Sailing on Bonaire

Because Bonaire is surrounded by the crystal-clear, warm waters of the Caribbean Sea — where a pleasant, refreshing breeze always blows — the island holds an irresistible allure for sailing enthusiasts. Some people sail their boats all the way from the Netherlands to this Leeward Island, but most visitors indulge their passion for sailing right on Bonaire itself.

Sailing on Bonaire is absolutely amazing. We learned to sail at the Bonaire Sailing School Association.

Encounter dolphins while sailing on Bonaire

The absolute highlight of sailing on Bonaire is the real chance of encountering dolphins and other marine mammals while enjoying the sport in Bonaire’s waters – a truly unforgettable experience! On Bonaire you can take beautiful trips with your own sailboat, rent a sailboat, join an organized sailing tour or take sailing lessons with a highly enthusiastic sailing association.

Great tour!

Tip! Sailing tours Bonaire

Explore Bonaire's crystal-clear waters on a guided sailing tour. Relax on deck, soak up the sun and enjoy breathtaking views. Many tours include snorkeling stops, allowing you to discover the vibrant marine life beneath the waves. Some tours even offer delicious onboard snacks and drinks, making your trip even more enjoyable. Whether you’re looking for a romantic sunset cruise or an adventurous day at sea, a sailing tour on Bonaire is an unforgettable experience.More info & bookings

Sailing with your own sailboat

The strong northeast or east trade winds combined with powerful currents in the rough sea, make sailing in the Bonairean region quite challenging. As long as you stay within the shelter of Bonaire these elements can be managed well. However, if you venture beyond Bonaire's protection they become formidable opponents, requiring a higher level of experience from the crew and sturdier equipment. The west coast of Bonaire, near the hotel zone, is perfect for a calm sailing trip. If you’re seeking a bigger adventure you can sail to the coast of Venezuela (Punto Fijo), Les Avas (a small Venezuelan island), Curaçao, or Aruba.

Renting a sailboat on Bonaire

On Bonaire you can rent various types of sailboats from several businesses and associations, provided you have the necessary experience and the appropriate certifications.

An introduction to basic sailing techniques on the dock in Kralendijk.

Organized sailing tours on Bonaire

You can also join organized sailing trips on Bonaire. These tours are offered on various types of sailboats, ranging from vintage classic sailing ships to ultra-modern, high-speed catamarans equipped with all possible luxuries and comforts. Some catamarans can accommodate more than 25 passengers, providing ample luxury on deck. These boats can reach impressive speeds while maintaining passenger comfort. Often catamarans stop at beautiful snorkeling spots, allowing passengers to explore Bonaire's captivating underwater world.

• Check out all sailing tours on Bonaire

Sailing lessons on Bonaire

Bonaire is the perfect place to master the art of sailing. Every beginner sailor is bound to capsize their boat now and then but on Bonaire, an unplanned dip in the water is far from unpleasant. The Caribbean Sea boasts an average water temperature of about 80°F making it an enjoyable experience!

Bonaire Sailing School Association

One of the places where you can take sailing lessons on Bonaire is the Bonaire Sailing School Association (BSSA). This sailing club is located along the charming waterfront promenade in Kralendijk. People of all ages can take sailing lessons here, individually or in groups, under the guidance of experienced and certified sailing instructors. Lessons are offered in various types of small sailboats such as Sunfishes, Optimists, Lasers, Splashes, and Hobie Cats.

The sailing club organizes a variety of activities throughout the year, including internal sailing competitions and sailing camps. Additionally the BSSA's instructors provide race training to ensure sailors are well-prepared for international sailing competitions like the Sunfish Worlds and the Sunfish Worlds Youth.

Clubhouse Bonaire Sailing School Association.

The Regatta House (Cas di Regatta)

The Regatta House (Cas di Regatta) serves as the home base of the BSSA. In this beautifully colored building and its surrounding area the sailboats, sails, and other essential sailing equipment are securely stored. The Regatta House is also the focal point of Bonaire's famous sailing regatta, the Bonaire International Sailing Regatta, held annually in October. In addition to offering sailing lessons the BSSA also allows experienced sailors to rent various sailboats (Sunfishes, Optimists, Lasers, Splashes, and Hobie Cats) for recreational use.

Learning to sail on Bonaire – Video

Bonaire is an ideal place to learn to sail. If something goes wrong, you’ll always land in the warm sea water, and the surroundings are absolutely stunning. Since we had never sailed before, we decided to visit the Bonaire Sailing School Association for a mini sailing course. Fortunately it wasn’t as hard as we had expected and we found it surprisingly manageable. The course was super fun and sailing around Bonaire is highly recommended. It’s just so beautiful there!

Sailing to Bonaire

Sailing from the Netherlands to Bonaire is an ambitious undertaking, accomplished each year by only a handful of Dutch adventurers. Most of these sailors are on a world voyage with Bonaire included as a stop on their route. Naturally this adventure is reserved for advanced ocean sailors with extensive experience and countless sailing hours under their belts. Additionally many Dutch sailors living, working, and sailing on other Caribbean islands (such as Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten) occasionally set course for the boomerang-shaped ABC island of Bonaire.

On Bonaire there are two harbors where you can dock your sailboat. In addition dozens of permanent mooring buoys are available off the coast of Kralendijk, providing safe and secure anchoring options. In 2015, two young Dutch men sailed from the Netherlands to Bonaire to raise awareness for a good cause: Debris Free Bonaire. This organization encourages visitors to Bonaire to spend a bit of their time collecting washed-up plastic and other trash to help keep the island clean and beautiful, ensuring that this Dutch diving paradise remains pristine!

Sailing around Bonaire is highly recommended. You’ll surely enjoy the stunning views.

Bonaire International Sailing Regatta

The Bonaire International Sailing Regatta is one of the highlights of public life on Bonaire. Schools close and a festive atmosphere takes over the island. This international sailing regatta takes place during the first week of October and lasts for a full week. It is the largest sporting event in the ABC Islands, attracting many sailors from other islands and the Netherlands. During this week the island overflows with visitors, and all hotel rooms and other accommodations are booked months in advance. Those who are unfortunate enough not to find a place to stay sometimes even sleep on the beach.

Sami Sail

The Sami Sail is a sailing event held in the fishing village of Boka Sint Michiel on Curaçao. The highlight of Sami Sail is the race between fishing boats from Curaçao and Bonaire.

Also read:

• Windsurfing and wingfoilen on Bonaire
• The most beautiful hotels (package deals) with the best reviews on Bonaire
  

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