I've heard that diving skins are good to wear for sun protection, since the sun can be really strong on Bonaire. I'm just not sure if I really need to buy a skin if I plan to snorkel about an hour or two a day for a week???
Cheryl

Cheryl:
I take my skin with me in January, but only wear it, along with my shortie wet suit, when I go on a night snorkel.

I just use sunscreen to protect my skin from the sun.

Chris

Cheryl, I go to Bonaire in January and always wear my skins snorkeling, so does my hubby. It protects me from the sun, keeps me warmer, and keeps me afloat. If you have one bring it and decide after you try it. You can always buy one down there also.

Cheryl..Get the skin. An hour or 2 in the water could very well turn your skin bright red without protection. The sun on Bonaire is really hot.
Additionally, the skin will give a small amount of thermal protection & also protect against scrapes etc. You really have absolutely nothing to lose & everything to gain.
Enjoy your trip!

Cheryl I agree with Vince, Bonaire is 3 feet from the sun and you don't want your buns errr the place where you sit to get burned..

Hi Cheryl, I dive and snorkel. At that time of the year, water temps can be 78 or 79 degrees, yes, the sun is hot, but water is cold, I wear a 3mil wetsuit diving or snorkeling that time of the year.

My husband snorkels in a t-shirt for sun-protection, but is usually only in the water for 15-20 minutes tops, so chill isn't an issue. On a recent trip, he donned his t-shirt but ended up out on the water much longer than usual. He fried the backs of his legs, and the back of his follicly-challenged head. I'm going to get him a scuba-do-rag before the next trip.
So, don't forget your head and neck!

Thanks for all the helpful advice. I'm going to look into getting a skin for my husband and I for sure.

The six of us easily snorkel for more than an hour. Use waterproof sunprotection only. Wear sometimes a t-shirt.
Never had a sunburn, never got cold.

You can also purchase special UV-protective swim shirts, I have one with long sleeves and sort of a long part in the back that extends past your tush... almost a shirt-dress. I purchased mine on-line, the brand name is Sunsafe.

I always wear my dive skin. Best covered from the sunshine on my northern skin, I'm not sunburn-friendly.

We go for a month each year. I have a diveskin and also a shortie wetsuit but usually end up wearing the wetsuit as it gives great flotation especially if wandering out in deeper water. (And I am a good swimmer) Of course it is trickier to dive down wearing it so some would consider that a minus. I am fair skinned but just slap some sunscreen on my legs, neck and forearms. Never had a problem. You can pick up shortie wetsuits cheaply in many places that sell to waterskiers(I paid $50 for mine at Costco). Alternatively visit Bruce at Carib Inn and see what he might have as his prices are great.