Snorkling and kayakking in the Mangroves of Bonaire

[ Ссылка ]

The mangrove on Bonaire is located on the north-east side of Lac Bay. It is a very unique forest with a rich history and has existed for more than 850 years.
The piece of nature is a protected nature reserve and is part of the Bonaire Marine Park. A mangrove forest can grow if there is brackish water with tides.
Highly recommended is a trip with a kayak through the mangroves of Bonaire. While paddling you can enjoy the wonderful silence and tranquility that prevails in the woods. And if you get hot, you can often take a dive and snorkel halfway.
You may not take your fins with you, because you could cause damage to the fragile roots and corals.
In total there are about 55 species of mangove trees. In the mangrove of Bonaire, however, you will only find two: the black mangrove and the red mangrove tree. What makes mangrove trees so unique is that they have special roots that protrude above the water.
Through these roots, the tree can still 'breathe' and get enough oxygen to grow. The many roots on which the trees stand also protect the coast against damage to the waves.
They do this by breaking the waves which have reduced their strength when they reach the shore.

Even though the trees must be in brackish water, they need fresh water to survive. The trees themselves are able to convert the brackish water into fresh water, a process called reverse osmosis.
The most special animal species that can be found in the mangrove Bonaire is the Upside Down Jellyfish. The name says it all: this is a jellyfish that moves upside down. You do not want to touch this jellyfish, as its poison can cause a lot of pain.
Furthermore, there are many small fish species that can be admired between the roots of the mangrove trees. Here they seek their safety from the large predatory fish. The coral fish lay their eggs in these forests, which makes it an important place for the underwater world.

свернуть