First,let me say that this site is WONDERFUL!! I've learned more about Bonaire here than from any guidebook.
So - my question is: Can anyone recommend a private home rental in the Lac Bay area? So far, I've had little luck. We are a family of four - one advanced windsurfer, one novice and one beginner. We all snorkel and kayak. We'd like beachfront or close to it for convenience - sail in/out would be wonderful.
We don't want or need TV or phone.
We plan on coming down January 22-30.
Help!!

Welcome to the board Kay. You're right, this is an awesome site. I check in to get my Bonaire fix everyday. The Lac Bay area is sparsly populated. I don't remember seeing many houses in the area and those I saw were local people living there, not for rent. There are two small resorts on Sorobon Beach (Lac Bay) called Kontiki Beach Club www.kontikibonaire.com (looks very nice) and Sorobon Beach Resort www.sorobonbeachresort.com (geared to the naturist tourist). I could be wrong about the houses for rent, maybe someone more familiar with the area can advise you. I took my first windsurf lesson there last October and I sucked at it. I was completely wasted in a half hour, I had to come in but I am going to try again next trip - it looks so much fun. Hope you have an awesome trip.

We have found it better to stay on the leeward side of the island and drive across the island to windsurf. The drive is short. Most of the restaurants are on the west side of the island. Lac bay is a wonderful place to learn windsurfing.

Welcome! Try www.bonairevilla.com Greg and Debbie are at Lighthouse Beach, which is about a 5 minute (if that) drive to Lac Bay and the windsurfing area. There prices are also great!

Best of Luck!


Liz

Thanks to all! I think the suggestion to rent on the other side and drive to Lac Bay is a good one. We're spoiled regarding sail in/out as we have a home on the Outer Banks of NC (closest home to Canadian Hole) and we rented a place in Cabarete last Fall that was sail in/out. But, a five minute drive is nothing. Plus, having restaurants on the leeward side is a plus for me!!
I'll check out the sites that you all mentioned plus do a search for all homes on Bonaire, not just around Lac Bay.
Thanks again.
Kay

Hi Kay,

I used to sail in Avon (NC) every April. It was so nice to rig at Island Creek and sail away..but here in Bonaire it's also a piece of cake. My windsurf friends and clients stay just about everywhere. It's all about 5-15 min. drive and then when you get to the site, it's rigged and ready.

Good luck deciding.

Annie

Kay,

I just read your dates above. There are two windsurf clinics that week as well. It's going to be a fun and busy week but PLENTY of room on the water.

Ann

Ann-
Thanks for the "heads-up" on the clinics. Do you have any suggestions for lodging? If not specific properties, how about the best areas? I see many rentals in Belnam(?). It looks like it might be a residential, perhaps gated, area. Not what we are interested in. We stayed right on the edge of town in Cabarete and have traveled throughout Latin America and Thailand. I hate being separated from local folks by wall and fences. We also don't need or want TV, phone, glitz.
Thanks!
Kay

Kay - have a look at our website:
http://www.cocopalmgarden.org/

Kay, Ann can hook you up with a place to stay if you email her. Also, Liz Ginnochio has a place, www.Goldenreefinn.com. You should check them both out as well!

If you want a more "resort-y" place, try Eden Beach (www.edenbeach.com).

Good luck and have a wonderful, safe trip.

Please email me Kay if you need help with windsurf info. I am a sailor as well so understand your questions about gear, sail sizes and more.

Ann
ann@bonairewindsurfing.com

Belnem is not gated and it is mostly residential although there are some small resorts and condo places on the coast and some small inns inland as well. Bonaire has lots of garden walls and fences to keep the donkeys and goats out of our yards.

Linda-
Thank you for the info on Belnem. It's always hard to tell from pictures alone. It usually takes a visit to really get the "lay-of-the-land".

Kelly-
I'm checking out your suggestions.

Ann-
I will probably be checking in with you regarding equipment rental, etc.

Again my thanks to you all.
Kay

Kay, my wife and I were at CocoPalmGardens last month and it was very nice. Also it's right on the road to Sorobon Beach, maybe 5-10 minutes. As stated all of the restaurants and, well, civilization, is on that side anyway.

Kay, John and I stay and windsurf in Avon twice a year. We stay in Oct. and May. Maybe we will see you there.

Corney-
What house do you stay in? We own "Shoot The Breeze" on Park Drive.
My husband goes down for a week in March (usually the second or third week) to open it up for the season. The whole family goes down in the summer for 2 weeks and then Mark goes back down in the fall to work on things and get in some windsurfing. It's usually in November as we're generally booked for October.
Have a great time in Avon!
Kay

Kay, We stay at Octavue on Bluefish. Hope you like Bonaire as much as we do. Feel free to e-mail with questions.