Klein Drift Snorkel

Looking to go to Klein and do the drift snorkel. I want to take the water taxi, any idea on directions to go from the port? Also how deep are you in while drift snorkeling. Some in our party prefer to stay close to shore as they are not strong swimmers. Are the waves choppy?

Which "Klein"? Curaçao? Bonaire.

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Which "Klein"? Curaçao? Bonaire.

 

 

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We are looking at drift snorkeling at Klein Bonaire

We would strongly recommend booking the private drift snorkel tour on the Woodwind. This boat is operated by a lovely young lady (Dee) who does a terrific job...and she normally books-up quite quickly when a ship is in port. They meet you at the cruise ship pier and walk you over to their boat. Their web site is at:http://www.woodwindbonaire.com/ and Dee Is tie lady in the upper left picture.

Hank

We would strongly recommend booking the private drift snorkel tour on the Woodwind. This boat is operated by a lovely young lady (Dee) who does a terrific job...and she normally books-up quite quickly when a ship is in port. They meet you at the cruise ship pier and walk you over to their boat. Their web site is at:http://www.woodwindbonaire.com/ and Dee Is tie lady in the upper left picture.

 

Hank

We have this excursion booked for mid March. When our itinerary changed to Bonaire, this excursion (both morning and afternoon) booked within 8 hours.

Can't wait to do it.

We would strongly recommend booking the private drift snorkel tour on the Woodwind. This boat is operated by a lovely young lady (Dee) who does a terrific job...and she normally books-up quite quickly when a ship is in port. They meet you at the cruise ship pier and walk you over to their boat. Their web site is at:http://www.woodwindbonaire.com/ and Dee Is tie lady in the upper left picture.

 

Hank

I'm still interested if anyone has any answers to whether it is far from shore, how deep and if you have access to shore? I know Dee does a fabulous job however we will probably do the water taxi over and drift back.

If you are asking if you can start snorkeling at Klein Bonaire & drift back to Bonaire - not really recommended, in part due to boat traffic. You are not visible if you are snorkeling between the two!

We did a 2 tank SCUBA trip to Klein Bonaire while friends took the water taxi there to snorkel. They said it was the best snorkeling ever. They took the water taxi back when done. Nothing there on the island, so bring water or snacks if you need it.

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Drift diving or snorkeling is normally from point a to b with markers (ie dive flag) for safety or a boat following you for pick up.

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Looking to take water taxi over and back. I am asking about the drift snorkeling from point A to B. Is it close to shore, easily accessable to the shore, how deep ...etc. many thanks if anyone has the answer.

The "island" is a low sand spit. Some beach, some rocks to walk along to get back. Depth ranges from 15 - 400+ ft where the wall drops off. It is a short swim off the beach.

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Just saw the question so we will address the details of drift snorkeling with the Woodwind tour (we have done this a couple of times). You will be met by their staff near the cruise ship pier and walked over to the Woodwind which is usually moored a short distance from the cruise port. Dee takes the boat out to the slot that runs between Bonaire and Klein Bonaire (usually closer to the Klein Bonaire side). During the run out to the drop point she gives the usual safety briefing, distributes equipment to those who do not have their own gear, etc. At the appropriate point everyone goes into the water and starts moving along with the current (which runs between the two islands). The boat (Woodwind) moves in the same direction with the snorkelers so if anyone had a problem, they would be able to return to the boat and leave the water. Depending on the speed of the current the drift/snorkel can take over an hour and there is little effort involved since the current does most of the work. Once the group reaches the exit point Dee will simply start herding everyone (the group does get somewhat separated since many of us do our own thing) back to the boat which is nearby.

As to the depth, it really varies from quite shallow (if you go near the Klein Bonaire shoreline) to deep if you are out in the channel. Most do wear BCs (a life vest that can be quickly inflated if needed) which are distributed by Dee. The reality of depth is that its actually safer staying in deeper water since if you move into the shallows its too easy to brush up against a rock or some coral (which can hurt).

Hank

Just saw the question so we will address the details of drift snorkeling with the Woodwind tour (we have done this a couple of times). You will be met by their staff near the cruise ship pier and walked over to the Woodwind which is usually moored a short distance from the cruise port. Dee takes the boat out to the slot that runs between Bonaire and Klein Bonaire (usually closer to the Klein Bonaire side). During the run out to the drop point she gives the usual safety briefing, distributes equipment to those who do not have their own gear, etc. At the appropriate point everyone goes into the water and starts moving along with the current (which runs between the two islands). The boat (Woodwind) moves in the same direction with the snorkelers so if anyone had a problem, they would be able to return to the boat and leave the water. Depending on the speed of the current the drift/snorkel can take over an hour and there is little effort involved since the current does most of the work. Once the group reaches the exit point Dee will simply start herding everyone (the group does get somewhat separated since many of us do our own thing) back to the boat which is nearby.

 

As to the depth, it really varies from quite shallow (if you go near the Klein Bonaire shoreline) to deep if you are out in the channel. Most do wear BCs (a life vest that can be quickly inflated if needed) which are distributed by Dee. The reality of depth is that its actually safer staying in deeper water since if you move into the shallows its too easy to brush up against a rock or some coral (which can hurt).

 

Hank

To say nothing of the face that brushing against the coral or touching it will kill the coral as well.

Just saw the question so we will address the details of drift snorkeling with the Woodwind tour (we have done this a couple of times). You will be met by their staff near the cruise ship pier and walked over to the Woodwind which is usually moored a short distance from the cruise port. Dee takes the boat out to the slot that runs between Bonaire and Klein Bonaire (usually closer to the Klein Bonaire side). During the run out to the drop point she gives the usual safety briefing, distributes equipment to those who do not have their own gear, etc. At the appropriate point everyone goes into the water and starts moving along with the current (which runs between the two islands). The boat (Woodwind) moves in the same direction with the snorkelers so if anyone had a problem, they would be able to return to the boat and leave the water. Depending on the speed of the current the drift/snorkel can take over an hour and there is little effort involved since the current does most of the work. Once the group reaches the exit point Dee will simply start herding everyone (the group does get somewhat separated since many of us do our own thing) back to the boat which is nearby.

 

As to the depth, it really varies from quite shallow (if you go near the Klein Bonaire shoreline) to deep if you are out in the channel. Most do wear BCs (a life vest that can be quickly inflated if needed) which are distributed by Dee. The reality of depth is that its actually safer staying in deeper water since if you move into the shallows its too easy to brush up against a rock or some coral (which can hurt).

 

Hank

Hank,

Thank you for the info. We will be doing this excursion in a few weeks and I was wondering how it worked.

Came back from this excursion after visiting Bonaire via the Carnival Pride. The Woodwind folks did a FANTASTIC job. Not only were they knowledgeable in snorkeling and the area, but the gear they had onboard was incredible; from full-face masks to corrective lens masks. The three ladies (Dee, Emma, and Natalie) provided individual attention to each person on the boat to get them ready. Then we were split into 3 groups, I think by experience.

The snorkel area was amazing for both quality and different types of corals and fish. Saw a stingray, a moray eel, and 6 sea turtles at the second snorkel spot.

The boat was piloted extremely well and we did a "sail" in the catamaran instead of motoring to the location. Took some extra time but it was definitely worth it.

If/When I get back to Bonaire again, I will DEFINITELY book with Woodwind if given the opportunity. A HIGH-CLASS set of people who know their business and cater to the guests and the environment.

Another vote for Woodwind.

Get off ship go left up beach there's a sign for the good return which is a water taxi over to Klein I think it's 10 or $20 was amazing and cheap day water isn't rough at all your not far from shore and it's beautiful highly recommend just taking them over

We did the water taxi to Klein Bonaire a few years ago and were a little disappointe--but perhaps it was just the conditions the day we were there. There are particular entry spots since the coral is quite close to the surface in many places. My biggest complaint is that, at least in our experience, you had to swim on the outside of the reef, not over it since it was too shallow to do otherwise. That limited what could be seen. Outside the reef, it does drop off fairly quickly which you can see looking at the color of the water. The reef is very healthy compared with many locations--it was not affected by hurricane Omar the way shallow reef next to Bonaire was.