Bonaire Trip Report
Jan 27th, 2007, 04:24 PM
#21
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I am envious of MIM - have only snorkeled about 10 other places (we make repeat trips to some places). Our special spot on Grand Cayman was always our fav - did not think we would ever find anywhere better but Bonaire has it beat.
Probably the next best places I have snorkeled are Anegada, other USVI and BVI, Belize, and Hawaii. After those, it is all downhill from there, including Aruba.
Probably the next best places I have snorkeled are Anegada, other USVI and BVI, Belize, and Hawaii. After those, it is all downhill from there, including Aruba.
Jan 27th, 2007, 05:30 PM
#22
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Lvvsun- I think the next best to that for me would be TCI and Norman Island , BVI. I always enjoy it no matter what, just because I love to do it. I had one really good snorkeling day at Cane Garden bay around the rocky edge when I did see a lot. I just don't care too much for places like Trunk Bay which is so "over-snorkeled" and Coki Beach St Thomas, which to me is just such a dump. When I lived in St Thomas we avoided going there and only went as a last resort. We lived near Megans bay so that was where we normally went, or up the road to Hull Bay where mostly local folks hand out, its pretty rocky so I normally saw a lot of fish.
I think the best trip (snorkel-wise) for us was chartering in the BVI. We went to several places that you would only get to by boat so they were less populated with swimmers. It was a great trip. Also, Buck Island St Croix, is always nice to go and see if you can collect any wedding rings from honeymooners when they lost their rings in the water, sad, but amusing at the same time. We always enjoy snorkeling at the baths too, but never get too lucky with seeing a lot of fish, but its nice to swim around the rocks. At the Meridian Club (Pine Cay, Turks and Caicos) they take you out on a boat to snorkel which on most days is really good. The beach and water there is so clear and blue it is hard to be unhappy with it even when you are not having a lucky day seeing fish.
I remeber going to places like Cane Garden Bay when I was like 5 years old and there were far fewer people and more fish. OH the simple years!
But I think it is hard to beat the quality of fish in Bonaire.
I think the best trip (snorkel-wise) for us was chartering in the BVI. We went to several places that you would only get to by boat so they were less populated with swimmers. It was a great trip. Also, Buck Island St Croix, is always nice to go and see if you can collect any wedding rings from honeymooners when they lost their rings in the water, sad, but amusing at the same time. We always enjoy snorkeling at the baths too, but never get too lucky with seeing a lot of fish, but its nice to swim around the rocks. At the Meridian Club (Pine Cay, Turks and Caicos) they take you out on a boat to snorkel which on most days is really good. The beach and water there is so clear and blue it is hard to be unhappy with it even when you are not having a lucky day seeing fish.
I remeber going to places like Cane Garden Bay when I was like 5 years old and there were far fewer people and more fish. OH the simple years!
But I think it is hard to beat the quality of fish in Bonaire.
Jan 28th, 2007, 03:51 AM
#23
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I enjoyed reading your trip report, LvSun..
Bonaire is one of my favorite islands.. One of the things you didn't mention though is the flamingo population.. That is one of my favorite things to do on Bonaire..watch those flamingos.
For anyone who is into animals and birds, this island is a treat. the wild flamingos are plentiful throughout the the island. As you drive around, you can see them feeding in the salt pans.
Absolutely beautiful birds...
Most people do go to Bonaire for the snorkeling and diving. I loved the snorkeling, but I really went to Bonaire to see those fabulous flamingos.
Bonaire is one of my favorite islands.. One of the things you didn't mention though is the flamingo population.. That is one of my favorite things to do on Bonaire..watch those flamingos.
For anyone who is into animals and birds, this island is a treat. the wild flamingos are plentiful throughout the the island. As you drive around, you can see them feeding in the salt pans.
Absolutely beautiful birds...
Most people do go to Bonaire for the snorkeling and diving. I loved the snorkeling, but I really went to Bonaire to see those fabulous flamingos.
Jan 28th, 2007, 04:09 AM
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Barbara - I have to agree with you about that. It was amazing seeing all of those flamingos. Considering many of us only get to see them in a zoo! It was so neat to see them living naturally. They were beautiful.
Jan 29th, 2007, 02:57 PM
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I really appreciate your report. We went to Bonaire for the first time last fall and I'm thinking we will fly to Aruba this fall instead of taking the night flight from Houston. We will stay on Curacoa for the first time and then back to Bonaire. We stayed at Belmar which was beautiful, but only had A/C in the bedroom. I'm looking for something with a kitchen and A/C in the entire unit.
Did you do the drift snorkel on Klein? We did it twice. Bonaire is the kind of island we like also. Owa
Did you do the drift snorkel on Klein? We did it twice. Bonaire is the kind of island we like also. Owa
Jan 31st, 2007, 08:58 PM
#28
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hi there. thanks for sharing your trip. I will be coming to bonaire by cruise ship. Could you tell me what is the best snorkel spots right off the beach? We'll grab a cab at the pier, and taxi to 2 spots. Any info would be great.
By the way i was recently on Exuma Bahamas, and posted a report on the talk boards. maybe it can help someone going there.
thanks
Jen
By the way i was recently on Exuma Bahamas, and posted a report on the talk boards. maybe it can help someone going there.
thanks
Jen
Feb 1st, 2007, 11:36 AM
#29
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Jen/caymansreef:
Go to the Plaza Resort Bonaire beach to snorkel.
During our stay at the Plaza Resort Bonaire, one day a cruise ship came in and people from it came to the beach at the Plaza.
People we talked to said they paid $100 for their ship's tour to the Plaza beach. It included a ride to it, entry to the beach, and lunch. They said the price they paid was a ripoff because other people on their cruise walked over to the Plaza and just paid the $5 or $10 per person to get onto the beach. I don't know how long it took them to walk to the beach but probably 10-15 minutes.
Go to the Plaza Resort Bonaire beach to snorkel.
During our stay at the Plaza Resort Bonaire, one day a cruise ship came in and people from it came to the beach at the Plaza.
People we talked to said they paid $100 for their ship's tour to the Plaza beach. It included a ride to it, entry to the beach, and lunch. They said the price they paid was a ripoff because other people on their cruise walked over to the Plaza and just paid the $5 or $10 per person to get onto the beach. I don't know how long it took them to walk to the beach but probably 10-15 minutes.
Feb 1st, 2007, 11:46 AM
#30
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Jen,
Re "going to 2 snorkel spots";
There are few beaches on Bonaire. The Divi is near the Plaza and has a beach (don't know if you can pay to get on it). At a lot of places you go into the water from a pier or cement steps into the water.
Hit the Plaza first then decide if you want to go to a 2nd spot to snorkel. Snorkeling was so awesome at the Plaza that the only other snorkel place we went was to when we went to the National Park. Normally we will hit several spots on an island but it was so good at the Plaza we did not need to.
At the Plaza, you can snorkel from the cement wall near the beach entrance to the pier at the other end of the beach then past that toward the refinery. (Snorkeling right at the wall was OK but not great - hit the middle of the beach and out to and past the pier).
Re "going to 2 snorkel spots";
There are few beaches on Bonaire. The Divi is near the Plaza and has a beach (don't know if you can pay to get on it). At a lot of places you go into the water from a pier or cement steps into the water.
Hit the Plaza first then decide if you want to go to a 2nd spot to snorkel. Snorkeling was so awesome at the Plaza that the only other snorkel place we went was to when we went to the National Park. Normally we will hit several spots on an island but it was so good at the Plaza we did not need to.
At the Plaza, you can snorkel from the cement wall near the beach entrance to the pier at the other end of the beach then past that toward the refinery. (Snorkeling right at the wall was OK but not great - hit the middle of the beach and out to and past the pier).
Feb 1st, 2007, 02:07 PM
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thank you LvSun. your post has made up our minds. we are getting off the ship, and going to snorkel all day at the plaza beach.
ill let you all know how are trip was.
thank you so much for taking the time.
Jen
caymansreef
ill let you all know how are trip was.
thank you so much for taking the time.
Jen
caymansreef
Feb 4th, 2007, 05:44 AM
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Bonaire was also one of our favorite islands! The snorkeling is unsurpassed in the Caribbean. We have tons of photos on our travel journal at this link www.nbhtravel.com Lots of underwater pics too...enjoy
Feb 17th, 2007, 05:56 AM
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Hi LvSun! Thanks for the great trip report. We are planning a July vacation with our family. (my husband, myself and our 4 children-7,10,12,14) We were planning on going to Grand Cayman. We love it there. (stayed on the Northside because we loved the lack of crowds and the snorkeling) I've always been intrigued by Bonaire, however. My husband (and kids) love to snorkel. I just love being in the sun and looking at beautiful blue/green water. I do like to snorkel, also...but it's not a huge requirement for me. (it is for my husband!) What do you think about Bonaire for a family vacation? Or is it something my husband and I should do "some day" on our own? I'm just worried when that "some day" will be! Is it very expensive? Comparable to GC? For your next vacation would you go back to Bonaire or to GC? Thanks for any information you'd like to supply!
Feb 18th, 2007, 08:30 PM
#39
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JcJc,
Where do you stay on the North Side of GC? We just love the Sea Lodges near Cayman Kai and we're going back next month for my son's spring break. (It will be his first trip to GC - I'm so excited to share the snorkeling with him!)
I think your kids would love Bonaire. The only 2 reservation I would have: 1. I would check out the temperature, etc. in July. In winter you have a great breeze which helps you stay comfy. Not sure what it is like in July. It is so close to the equator -- we wore a #30 sunscreen and still got great tans.
2. I would not stay on Bonaire unless I stayed somewhere with a beach (and not one that disappears at high tide). While there may be others, the only ones I found in my research were the Plaza Resort Bonaire, Divi Flamingo (or something like that), and a real high priced place - I forget the name.
The Plaza is pretty spread out, so while it may be crowded, it did not feel it. We just drove by The Divi and for some reason I got the impression it was more congested.
Goto http://www.bonairetalk.com/
and ask the people there about the conditions in July.
In addition to snorkeling, your kids would have a blast touring the island.
You could lay on the beach and easily keep an eye on the family. The snorkeling is absolutely right there so close to shore. Hubby & I were telling people this weekend about seeing species of fish we had never seen before, various types of eels, etc.
Price wise - not really sure if it is as expensive as GC but is probably close to it.
GC was the first island we ever went to, not sure if that is why it is our favorite island and the only one we really like to make repeat visits to or not. I will go back to Bonaire again but would want to explore other islands first.
Travel time is also a factor. GC is easy to get to and relatively close. There are probably better flights, but we went to Bonaire via Charlotte then Aruba. Had a 4 hour layover in Aruba.
Where do you stay on the North Side of GC? We just love the Sea Lodges near Cayman Kai and we're going back next month for my son's spring break. (It will be his first trip to GC - I'm so excited to share the snorkeling with him!)
I think your kids would love Bonaire. The only 2 reservation I would have: 1. I would check out the temperature, etc. in July. In winter you have a great breeze which helps you stay comfy. Not sure what it is like in July. It is so close to the equator -- we wore a #30 sunscreen and still got great tans.
2. I would not stay on Bonaire unless I stayed somewhere with a beach (and not one that disappears at high tide). While there may be others, the only ones I found in my research were the Plaza Resort Bonaire, Divi Flamingo (or something like that), and a real high priced place - I forget the name.
The Plaza is pretty spread out, so while it may be crowded, it did not feel it. We just drove by The Divi and for some reason I got the impression it was more congested.
Goto http://www.bonairetalk.com/
and ask the people there about the conditions in July.
In addition to snorkeling, your kids would have a blast touring the island.
You could lay on the beach and easily keep an eye on the family. The snorkeling is absolutely right there so close to shore. Hubby & I were telling people this weekend about seeing species of fish we had never seen before, various types of eels, etc.
Price wise - not really sure if it is as expensive as GC but is probably close to it.
GC was the first island we ever went to, not sure if that is why it is our favorite island and the only one we really like to make repeat visits to or not. I will go back to Bonaire again but would want to explore other islands first.
Travel time is also a factor. GC is easy to get to and relatively close. There are probably better flights, but we went to Bonaire via Charlotte then Aruba. Had a 4 hour layover in Aruba.
Feb 18th, 2007, 08:35 PM
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JcJc,
Also, don't know if you saw my response in another post:
We rented a jeep and toured just about the entire island. The landscape is actually quite varied.
Depends on what part of the island you are on. Some areas are arid, another large area has tons of mangroves ("trees" which grow in water"
- hundreds of flamingos could be seen in various areas near the mangrove areas, another area has lots of trees -- that's where we saw gorgeous tropical birds flying among them, another area is where they "manufacture" salt, the northern area has some pretty good size hills (huge compared to the flatness of the rest of the island).
The side of the island opposite the harbor and hotel area is rough with mean waves. It was beautiful to see.
Also, don't know if you saw my response in another post:
We rented a jeep and toured just about the entire island. The landscape is actually quite varied.
Depends on what part of the island you are on. Some areas are arid, another large area has tons of mangroves ("trees" which grow in water"
- hundreds of flamingos could be seen in various areas near the mangrove areas, another area has lots of trees -- that's where we saw gorgeous tropical birds flying among them, another area is where they "manufacture" salt, the northern area has some pretty good size hills (huge compared to the flatness of the rest of the island).The side of the island opposite the harbor and hotel area is rough with mean waves. It was beautiful to see.
