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PeconicPuffin
Joined: 07 Jun 2004 Posts: 1830
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Caribchakita
Joined: 05 Jun 2001 Posts: 312 Location: Bonaire
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rswabsin
Joined: 14 May 2000 Posts: 444 Location: New Jersey
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Posted: Sun Sep 03, 2017 10:07 am Post subject: |
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Just wanted to add to Puffin's Bonaire report but from a different time of year.
We visited Bonaire in mid-August which is the latter part of their stronger trade wind pattern. We have a teenage son so a summer job, school activities, etc dictated our vacation schedule. Mid summer is a great time to travel to Bonaire because it's there off season which means light crowds everywhere from the beaches to the restaurants and local hotels/condos. So it was a pleasant escape from the summer crowds that take over all of the east coast beaches during the summer.
The windsurfing was excellent for my son to learn and master some basic skills - non planning tacks, jibes and even beach starts - that's him below. We had planning winds 6 out the 7 days on the island with most days averaging in the upper teens to low 20's (mph) for wind speeds. The gear selection is excellent - everything from multi finned freewaves to large free ride and slalom gear, all new 2017 stuff. Again there was very light crowds so you had your choice of anything with plenty of staff to assist.
For non-windsurfing, the snorkeling is really phenomenal all over the island and really worth exploring. Highly recommend a snorkeling boat tour as they can take you to the more remote and pristine reefs offshore. We took a sunset sail boat/snorkel tour on the Amoray which was fantastic http://www.bonairefromthesea.org/index.html
We had help in planning our trip through Ann Phelan (aka Caribchakita) who is a regular on this forum and island resident. Like in any small community, word of mouth goes a long way and she has the inside scoop on everything on the island and can offer advice on everything from great seafood, shopping to windsurfing gear selection. Extremely helpful - thanks Ann!
Lastly, the island food and restaurant scene is also really exceptional. Locally caught seafood dishes were all out of this world - even the lionfish burger - a local favorite.
Rob |
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Caribchakita
Joined: 05 Jun 2001 Posts: 312 Location: Bonaire
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rswabsin
Joined: 14 May 2000 Posts: 444 Location: New Jersey
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Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2018 1:20 pm Post subject: |
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Just got back from our 2nd trip to Bonaire. Really good trip this year with winds averaging 20 - 25 knots all 7 days. Sail sizes ranged from 4.7 to 5.6 with 86 to 106 liter FSW boards. My son who was a complete beginner last year and has sailed about 8 days since then learned water starts, footstraps and harness with plenty of body slams! Hilarious watching him get rag dolled off in the distance as I watched.
Went fishing for Bonefish too in the salt lagoons at the far southern end of the island. We went with a fishing guide - highly recommend: http://www.fishingadventuresbonaire.com/
Rob |
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justall
Joined: 30 Jul 2007 Posts: 442
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Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2018 11:11 pm Post subject: |
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An amazing place. I was there in February ... and looking forward to returning. |
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