14 Best Bonaire Snorkeling Sites: The Ultimate Guide
My husband and I are obsessed with snorkeling, and we can’t get enough of planning our “snorkations.” When it comes to snorkeling in the Caribbean, some of our all-time favorites are St. John USVI, Belize, and — no surprise — Bonaire!
With over 60 dive sites in Bonaire, figuring out where to snorkel can feel a bit overwhelming. We made it our mission to explore every corner of the island, and after plenty of salty adventures, we’ve narrowed it down.
Here are our top 14 Bonaire snorkeling sites that are absolutely worth checking out!
* Some of the links in this post contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. All recommendations are from first-hand experience that I feel will deliver value to you! Thank you for your continued support.
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Bonaire Snorkeling Rating Sytem
All of my snorkeling guides have my unique snorkel rating to help you compare sites.
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!
Map of Bonaire Snorkeling Sites
Here is a map of our top 14 snorkeling spots we discovered in Bonaire. Read on for a summary of each location.
If one sounds super interesting, I have also included an additional detailed mini guide under each site that reviews how to get there, a detailed snorkeling map, and what cool sea life you might see (with lots of photos taken with my favorite snorkeling camera!).
All snorkeling photos are mine and what I actually saw as a snorkeler.
Map of Top Snorkeling Sites in Bonaire
Hi, I’m Nichole—the discerning traveler, wine lover, and adventure seeker behind Enriching Pursuits.
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I specialize in uncovering the best outdoor adventures (especially snorkeling!), incredible foodie experiences, and boutique stays for travelers who appreciate the details as much as I do.
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SUPER IMPORTANT
If you are going to Bonaire, you are likely a diver or a snorkeler.
I would strongly suggest bringing your own snorkeling gear, which can transform a mediocre frustrating experience into an exceptional one.
The snorkel mask is one of the most important. The best snorkel mask for you may not be the best mask for someone else. It all depends on your face shape!
Be sure to check out my review of my favorite snorkel masks and how to prevent a snorkel mask from fogging.
My husband and I have had a lot of practice testing out snorkeling gear over the years (since 2007!) from fins to waterproof bags.
Here are my top recommended snorkeling gear items!
This Bonaire Snorkeling Guide lists my top sites from north to south as seen on the snorkeling map above. I have only listed the BEST sites. We also snorkeled other spots including Something Special and Corporal Meiss that were not worth rating.
Please keep in mind this guide is from a SNORKELER’S perspective, which will differ from a DIVER’S experience.
01- Playa Funchi
Snorkeling at Playa Funchi at Washington Slagbaai National Park in Bonaire
Rating: 🤿 🤿
First up is Playa Funchi.
This snorkeling spot is located in Washington Slagbaai National Park on the northern end of the island. Plan for a full day trip! Driving through the park itself is quite an adventure.
Don’t miss reading my 9 things you need to know about the park before you go.
We enjoyed seeing several schools of blue tang, black durgons, parrotfish, French grunt, trumpetfish, French angelfish, and an eel!
02- Wayaka 2
Gorgeous parrotfish at Wayaka 2
Rating: 🤿 🤿 🤿
Wayaka 2 is also located in the Washington Slagbaai National Park. The park has three great snorkeling sites: Playa Funchi, Wayaka 2, and Boca Slagbaai. It’s easy to combine all 3 in 1 day!
This snorkeling site has a beautiful soft sand beach and is one of my favorite snorkeling beaches in Bonaire.
Go here for the fish soup!
We saw MULTIPLE schools of blue tang, plenty of parrotfish, sergeant majors, French angelfish, Bermuda chubs, and a cute little batwing coral crab.
03- Boca Slagbaai
A massive rainbow parrotfish at Boca Slagbaai
Rating: 🤿 🤿 🤿 🤿
Boca Slagbaai is yet another fantastic snorkeling site in Washington Slagbaai National Park.
It’s often overlooked by the more popular Wayaka 2, but don’t skip it!
We saw some massive rainbow parrotfish that looked like little mermaids.
In addition, other cool spottings were a sharptail eel (love those white polka dots!), spotted moray eel, chainlink eel, palometas, spotted trunkfish, blue tang, white-spotted filefish, peacock flounder, Rock beauty, and juvenile yellowtail damselfish. Lots to see!
There are also picnic tables with palapas on the beach to enjoy lunch or a snack in the shade.
04- Karpata
Snorkeling with a school of blue tang at Karpata
Rating: 🤿 🤿 🤿 🤿
Karpata is one of my favorite snorkeling sites on the northern end of the island!
The entrance might appear intimidating, particularly as waves cascade onto the concrete platform from which you’re expected to start.
Always read the ocean, and do not snorkel unless the water is calm.
The variety of sea life is pretty incredible.
We snorkeled with two turtles, white-spotted filefish (who were very curious about me and came right up to my camera), French angelfish, honeycomb cowfish (I think I caught them mating?), an Ocean triggerfish, a porcupine fish, a large school of blue tang, and a happy eel that literally smiled for my camera.
05- 1000 Steps
Two turtles battling it out on the reef at 1000 Steps
Rating: 🤿 🤿 🤿 🤿
1000 steps is super popular due to the dramatic entrance. Expect loads of tourists if you arrive later in the day.
As you descend what seems like 1000 steps (although it’s only 67), you’ll be treated to stunning vistas of crystal-clear turquoise waters enticing you to jump in.
Why do you come here?
Turtles!
We saw so many turtles feeding on the reef shelf right at the shoreline. The reef must have had some turtle catnip, lol. They just kept coming back for more.
The challenge was keeping your body still to watch them as the waves were pushing you forward to the beach.
Other fun spottings were a moray eel, a barracuda, and plenty of the usual suspects like sergeant majors and parrotfish.
06- Andrea 2
Scrawled filefish at Andrea 2
Rating: 🤿 🤿 🤿
Andrea 2 is another well-loved site that’s only a short 10-15 minute drive from downtown Kralendijik. It’s located in a residential area.
What is nice about the snorkeling here is the water is quite shallow. The conditions are ideal for snorkelers to get up close and personal with all the beautiful fish.
Cool spottings included scrawled filefish, spotted trunkfish, honeycomb cowfish, banded butterflyfish, French angelfish, French grunt, parrotfish, Bermuda chubs, and schools of blue tang.
07- Bari Reef
Bait ball at Bari Reef
Rating: 🤿 🤿 🤿
One of the best snorkeling sites right outside of downtown Kralendijk is Bari Reef. We stayed at the Bamboo Bonaire Boutique Resort, which was only a 2-minute drive away from Bari Reef.
Right now it’s a little harder to get to Bari Reef because the public access point is currently under construction while a park is being built.
But there’s two ways you can still get there, which is all detailed in my mini guide below.
One of the coolest sightings was witnessing a massive bait ball being chased by a barracuda and later by a peacock flounder (who actually leaped up and caught a fish). Who knew fish could “jump”?
When I see a bait ball, it makes me want to jump right in like a pile of leaves.
Other amazing sea life we saw included a porcupinefish, a sand diver, spotted moray eel, white-spotted filefish, parrotfish, tarpons, blue tang, four-eye butterflyfish, trumpetfish, needlefish, and French grunt.
08- Klein Bonaire
French angelfish at Klein Bonaire
Rating: 🤿 🤿 🤿 🤿
Klein Bonaire is a really fun 1/2 day snorkeling trip, which is one of my top things to do in Bonaire! It’s an uninhabited island 1/2 mile off the coast of Bonaire.
This is the one snorkeling spot you are going to need a boat.
Take the water taxi offered by Caribe Watersport or Epic Tours OR join a highly-rated snorkeling tour led by an expert guide with delicious snacks and drinks included.
The snorkeling at Klein Bonaire is effortless because it’s a drift snorkel. You are dropped off and literally float down the ocean until you exit at a designated point on the beach.
We saw lots of great fish including a peacock flounder, scrawled filefish, four-eye butterflyfish, trumpetfish, parrotfish, blue tang, sergeant majors, an eel, banded coral shrimp, and black durgons.
09- 18 Palms
A colorful parrotfish feeding with blue tang at 18 Palms
Rating: 🤿 🤿 🤿
18 Palms is a fun snorkeling experience, but the stars have to align to gain access.
You need to pass through Van der Valk Plaza Beach Resort as 18 Palms serves as the hotel’s designated house reef. Access depends entirely on the discretion of the guard on duty that day.
One year we were denied. The next year we got lucky. More details on how to get there can be found in my mini guide below.
We saw lots of schools of fish including blue tang, French grunt, bar jacks, and little fish nurseries. Other spottings included Spanish hogfish, four-eye butterflyfish, and juvenile yellowtail damselfish.
10- Angel City
Graceful eagle ray at Angel City
Rating: 🤿 🤿 🤿 🤿
Angel City is one of our FAVORITE snorkeling sites due to one magical experience.
Eagle rays!
As a snorkeler, we have seen eagle rays in deep water in Bora Bora and quickly swimming by in the Maldives. This was the first time I snorkeled with eagle rays in shallow water.
We were so close I could see their upturned noses as they searched for some crustaceans to munch on.
Now realize this is not a zoo.
You may see eagle rays, and you may not.
The first time we snorkeled Angel City, we did not. The second time we did.
We went early and were the only ones in the water. Maybe that made a difference? I don’t know. Regardless, it was incredible, and I was super thankful to enjoy an incredible moment with these beautiful graceful fish.
We also saw plenty of schools of blue tang and bar jacks, parrotfish, a scorpionfish (thanks to my husband’s eagle eye!), a barracuda, sergeant majors, and a bearded fireworm.
11- Salt Pier
Snorkeling with a turtle at Salt Pier
Rating: 🤿 🤿 🤿 🤿
The southern tip of the island boasts the best snorkeling spots!
Salt Pier is a solid 🤿 🤿 🤿 🤿 site.
This snorkeling spot offers two unique areas to explore.
One is the sandy/seagrass section, where all the turtles like to hang out. The second is under the pier, where you can discover small and large sea life.
If you have never snorkeled under a pier, it can be a little eerie at first but eventually you adjust. The first time I did pier snorkeling was at Frederiksted Pier in St. Croix USVI, which was also pretty incredible.
I like to wear my snorkel vest during these deep snorkels.
Lots of great sea life to see!
Besides turtles, we also saw a barracuda, tarpons, spotted trunkfish that look like they are ready to kiss you with those pursed lips, LARGE schools of French grunt and bar jacks, palometas, sergeant majors, parrotfish, and even ….. (drumroll please) …. an octopus!
12- Tori’s Reef
White-spotted filefish at Tori’s Reef
Rating: 🤿 🤿 🤿 🤿
Keep driving past Salt Pier and you’ll reach Tori’s Reef, another great snorkeling site on the south side.
Snorkeling is fairly easy, and you’ll see a large variety of marine life as you swim along the reef shelf at the shoreline.
One of the highlights of snorkeling Tori’s Reef was the variety of eels.
We saw a spotted moray eel, a chainlink eel, AND a green moray eel. This was the only Bonaire site I saw a green moray eel, and he was HUGE. He obviously knew where the good fish restaurants were.
Fish sightings included palometas, porcupinefish, white-spotted filefish, blue tang, French angelfish, bar jacks, French grunt, a barracuda, juvenile yellowtail damselfish, parrotfish, trumpetfish, banded butterflyfish, sergeant majors, and needlefish.
13- Red Beryl
Porcupinefish at Red Beryl
Rating: 🤿 🤿 🤿 🤿
We love snorkeling at Red Beryl! It ties with Angel City as my favorite Bonaire snorkeling site.
Watch out for the kiteboarders at this site and go on a low wind day.
As soon as I jumped in the water, I had a porcupinefish come right up to my camera. This photo is probably one of my favorite snorkeling photos I’ve captured. You can’t help but smile when you see that cute face.
There is a great variety of both coral and fish to discover at Red Beryl. We saw spotted trunkfish, banded butterflyfish, peacock flounder, parrotfish, French grunt, Bermuda chubs, French angelfish, sergeant majors, and spotted moray and chainlink eels.
14- Lac Bay
Small French grunt in the staghorn coral at Lac Bay
Rating: 🤿 🤿 🤿
Lac Bay has been on our list of Bonaire snorkeling sites to check off for a long time, and we finally did it!
The reason we put it off is because of the challenge of accessing the reef. I would strongly recommend snorkeling at Lac Bay for experienced snorkelers only.
It requires a 15-20 minute walk out into the bay with all of your gear before you start swimming. You need to be in moderately good shape.
Remember, Lac Bay is one of the top windsurfing places in the world! The water can be choppy, so don’t attempt it if it’s super windy.
Trying to figure out where to start the walk out to the reef can be confusing, so I have included detailed directions in my mini guide below for orientation.
If you love dense patches of coral, Lac Bay is your happy place! It had some of the best coral on the island.
I’m more of a fauna person than a reef person, so some highlights we saw were TWO barracudas (one big and one small), porcurpinefish, lots of French grunt (especially around the staghorn coral), banded butterflyfish, sergeant majors, trumpetfish, blue tang, and Caribbean squid (which are super fast and hard to capture on camera).
Bonaire Snorkeling Tours
E-snorkeling tour in Moorea
One of the best things about snorkeling in Bonaire is that, aside from Klein Bonaire, you don’t need a boat. Nearly all the sites are easily accessible from shore, which makes it super convenient.
In my opinion, renting a car and exploring the snorkel spots on your own is totally doable and part of the fun.
That said, sometimes it’s nice to have someone else handle the logistics and guide you straight to the best spots.
For those moments, there are several highly rated snorkeling tours available. Many of which include delicious food and drinks to round out the experience.
Here are four top-rated snorkeling tours travelers love.
And a heads-up: the last one is an E-snorkeling tour. While I didn’t do this specific one in Bonaire, my husband and I tried one in Moorea (as shown in the photo above), and it was amazing.
I’ll admit, I was skeptical at first, but it turned out to be an absolute blast. Think of it like riding an e-bike underwater.
When the currents get strong, just press a button and cruise right through. You can read about my full E-snorkeling adventure in Moorea here.
→ 02- Seacow: 2 guided snorkels + homemade snack/rum punch + photos (extra $)
→ 03- Woodwind: 2 guided snorkels + lunch/beer/rum punch + photos (extra $)
→ 04- WhatSup Bonaire: 2-hour E-snorkeling tour
5 Bonaire Snorkeling Tips
My Bonaire Fish Identification Card
#1- Yellow Stones
Most of Bonaire’s dive sites are marked by the famous yellow painted stones. You can’t miss them.
#2- Stinapa Pass
Purchase a STINAPA pass ahead of time. In order to snorkel or dive at Bonaire National Marine Park or drive through Washington Slagbaai National Park, you need to purchase a $40 nature tag. The money supports protecting the reef. It’s good for one calendar year.
I printed it out and covered it with clear packing tape to protect it.
Then I stored it in my Ugo, which goes with me on all of my snorkeling adventures. We were never asked to show it, but you should always have it with you just in case.
#3- Snorkeling Resources
We used two resources during our snorkeling adventures:
→ Reef Smart Guides Bonaire: Scuba Dive. Snorkel. Surf.
Although it is geared more towards divers and a little outdated, it still gave us a great starting point of what sites to explore.
→ Bonaire Dive Map & Reef Creatures Waterproof Fish Card
This waterproof reference (pictured above) was invaluable as I tried to identify the fish I saw from my GoPro footage later.
#4- Snorkeling Gear
My first snorkeling experience was in 2007 in Costa Rica.
I rented gear that was not made for my unique body shape, and I was miserable. The mask was fogging, and the whole attempt was just awkward.
I have learned from my mistake. Purchase snorkeling gear that fits your body. It will take some trial and error but once you find the right gear … ah, the experience is magical.
#5- Dive Booties
This tip goes along with the snorkeling gear, but make sure to bring dive booties.
You will be stepping over rocks and avoiding sea urchins while shore snorkeling. Unless you want some bloody, stubbed toes, do yourself a favor and bring those booties.
Your feet will thank you.
Final Thoughts
The Caribbean is our favorite destination to escape in the winter, and most of our island getaways are focused on snorkeling.
Bonaire offers some of the best Caribbean snorkeling, and I truly hope this guide gets you on your way to planning a fantastic “snorkation”!
If I were to select 3 must-visit sites from this list, my top choices would be Angel City, Red Beryl, and Salt Pier.
There are still numerous sites awaiting exploration, and among those remaining on my list are Red Slave, the Invisibles, and Oil Slick.
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!
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Questions about our Bonaire snorkeling experience?
Let me know in the comments below!
Do you have an opinion on snorkeling in Grenada?
Thanks for reaching out. I have not been to Grenada yet, so I can’t personally vouch for any of the snorkeling sites.
My understanding is it’s known for an underwater sculpture park at Molinere Bay, which is very unique but in deeper water and the visibility can be hit or miss. I have also heard Magazine Beach is worth checking out for snorkeling.
I have not been to every Caribbean island, but my two favorites so far specifically for snorkeling are St. John USVI and Bonaire.
Hi! I’m so happy to have found your site. It’s exactly the information I have been looking for. Which fins did you feel worked best for Bonaire shore dives? Thank you!
Thank you so much for sharing that kind feedback.
I personally used the Scubapro GO Travel Fins. They were super comfortable. We often had to navigate over rocks, so I also wore dive booties with the fins.
I have written a review on these fins with more details/pics:
Best Snorkeling Fins
Happy to answer any more questions! We love the shore snorkeling in Bonaire! It certainly is one of the best snorkel destinations in the Caribbean.
Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. Those look awesome!
Enjoy your trip! 🤿 🐠
Thank you for the very informative website regarding Bonaire snorkeling. My wife and I are coming in on a cruise ship and will be renting a car. Since we are time constrained, boat departs at 4, can you suggest a itinerary of snorkel sites. Thank you again.
Larry
Hi Larry,
Thanks so much for the kind words! I’m thrilled you found the Bonaire snorkeling guide helpful. 😊
Since you’re working with a tight schedule—here are a few options for you that are close to the cruise terminal in Kralendijk. That way, you can maximize your time underwater without stressing about the clock.
I’m not sure how many hours you’ve got to play with or how adventurous you or your wife are feeling, so here are 3 flexible itinerary options:
1. Klein Bonaire (at the cruise pier)
Klein Bonaire is a little island off mainland Bonaire. It’s about a 25 minute boat ride. Great drift snorkeling, meaning you barely have to kick and the ocean just takes you. Two ways to get there: take a tour or water taxi.
– Option 1: Take a tour. If you’ve never done a drift snorkel before though, I would strongly advise taking a tour so you have a guide. My husband and I have never done one of the snorkel tours in Bonaire, but there are a few highly-rated tour companies on Viator (5 stars) that meet near the cruise terminal:
** Seacow (group tour): 2 snorkel stops (one being the drift snorkel) + snacks.
Here’s the Viator link.
** SoloBon Sailing Bonaire (private tour): Hit all the top snorkel highlights (Klein Bonaire but on request, 1000 Steps, Salt Pier + snacks). You just have to let them know your time table and they can craft out the schedule.
Here’s the Viator link.
The nice thing about Viator is they have a generous 24 hour cancellation policy in case your plans change.
– Option 2: Take a water taxi. If you are an experienced snorkeler, then you could take a water taxi and do it independently. However, the water taxi only operates at certain times for the drift snorkel, so you would really need to time it just right.
– Enjoy a late lunch at Kite City Food Truck (my favorite Bonaire foodie place!) right on Te Amo Beach (Bonaire is not known for its beaches but this is one of the best) and relax in the sand before heading back. Another delicious food truck right next door is Stoked.
Here’s my guide on everything you need to know about Klein Bonaire:
Klein Bonaire Snorkeling Guide
2. Andrea 2 + 1000 Steps (north of the cruise pier)
This one’s a great mix if you want to see a lot without rushing.
– Start at Andrea II for some calm, easy-entry snorkeling with pockets of coral gardens.
Here’s my Andrea Snorkeling Guide.
– Then head to 1000 Steps —don’t worry, it’s more like 67 steps. Turtles love hanging out here, and the views are great. There’s a little more wave action here, but manageable if you’ve snorkeled before.
Here’s my 1000 Steps Snorkeling Guide.
– Wrap up with lunch in downtown Kralendijk or hit up my favorite food trucks I mentioned earlier on Te Amo Beach.
3) Salt Pier (south of the cruise pier) + Bari Reef
– If pier snorkeling sounds fun, check out Salt Pier. The pylons attract all kinds of sea life, and you’ll often find turtles munching on the seagrass close to shore. It’s a bit deeper here, so just a heads-up if that’s a factor. This is where the famous Salt Pyramids are that you see in a lot of the photos of the top things to do.
Here’s my Salt Pier Snorkeling Guide.
– After snorkeling, grab lunch in downtown Kralendijk or eat at my favorite food trucks.
– If you’ve got time, swing by Bari Reef. It’s super close to the cruise terminal and known for its fish diversity.
Here’s my Bari Reef Snorkeling Guide.
Hopefully this gives you some good ideas. Oh, and we always use the local company, AB Car Rental. Highly recommend them for car rentals.
Have an amazing time, and let me know how it goes!
Cheers,
Nichole
Hi Nichole, We are enjoying your Bonaire snorkelling guide. Like you we are passionate snorkellers and are in Bonaire for our fourth visit. We took your device and snorkelled with spotted eagle rays at Angel City/Alice in Wonderland yesterday. But today huge disappointment in Lac Bay, one of our go-to spots. The staghorn, elkhorn and all other corals have been 100% destroyed by an oil slick arising from a barge capsized off Tobago. The slick arrived Lac Bay last week of Feb 2024. We were here Jan 2024 and must have been some of the last people to enjoy the reef. What a catastrophe. STINAPA reports focus on the good work saving the mangroves and no mention of the damage to the outer reef. I doubt that it will recover in our lifetimes. Would be happy to exchange snippets and photos about other snorkel sites if you would like to get in contact. Best wishes, Nick
Hi Nick, thanks so much for reaching out, and I’m so happy to hear you got the chance to see the eagle rays at Angel City!
I am so sad to hear about Lac Bay. That is truly devastating. 🙁 Makes me thankful I was able to see it in its pristine state before that tragedy. Thank you for sharing that update. Hoping STINAPA has a game plan.
If there are any other amazing snorkeling experiences you’ve had in Bonaire, I would love to know. There are still other snorkeling sites I would love to check out. I need more vacation days. 😊
Enjoy your time in Bonaire! 🤿 🐠
Hello, my husband and I and our 2 children (ages 15 and 12) are traveling to Bonaire for the day on a cruise ship. We love snorkeling and would love to rent a car or golf cart for the day to stop at a few of the locations you listed here. Are any of these locations good beaches as well? My husband and daughter often like to snorkel longer than my son and I so a nice beach to hang out on while they continue snorkeling would be great! Thanks for a great guide!
Just a quick heads up— Bonaire isn’t exactly known for amazing beaches like Aruba (it’s mostly pebbly), but my husband and I still found a few nice spots!
If you’re looking for a good beach near the cruise port with solid snorkeling, Eden Beach is probably your best bet since you can easily rent chairs and grab food there. You can pop right in at Bari Reef, great for beginner snorkelers.
For more experienced snorkelers, the drift snorkel at Klein Bonaire is fantastic, and you can relax afterward at No Name Beach— but note there are no facilities or chairs to rent.
Overall, our favorite beach is Te Amo Beach, thanks to its powdery soft sand and awesome food trucks. But the snorkeling isn’t great here and there aren’t any facilities.
For more tips, check out my complete Bonaire Beach Guide: https://enrichingpursuits.com/best-beaches-in-bonaire/
Hope this helps! Enjoy your trip!
Thanks so much for providing this resource. My wife and I along with two of our adult children just returned from Bonaire. We went for the snorkeling. We really enjoyed it. Wayaka 2 and 1000 Steps were amazing. We wanted to do Salt Pier, but there was a frieghter there the whole time. I really enjoyed your categories for different sites. I have reviewed several of your articles. My question is where are the 5 snorkel mask sites which are World Class snorkeling with one caveat (from the beach). My wife gets motion sickness, so we are limited to sites we can get in and out of the water based on how she feels…no boats. That’s why we so enjoyed Bonaire. Always trying to find the best spot for her for world class snorkeling.
Thanks so much for your message! I’m thrilled to hear you enjoyed snorkeling in Bonaire—it’s one of our favorites too.
If you’re curious to see where else we’ve snorkeled, here’s a quick link to all the spots we’ve been: https://enrichingpursuits.com/snorkeling.
I don’t hand out 5-snorkel mask ratings often, but a few that made the cut include the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the Maldives (specifically the Outrigger in the South Ari Atoll and Le Meridien’s house reef in Lhaviyani Atoll), Hol Chan/Shark Ray Alley in Belize, and Bora Bora.
All of those do require a boat, except the Maldives. The two house reefs we snorkeled were amazing, though best for strong swimmers.
If you’re after great snorkeling straight from the shore (no boat needed), St. John is a fantastic option. I gave many of the sites there a solid 3 to 4-snorkel mask rating.
Hope that helps as you plan your next underwater adventure!
Nichole –
Thanks for putting all of this information together. We are hopefully headed to Bonaire in December and your guide will be extremely helpful. The snorkeling looks awesome. We have snorkeled all over the world and hope this compares well with the Red Sea. We plan on renting a car and checking all of the top sites you’ve listed. Do you have any comments on where to stay? Since none of the hotels seem to have big long beaches were are looking at AirBnBs. Appreciate your insight.
Many Thanks!
Thanks so much for your kind note. I’m so glad the guide is helpful! We love Bonaire for snorkeling and have returned multiple times because there’s just so much to explore.
While I haven’t personally snorkeled the Red Sea yet, from everything I’ve researched and heard, it’s considered one of the top snorkeling destinations in the world. We’ve snorkeled in Belize, Indonesia, multiple resorts in the Maldives, and the Great Barrier Reef, and I would rate those sites as 5 out of 5 on my personal snorkel scale.
Bonaire is easily one of the best snorkeling spots in the Caribbean, though it’s not comparable to those global standouts. Most of the sites I would rate between 3 and 4 out of 5 snorkels. Even so, we love how effortless it is to snorkel in Bonaire with so many great sites right off the shore.
If you enjoy being able to walk to restaurants and bars, consider staying in Kralendijk. It’s centrally located right in between many of Bonaire’s top snorkel sites—both to the north (like 1000 Steps, Karpata, and Washington Slagbaai National Park) and the south (such as Salt Pier, Angel City, and Red Beryl). You can hop on a water taxi to access Klein Bonaire from downtown. Just keep in mind that it can be a bit noisy at times.
If you’re looking for something quieter, stay just a bit north near Andrea 2 or slightly south past Bachelor’s Beach. Be aware that Bonaire isn’t known for its beaches like Aruba. Most are rocky rather than sandy, so beach lounging isn’t the main draw, but the snorkeling makes up for it!
We usually book vacation rentals, often through Vrbo. It’s worth noting that some properties only offer air conditioning in the bedrooms. That can be uncomfortable at night because you might want to open the house to let in the breeze, but mosquitoes can be a problem. If that’s a concern, it’s a good idea to look for a rental with full air conditioning throughout the home.
Hope this info helps. Wishing you a fantastic trip in December!
Need to know of a travel booking person/company that can help us plan our 40th anniversary in October 2026. We went there in 1986 for our honeymoon & spent a wonderful time diving off of the spots off the beach. This time we want to snorkel. I’m seeing that it’s really changed since we’ve been there. Hubby is hesitant about going back, but he did promise me that he would bring me back. We’re getting older and we really want this to be a great anniversary!!!!!
Thank you!
Tonya, what a sweet story! A 40th anniversary return to your honeymoon destination is so special, and I can totally understand why you want this trip to be perfect.
I’m just a fellow traveler who shares my firsthand travel experiences to help others plan. I don’t have any travel agency connections or booking contacts to refer you to.
Your best bet would be searching for a Caribbean travel specialist through ASTA (asta.org). They can match you with someone who knows Bonaire well.
Wishing you both an incredible anniversary trip!