Bonaire, Caribbean

Bonaire in the Caribbean offers world class flat water, slalom and freestyle windsurf conditions. It's also one of our best Learn to Windsurf locations suitable for very young children and has much to do including kayaking, diving and cycling for multi sports holiday options too. Hosting PWA World cup windsurifng events and home to some of the best freestylers in the world, it has also developed a kitesurfing community. With crystal clear, waist deep turquoise bays and white, sandy beaches this is one of the most picturesque and unspoilt, natural Caribbean islands.
 

Sailing Spot and Conditions
Windsurfing takes place on the eastern coast in an almost enclosed bay. This is where world famous freestylers Tonky and Taty Frans and Kiri Thode call home. The wide, mirror flat water is good for all levels and an ideal place to learn. Shallow waist deep water stretches right out to the fringing reef with super shallow area close to the shore. Even the youngest windsurfers can learn in safety. Onshore to cross onshore winds averages a steady 17 knots pretty. The best time to go is from December to September with wind rarely dropping below 80% of days F4+with May to August with around 90% days offering between 15 and 25 knots mosts days, average air temperatures around 27C and water temperatures around 24C. We were blown away - quite literally - with the outstanding conditions.

Kitesurfing is based on the south west coast. Here the offshore conditions allow uncrowded kiting with shallow flat water area for approximately 200m. Further out there are bump and jump and sometimes small waves at certain times of year. The IKO centre offers personal instruction from the sandy beach launch and accompanied lessons by boat. There is a growing kitesurfing community here and although not many facilities at the site a sociable atmosphere with many locals coming down at the weekend. A rescue service is available for a fee for those wishing to kite independently. 
 

Culture and Activities
All the waters around Bonaire form part of the Bonaire National Marine Park offering outstanding scuba diving. A tour or drive round the island see the salt flats, and explore to the undeveloped, rocky coast line is a must do with many snorkelling spots. Watch out for the wild flamingoes plus donkeys, goats and lizards that run and wander across the roads. The Washington National Park is home to numerous indigenous plants, birds and animals. With the hilly landscapes this is also good for mountainbiking. Highly recommended are the eco-kayaking Mangrove tours, guided biking tours and hatching turtles in season at Klein Bonaire. The capital, Kralendijk is a charming main town. You can wonder round easily in an hour or two, passing the time of day with the locals and meandering amongst the pretty painted buildings and shops. A weekly market offers local arts and crafts and don't miss the stunning local art hand painted, dutch colonial style buildings. Local restaurants and bars offer a relaxed diving with wide choice from South American and local cuisine to fine dining french and italian - tex mex, pizza and fresh local fish dishes. Local jazz and live music nights are the sum of the nightlife - it's low key and charming.