best snorkeling

going to the ABC islands - anyone know which is the better for snorkeling

We have dove Aruba and Curacao

We have snorkeled Bonaire

Bonaire, Curacao, Aruba <<-- in that order

In Aruba, there is no snorkeling within walking distance of the cruise terminal.

All below are accessible by public bus and literally a few foot steps onto the beach with Boca Catalina, Catalina Cove and Arashi beach being the furthest from the port. Take the public bus and ask the bus driver to drop you off wherever you wish. Plan on a good hour. It will be less than that, it depends upon whether or not the bus has to stop at every stop. Bus fare is $5 per person round trip. US dollars are accepted, exact change is appreciated. If you are at Boca Catalina the bus runs "about" every hour. It is all dependent upon how many stops the bus makes along the way. Keep an eye out for it heading north and you can gather your things and be ready after it goes up and turns around at Arashi.

The closest, but poorest choice would be Palm Beach. There is nothing to see snorkeling off of Palm Beach (or Eagle Beach). With a "only" a white sandy bottom, you may see some fish swimming by, but that is just a random thing.

On Palm Beach, there is a spot between the Riu Antillas Resort and Divi Phoenix Resort (south end of Palm Beach) which you can snorkel. The water is very calm there as well. About 150 yards off the beach there is a little jetty like rock island. BE CAREFUL OF BOAT TRAFFIC. A towable snorkel buoy is really a MUST.

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Here you can view fish, octopus, and other critters such as lobster, etc. There are also rock jetties along both sides of the Phoenix's beach which may offer some glimpses of sea life.

No chaises though nor much else real close by. The Riu Antillas is a short walk and the closest resort.

North of Palm Beach, by bus or taxi, there is a small beach at Boca Catalina which is perfect for swimming and snorkeling. There are a few shade palapas here but no restroom facilities. There are no "real" rest room facilities at all along the coast at either Boca Catalina, Catalina Cove or Arashi. Rest rooms, changing facilities and showers have been installed at Arashi beach but as of this moment are not yet open. There are chaise lounge rentals at times as well. It is a beautiful white sand beach if only to get away from the hubbub of Eagle and Palm Beaches.

Below is Arashi Beach on a day with a few waves, it can be very calm here as well.

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Arashi Beach is again pictured below. You can enter here and swim south towards and around the rocks and there is a reef there on the other side.

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It is a fairly easy walk street side from Arashi southward to Catalina Cove and then Boca Catalina. Malmok beach is further to the south.

Below is Boca Catalina

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If you enter at above, Boca Catalina there is a plain white sandy bottom. On some days, early in the morning, you will be able to see your feet. Put your fins on and walk backwards into the water or walk in as far as you need, sit or get into a crouched position and put your fins on there. This is the easiest spot for a beginner.

The snorkeling is a bit better at Catalina Cove below, in the past it had been a rocky difficult entry. As of December 2015 you could easily pick out of sandy path into the water. Head towards your left when you descend the stairs down on to the beach. If it is too rocky for you, enter the water at Boca Catalina and swim northward. Catalina Cove pictured below.

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Catalina Cove, I would definitely put your fins on before entering and just walk backwards as best as you can. If one of you has more tender feet than the other, have the tough foot wade in without, holding your back so you do not fall.

I have further information and photos of this area here.

When we head to Boca Catalina to snorkel there are always other tourists there. It is a popular spot for those folks staying at apartments or villas to have beach access. Dh and I generally ask someone to keep an eye on our towels and of course never bring anything valuable in the first place. Or, my brother, when no one is looking buries his keys in the sand?

As of December 2015 there is tiny beach at Malmok.

We have dove Aruba and Curacao

 

We have snorkeled Bonaire

 

 

 

Bonaire, Curacao, Aruba <<-- in that order

Interesting, we've done Curacao and Aruba, not Bonaire. Curacao was by tour on wave runners and not by shore or beach.

Aruba has a great area obtainable by shore, between Arashi and Boca Catilina. You can go back and forth, never experienced any current and visibility was always crystal clear. Wear a shirt and put sunscreen on the back of your legs, the sun is brutal there.

In Aruba there's decent snorkeling by boat that includes a couple of snorkel stops. :)

We have not been to Bonaire yet - will be there in September and can't wait to snorkel there.

Curacao has better snorkeling than Aruba. We took a catamaran snorkeling trip in Aruba in February and the fish, etc that we saw did not compare to the amazing waterlife we saw in Curacao this past September.

Bonaire is highly touted as the best diving, snorkeling in the Caribbean. Maybe a little hype there....LOL Suggest you Google 'klein bonaire'

Still, the island is literally full of dive shops and operators. Very popular with hard core diving folks.

We did not see any sandy beaches in Bonaire. They were covered with the remains of dead coral. Water shoes are likely a must.

Otherwise Bonaire is a mostly desert island with a huge population of donkeys.

Fun fact: The official currency of the island of Bonaire is the USD.

If you decide to snorkel in Bonaire, I highly suggest Woodwind.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g147268-d1199379-Reviews-Woodwind_Sailing_Guided_Snorkel-Kralendijk_Bonaire.html

In Aruba, one of the best things we've ever done was here:

http://www.arubabob.com

Have fun!

Bonaire has GREAT snorkeling! :)