Snorkeling on Bonaire: where to go in from shore
The reef starts a few meters out along almost the whole west coast. What it costs, where to go in, and the rules that come with it.
Bonaire has 88 marked sites along the west coast and around Klein Bonaire. On land each one is marked with a yellow stone carrying its name, and the mooring buoy offshore carries the same name. You do not need a boat for most of them, and you do not need to be a diver: the shallow part of the reef is where the color is.
What it costs. Everyone who goes into the sea around Bonaire pays the STINAPA nature fee of forty dollars. Since the first of January 2023 snorkelers pay the same as divers, and the fee is valid for a whole calendar year rather than for a week. STINAPA exempts children under twelve and residents of the six Dutch Caribbean islands.
Where to go in. 1000 Steps has turtles in the shallow turquoise water and a stairway down to the beach. No Name Beach on Klein Bonaire is reached by water taxi. There is no running water and no toilet on the island, so take what you need. Inside Washington Slagbaai, Playa Funchi, the three Wayaka beaches, Playa Benge and Boka Slagbaai are all named as snorkeling spots. That park is open Tuesday to Sunday from eight to five, with the last entry at half past two.
The rules are short. Take nothing out of the water and put nothing in, including shells. Do not touch or move anything, even for a photograph. Keep your distance from animals and do not feed them. Use sunscreen without oxybenzone and octinoxate. STINAPA also asks snorkelers to disinfect their gear before the first time in the water and after the last, because of the coral disease on the reef. It does not affect people.
Where not to go in. The east coast is the windward side. STINAPA calls diving there advanced only and recommends going with a guide, and at Playa Chikitu swimming is not allowed at all because of rip currents and undertow. Stay on the west coast and the question does not come up.
