Top Snorkeling Destinations– How does Bonaire Snorkeling compare?

As the world emerges from its COVID pause, one thing has become clear. We missed travel. During the break, we spent countless hours doing our research and virtually planning our vacations. Finally, revenge travel is here and it is time to book that snorkeling trip to Bonaire. But how does Bonaire snorkeling compare to other world class destinations?

But if snorkeling is a must-do activity on your vacation, is Bonaire the best place to discover the undersea world? It is said that Bonaire can be grouped with some of the best snorkeling destinations globally, including the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, Roatan, Honduras, Hawaii, and Fiji. But what makes a great snorkeling destination?

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I have snorkeled in each of these destinations; the Great Barrier Reef (1986 & 2019), Fiji (1986), Roatan (Honduras) (2017), Waikiki (Hawaii) (2019), and Bonaire (2020). While snorkeling in Bonaire is available both as a cruise excursion and as an activity on an island stay, I will only compare my experience of Bonaire snorkeling while on a cruise excursion. 

If your cruise brings you to the southern Caribbean, check out some of the things to do in the cruise ports of St. Thomas, Dominica, Grenada, and Aruba as well.

Pro Tip – Invest in your own snorkeling gear to ensure the proper fit.

Before we look at the criteria, let’s have a quick look at the locations I have mentioned.

Great Snorkeling Destinations

Many factors can influence great snorkeling. Location is a substantial factor but not the only one. Currents and waves can impact undersea aquatic life, the temperature of the water, environmental influences such as storms, and human effects. Some of the most critical factors of good snorkeling are simply a matter of timing. Proper timing can enhance your chances of seeing a more abundant or diverse undersea world. 

• Great Barrier Reef – Australia

The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is in the Coral Sea along the eastern coastline of Queensland from Gladstone to the tip of the state. There are over 900 islands and over 2900 reefs. The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s most extensive coral reef system, and its structure is composed of and built by billions of tiny organisms, known as coral polyps. 

This reef supports a wide diversity of life and was selected as a World Heritage Site in 1981. CNN labeled it one of the seven natural wonders of the world in 1997. It tops the list as being the ultimate scuba diving and snorkeling destination. Compared to Bonaire snorkeling, the Great Barrier reef is superior and has more abundant diversity.

Pro Tip – Take the more extended excursion to the outer reef for more diversity and color

• Roatan, Honduras

Located about 30km off the coast of Honduras, Roatan is the largest island of the Bay Islands. It is roughly 80km long, 8 km wide, and bordered on the northwest coast by a spectacular coral reef. Day trips and shore access snorkeling can be arranged in the West Bay and West End areas. 

West End Divers is one of the best operators in the area and offers snorkeling and dive trips. The beach can access the reef in this area and showcases fantastic corals, a rich diversity of colorful fish, and the odd chance to see turtles and small sharks. North of West End, the reef stretches for many miles and is spectacular, but you will need a boat to access it. While both reef areas are accessible from the shore, Bonaire snorkeling is not as vibrant and colorful as the reefs in Roatan.

• Waikiki, Hawaii

Honolulu’s Waikiki neighborhood is a popular tourist destination along a crescent-shaped beach. Although snorkeling is accessible and permitted along the entire length of Waikiki Beach, the reef is not the greatest in some areas. The Queen’s Beach area forms part of the Hawaii Marine life Conservation District at the far end of the beach towards Diamond Head, and it is protected and boasts some of the better selection of marine life. 

A sandy reef flat extends out from shore and consists mainly of rubble and coralline algae with live coral. The visibility, however, can easily be affected by weather and climate factors. Further out, there is a drop-off with more variety of fish, but safety can be an issue at times due to high swells and surf conditions. Snorkeling in Waikiki can easily be compared to Bonaire snorkeling, but not in a good way. Both have poor clarity, lack of color and are subject to currents and rough seas. 

Pro Tip – Explore a different part of the island as you may have better luck with diversity and color than in Waikiki

• Castaway Island, Fiji

Castaway Island in the Republic of Fiji is one of about 300 islands located in the middle of the South Pacific Ocean. Most of the population of Fiji lives on the two main islands of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, but many islands like Plantation Island are just offshore and boast some of the best snorkeling in the world. 

Whether you swim to a reef offshore from your resort or take a snorkeling excursion, when you put on your snorkeling equipment to look at Fiji’s marine life, you’re in for an underwater view like no place on earth! Fiji is the “soft coral capital” and sports some incredible reefs that flow with striking neon-hued corals (pink, purple, yellow) and are rich with tropical fish. Compared to Bonaire snorkeling, the undersea world in Fiji is like no other, and I would dare say that it is more diverse, colorful, and accessible than even the Great Barrier Reef. Truly an experience like no other!

Pro Tip – Try an overnight stay on the island to truly experience this paradise!

• Bonaire Snorkeling

The Dutch island of Bonaire is in the leeward Antilles in the Caribbean Sea. Bonaire lies outside the typical hurricane areas, unlike much of the Caribbean islands. It has an arid climate that attracts visitors year-round. The fringing reefs, white sandy beaches, and on-island reserves fall under the protection of the Bonaire National Marine Park. Snorkeling and scuba diving are desirable due to easy access to sites close to shore and the fringing reefs. 

Now, let’s have a look at what makes excellent snorkeling.

Criteria For Great Snorkeling

So, as I have mentioned, all these places claim to have some of the best snorkeling in the world. But what criteria can be used to determine that statement? 

Probably, the single most important criteria to experience great snorkeling can come down to simple timing. You may very well be in the right area to view some amazing marine life, but your timing may not be ideal for seeing an abundance of activity. Trying to determine the best time to go snorkeling can be a bit of a challenge as well. Ocean life can be very unpredictable and can change in relatively short periods.

Aquatic life can be influenced by various factors that can ebb and flow like the ocean itself, with no natural way to guarantee the spectacular sights of the undersea world will be wherever you are at any given time.

Factors affecting the timing of aquatic life can include:

• Weather conditions
• Water clarity and visibility
• Time of year
• Water temperatures
• Air temperatures
• Ocean currents, tides, and swell
• Amount of sun and/or cloud cover
• Reduced visibility and water clarity during plankton spawn or other water

All these factors play a role in the clarity of the water and the abundance of undersea life. If high winds, currents, or storms are present, the water will have increased turbidity. Turbulent or rough water will stir up sand and debris, restricting visibility and making for a less than ideal time to be in the water snorkeling. You will not see anything. In Hawaii, as I have mentioned, water conditions can also be dangerous at times.

The temperature of the water, air, or sun cover can affect the marine life itself as some species do not tolerate a higher or lower temperature. Time of year can cause variations due to the species’ life cycle as well. 

Finding the perfect snorkeling conditions can seem near impossible. However, with a bit of effort on your part, finding the ideal time is attainable. 

A general guideline for ideal snorkeling is during favorable tides and high sun. This combination provides optimal visibility underwater, thus the best conditions for seeing marine life. Low tide offers shallow pools but often reduces marine life activity. Coordinating your schedule with the tides during the early morning hours can provide the best opportunity to create an adventure you’ll likely never forget. If you have a clear day, good tides, and a little luck, early morning is an excellent time for snorkeling. 

So How Does Bonaire Snorkeling Compare to the Rest?

So, as I have explained, several factors affect the snorkeling quality and the opportunity to view the fantastic undersea world. But can Bonaire snorkeling be included in this group?

When I researched my cruise excursion in Bonaire, I knew that snorkeling was one of the top-rated activities. The Marine Park, Snorkel, and Beach break excursion, a short distance from the cruise ship, claimed that

 “As a guest of the Plaza Beach Resort, you will be treated to a dazzling array of colorful tropical fish that move gracefully among the currents. With easy access just off the beach, you will find yourself floating down a gentle slope to a wonderland of corals and tropical marine life.- Princess cruises” 

Sounds enticing, right?

I was very much looking forward to this snorkeling excursion as I had been snorkeling in other top spots. However, once I arrived at the resort and got suited up with the snorkeling gear, I soon realized that this was not the experience I was hoping for.

The snorkeling excursion took place at the far end of the beach. As the beach is very narrow and rocky with a strong current, we were advised to start at the other end and float back towards the watersports center. Although accessible from the shore, the reef was not what I expected.

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The offshore reef is relatively shallow, about 12-20 feet below, and the water was somewhat silty due to the current. There was minimal active coral present and almost no color. Although some tropical fish were present, they were not the “array of colorful tropical fish” that I expected.

So, to answer the question of “how does Bonaire snorkeling compare” to the rest of the top destinations, in my opinion, IT DOES NOT!

Final Thoughts on Bonaire Snorkeling

If you are looking for a top-notch snorkeling destination, Bonaire is not the place to go. Out of the five top snorkeling destinations I have experienced, my top choices would be Fiji or the Great Barrier Reef. Certain areas in Roatan are not far behind. Unfortunately, Hawaii and Bonaire did not make the cut as one of the top snorkeling destinations in the world.

I hope that this information provides you with some tips and suggestions to consider in your planning and preparation for your next snorkeling holiday. 

Are you planning an epic ocean adventure where you’ll be snorkeling? Or do you have a fun snorkeling adventure you’d like to share?

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