Tour on Woodwind 10/26/16

I am torn I really want to write and awesome review with lots of pictures. At the same time I really don't want to ruin this for others. So I will keep it less informative and answer questions.

It was simply the best snorkeling and boat excursion in my 30 cruises! Its hard to find the words.

IMHO my highest compliment: My wife and I would fly to Bonaire and stay there just to spend a few days with this Team. On the ocean snorkeling and diving if they would do it.

I am open for questions and have plenty of pictures just hate to ruin it for others.

That is awesome!! Sadly Woodwind is all booked up on the day we will be there in February :(

I do have a question about Bonaire in general though...I've seen posts where people had a hard time getting out of the port on an independent tour due to security?? Did you have or see any issues?

Thanks!!

Oh! And I would love to see any pics!!

No issue at all. The central area is outside the Port and access to operators etc... We saw two police officers and they were in line a a local food tent.

That is awesome!! Sadly Woodwind is all booked up on the day we will be there in February :(

 

I do have a question about Bonaire in general though...I've seen posts where people had a hard time getting out of the port on an independent tour due to security?? Did you have or see any issues?

 

Thanks!!

 

Oh! And I would love to see any pics!!

I have read reports that have said the snorkeling isn't all that great...what is your snorkeling experience? Was is good or great....thanks, I'll be on the Woodwind in Dec. can't wait for my turn!!!!

Some of the best we have ever seen and we have been all over the carb. They took us further away than the other vessels and it was GREAT!. 3 Turtles, Barracuda and so much more. The water was crystal clear, the clearest we have ever seen.

Most of the negative I have seen are from 6 years ago post several storms. We think it was great but the Woodwind crew was exceptional and they are teachers of their passion.

I have read reports that have said the snorkeling isn't all that great...what is your snorkeling experience? Was is good or great....thanks, I'll be on the Woodwind in Dec. can't wait for my turn!!!!

No issue at all. The central area is outside the Port and access to operators etc... We saw two police officers and they were in line a a local food tent.

Thank you so much!! We are on a cancellation list for Woodwind, fingers crossed something opens up. We are looking at other companies too though.

Thanks for the info! I'm so excited to go on the the Woodwind!!!! Just over a month to go!!!

We are booked with them in December for the morning snorkel. How easy was it to find them? I heard you walk out of the terminal and turn right but we have never been to Bonaire before so dont really have any idea.

We are booked with them in December for the morning snorkel. How easy was it to find them? I heard you walk out of the terminal and turn right but we have never been to Bonaire before so dont really have any idea.

We are booked with them in mid-November. About 2 weeks before, we received email confirming the meeting point (Divi Flamingo Beach Resort and Casino) along with a map. The meeting time is 10 minutes before tour start time. Looking at the map, it looks like the Woodwind Deck is a little further south from the meeting point.

"Walking out from the ship you take a right at the gate and walk south along the waterfront until you see a big sign "CASINO".

3 minutes walk from the south dock. 7 minutes from the north dock."

Hope that helps:)

We booked with them for October 2017 over a year ago ... so glad we did --- I do believe the they are now booked up for the 4 hour tour --- Thanks for the information ... I am not big on snorkeling, but I do hope that my dh has a wonderful time (I will be the one with the drink!) Jan

We have gone to Bonaire several times and I can assure you the snorkeling is spectacular. We have been snorkeling with Woodwinds since they began in Bonaire. We've done both the am and pm trips and they are always excellent. I can't imagine anyone not having a good experience. They hooked us by offering prescription masks and once when it was really cold a dry suit!

Last week we again joined Dee (and the Woodwind) for our 2nd time on this private tour. Our few hours were wonderful, Dee and her crew were excellent and friendly....and we will book the Woodwind on any future trip. Dee has put her money where it counts....into the snorkeling equipment she loans to her customers. While we have our own gear...we were very impressed with the quality of equipment that Dee had for all aboard.

One note. We thought we might book the Regal Princess (on which we cruised until yesterday) at the last minute. So more then 6 months ago, before we even booked our cruise (we waited to get a good last minute deal) we made reservations on the Woodwind. The truth of the matter is that its relatively easy to get a last minute cruise booking....but very difficult to get a last minute reservation on the Woodwind.

We would also add that anyone looking for an elegant boat will be in for a shock. The Woodwind is really a working snorkel boat...and well equipped for the short trip. It is not intended as an elegant show boat.

This will be my sister's and my first time in Bonaire and "everyone" is talking about the Woodwinds Snorkeling Tour!!! Would someone please share a link and/or fill me in on it? Is it an independent excursion or through the ship? Thanks!

This will be my sister's and my first time in Bonaire and "everyone" is talking about the Woodwinds Snorkeling Tour!!! Would someone please share a link and/or fill me in on it? Is it an independent excursion or through the ship? Thanks!

Disregard the request for info and a link....I found it and it was "too late to edit the post"!!!

I hope there are still spots available for our February stop!

Something to remember when on Woodwind: There are typically 2 stops.

The first focuses more on the beautiful reef system itself, with some creature sightings.

The second stop seems to have more fish, as well as the turtle sightings.

On each of my 5+ trips, I have seen more at the second stop than the first. Try not to tire yourself early and decline going back in the water at the second stop. You will miss a lot.

Also remember that this is a federally protected marine park. No one is going to feed the fish or turtles to make them swim up to you, and Dee includes adamant instructions not to interact with them.

It's the real deal, not Disneyland, and I think this is why real underwater enthusiasts love it so much.

It may be why a few others were disappointed, altho I have never read a bad review, as was mentioned by a previous poster. Also heed Hitler's comment about the boat, it's not a luxury catamaran, it's a working snorkel boat.

Is 3 hours enough time? The day we are in port the only available tour is 8:30am - 11:30am & I am just wondering if this is enough time? I am also wondering what to do after this tour if we decide to do it. Someone mentioned going to see 'the flamingos'? Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks

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What is the cost for the

Woodwind snorkel trip?

Forgot to ask. Do they want a deposit? Any other info on cost and booking would be helpful. Thanks

Forgot to ask. Do they want a deposit? Any other info on cost and booking would be helpful. Thanks

Dee does not ask for a deposit and will collect payment at the end of the tour. The cost is $65 per person and she does accept Visa/MC or cash. Since she has a multi-person crew...many folks also provide a tip since her crew is really hard working and helpful.

Hank

Has anyone done the evening tour? The morning trip was full, but they state the 5 hour evening tour is available. Thinking there will be a sunset before 7, right? We were going to go on our own but decided to try woodwind. Rather excited!

We are interested in this trip for May. A couple questions:

Is there a place to get out of the sun on the boat? My husband is very conscious of the sun and usually needs to get out of it after a little bit of time.

We aren't interested in being on a crowded catamaran. Approximately how many people joined you on the boat? Did it seem crowded or cramped on the boat?

Thanks for your input.

It might depend on the day you book but it seems from all the posts I read about Woodwind that they are usually fully booked. The one time we went (and I have booked again with them for our March 2017 cruise) we were closely sandwiched in next to one another. As someone else said, this is not a luxury catamaran or even a comfortable boat for that matter. People were sitting around the outer edge and then around the middle. I'm sure you can find pictures of the boat on their website or by googling. It isn't a situation where you get up and walk around the boat. But, the boat trip is so short, the staff so great, the fact that they do drift snorkeling is fantastic, that I will book on Woodwind every time I am in Bonaire.

We too have reservations on Woodwind for the morning tour 830-1130. We are wondering what to do after. Can you use the beach at the Divi? I am looking so forward to this tour. Would love to see pictures that you may have.

Just a reminder . . . please use coral-safe sunscreen. Nothing kills coral like the chemicals in regular sunscreen - except touching coral.

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We too have reservations on Woodwind for the morning tour 830-1130. We are wondering what to do after. Can you use the beach at the Divi? I am looking so forward to this tour. Would love to see pictures that you may have.

TBN's Hubby here:

My wife, TBN, doesn't snorkel so she walks BY the resort where Woodwind leaves and continues to the Plaza Resort. Nice place with a small beach bar. I think it is $10 each and that includes chairs and a drink, decent beach, and some fair snorkeling just off the beach if you still want to snorkel. Like all beaches here you will need water shoes unless your feet are really tough. After my morning tours with Woodwind, I meet her there and relax till it is time to go back to the ship. Only about a five minute walk (to the right with the ocean at your back) from the Woodwind dock to this resort.

For others information: the Woodwind catamaran is adequate for its intended purpose, which is transportation to and from the snorkel site. This tour is a SNORKEL trip with transportation, not a scenic Catamaran cruise with a few minutes of snorkel time.

Dee and the crew are the best I've ever been with. Totally professional, knowledgeable, and super friendly. They really DO care about you having a good time and will go above and beyond to help you enjoy yourself. They have regular and full-face masks and even have an assortment of 'prescription' masks. They furnish protective clothing if you want it (Rash guard, Chill guard, etc.) Dee and crew individually fits and fog-proofs your mask to be certain you have the best experience possible. Also a reasonably nice selection of drinks and a tasty pasta salad on the sail back to the dock.

There is usually about 20 folks and those are split into three groups, by experience level, and each group has a knowledgeable guide. It is a drift snorkel so you cover a lot of reef with minimal effort. I went in November with them and am scheduled again Feb 2017 for my 7th or 8th trip. This may be the best reef in the Caribbean at least for those on the cruise routes.

If you are an experienced snorkeler then this is the trip for you, and if you are a beginner, or have never snorkeled, this is by far your best bet of any tour I have ever been on to have a good trip.

Just don't step on or touch the coral!!!!!!!