Clearbottom Mangrove Kayak & Snorkel tour
5

Clearbottom Mangrove Kayak & Snorkel tour

By Royal Tours
Recommended by 97% of travellers
97% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
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Ages 3-85, max of 15 per group
Duration: 3h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Live guide: English, Dutch
More


  • All snorkeling gear
  • Bottled water
  • When we come back from kayaking we have fruitpunch and a Dutch Stroopwafel
  • dry bag
  • Entry/Admission - Bonaire
What's not included
  • Except for cruise passengers & children under 13 , it's mandatory to have a Stinapa nature tag.
  • Pick-up between Hamlet Oasis and Delfins possible if booked with pick up. Ask Whatsapp +5997828219


Start:Traveller pickup offered.
  • Windows to the Sea Kayaking, 4Q3H+472, Kralendijk, Caribbean Netherlands
    Lac Cai Beach at the conch shells. Time meeting time 9:05 start 9:15 If you search for Lac Cai Beach in Google maps, you get the route. It's at THE END of Kaminda Lac.
Pickup details
  • We can arrange a pick-up and drop-off in at the cruise ship terminal with a maximum of 15 persons. If you need a pick-up from the cruise terminal, our pick-up place is in front of the restaurant "At Sea" a 90 meter walk from the South Pier and 350 meter from the North Pier. Time 8:20 local time. Cruise terminal, in front of the restaurant At Sea at 8:20
Port pickup offered
During checkout you will be able to select from the list of included ports.
  • Bonaire North and South Pier
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

    • Not wheelchair accessible
    If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 120497P1

    • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
    • Not recommended for pregnant travellers
    • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
    • Most travellers can participate
    • This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
    • This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travellers

    • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

    If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 120497P1

    From
    ÂŁ48.46
    per adult
    Select date and travellers
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    Similar experiences

    Itinerary
    • 1
      Your mangrove glass bottom kayak & snorkel tour begins at the lovely beach from Lac Cai. The Bonaire Mangrove reserve is located in Lac Bay National Park. Visitors can only enter the mangroves in the company of an experienced nature guide. Your stable, glass bottom sit-on-top kayak is equipped with a comfortable backrest seat, a waterproof bag for your personal belongings and, of course, paddles. Off you go, into the calm waters.
    About the operator
    Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
    • Royal Tours
      283
      Bonaire, Caribbean
      Joined in January 2019
    • GoPlaces406989
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Excellent day
      Excellent trip. Eddy, our guide was very knowledgeable and helpful. Loved snorkeling in mangroves. We saw so much and it was beautiful.
      Written 20 September 2021
    • wendyptoronto
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Great tour
      We loved this trip, our guide was very informative and funny. The mangroves are wonderful, tranquil and pristine. Very pleased.
      Written 1 February 2020
    See all 283 reviews
    These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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    Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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    5.0
    5.0 of 5 bubbles272 reviews
    Excellent
    228
    Very good
    37
    Average
    4
    Poor
    2
    Terrible
    1

    These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
    This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.

    Danny B
    Bury St. Edmunds, UK667 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We spent a morning in this fabulous and unique environment, and I absolutely loved it.

    On arrival, we were greeted whilst our guide Stan completed the administration and arranged for me to get my STINAPA pass by simply setting up a hotspot. I was able to get this online in the middle of nowhere to ensure I was allowed to enter as inspectors do check on individuals and organisations. ($40).

    After safety instructions, we kayaked into the erea with regular stops and information from Stan giving interesting facts of the mangroves and its wildlife. We had regular opportunities to take photos and enjoy the scenery.

    At our final stop, we snorkelled into on the the tunnels, and I found myself swimming amongst schools of fish on multiple occasions. Unbelievable!

    It is not only unique for fish but also for birds, and we saw a vast number of species. On our way back Stan had organised for a few bright red seastars to wait for us to come past.....

    Yes, the water is magically blue, the weather constant at above 30'c and there is always the light refreshing breeze.

    HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
    Written 13 July 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Dennis J
    8 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Tijmen has accompanied the beautiful canoe trip perfectly with good information, fun facts and with humor. When it turned out that you could only pay with cash at the adjacent bar, he immediately offered to advance it. Lovely morning Thymes, thanks!
    Automatically translated
    Written 27 August 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Dankjewel voor je review Dennis, wordt gewaardeerd.
    Written 29 August 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    emma
    Anstey, UK16 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Brilliant trip and our guide, Stan, was incredible. Very friendly, with great knowledge. Tour was done at a prefect speed for all abilities - 2 to a kayak and maximum of eight kayaks. Kayaking was gentle, the mangroves were fascinating and the snorkelling was great-saw plenty of fish
    Written 13 September 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Kimberly C
    Decatur, GA20 contributions
    2.0 of 5 bubbles
    Oct 2022
    We were excited about our tour from the cruise port. They picked us up with no issues and Patrick told us about the island, bird sanctuary, and shared other great historical gems. Once we arrived we were grouped with others and told to leave any bug spray and/or sunscreen in vans as these are not allowed in the Mangroves. While they did ask if everyone could swim they did NOT provide any life vest which I thought was VERY odd. (Life vest should be required). We were given good instruction on how to handle the kayak however for beginners I would highly recommend more test runs in the water with newbies before heading out. We paddled through many tunnels, across a different lake, and back through more challenging tunnels...so while I enjoyed the kayaking it was very strenuous. So if looking for a relaxing experience this is NOT it. The one guide was at the front of our group the entire time and no guide was in the rear. When we got ready to snorkel (inside the mangrove) we were told about the single cell organism that 'might' sting you!!! I do NOT recommend snorkeling in this area at all...water is murky and the organism left me and my husband as well as others in the group welted from stings and to make matters worse the next day we had HIVES all over our stomachs. Snorkeling should be restricted to closer to the beach where you start and NOT in the mangrove tunnels as we had to swim back against the current which was even more difficult and without a life vest. In short, if you are an advanced kayaker and great swimmer you'd like this, but in hindsight I would not recommend this due to inadequate safety measures and the likely possibility of getting stung (life vest, more guides during kayak tour, snorkel only near beach)
    Written 27 October 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Hi Kimberly, thank you for your review, and your points. We ask the people if they can swim, so when they don't can swim we have a lifejacket or a snorkelvest for them. But for the people who can swim, they are free to choose if they want to wear a lifejacket. Where we kayak, 99% is less then a meter deep and there are no waves, besides that nobody ever fall in the water while kayaking. So the most people choose to not use a lifejacket. We use 1 guide in front, but have 14 points in our route where we wait for everybody, most of the time the group will be very compact. If you feel uncomfortable, you can tell the guide and he will put you direct behind him. About the snorkeling, we snorkel in nature, and yes you can be unlucky, that there are some micro organismes in the water that can sting. You can protect yourself against that when you wearing a UV shirt and trousers with long sleeves. Or a long snorkeling suit. The spot that you mentioned for snorkeling next to the beach, I think for every snorkelspot, if you don't know, where to snorkel, and at what time, know the current, it could be a dangerous place. The place 50 meters from where we start. where the water is 50 centimer deep, can be full of hydroids (the thing that stings). I think for the most points you mentioned, I think we have to communicate this better to the people. Like the water is almost everywhere less then 1 meter, but because it can be murky, you don't see it. Probably you feel more comfortable. Or that you can say, hee I don't feel comfortable as last kayak, so we can put you behind the guide. I can tell you because I did this tour with you, we do this tour already so long, without any problems, that we sometimes forget you don't know. I will take that with me in our meeting from the kayakguides We will take some extra lifejackets with us. So we have more lifejackets besides the snorkelvests.
    Written 14 December 2022
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    t_rrrex
    Orlando, FL24 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Patrick and Uri were great! They picked up our group from the cruise port and took us to the kayak launch point and provided dry bags and snorkels, then stroopwaffels and juice when we were done kayaking. Uri was our guide during the kayak portion, and he was very friendly and professional and knowledgeable about the mangroves and Bonaire. Most of our group were able to keep up, although I would not recommend this trip if you have never paddled, as it’s not strenuous, but a few people in our group joked about how much work it was and they were ready to relax since they were on vacation. If you’re looking for something active to do, this fits the bill. We got in some kayaking, snorkeling and swimming and on our way back to the cruise port, Patrick told us more about the island. Very informative, and I would definitely do this again if I find myself on the island again.

    I would advise anyone who is fair skinned or prone to burning to wear a long sleeve shirt/rash guard and other sun protection (hats, sunglasses, etc) because sunscreen and bug spray are not allowed in the mangroves. You won’t be able to (re) apply sunscreen once you start the tour, and much of it isn’t shaded.
    Written 25 October 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Hi, thank you for your nice review, and tip, the long sleeve UV shirt.
    Written 14 December 2022
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Ted K
    18 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Clear bottom kayaking was nice although it could also have been without the clear bottom. Snorkeling could also have been longer/further and make sure you enter the water first or you won't see much because of all the sand being kicked up from the swimmers in front.
    All the information about the area was really interesting and extensive. Very friendly guide (Nick)
    If i would do it again it would aply as much sunscreen as possible or wear long pants/shirt because the sunburn was pretty bad
    Written 24 March 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Lotte V
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    May 2024 • Family
    This was so cool to do! We were taken by Tijmen and Jordi. First everything was explained and then we were guided into the kayaks. We stopped regularly along the way to talk about the area. That was done seriously and also with the necessary humor.
    Snorkeling between the mangroves is truly a different experience. Very special to experience this.
    At the end we received a delicious fruity drink and a fantastic snack. If you are on Bonaire, this is highly recommended! Tijmen and Jordi did this very well and it was fantastic fun, you really notice that they take their job seriously and enjoy doing it!
    Google
    Written 12 May 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Dankjewel voor jullie review, blij dat jullie hebben genoten
    Written 29 August 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Tbicek
    Burr Ridge, IL82 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    There were six two person kayaks that our guide Stan our guide lead on open water, around mangroves, and through several narrow mangrove paths. We stopped on several occasions for a break and to hear more about the mangroves and animals. I was fortunate to see a green sea turtle when snorkeling through the mangroves.
    You also get to snorkel at the end of the tour. Along the drive out you’ll see donkey and flamingoes.
    We were on a cruise ship and it was so easy to find our ride - a few minutes from the pier.
    Enjoy!
    Written 14 November 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Rebecca S
    4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nov 2024 • Solo
    The kayak tour through the mangrove was a great experience! The beautiful view of the mangroves and clear blue water made this tour truly special. Although I took this tour alone, I never felt lonely thanks to the fantastic guide Thymes. He made sure I had an unforgettable tour through his enthusiasm, knowledge of the area and his ability to create a relaxed atmosphere.

    The whole trip was super fun and perfectly organized. The tranquility of nature combined with the adventurous feeling of kayaking made for a unique experience. I will definitely be back to do this tour again and would recommend it to anyone looking for a special way to explore the mangroves!
    Automatically translated
    Written 9 January 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Anne G
    Varel, Germany10 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We loved the tour all around! In advance, we were contacted via WhatsApp with directions to the meeting point for pickup near the cruise port. This was easy to find and we were collected on time. The trip to the starting point of the kayak tour was an experience in itself, as we stopped in the immediate vicinity of flamingos to take photos. The subsequent tour through the mangroves was super nice. We got some information about the mangroves, were also able to snorkel there and have a look at the surprisingly large number of fish.

    The reason we were so excited about the tour was definitely our guide. We were accompanied through the day with a lot of fun and good mood, all participants were well looked after and virtually every wish was fulfilled. Unfortunately, only the much-awaited turtles did not show up.
    On the way back, our guide even drove us past the salt lakes to another spot on the coast and looked for the turtles with us. That was absolutely not a given and was a great end to the tour for us.

    So I can really only recommend this tour!
    Automatically translated
    Written 20 January 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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    Clearbottom Mangrove Kayak & Snorkel tour provided by Royal Tours

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