Are the low winds I've been seeing lately at Lac Bay an anomaly for this time of the year. Or is Bon Aire really just not have as strong winds as in other destinations such as Aruba? According to the Jibe City web cam the average wind speed today (so far) is around 10 - 11 knots. And according to Windfinder.com it doesn't look any better in the coming days. According to the Weatherunderground.com marine forecasts the trades are predicted to be in the 17 - 22 knot range. What gives in Bon Aire?

The winds go up and down and this time of year and storms tracking north of the Antilles tend to disturb the trades

http://www.stormcarib.com/goes.htm

They pass and normal service is resumed.......

So the best months to plan a trip to Bonaire for guaranteed good wind is earlier in the spring? Like April or early May perhaps?

Thanks for the response.

Peter, We were on Bonaire the last 2wks of May 2010, and expereaced wind reversals at that time, Very unusual. I don't think that high winds are garanteed for any month of the year...

Here you go

http://www.windfinder.com/windstats/windstatistic_bonaire.htm

March to July........

Winds are unpredictable as in other windsurf destinations. I was skunked in the Gorge so go figure. Winds have been lighter it seems but I am optimistic Carole will bring wind in July.

I have bought an 8.2 Naish Redline and a 125l Naish Slalom Pro so watch out !!

And the winner is .......... ANOMALY.

http://www.windfinder.com/windstats/windstatistic_bonaire.htm

With a 98% chance of greater then or equal to 4 Beaufort (13 - 17mph) and an average wind speed of 20mph in June, it looks like the low winds of lately are an anomaly.

Although I wasn't able to pull the trigger on a last minute trip this year, I feel much more confident about making long term plans for next year.

Thanks to Carole for your research help and my condolences to Ron, for getting skunked, and to Trevor, who has to sail an 8.2.

I guess I super lucked out in Hatterass first week in June, where I went instead. Sailed 6 days striaght and only rigged 2 sails. A 4.5 and a 5.6.

In defence of anomalies, we sail each December and this last one we got blown away with even me (Fat Shadow) on a 5.0. I snapped the tail off of my favourite board on Day 3 landing sideways at speed and with only a 75% chance of getting planing we were definitely in the "Twilight Zone" for that vacation !!!

Go when it's supposed to be windy; never book any other activity until the water is glassy; never de-rig the big sails; and never miss the chance of a sail. We still rush to the beach after 30 years of this sport !!!

May/June is usually clockin' with great winds but this year they were not there on a constant basis....early storm season to the North and from the East with fronts coming off the African coast, I guess. Not the "norm" for this time of the year on Bonaire. We did have some outrageous winds during our second week on island....the "norm" so to speak. We love to be on island in May/June because of the high winds but this year it was not to be....at least not for the entire trip. Such is life! Still had a great time on island.

a very rare sight on the Bonaire Webcams

21st June NIL, ZERO, NULL wind



but I will agree that the WINDGURU site is very good...

http://www.windguru.cz/de/index.php?sc=56