Drift Snorkling Off the Coast of Bonaire

Heartbreak

Overcome with sadness and regret, I was sitting by myself sobbing on the sailboat named Woodwind.  However, the rest of the tourists were in the water. They were blissfully floating as the current took them along, no doubt mesmerized by the sea life.  I had been looking forward to swimming with the sea turtles while drift snorkeling off the coast of Bonaire.

Bonaire is an island municipality of the Netherlands. It is located in the Leeward Antilles in the Caribbean Sea. We were visiting by way of cruise ship. I got into the water with my snorkel gear on and the group began their floating. I was struggling with the choppy salt water in my eyes and mouth as I was trying to adjust my mask.

For safety reasons, we were told that if we had to get back onto the boat we were not going to be allowed to return to the ocean.  Stace is a fish in the water, and he didn’t know I needed help. He had begun his drifting and so I was near the sailboat by myself, in the salty sea. I can swim and wasn’t in danger of drowning. But for some reason I felt growing panic and fear as I struggled. I made the heartbreaking decision to leave the water for the sailboat to wait for the others to return, certain to have captured memories they would never forget.

Redemption

When the tour guide returned to the sailboat she began checking in with others who had finished their drifting. She found me sobbing with tears in my eyes. I told her how sad I was that I couldn’t have seen the turtles. She was so kind and offered that I could try again when they brought out the next group that afternoon.  The tour guide even offered to stay with me to personally help me in the water.

I took her up on her generous and kind offer and my husband and I ventured out again with the second group of eager sightseers. This time I was able to be one of the drifters joyfully floating.  You don’t notice the choppy water when you are floating with your snorkel gear on.

The sea turtles would seemingly just appear out of the deep, dark blue depths. They would gracefully swim near me, as I shared their peaceful world. After awhile, the sea turtle would disappear again and in a little bit another one would emerge. I felt such peace from the quietness of being in the water floating. I am grateful for the experience of being one with the exquisite sea turtles.

Further Information

This experience of drift snorkling off the coast of Bonaire is well worth it and I highly recommend it.  We booked the tour and sailed with Woodwind Snorkel and Sailing Excursions.

You may be interested in this post about how to Avoid Lack of Experience Regret.

What second chance kindness has someone showed you in your life? Share your thoughts in the comments below.