100% Private Charter Snorkel, Sail, Relax (Cruisers Friendly)

The best part of this Bonaire outing is control. You and your group have a private 45-foot monohull, then work with the captain to choose your snorkeling stops, sailing time, and pace. That feels far more personal than being one face in a crowded boatload.

I like the chance to reach Klein Bonaire or another reef when the mooring is free, and I like the easy onboard setup: snorkeling equipment, snacks, and unlimited drinks are included. The main consideration is the price, listed at $450 per person, plus the strict no-refund rule if you cancel for reasons other than poor weather.

Key points before you book

• A private boat for your group: Only your party takes part, with capacity extendable to 12 people.
• Klein Bonaire is possible, not guaranteed: Moorings are first come, first served, and boats can stay up to two hours.
• Patrick and Linda set a friendly tone: Their hosting, food, and calm help in the water receive especially strong praise.
• Snorkeling can be guided: Linda has pointed out sea life and helped families make the most of their time in the water.
• The open bar is part of the package: Snacks arrive about once an hour, with alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks available.
• Cruise timing needs care: There is no private transportation, and the meeting point is at SoloBon Sailing Bonaire in Kralendijk.

A private sail instead of a standard boat trip

This is built around flexibility. After a roughly 10-minute check-in at SoloBon Sailing Bonaire, you board the yacht and head out into Kralendijk Bay. The boat is a 45-foot monohull, giving you room to sit back, watch Bonaire from the water, and move between sailing and snorkeling without a fixed group schedule.

Your captain decides what is sensible on the day, based on wind, sea conditions, mooring availability, and your interests. You might spend more time sailing along the coast, make two snorkeling stops, or keep things simple with a swim and lunch-like snacks onboard.

That private format matters most for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can snorkel while others stay aboard. Children can have a calmer introduction to the water. A family member who is less mobile can skip the swim and still enjoy the boat, drinks, and views.

The crew includes professional hosts and guides, with Patrick and Linda frequently handling the experience. Their role is more than steering. They prepare food, serve drinks, explain the area, and help you manage the practical business of getting into and out of the sea.

Sailing past Bonaire’s coast

The opening sail gives you a different view of Bonaire. From the water, the coastline unfolds without the usual road traffic or beach distractions. The boat moves through the bay while you settle into the rhythm of the afternoon.

You can use this first stretch to relax on deck, talk with your group, and get a sense of the wind. The open bar includes alcohol and nonalcoholic drinks, and a snack is provided about every hour. This is not a formal meal, so bring your expectations down to light bites rather than a full lunch.

The crew also uses the sailing time to discuss the possible route. That is useful because the final plan is not a guaranteed checklist. A stop at Klein Bonaire may be possible, while 1000 Steps or Salt Pier depends on the available mooring and conditions.

For cruise visitors, the location in Kralendijk is convenient in principle, but private transportation is not included. You need to arrange your own way to Kaya Gobernador N.Debrot No. 71, Slip 12, and allow enough time for check-in.

Snorkeling in Bonaire National Marine Park

The sailing area is within Bonaire National Marine Park, which gives the outing its main appeal. The park surrounds much of the island’s coast and is known for clear water and reef life, though the exact visibility and animal sightings depend on the day.

The captain can make several stops. A snorkeling stop is physical, and you must be able to climb five steps on the boat. Life vests are available, and the crew can help you decide if getting in the water makes sense. If you are unsure, staying onboard is perfectly reasonable. The boat is designed for relaxing as well as snorkeling.

Guiding can add real value here. Linda has taken time to point out sea life while snorkeling, and the crew has helped older family members get safely in and out of the water. One account describes Norman making two snorkeling stops work for a 77-year-old participant, a useful sign that the crew can adjust the pace when conditions allow.

Still, this is not a fully accessible boat experience. The five-step climb matters, and anyone with limited mobility should ask the operator about the boarding and water-entry arrangements before paying.

Klein Bonaire: the prized optional stop

Klein Bonaire is the most appealing possible addition to the route. This small, uninhabited island lies off Bonaire’s west coast and gives you a chance to snorkel away from the main island.

The stop is not automatic. Boats use a mooring system that works on a first come, first served basis, and each vessel has a maximum stay of two hours. The operator says Klein Bonaire is reached in about 90 percent of outings, but weather and mooring space still control the result.

That uncertainty is worth understanding before you book. You are purchasing a private sailing and snorkeling charter, not a guaranteed Klein Bonaire ferry trip. If the mooring is occupied, the captain can suggest another spot and keep the day moving.

If you do stop there, expect about 45 minutes listed for the visit as part of the planned route. The actual time may shift depending on the wider schedule, your group’s pace, and the other stops available.

1000 Steps and the chance to spot turtles

The 1000 Steps area is another possible snorkeling stop. The name refers to a steep stone stairway, not a literal thousand steps, though that detail is less important here because you approach by boat.

If its mooring buoy is available, you can stop for a swim and look for turtles. The wording matters: turtle sightings are a possibility, not a promise. Your captain may also decide that another location offers better conditions that day.

This stop works well for a group that wants variety. You can ask to spend part of the charter at Klein Bonaire and part at 1000 Steps, but the boat cannot guarantee every suggested location. Wind, water conditions, and mooring access shape the final route.

Salt Pier and the southern coast

The boat can pass Salt Pier, or stop nearby for snorkeling if conditions and access permit. The crew explains Bonaire’s natural salt-making process, adding some local context to what might otherwise be a quick coastal view.

If the route heads south, you may also see the salt flats. This gives the trip more variety than a simple reef outing. You are not only watching fish underwater, but also seeing working coastal features and Bonaire’s famous salt-producing areas from offshore.

Again, think of these as route options. The captain cannot promise a stop at every location within 4.5 hours. The more time spent swimming, the less time remains for sailing farther along the coast.

Food, drinks, and the onboard mood

The food is simple, but it is an important part of the package. You receive a snack about once an hour, with tasty bites and light refreshments served onboard. Several people singled out the food as plentiful and delicious, which suggests the crew takes this part seriously.

Do not confuse snacks with a full catered lunch. If you need a substantial meal, eat before boarding or ask SoloBon what the planned bites will include. The available information does not specify a menu.

The open bar includes unlimited drinks, including alcohol. That makes the charter feel more like a relaxed private outing than a basic transport service. You can return from a snorkel, grab a drink, and settle back into the sail without paying separately for each item.

Because alcohol is included, keep the swimming side of the afternoon sensible. The crew controls the boat and can advise you about conditions, but you are responsible for making safe choices in the water.

Is $450 per person a fair price?

At $450 per person, this is not a budget snorkel excursion. Its value depends heavily on how many people share the boat and how much you care about privacy.

You are paying for a private vessel, captain and host, snorkeling gear, snacks, an open bar, and a route shaped around your group. For a couple, the cost is a major splurge. For a family or group of friends, the per-person price may feel easier to justify, especially if you use the private format well.

The supplied information also says prices are the total amount for your party, including taxes, while the headline price is shown per person. Because those descriptions can be read differently, confirm the exact total for your party before booking.

You can also extend the trip by one or two hours, and the party size can be increased to a maximum of 12 people. Ask for the added cost before confirming. A longer charter could make sense for a large group that wants both Klein Bonaire and another snorkeling location, but only if the extra time fits your budget.

Who will enjoy this charter most?

I would choose this for a group that values privacy and flexibility more than the lowest possible price. It suits families, couples celebrating something special, friends traveling together, and cruise visitors who want a personal half-day on the water.

Families receive useful advantages. Children must be accompanied by an adult, but the crew has experience making the outing work for children and adjusting the snorkeling pace. Less confident swimmers can remain on deck, and life vests are available.

It also suits strong snorkelers who want some control over where and how long they swim. You can talk with the captain about your priorities instead of following a fixed route with a large crowd.

I would think twice if your main goal is a guaranteed visit to Klein Bonaire, a full meal, or a low-cost activity. I would also avoid booking if your group cannot manage the five steps required to board and move around the boat.

Confirmation arrives at booking, service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation. Towels, beachwear, reef-safe sunscreen, and transportation are not included, so pack those items yourself.

Weather, cancellations, and cruise-day planning

The charter requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That protection applies to an operator cancellation for weather, not to a change of heart on your side.

Your own booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. That is the most serious booking drawback, especially for cruise passengers whose port schedule or health can change. Check your ship’s time in port, arrange transport to the marina, and leave a comfortable buffer before committing.

The activity ends back at the same meeting point. No private transfer is included, so you need to plan both the trip to the marina and your return.

Should you book SoloBon Sailing Bonaire?

Book it if you want a private, adjustable day on the water and are willing to pay for personal attention. The combination of sailing, snorkeling, snacks, an open bar, and a captain-led route gives your group room to set its own pace.

The strongest reasons to choose it are the flexible itinerary and the crew’s hands-on approach. Patrick, Linda, and the other hosts can help with snorkeling, explain the coast, and make the trip workable for families and mixed-ability groups.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed Klein Bonaire stop, a full meal, wheelchair-level access, or flexible cancellation. For everyone else, this is a polished half-day charter with enough choice to feel personal rather than packaged.

FAQ

How long does the private charter last?

The standard experience lasts about 4.5 hours. It may also be booked as a 5.5-hour option, and you can ask about extending the trip by one or two hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The activity is private for your group. The party can be extended to a maximum of 12 people.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and life vests are available.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. The package includes snacks, light refreshments, and unlimited drinks from an open bar, including alcohol. A snack is provided about once an hour.

Is Klein Bonaire guaranteed?

No. Klein Bonaire is possible when requested and when a mooring is available. Moorings operate on a first come, first served basis, with a maximum stay of two hours.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts and ends at SoloBon Sailing Bonaire, Kaya Gobernador N.Debrot No. 71, Slip 12, in Kralendijk, Caribbean Netherlands.

Do I need to bring anything?

Bring your own towels, beachwear, and reef-safe sunscreen. Private transportation is not included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. Your own cancellation is otherwise non-refundable and cannot be changed.