Close up of a French angelfish at Red Beryl in Bonaire

Red Beryl Bonaire Snorkeling Guide [Rated + Reviewed]

by Nichole | Last updated Nov 16, 2025 | Bonaire, Best Snorkeling Caribbean

Yes, Bonaire is known as a world-class diving destination, but it’s also home to some truly incredible snorkeling spots. My husband and I are experienced snorkelers. We’ve explored reefs all over the world from Nusa Penida and Moorea to the Maldives and Belize. Snorkeling is such a big part of our travels that we often plan entire trips around it. We like to call them “snorkations.”

Bonaire easily ranks among the best snorkeling destinations in the Caribbean. One of our favorite spots on the southern part of the island, alongside Angel City, is Red Beryl Bonaire.

Here’s everything you need to know: how to get there, where to snorkel, and the sea life you can expect to encounter.

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Table of Contents

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Bonaire Snorkeling Rating System

All of my snorkeling guides include my personal ratings of each site. This system helps to differentiate all the snorkeling destinations we have visited, including Red Beryl.

Please see the rating key below.

OVERALL SNORKEL RATING KEY

🤿 🤿 🤿 🤿 🤿 = World-class snorkeling and worth traveling just for the snorkeling alone!

🤿 🤿 🤿 🤿 = Incredible snorkeling and should be on your list of top things to do!

🤿 🤿 🤿 = Decent snorkeling and worth the effort!

🤿 🤿 = Worth consideration if you are running out of things to do!

🤿 = Not worth it!

We live for snorkeling, and Bonaire delivered! Here are our 14 favorite snorkel spots on the island, ranked and reviewed from personal experience.

Snorkeling Map of Bonaire

Red Beryl Bonaire Snorkeling

Red Beryl Beach in Bonaire

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Rating: 🤿 🤿 🤿 🤿

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How to Get There

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Entrance to Red Beryl in Bonaire

Red Beryl is located on the southern end of Bonaire, roughly 20 minutes from downtown Kralendijk, just beyond Salt Pier (another excellent snorkeling site known for its turtles!).

You’ll find parking on the right side of the road, with enough space for several cars. Look for the yellow-painted stone marking the site to know you’re in the right spot.

From there, follow the sandy footpath that leads directly to the shoreline.

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Snorkeling Map

A map pf where to snorkel at Red Beryl Bonaire

Once you enter the water at Red Beryl, snorkel to the right (north), where you’ll come across plenty of coral patches filled with a nice variety of fish.

If you head to the left (south), be cautious. There’s a kiteboarding school nearby at Atlantis Beach, and some kiteboarders may drift into the Red Beryl area.

For the best experience, try snorkeling before 10 a.m., when kiteboarding lessons typically begin.

It’s also smart to choose a low-wind day for calmer waters and fewer kiteboarders. To stay safe and visible, consider wearing a surface marker buoy (SMB).

My husband and I always bring our own snorkeling gear and never rent. After years of exploring sites around the world, we’ve tested a lot of equipment.

Here are our tried-and-true favorite masks, fins, etc. that we personally recommend for a comfortable, high-quality snorkeling experience.

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Entry

Entry is not too difficult on a LOW wind day.

There are loose rocks to navigate. I always wear dive booties with my snorkeling fins.

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Bonaire Fish Sightings

We spotted a great mix of marine life while snorkeling at Red Beryl.

Some of the highlights included French angelfish, sergeant majors, parrotfish, peacock flounder, banded and four-eye butterflyfish, scorpionfish, a very curious porcupine fish, Bermuda chubs, spotted trunkfish, and French grunts.

We also came across two types of eels, spotted and chainlink, tucked into the reef.

The coral variety included some healthy patches of lettuce coral, brain coral, staghorn, and elkhorn.

My go-to underwater camera comes with me on every snorkel. It’s perfect for snapping photos of all the amazing marine life.

Two turtles battling it out on the reef shelf at 1000 Steps in Bonaire

Porcupinefish that was not shy! He literally smiled for the camera. I have never had one come up to me that close.

Porcupinefish at Red Beryl

Porcupinefish at Red Beryl hiding under a rock shelf. This is how I normally discover porcupinefish (always hiding). The photo I shared earlier capturing the friendly porcupinefish that came right up to my camera is the RARE exception.

Spotted moray eel poking its head out of the coral at Red Beryl

Chainlink moray eel hiding in the lettuce coral at Red Beryl

Close-up of a chainlink eel (its pattern reminds me of a giraffe)

Peacock flounder at Red Beryl

Banded butterflyfish at Red Beryl

Spotted trunkfish at Red Beryl in Bonaire

Spotted trunkfish at Red Beryl. Love those pursed lips!

French angelfish posing at Red Beryl

Parrotfish at Red Beryl

Scorpionfish blending into the coral at Red Beryl

Elkhorn coral at Red Beryl

French grunt among staghorn coral

Final Thoughts

Snorkeling is easily one of my favorite activities to do in Bonaire!

With an impressive selection of 60+ dive spots available, you could easily spend months snorkeling all over the island. During our trip, we snorkeled 17 of the best sites.

In addition to Red Beryl, some of our other favorites include 1000 Steps, Karpata, Klein Bonaire, and Bari Reef.

Bonaire’s underwater world is truly something special!

I’m Nichole, the author of all the blog posts on Enriching Pursuits. Think of me as your geeky discerning travel friend who dives deep (Google Page 20, forums, travel groups deep!) to uncover the best ways to enjoy exceptional outdoor adventures and foodie experiences.

My husband and I are experienced snorkelers, day hikers, and casual cyclists who also love delicious street food, an incredible glass of wine, and the occasional Michelin-starred meal.

Balancing full-time careers, we cherish every second of our vacation days and love sharing tips to help you do the same. If this sounds like your kind of travel, subscribe below or drop me a note with any questions. I’d love to hear from you!