Hi Folks,

We intend to snorkel our brains out for a couple weeks soon in Bonaire and we are thinking about renting bikes to access most of the snorkel spots.

Is there any concern about the bikes and our personal items getting stolen (just a snorkel bag and a few clothes)?

We will not leave any real valuables, we have a waterproof case for all of that and will take it on the water.

Are there places to lock up bikes close to all the shoreline entrances?

Thanks for your help.

Welcome to Bonaire Talk
Your belongings will surely be checked out , the bikes 50/50

Get a chain or bike lock.

e.

Bikes will be gone.........

So, is it for sure that bikes will be stolen even if locked up to something?

Is there something to lock them up to at the dive sites?

An occasional tree. Luckily the locals dont have chainsaws....yet.

Galen, welcome to BT Unless you've got it chained up REALLY good to something permanent...they will be gone as will your belongings. Maybe chain it to that tree that gives people blisters and is horribly painful?

The chains you get for the scooters are the only safety measures keeping your bicycle from getting stolen. But there is nothing structural to chain it to, cutting a tree branch is easily done.

I think Galen that it is not a good idea with the bikes.. but then of course if you are only going to snorkel from the resorts you might be able to do it and there may be facilities on the resort property for you to chain your bikes to... But other than the resorts, there is no place to safely leave your bikes.... what area are you staying??

Thanks all for those responses. So we will pass on the bike thing and just rent a car. We intend to snorkel just about everything we can, probably three or four spots a day. So a car makes sense.

Good Call !

Just don't leave anything of value in the vehicle and leave the doors unlocked and windows down.

That is our plan. Thanks for the tip.

Galen,I've been traveling to Bonaire since '86, and I have never seen anyone bicycling to any of the dive and snorkel spots.Cann't imagin it.
Bonaire can get pretty hot out on the road especially from noon, give or take an hour.
Many of the sites do not have any shelter from the sun so having a car, gives you that place to get out of the sun.
Get air conditioning too.
The first time we didn't and it was the last.
That sun is pretty intense, don't forget you are 10 degrees off the equator.
Besides, with a car you can go further and get to see the whole island.
Have a great time !

Yes, we have realized that bicycling was kind of a dream idea. It does sound wonderful. No rental cars, and fees. Just ride a bike around and go snorkeling. But the heat, dangerous roads, wind, and the fact that it would be a one way ride, since we would not have any bikes when we got out of the water, brought us in to reality.

We have just reserved a truck for the two weeks. We opted for no AC, but we are from Tucson, AZ and so are used to some very hot weather, humidity not withstanding. We really like it at about 95. And we figure we will be driving mostly short distances, so sweating it out a bit is not such a big deal for us. But who knows, maybe we will be upgrading during the middle. Then again, we had no AC for seventeen days in Belize during the same season, and were perfectly happy.

(Message edited by tropicalsnorkel on April 8, 2010)

You will just fine with no AC. I have never used it in a truck during ten years of trips to Bonaire.

Thanks for that confirmation Grunt.

Why not throw some floats on your bike and take it snorkeling with you!?

e.

HA! I momentarily considered taking the bikes a short ways off shore and sinking them. But I figured the rental company would not be pleased.

Ya, that thought actually generated the float idea. Hey, it's a rental! (JK, I hate that attitude.) But maybe a camoflauge idea?

e.

Snorkeling, you're on the surface and can take a peek towards shore. If you see anyone, let them see you taking their picture with your u/w camera. But you need to rent a truck so you can see the Park, go early and take the long route. Also, check out the Lac Cai area. You'll get a map when you rent the truck, there's only a few roads outside of town. Take your time, enjoy the scenery, check out the local shops.