Guests snorkelling from the swim platform of the Compass Bonaire on a reef facing Klein Bonaire
Morning sail · guided reef stop · $49

Snorkeling at Klein Bonaire, by Sail

Some of the easiest world-class snorkelling on earth

Bonaire's waters have been a protected marine park since 1979 — the oldest in the Caribbean — and it shows. Visibility routinely exceeds 30 metres, the reef starts almost at the waterline, and the shallow coral gardens facing Klein Bonaire are busy with parrotfish, tangs, trumpetfish and the occasional turtle. You don't need a dive certification or even much experience. You need a mask, fins, and a boat that knows where to stop.

Snorkelling from a sailing yacht, not a crowded pontoon

Our Sail & Snorkel trip leaves Plaza Resort Marina in the morning — 8:30 or 9:00 AM — and sails along the Kralendijk coastline while the crew tells the story of the island. At a sheltered reef we get you fitted with high-grade masks and fins, and our snorkel guides spend 30–45 minutes in the water with you, pointing out what's what beneath the surface.

Back on board there's a light lunch and an open bar — beer, rum, wine and soft drinks — for the sail home. Three hours dock-to-dock, $49 per person, everything included except the STINAPA nature fee.

Good to know before you book

Want the reef with nobody else aboard? A private charter can include a snorkel stop wherever the water looks best that day. Or compare all boat trips on Bonaire first.

Reserve

Check dates & book

Choose a date and book securely online. $49 per person, gear included — confirmation is instant.

Good to know

Questions, answered.

Do I need snorkelling experience?
No — but you must be able to swim. Our guides get everyone fitted with high-grade masks and fins, give a short briefing, and stay in the water with the group. The reef stop is at a sheltered spot with calm, clear water, so first-timers are in good hands.
Is snorkel gear included in the $49?
Yes — masks, fins and snorkels are provided, along with a light lunch and an open bar of beer, rum, wine and soft drinks on the sail back. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a towel, your swimsuit and a hat that can be secured.
Do I need the STINAPA nature fee to snorkel?
Yes. Everyone entering the water of the Bonaire National Marine Park needs it by law: $45 per person for non-residents, valid the full calendar year. Buy it in advance at bonairenaturefee.org — you'll get a QR code by email that a ranger may ask to see.
Will we see turtles?
Bonaire's reefs are home to hawksbill and green turtles, and sightings on the leeward reefs are common — but this is the wild, so no promises. What we can promise: parrotfish, tangs, sergeant majors and coral formations within metres of the surface, in some of the clearest water in the Caribbean.
How long is the snorkel stop?
We spend 30–45 minutes in the water at the reef, with the rest of the three hours under sail along the coastline — our crew shares the story of the island along the way.