another snorkel question

[luvtravel38]

can anyoone compare the snorkling in Bonaire and Curacao with that in ROatan and Belize. Would I be disppointed in the snorkeling in Bonaire. Are the waters calm or rough?

[markstudy]

can anyoone compare the snorkling in Bonaire and

Curacao with that in ROatan and Belize. Would I be disppointed in the snorkeling

in Bonaire. Are the waters calm or rough?

 

Bonaire has always been rated as #1 in the Caribbean.

 

They did suffer a small amount of damage to coral in shallow water during

a number of repeat hurricanes (I think it was 2006-07). It seems that all

the Stag Horn was broken in the very shallow reefs. Stag horn is very fragile,

and looks as thin as your finger. In contrast...the Elk Horn, Brain, Sea Fans,

and Fire Corals are much more stout and seemed to do just fine.

 

So they might now be #1 by a smaller margin, but nothing beats the amount of

coral in such shallow water.

 

Here's a few pics from my Jan. trip. I was in 4 feet of water right on the beach.

The 1st photo is a little cloudy because we were right in the surf line. If you look at

the second photo... its another 15 yards out from shore, in maybe 7 feet of

water, but visibility is now perfectly clear. My 3rd photo shows some of the broken

Stag Horn coral around the outside edges of the reef. (1st photo is Elk Horn Coral,

second photo is Fire Coral)

 

 

 

 

[antarctic penguin]

Bonaire has always been rated as #1 in the Caribbean.

 

They did suffer a small amount of damage to coral in shallow water during

a number of repeat hurricanes (I think it was 2006-07). It seems that all

the Stag Horn was broken in the very shallow reefs. Stag horn is very fragile,

and looks as thin as your finger. In contrast...the Elk Horn, Brain, Sea Fans,

and Fire Corals are much more stout and seemed to do just fine.

 

So they might now be #1 by a smaller margin, but nothing beats the amount of

coral in such shallow water.

 

Here's a few pics from my Jan. trip. I was in 4 feet of water right on the beach.

The 1st photo is a little cloudy because we were right in the surf line. If you look at

the second photo... its another 15 yards out from shore, in maybe 7 feet of

water, but visibility is now perfectly clear. My 3rd photo shows some of the broken

Stag Horn coral around the outside edges of the reef. (1st photo is Elk Horn Coral,

second photo is Fire Coral)

 

 

 

 

great info and photos-- our group is looking for somewhere we can snorkel from the beach so this looks like a good option. just wondering where you were snorkelling? thanks

[markstudy]

great info and photos-- our group is looking for somewhere we can snorkel from the beach so this looks like a good option. just wondering where you were snorkelling? thanks

 

 

The first two photos are from Klein Bonaire. I took the ships water taxi, first thing in the morning

for a half day trip. (go early to get best water visibility before the afternoon winds whip up the waves)

 

Last photo was from my afternoon trip, I booked with Renee' she takes 6 people

on a little snorkel tour of beach diving in her van.

 

If you want to do it on your own... I've heard of people diving off of the Plaza...

which is just a 10 minute walk from the dock. But you should look more into the

details... I don't know much about it. You can go to Bonaire Talk which is a web site

about Bonaire, and they have a snorkel section.

 

Also, a lot of people do the Woodwind sail boat tour.... but I wanted to be in very shallow water

so I could get close and take photos of some of the smaller critters on the reef. So I was more

interested in shore snorkeling, even though I hear the Woodwind is a crowd favorite

on Cruise Critic.

 

[lieno]

Just got back from a wonderful cruise. Decided to snorkel with windwood

in Bonaire and Dee was wonderful. They stay with you and help you the

entire time. Only problem I had was, when I got home I developed a rash

on my arms that looked like small red bumps and went to Dr. thinking it

might be shingles. She said it was from some form of sea mites. I

remember feeling a slight stinging on my arms while snorkeling.:( I guess

thats why the 3 guides onboard all had diving suits on.:rolleyes:

[lieno]

Just got back from wonderful cruise. snorkeled with Woodwind (Dee) and

they are great. The current was a little rough in the first spot so they

took us to another and it was super. My only problem was I developed a

weird rash on my arms the day after we returned from the cruise. It looked a little like shingles but the Dr. said it was some form of sea mites or sea lice. I remember feeling a slight stinging on my arms while snorkeling but didn't think much of it.:( Someone onboard remarked that

the three crew/instructors all wore wet suits. Maybe that's why:rolleyes:.

The rash is fading now, no problem, but I thought I'd mention it as a

precaution.

[markstudy]

She said it was from some form of sea mites. I guess thats why the 3 guides onboard all had diving suits on.:rolleyes:

 

 

Very common now a days. Sea mites have become a bigger problem all over Florida and the Caribbean. Some suggest warmer water temps, or man made run-off is causing the mites to live longer and in greater populations. Use to be only in the summer... now it seems all year-round in some places.

 

I wasn't bit once on my last trip to Southern Caribbean... but I've been bit in Costa Rica and Miami and everywhere in between, I think it depends a lot on time of year.

 

I wear the dive skin because I don't want to get sunburned. Not sure if it helps against sea lice (really a tiny jellyfish in the larval stage)...most people report getting bit inside their swim suit because the water gets trapped against the skin and the Sea Mites sting as a result.

 

Some people are more sensitive. Once I get stung it takes forever for the bite to go away, my wife seems to have a much smaller reaction.