Bonaire Snorkeling Travel Guide

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(45 mi.)
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(115 mi.)

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Squid off the Buddy Dive House Reef, Bonaire (Nathan Borchelt)

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Bonaire Snorkeling Travel Tips

By Nathan Borchelt

Known as one of the globe's best scuba diving sites, Bonaire is also one of the easiest places to go snorkeling. Most of the dive sites are directly off the shore, or around Klein Bonaire, with a maximum depth of around 100 feet; there's plenty to see while skimming the surface, and the water's Visine-clear visibility keeps things in focus.
Bonaire's position below the hurricane belt assures year-round warm water and optimal snorkeling conditions.
Sites ring the entire island, marked by yellow-painted rocks with the dive site names written in black. To find the best for snorkeling, ask at a dive shop, or inquire with the ranger when you pay the $10 nature fee, which gives you access to the Bonaire Marine Park for up to one year. Hotels, marinas, and watersports outfitters sell tags that verify payment.
Wear fins that require booties (or carry some extra footwear); the shore entry to many of the sites typically require walking on very rough terrain.

Bonaire Travel Guide

Unspoiled Bonaire is only gently touched by development. Although your options range from bird-watching to doing nothing, Bonaire is foremost a scuba diver's delight and also offers some of the Caribbean's best snorkeling. This sleepy island doesn't attract crowds and has none of Aruba's glitzy diversions except for a few small casinos with minor action. Instead, turquoise waters beckon travelers to discover colorful clouds of tropical fish. Come here for the diving, not the beaches. Read More

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2 Questions | 2 Answers

I am looking for a place to stay where I can put on my Scuba gear and walk right out my door onto the beach and into the water for some beach diving.
Read 1 answer or Answer this question
Hey there , want to snorkel right from shore, where is the best place in Bonaire to do this and see fish?
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Bonaire Travel

Hotels

Den Laman Condominiums

Kaya Gobernador N. Debrot 77
Bonaire Map

Distance: 1.4 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated

Good For Snorkeling

Expert Rated & Recommended

Bellafonte Chateau de la Mer

E.E.G. Blvd
Belnem Map

Distance: 1.7 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated

Good For Snorkeling

Expert Rated & Recommended

Black Durgon Inn

North of Kralendijk
Bonaire Map

Distance: 2.1 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated

Good For Snorkeling

Expert Rated & Recommended

All Bonaire Hotels »

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Attractions

1000 Steps

Good For Snorkeling

Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles

Distance: 4.4 mi. (from destination center)

Description: 1000 Steps is a popular snorkeling site that leads to a small beach. Just off the beach, guests can... Read More

Expert Rated & Recommended

Bonaire Marine Park

Good For Snorkeling

Distance: 1.7 mi. (from destination center)

Description: Bonaire Marine Park consists of the entire coastine of Bonaire, Klein Bonaire, and Lac lagoon, and... Read More

Expert Rated & Recommended

Angel City Dive Site

Good For Snorkeling

West shore
Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles

Distance: 3.3 mi. (from destination center)

Description: This double reef dive was named for the friendly angelfish in the area which accompany divers. The... Read More

Expert Rated & Recommended

All Bonaire Attractions »

Airports

Major Airports near Bonaire

	Distance (mi.)
Caracas Simon Bolivar Airport	139.5 map

Other Smaller Airports near Bonaire

	Distance (mi.)
Bonaire Flamingo International Airport	1.6 map
Curacao Aeropuerto Hato Airport	45.2 map
Las Piedras Josefa Camejo Airport	131.8 map

More Airports

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outside
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The Lazy, Crazy Guide to Sand Land
outside
Best Dive Destinations