Sailing & Cruising in Bonaire

Bonaireans by circumstance have always had an intimate relationship with the sea dating back to the Caquetio Arawak Indians nearly three thousand years ago, arriving in their dugout canoes. In more recent centuries Bonaireans relied on their seafaring skills for vital trade links with neighbouring islands and further afield. Like with the Arawaks the sea was vital as a daily source of food. Bonaireans became skilled boatbuilders all through the 19th Century and their distinctive designs were seen trading the length and breadth of the Caribbean. Bonaire is great for watersports, ranging from the timeless pleasure of hoisting a sail and relaxing to the ultra-modern world of windsurfing & kitesurfing with state-of-the-art composite boards and the very latest in sail technology. You can go fishing too, as people have done off Bonaire for thousands of years with the chance to catch big game fish such as wahoo, tuna, marlin and sailfish. Sailing in Bonaire is embodied in the Annual Regatta which is held in October. It is now a National Holiday and its origins are both fascinating and amusing.

The story goes that back in 1967 Captain Don (as he is affectionately known) was challenged by a local character - called Cowboy - that Ebo (Hubert Domacasse) could beat him in a sailing race around Klein Bonaire. Captain Don, as his name would suggest, was no stranger to the sea and asked what Cowboy would wager. "10 cases of Amstel(beer)!!" and Captain Don looked at Ebo across the bar - and the bet was on. By the end of the night the bar was full and the stakes had gone up to 27 cases of Amstel. What were the rules? "There are no rules!" Cowboy replied. Seeing the potential disaster here, Captain Don & Ebo drew up a list of rules that have hardly changed to this day:  

• Go round the island (Klein Bonaire) clockwise
• No guns
• Start with your mains up and on anchor
• Any sails in any combination are allowed
• Finish line is at the starting rowboat which is to be left at anchor.
• First one back to the rowboat wins!
• Anything else goes!
  

 Ebo won. His intimate knowledge of the waters proved to be the deciding factor. The annual race is a piece of Bonairean history. In 1992, on the 25th anniversary of the race, Amstel produced 27 specially-marked cases commemorating the event. So, if you're in Bonaire in October, you will have the chance to see this historic race take place. And 27 cases of Amstel beer change hands. Today there are a number of sailing charters available doing everything from day cruises to intimate dinner and snorkel trips.