Hi. I kayak in the ocean and in the marshes on Cape Cod. I'm coming to Bonaire in March with two friends and while they dive (I do not) I want to kayak. I'd like to rent a kayak for two weeks and use it at my leisure after I get some good tips on where to go and where to not go. I don't want to go with a group unless it's the absolute only option. I'm not finding rental places on the net. Where do folks get their kayaks down there? What should I expect to pay?
Thanks.

Hi Barbara, Welcome on BT.

I don't know the prices, but I think Phototours has Kayaks for rent. Goto www.bonphototours.com for more info.

Barbara,
"Discover Bonaire" of "Bonaire Dive & Adventure" located at Sand$ also does kayak rentals:
(www.discoverbonaire.com)
Also, see the "Feb/Mar BT'ers ..." messages in "Everything Else Bonaire"; if you want to be included on the Feb/Mar listing, please let us know your on-Island dates.

Barbara, go here, InfoBonaire Kayaking you may also find additional info you are looking for here on BT, or on www.infobonaire.com have fun!

Barbara, I just noticed that they have the phone numbers for the places. I would go to the sites and email them for more information. They will quickly get back to you. Where are you staying? They may rent kayaks right there which would be most convenient. Do you snorkel? YOu could always kayak snorkel! That's a lot of fun!

Hi Barbara. In past years rentals have been on an hourly or daily basis. Haven't been there in 18 mos.,maybe that's changed. Anyone can rent a sit-on-top, anyone who can demonstrate a roll, or a wet exit and re-entry can rent a sea kayak. The supply of the latter was limited but, I suspect, improving. I kayak the coast and marshes of Boston's North Shore. I'll be on Bonaire also in March and also interested in long term rental. Will you be renting sit-on or sit-in? Have you thought of how you will transport the kayak?

Hi everyone. Thank you for your speedy and helpful responses. I've never had to demonstrate a roll with this middle-aged body and I don't plan to start now (Ha!). But I sure can get in and out with no problem. It's all in the "put-in" and one's sense of humor. As long as I know where I'm permitted to paddle and where it's safe I think I'll be okay. My preference has always been to throw my snorkeling gear in to the boat along with plenty of drinking water, a mystery, and sometimes the dog, and go where the tides, birds and marine life take me. (Are there no tides at Bonaire? No one has mentioned how they affect where you enter the water and how long before you might become beached.) The cost still seems exorbitant unless I'm willing to go on a guided tour which I may have to do for the mangroves. Then it's cheap. Hmmm, I may schlep my inflatable kayak and hope that the marine life doesn't mistake my tush for a shark. Only thing is, it weighs a ton....and I don't know how the airline would deal. Yikes!

Essentially, no tides.

Barbara,
I've never seen any sit-in sea kayaks on the island (please folks correct me if I'm wrong!). All I've seen are sit-on-tops. Definitely paddle around the mangroves in Lac Bay (great snorkelling reef ou there too!) on the east side and paddle over to Klein Bonaire on the west! Have a great time!

Oops, I just looked at the InfoBonaire website (thanks Cynde!) and it looks like you can find sit-in boats!

Hi Jamie, and all-
Thanks for the info. I've heard back from kayak renters and some do in fact rent sit-ins, but they require first that you demonstrate a roll. I'm afraid when my butt is sticking up in the air I'll be taken for an approaching whale. No but seriously I may pack light, and bring my Stearns inflatable in its nifty bag. Got a 2-pound paddle for holidays so I'm good to go.....
Do these messages stay indefinitely, or should I delete? If so, how?
p.s. if you're on Bonaire and see a yellow inflatable kayak with a very happy paddler, please ccome say hi. And, you may try it out! Barbara

Hi Barbara,
How well does your boat handle windy conditions? Bonaire's strong off-shore trade winds generally make small recreational inflatable boats impractical/unsafe (unless you've always wanted to see Central America). It would be more practical in among the mangroves over by Lac Bay, but even then you have to cross some windy areas to access the mangroves. For the mangroves, I would recommend doing a tour. For coastal kayaking I suggest renting a sit-on. Whatever you decide, have fun.