the surface you should be fine. When you go on a tour with eather Renee or Dee, you won't be alone! they will watch over you like mother hen's! lol Just relax, and stay with the group, and you will be fine. The next step is in your hands... Ron
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By Sue Steiner (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #227) on Monday, January 31, 2011 - 4:47 pm: |
Renee is great!! Don't worry about the deeper water. She will literally hold your hand. I love snorkeling at the Plaza. There's a dock with a ladder so the entry is easy and you'll see lots of fish.
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By ppartlo (BonaireTalker - Post #13) on Monday, January 31, 2011 - 4:53 pm: |
Hi Linda, we have traveled to Bonaire for the past 4-5 years and only snorkel. Also, we have often dealt with "anxious" snorkelers. Based on your post and your concerns, my suggestion would be the Windsock option. It's almost always calm, has a decent beach, has more shade than most of the beaches, easy entry and exit, and it's big enough that you can get some distance from the other snorkelers if that's your preference. We have never snorkeled off Plaza, so I can't comment on the abundance of sea life there, but Windsock has always been a great option for stress free, easy access snorkelling. As is the case anywhere on the island, make sure you're using booties. Hope that helps.
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By Connie (Port Bonaire) (BonaireTalker - Post #19) on Monday, January 31, 2011 - 7:45 pm: |
Hi Linda - my 2 cents - I think Plaza is your best bet considering what you have told us so far. Your husband can lounge in the shade on the beach and you can enjoy snorkeling close to shore. There is good snorkeling right there with easy entry and calm waters. The sea floor slopes gently down, so you can choose your comfortable depth. There is a pool right in the beach area if hubby wants to take a dip to cool off. There is also a bar/restaurant on the beach. Nice easy day on the beach with snorkeling and all the comforts. You can walk there from the port.
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By ppartlo (BonaireTalker - Post #15) on Monday, January 31, 2011 - 8:05 pm: |
If the snorkeling is good at Plaza, then Connie's definitely right. Plaza has the amenities to allow for a relaxed day. If you wanted the cruise's guided tour, Windsock would work for that type of excursion. Guess it all depends on the need for alone time after a few days cruising with the hubby!
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By Carol (BonaireTalker - Post #78) on Monday, January 31, 2011 - 9:45 pm: |
We are snorkelers and are headed for our sixth trip in March. We always stay at the Plaza - mainly for the easy snorkeling.
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By Linda Smith (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Monday, January 31, 2011 - 10:50 pm: |
Thanks everyone. This really helps.
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By Cecil* (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #8654) on Tuesday, February 1, 2011 - 7:44 am: |
Linda I was leaning towards recommending the Plaza, good snorkeling there and hubby would be happy. The other suggestion is to get him to retry snorkeling, the beard is a problem but I know plenty of diver with beards. You just learn to empty your mask early and often.
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By Donna M. Leiss (BonaireTalker - Post #40) on Tuesday, February 1, 2011 - 3:06 pm: |
My husband has a full beard and moustache and has no problems with his mask, which he's had for at least 30 years. He smears a little vaseline on his moustache before he puts the mask on. Also, Renee had some sort of hair slicker stuff that had silicone in it that he tried, and it worked well too. You will not need booties at the Plaza, but if you use the facilities--like the pool or a lounge chair--you're supposed to pay a small fee, $10 I think. We were there a couple of weeks ago, and the entry was a little slippery but not dangerously so.
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By Vince DePietro-www.bonairebeachcondo.com (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3425) on Tuesday, February 1, 2011 - 3:28 pm: |
Linda..Tell your husband to use a trimmer and trim mustache off about 1/8 inch below the nose. No one can see the difference and it will allow the mask to seal below the nose. It all grows back anyway!
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By KOB (LBR32) (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #430) on Tuesday, February 1, 2011 - 5:01 pm: |
Vaseline will eventually degrade your silicone mask skirt. I am told that lip balm works well.
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By Peter Dobson / Den Laman unit F (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #202) on Tuesday, February 1, 2011 - 5:50 pm: |
The best place for cruise ship passengers to snorkel is at the end of the shore walk going North from the ship. At the end of the walk (3/4 mile)there is a wall with a small beach (Something Special is the name of the site). In the coral heads in 4 ft of water are a selection of more than 30 juvenile fish and as you go North you are likely to find all kinds of goodies in the sand.
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By Diane Korzeniewski (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #122) on Tuesday, February 1, 2011 - 6:15 pm: |
There are a lot of sandy areas at Windsock that you could get by without booties. Enjoy.
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By Linda Smith (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Thursday, February 3, 2011 - 4:46 pm: |
Thanks everyone for all of the advice! The owner of the glass bottom boat turned out to be a jerk. After telling us we could go for the price noted in his previous email he told us that he had a contract with HAL and we could only book through them (at double the price for less time!). Fat chance...
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By Patricia Shapiro (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #143) on Friday, February 4, 2011 - 3:47 pm: |
In Feb 2010, my husband shaved off his mustache of many years - to ensure clear vision while snorkeling. No biggie - he had been threatening to get rid of his caterpillar for a long time
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By Dolly Hinckley (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Saturday, February 19, 2011 - 8:37 pm: |
Does the Plaza have a charge for snorkeling off its beach?
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By Linda Smith (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #4) on Saturday, February 19, 2011 - 11:42 pm: |
There is no charge to snorkel at the Plaza. All beaches in Bonaire are public. The Plaza charges $10.00 for the day per person for use of a lounge chair and the other resort facilities such as the pool. We each paid the $10 for the day. The staff was very friendly and accommodating. They offered to bring our lunch to the beach although we opted to eat in the restaurant adjacent to the beach.
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By Dolly Hinckley (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Sunday, February 20, 2011 - 1:29 pm: |
Thanks, Linda. We will be in Bonaire for just the morning - our ship sails at 2 PM, so we will have a quick snorkeling opportunity, and the Plaza sounds just right.
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By nestor kopko (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #189) on Sunday, February 20, 2011 - 6:39 pm: |
Linda, when you get off the cruise ship, follow the road along the ocean heading NORTH all the way to the end. There is a small beach and a reef only a short swim away. Your husband should not stop snorkelling because of his folicle abundance. You can go to any pharmacy and get him some mustache wax. I met a gentleman on island our last trip and asked him what he used for diving. Enjoy Bonaire
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By Linda Smith (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #5) on Monday, February 21, 2011 - 12:57 pm: |
Dolly,
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By Dolly Hinckley (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Monday, February 21, 2011 - 1:39 pm: |
Hi, Linda,
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By Beverly Weigand (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Thursday, March 24, 2011 - 2:17 pm: |
I noted this message on another part of this site, but want to add it here as well hoping to get an answer before I leave for my cruise this Sunday, March 27. Woodwind is already booked for March 31 which is the day Caribbean Princess will be in port in Bonaire. Is anyone familiar with Compassbonaire? Snorkel trip with them for cruise passengers is $55.00. Does Renee supply snorkel equipment and flotation vests? I can't swim but will snorkel with a vest. What is Windsock. Any suggestions will be appreciated.
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By Linda Smith (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #6) on Thursday, March 24, 2011 - 3:02 pm: |
Hi Bev,
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By Beverly Weigand (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Thursday, March 24, 2011 - 10:50 pm: |
Thank you for your response, Linda. I contacted Renee and unfortunately she is already booked for March 31. I requested a reservation with Compass Bonaire for their afternoon snorkel. They seem to be very similar to Woodwind.
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By Mickey McCarthy (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #926) on Friday, March 25, 2011 - 10:45 am: |
For those who would like to know more about Renee there is an extensive article here.
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By Chris (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #356) on Friday, March 25, 2011 - 6:38 pm: |
www.goodreturnbonaire.com is another possibility, if you want to snorkel at Klein.
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