Hi!

We're planning on taking the water taxi to Klein Bonaire and snorkeling from the beach. We are thinking about kinda rolling our own drift snorkel along the north or south sides from East to West, and getting out wherever we can manage without damaging coral.

I've heard that there's a path that runs around the island near shore that you can take to walk back to the beach.

Are the currents too strong for this? Would the north side be better to try, or the southern side?

We also had questions about security on Klein Bonaire. Is theft common on KB if you setup on No Name beach where there's lots of other people and leave your stuff unattended for awhile?

Is there a park ranger on the island during the day?

Can you take a portable/temporary sun shelter, like a small pop-up cabana tent?

Are there trash receptacles, or are you supposed to pack out whatever you bring with you (including trash)?

Can you take a cooler, bottled water or snacks?

Any information is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

You can take the water taxi to the beach, quickly drop off your stuff (cooler & food are fine), get back on the water taxi, and get dropped off in the water back to the southeast (?) to start your drift snorkel heading back towards No Name Beach. The current is a bit strong, but in the right direction if done this way, and will bring you back along No Name Beach where it will be easy to get into shore. Be sure to get your act together (check your gear) before you jump off the water taxi, because the current will start moving you away from the boat immediately. The other approach is to get dropped off and walk back along the shore to start your drift snorkel, but then you have the challenge of finding access into the water, and you’ll need to bring the shoes you wore along the beach (some sharp old coral). There’s no path, you just walk along the shore which is sandy in parts and sharp old coral in others. I’ve never heard of theft on Klein, but I assume people generally don’t bring anything of value to the beach. No park ranger. You can take a sun shelter, but it’s hard for me to imagine any pop-up shelter that wouldn’t be blown away. I believe there are trash containers, but given how inconvenient it is for the island trash collectors to empty them, we always pack out our own trash, plus any we find on the beach. Enjoy.

Phil, Nathalie has given you very good information; please heed. When we were there in January this year the current was very strong on 2 trips to Klein. I might advise taking the Woodwind first to get an idea of the current and perhaps some openings to the shore. Your 2nd trip on the water taxi would be much more enjoyable this way.

By the way, we used to tie our beach shoes or sandals around our waist with a pair of show strings for the snorkel back to "No-Name". Unless your name is Renee you will not be able to walk the beach.

The Woodwind for a first experience makes sense. Yes, how does Renee do that walk in bare feet? She pretty much prances over the rough stuff at a very fast clip.

There are a couple of posts further down this thread that give some information on snorkeling Klein. Titles are:

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quote:

Snorkeling Bonaire: South side of Klein - Capt Don's, Rock Pile etc.

Do dive boats allow tag-along snorkelers?

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The woodwind is a terrific way to snorkel on Klien.
Dee is so interesting, tellling you about the things you see. The snacks and cold drinks and the relaxing sail make for a great trip.
This is a wonderful way to get a feel of klein, so much fun too.

In addition to the drift from Ebo to No Name we have hiked west along the north shore and found a get in near the Lenora's boat mooring and drifted west to about Carl's Hill. This is a little exciting but you can find places to get out. We live (and not die) by our booties - best investment we ever made for shore snorkeling Bonaire/Klein Bonaire. If you do the Taxi drift you can get away without foot protection (even old sneakers etc.). I would not recommend that for the other trip.

We can't ever predict how strong the currents are going to be. We have done 3 drift snorkels down south on this trip (we are day 10 today) and two had mild current but on the other it took full force to keep from drifting too fast. I can only guess that KB has the same issue.

has anyone found a way to access the southern part of KB besides a commercial dive boat trip? The map I have shows 10 out of 11 total snorkeling sites to be on the southern part of the island? only shows No Name on the north. I have never been there, am I misunderstanding? Some people have told me the snorkeling is good everywhere along the shore on KB.

Jason, Kline Bonaire is very small. You could walk around the Island, with alot of water, in a short period of time. Just stop and snorkel on the way. It is possible to snorkel all the way around the Island! People swim around it all the time... Ron

We have enjoyed our two tag along with the small dive operator (10 people max) trips to the south side of KB in the last two weeks. It is a little difficult because you have to request KB but the divers make the final decision. We went to Bonaventure and Rock Pile.

Bonaire is a small place with seemingly limitless choices :-)

Well Ron
Klein is somewhat over 6 miles around, not what most people would consider a short walk on sand and coral. Not to mention blazing sun.
Jason make it a boat trip.
Mick

Waterwise, Klein is ~8 miles around to circumvent. This is a swimable circumference beyond the shallow corals and reef.
Bud

If you have a whole day to do it in it's not that bad. Mickey, you are older then me, but I am 62, and I have done just that... Ron

Lots of water and lots of time...

Coming into town this Sunday, the 30th.
Question . . . can you take a kayak over from Bonaire to KB? We are seasoned snorkelers and want to spend the whole day there.
Any suggestions? Also, read you can snorkel around the whole island. Will the current be really really really strong, or just really strong? smile.
Thanks for the feedback, Denise

Diving widow is looking for another diving widow to snorkle with during the week of May 31-June 7,2008. My husband and two children are all divers, so I am looking for an active female to buddy up with to visit several snorkle spots around the island.I would also enjoy kayaking to Klein Bonaire one day. Since we are renting a truck, I would be able to help with transportation to different locations.