Snorkel with Renee or Woodwind?

[scubadawg]

Deciding between the two. Do either do Klein Bonaire? or are you just near the shoreline? Any thoughts on difference between the two? other than Renee is not on a boat and Woodwind includes lunch and probably has a few more people on the trip. thanks for any info

[DiveCruiser]

If you can get rene do it. She use to own the woodwind. Trust me
Bob

[YoPhilly]

Don't judge Renee by boat criteria. We went with her last December and it was just four of us and Renee. You can't even compare her to the big operators.

Renee took us to two fantastic snorkeling spots where we were the only people there. With just four people, she was able to answer all of our questions and stop often along the way to bring us together to see something special.

I agree with poster above....if you can get Renee, do it. You will be very, very pleased.

[Lee Marvin]

For me, no visit to Bonaire would be compete without at least one trip on the Woodwind. Dee never fails to amaze me with her ability to spot the 'invisible'. Her trips to Klein Bonaire a must. Even the turtles there look forward to her arrival.

[zukecruiser]

Originally Posted by Lee Marvin

For me, no visit to Bonaire would be compete without at least one trip on the Woodwind. Dee never fails to amaze me with her ability to spot the 'invisible'. Her trips to Klein Bonaire a must. Even the turtles there look forward to her arrival.

Does anywone have the Woodwind website. Will be there in January.

Thanks

[debr]

Originally Posted by zukecruiser

Does anywone have the Woodwind website. Will be there in January.

Thanks

Mike,

Join us on the Woodwind (Grand P. sailing 1/4)

Debbie

(Hi Ulf)

[angandant]

We went with her a couple of years ago for a 2 stop snorkell, she was fantastic, she just took 4 of us. I'm not the best at snorkelling but she was very patient and she's great at pointing out things that you'd never normally see. If you are thinking of booking her dont leave it too long as she's very popular and as she only takes 4 or 5 people at a time she gets booked up quickly.

[jkw2765]

We went with Renee last December and it was great. She is very organized, knowledgeable and pleasant to be around. There was only 3 of us which was great. If we ever get back to Bonaire I hope to be able to hook up with her again.

[DANofNORTH]

We went with her last year. One of the best snokel trips ever!!

[TXTraveler76]

Hi,

I had a tour with Renee on October 29th, 2009. She was fantastic! She was right on time, had a board with my name on it and she escorted us to her van. She provided floatation devices and fins as requested as we brought our own snorkel and mask. We went to two locations and she was extremely helpful when one member of our 5 had mobility issues. She adapted easily and was eager to help. She found a seahorse and an octopuss which she gentlly moved so we could see it swim away. I saw things with Renee that I had never seen in many other snorkel tours. She was recommended by a friend I had met on another cruise and she spoke very highly of her. I trusted my friend and she did not lead me wrong. Renee provided drinks to us between the stops and told us stories about Bonaire. When I return to Bonaire, I will find Renee again.

[iratherbesailing]

Originally Posted by TXTraveler76

Hi,

I had a tour with Renee on October 29th, 2009. She was fantastic! She was right on time, had a board with my name on it and she escorted us to her van. She provided floatation devices and fins as requested as we brought our own snorkel and mask. We went to two locations and she was extremely helpful when one member of our 5 had mobility issues. She adapted easily and was eager to help. She found a seahorse and an octopuss which she gentlly moved so we could see it swim away. I saw things with Renee that I had never seen in many other snorkel tours. She was recommended by a friend I had met on another cruise and she spoke very highly of her. I trusted my friend and she did not lead me wrong. Renee provided drinks to us between the stops and told us stories about Bonaire. When I return to Bonaire, I will find Renee again.

Sorry I missed the boat on how to get in touch with Renee. Does anybody have her contact info handy?

[Host Kat >^..^<]

Originally Posted by iratherbesailing

Sorry I missed the boat on how to get in touch with Renee. Does anybody have her contact info handy?

http://www.infobonaire.com/reneesnorkeltrips/

Kat

[baba2k]

I just went out on the Woodwind last week and had an awesome time. We may have had around 12 people but were broken up into two groups and did not feel cramped out all. I would strongly recommed the Woodwind. In addition, the snorkel gear they provide is excellent and have prescription googles...for those who wear glasses such as my wife

[mobydog]

Comparing Renee & The Woodwind is like comparing apples and oranges. Renee is a one woman operation who picks you up at port (as other posters mentioned she only takes up to 5 people with her) and you snorkel from shore. Woodwind is a boat and has a larger capacity (maybe 25 people- Renee and her husband used to own the Woodwind). We went with Renee in November and she was fantastic. Her ability to spot the sea life and her knowledge of the different species made the trip worthwhile. So many times we snorkel and see something but have no idea what we are looking at- if you fall into this category book with Renee. I am gun shy of the big boat trips as I have been kicked in the face one too many times by the novice snorkeler. Other people we met on board went on the Woodwind on the same day we went with Renee and had a good time but the water was rocky where they went. Bonaire was by far our favorite port of call and you will have a great time whatever you decide to do!

[2J's]

I can't read these posts without commenting from our experience. In all fairness, we did not snorkel with Renee, so I'll confine my remarks to Woodwind. Without a doubt, our trip With Dee, Tina, Marc (capt.) and Zsuzu (photographer) was the best excursion we've had in our nearly 40 years of cruising. Dee was very organized and well-informed. Even the most experienced snorkelers agreed that they learned something from her brief explanation and pointers. She took care fitting each of us with the right fins and masks even though it meant several trips below. She examined the masks we had brought with us and pointed out the problems that made us uncomfortable in the past. There were 8 people in our group with Dee and 8 with Tina. Dee did free diving and pointed out species of fish and turtles. She was quick to help us when we got water in our masks or alerted her to any other problems. The number and variety of sealife we saw was astounding. It was a windy day and we were happy to have the boat drifting with us and the current so we didn't have to swim into the current to get back on board. We were offered home-cooked snacks and beverages. We purchased (and are enjoying) the CD of Zsus's pictures as a souvenir of our trip. All-in-all, it was a fabulous experience, and we highly recommend it. Lucky are you who get to snorkel in Bonaire and on the Woodwind!

[mrobinson]

Just returned from Ruby Princess and we did the Woodwind snorkle. I agree 100% with 2J's comments. We have done a lot of snorkel trips and Woodwind was the best. The instruction and safety was best I've ever seen. It was very windy when we were there so the snorkeling was a bit rough - however they separated us into 2 groups in the water with 12 each- kept checking on us the entire time to make sure everyone was okay. What we saw on the snorkeling trip was probably best fish we've ever seen. I would definately do this trip again.

Mary

[Sundae]

I booked Renee after reading the positive postings on here about her and I just have to say I was let down. We just returned from the Ruby Princess (wished I'd circulated the M&G better on 12/6 to meet you Mary!!) and we went with Renee for the 2 hour snorkel tour. Her tiny van takes a max of 5 people. She was on time picking us up at the pier and as we walked to her van, I casually asked where the 2 spots we were going to snorkel at. Her reply was "even if I told you, you wouldn't know it". I thought that was such a slap in the face. So I rephrased the question that I was wondering if it's in the area. She said it's not.

Well, it turned out, it was in the area. In the immediate area by the shore where the cruise ship was docked. I could've walked down here to do this myself and saved my money!! All the postings I read didn't mention the location Renee took them to and I guess I was expecting some great, local place that she knew about. The sea life we saw was so so, I've seen better. Renee is very informative and pointed things out but honestly, I didn't think there was that much to see in the 2 places she took us. You also had to pop up at the same time she did or you missed what she said about what you're looking at in the water.

She provides equipment and a refreshing drink in between the 2 snorkel trips. Maybe I caught her on a bad day, maybe the fish wasn't out that day, I don't know. I just know it was a let down experience.

[steelers36]

We also went on Woodwind via our own booking before leaving home. We really enjoyed the time on Dec. 9. Both group leaders were conscientious of everyone on the trip and how they were doing. Very hospitable and not rushed. Enjoyed the short sail as well.

[YoPhilly]

We just booked a return visit to Bonaire, and I contacted Renee right away to reserve with her again. She's that good.

[coconut1]

My husband and I were on Renee's snorkel tour with Sundae. We were also disappointed. The two snorkel sites were within blocks of the ship. We could have walked there by ourselves. We didn't think Renee communicated very well. I'm sure she knows her fish. However, she would say something when we were underwater. We would surface and ask her to repeat the name of the fish. She wouldn't. We didn't think she was friendly at all. We would not recommend this tour. Maybe she was having a bad day, but we expected more.