As an avid windsurfer and wing foiler, I have always wanted to visit the best windsurfing spots in the world.
Bonaire, a small island in the southern Caribbean, was always rated as one of the
best windsurfing destinations. There was never enough time to go there, and flights to Bonaire tend to be quite expensive and inconvenient from the West Coast.
However, my wife convinced me I should take the plunge and try Bonaire. After some research, I found a highly recommended
Sorobon Beach Luxury Beach Resort located right at the best windsurfing spot on Lac Bay. The Sorobon resort
reviews on
Booking.com were also very favorable.
I found
Studio Garden View rooms available for $329/night and booked 8 nights from Saturday, March 22, to Sunday, March 30. I had a choice of
Ocean View rooms for $449 per night, but I didn't need the ocean view, as I would be windsurfing all day.
Studio Garden View - $329 (available from March 23rd)
- Max. 2 adults/children
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
Beach House
- Max.. 2 adults/children (additional guests possible with surcharge)
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Ocean View Beach House - $449
- Ocean Front Beach House - $499
- Premium Ocean Front Beach House - $549
Kas Chicitu - $599
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Private garden with sunbeds
All accommodations include:
- A personal and warm welcome from the Sorobon team
- A bottle of wine and water to start your stay in a relaxing way
- Beach access, including use of beach butler service, cabanas, and lounge beds
- 20% discount on your windsurf rental gear at Dunkerbeck Pro Center -> can be booked during arrival
- Free shuttle service to Sorobon Bay Hotel, including free use of the swimming pool
- Snorkeling equipment
- Daily housekeeping
- Beach and bath towels
- Welcome gift
Our accommodations exclude:
- Tourist Entry Tax of $75, payable at the airport
- TIL (Tourist Improvement Levy) of $3 per person per night (from 4 years old)
- Breakfast or all-inclusive formula -> breakfast can be pre-booked at $24 per adult instead of $28
- Airport transfer
All-inclusive breakfast costs $24/day, while all-inclusive breakfast/lunch/dinner is $200/person. I decided to pre-purchase breakfast only, as I don't drink alcohol and would not eat $200 worth of breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day. It turned out to be the correct decision, as my total lunch/dinner bill came out to $806 (for 9 days).
I messaged Louisa Singelee (the Sorobon resort manager) and had to reserve and pay for the entire reservation before arrival. Louisa could be contacted by both WhatsApp and email.
I also found and booked a red-eye Delta Airlines flight with a stop in Atlanta as follows:
- 3/21/25 23:55 Delta 690 SFO to ATL (arriving 07:24)
- 3/22/25 09:45 Delta 1645 ATL to BON (arriving 13:44)
On the return flight, I booked the following flights back to San Francisco:
- 3/30/25 15:09 Delta 1764 BON to ATL (arriving 19:50)
- 3/30/25 21:59 Delta 656 ATL to SFO (arriving Monday, 0:22)
Friday, March 21, 2025
I packed my carry-on luggage with shorts and T-shirts. I also decided to bring the O'Neil shortie wetsuit (just in case) and a helmet with a GoPro mount (for recording videos). The shortie wetsuit was never needed, but the helmet was useful.
Inna and I drove to the San Francisco airport in our Tesla Model Y, arriving at 21:50. However, there was road construction on the US-101 freeway, and we were slightly delayed.
I went through TSA Pre-check fairly quickly and sat by gate C-9, waiting for my Delta Boeing 737-900 airplane. It was parked at the gate and waiting for the crew.
Delta Flight #690 departed on time from San Francisco and landed at Atlanta's Hartsfield Airport at 07:15. The flight was full and mostly smooth. I dozed off a few times but did not sleep during the 4-hour flight. Red-eye flights are not my favorite.
Saturday, March 22, 2025
When I landed in Atlanta, I was surprised to find that the gate to my connecting flight to Bonaire (E32) was right next to the gate where I landed.
As it was early morning, I decided to look for a nice coffee shop or a bakery for an early morning breakfast. I managed to find a food court nearby, but the fast-food restaurants there did not wet my appetite. There was McDonald's, Via Pizza, Caribou Coffee, and Arby's. I tried to find something palatable, but nothing tempted me. I decided to skip breakfast and eat at Bonaire instead.
I waited by Gate E32 for our flight to depart for Bonaire. I boarded with boarding group 6 and sat at 23C on the Boeing 737-900. The flight was fairly smooth, though it encountered some turbulence before landing in Bonaire.
I started reading Rudyard Kipling's Captain Courageous on my Kindle.
Captains Courageous by Rudyard Kipling is a coming-of-age adventure novel published in 1897. It follows the transformation of Harvey Cheyne Jr., a spoiled 15-year-old son of a wealthy railroad tycoon, who falls overboard from a luxury liner in the North Atlantic and is rescued by a Portuguese fisherman aboard the fishing schooner We're Here. Unable to convince the crew of his wealth or persuade them to return him to port immediately, Harvey is forced to work alongside the fishermen for an entire season.
Initially resentful, Harvey gradually learns the value of hard work, humility, and teamwork under the guidance of Dan Troop, the captain's son. He becomes an integral part of the crew, managing ship accounts and gaining respect. The novel vividly portrays life aboard a 19th-century fishing schooner, showcasing maritime practices and the dangers of the sea.
When We're Here returns to Gloucester, Massachusetts, Harvey reunites with his parents, who are astonished by his maturity. As a gesture of gratitude, Harvey's father rewards Manuel, the fisherman who saved him, and offers Dan Troop a position in his business empire. Harvey prepares to attend Stanford University to eventually take over his father's shipping enterprise.
While on the plane, I watched the Bob Dylan biopic -
A Complete Unknown - on my iPad Pro. Timothée Chalamet played the part of Bob Dylan very believably. When I was at Lehigh, I discovered Bob Dylan's music and used to listen to him a lot (but not anymore).
"A Complete Unknown" is a 2024 biographical musical drama directed by James Mangold, chronicling Bob Dylan's rise from a young folk musician to a cultural icon during the early 1960s. The film, starring Timothée Chalamet as Dylan, focuses on his journey to New York City, his relationships with key figures like Woody Guthrie, Joan Baez, and Sylvie Russo, and the controversy surrounding his transition to electric music at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival.Plot Overview
- The story begins in 1961 with Dylan hitchhiking to New York to meet his idol, Woody Guthrie. He quickly integrates into the folk music scene with the help of Pete Seeger (Edward Norton).
- Dylan's career takes off after meeting manager Albert Grossman and collaborating with Joan Baez (Monica Barbaro), though his relationships—especially with girlfriend Sylvie Russo (Elle Fanning)—suffer due to his ambition and aloofness.
- The film culminates in Dylan's controversial decision to go electric at Newport, symbolizing his break from traditional folk expectations and asserting his artistic independence.
I landed in Bonaire's Kralendijk airport and disembarked from the plane. The high tropical heat hit me immediately as I passed through passport control. Once outside, I found my shuttle driver, and he drove me to the Sorobon Luxury Beach Resort. The drive over took only 10 minutes, and I checked into Sorobon at 14:05.
I immediately noticed the poorly paved roads and the desert landscape of Bonaire. It's not like any other tropical island I have visited.
I was shown my Ocean View room #21, where I dropped off my backpack and carry-on roller bag. I quickly unloaded my bag and then went to lunch at Reef Bar (Sorobon's Main Bar & Restaurant).
After sitting down and looking at the menu, I ordered the following items at Reef Bar:
- Drinks: Coffee, Water
- Appetizer: Chicken Skewers (Yakatori, Wasabi, Sesame)
- Main: Smoked Salmon Sandwich
I enjoyed the Chicken Skewers and the Smoked Salmon Sandwich. The service was a bit slow.
After lunch, I stopped by the Dunkerbeck Pro Center to rent my windsurfing gear for the week. I signed up for 6 days of Premium rentals (with a 20% discount for guests staying at the Sorobon Luxury Beach Resort). I also added $10/day insurance (to protect against breaking a fin or damaging a sail). The total cost was $420 for 6 days. I ended up extending the rental by 3 days (and windsurfing all 9 days).
The gear that was recommended for me was the following board and sail combo:
- Goya Volar 100 freeride board
- Severne Freek 5.7m sail with Severne boom (heavy)
I windsurfed for an hour, being extra careful to avoid the reefs in the shallow regions of Lac Bay. The tide is high in the morning (08:00) and low by 17:00. During low tide, there are many places where the board's fins can touch the sandy bottom, so one needs to be extra careful (to avoid damaging the fins).
There were hundreds of windsurfers, and I was surprised by the sheer number. The Caribbean was warm, and I did not need a shortie at all. Thankfully, I wore my long-sleeve rash guard to protect against the high-intensity rays.
I was working on getting used to windsurfing (after spending the last 3 years mostly wing foiling). I did not attempt any gybes due to the crowded nature of sailing, but I plan to try later this week. I was tired after an hour and returned my gear. I had an excellent first day!
After windsurfing, I returned to my room and took a shower, hanging my wet clothes to dry (and relax). I also spent some time exploring the area and found that Sorobon Beach (due north of Sorobon Resort) had deep water for wing foiling.
Jibe City next door also rented windsurfing gear, but it did not look superior to what was offered at Dunkerbeck Pro Center (though Jibe City is a tiny bit less expensive).
For dinner, I stopped by Reef Bar and ordered from the menu:
- Drinks: Sparkling Water
- Appetizer: Tuna Tartare
- Main: Catch of the Day (Chilean Seabass) with Noodles & Asian vegetables
The Tuna Tartare was excellent, and the Chilean Seabass was also delicious.
After dinner, I relaxed in my Oceanview room #21 and finished watching A Complete Unknown on the iPad. I was tired from the red-eye flight and went to sleep early.
Sunday, March 23, 2024
I set the alarm for 07:00 but was tired when I awoke, so I slept some more. The 3-hour time difference and missing a night's sleep did me in.
Eventually, at 07:50, I got up, showered, shaved, and dressed. I missed the 07:30 Yoga and decided to eat breakfast first. I stopped by Reef Bar (noticing a few windsurfers out already) and sat down at a table.
I ordered the following breakfast items:
- Chefs Selection: Egg of the Day | Croissant | Artisanal bread | Cold cuts | Yoghurt | Fruit
- Orange Juice, Coffee
The breakfast was fabulous, and I enjoyed the Egg of the Day, the yogurt with honey, and cold cuts. What a fantastic way to start the day!
The only annoyance was the mosquitoes buzzing around (and I had applied bug spray). Mosquitos are not a problem when the easterly wind is strong; they are a main nuisance on calm days.
I returned to my room, changed into windsurfing gear, and walked over to the
Dunkerbeck Pro Center. Initially, I started windsurfing on a
Goya Volar 110-liter board with a
Goya 5.4m sail, but it turned out to be too much. The wind was gusting to 25+ knots, and I was way overpowered and out of control.
I sailed back to the
Dunkerbeck Pro Center. There was another windsurfer returning a Goya One Pro 94-liter Freewave board, and I decided to swap my gear for his setup.
- Goya One Pro 94-liter Freewave (tri-fin) board
- Goya 4.7m sail
I sailed for one hour using this board & sail combination and felt much more in control. It was harder to get the Goya One Pro Freewave board planing, but it handled the chop better (and spun out less).
After I finished windsurfing, I returned to my room, took a shower, and decided to eat lunch at the
Reef Bar. I ordered the following items:
- Appetizer: Bread with Tzatziki Dip
- Main: Salmon Poke
- Drinks: Sparkling Water
The fresh Salmon Poke was excellent (better than Hawaiian Poke on Kauai), and I enjoyed it a lot!
After lunch, I decided to try getting a replacement GoPro adapter. I found that
Dive Friends Bonaire @ Retail & Dive sold
GoPro cameras and accessories, and decided to see whether I could order a taxi to take me there.
My receptionist at Sorobon was able to order a taxi (round-trip cost=$50 USD). In about 15 minutes, I was headed to
Dive Friends Bonaire. On the way there, I noticed a large cruise ship docked -
Celebrity Beyond. I noticed some new housing being built on the west side of the island (probably to avoid the strong easterly winds).
At
Dive Friends Bonaire, I looked for the exact GoPro buckle with thumb screw but the closest I could find was the waterproof housing. It was $75 ($40 on Amazon), but it was cheaper than buying a whole new GoPro Hero 13 ($450). So, I purchased the housing and used the parts to attach my GoPro to my helmet. It turned out great, as on my next windsurfing session, I was able to record my windsurfing session!
After I returned to my room, I quickly changed into my windsurfing gear and walked back to the
Dunkerbeck Pro Center. I chose the following gear:
It was a perfect combo of board and sail, as I had a fantastic time sailing back and forth in Lac Bay. The tide was going low, so I had to be careful, watching for underwater reefs. Fortunately, I did not hit anything. The GoPro recorded everything well, too! I sailed for 1.5 hours and was thoroughly exhausted.
I returned to Ocean View #21 and packed my bags to move to Studio #3 (this was to save money on the weekly rental as the studio was much cheaper than the Ocean View cottage ($329 vs $449). The Ocean View cottage had very little of the Atlantic Ocean (Caribbean) to see (and I didn't miss it).
For dinner, I stopped by Reef Bar and ordered the following from the
menu:
- Drinks: Sparkling Water
- Appetizer: Ceviche
- Main: Pasta Seafood
The Ceviche was excellent, and the Pasta Seafood was tenderly prepared.
Since I started watching
The Apprentice, a while back (on a flight to Zurich), I decided to finish the movie. It was an interesting film and I liked it.
Monday, March 24, 2025
I woke up at 08:00, sore with a few blisters on my hands (from all the windsurfing). I decided to get breakfast and was pondering whether or not to windsurf today (to give my hands time to heal).
I stopped by
Reef Bar and sat down at a table overlooking the beach. I ordered the following breakfast items:
- Chefs Selection: Egg of the Day | Croissant | Artisanal bread | Cold cuts | Yogurt | Fruit
- Orange Juice, Coffee
The breakfast was excellent as usual. Few people were eating, and even fewer were windsurfing. Perhaps a lot of people flew out on Sunday.
There was a slight sprinkling (but the weather forecast called for more wind). I walked around the property but there is only a small section of beach that is accessible.
I decided to windsurf some more and stopped by the Dunkerbeck Pro Center. The wind was backing off a bit, so I was told that a larger sail and board would be best. I chose the following equipment:
The Starboard Kode 115 and the Severne Freek 5.8m sail were a great combination, and I enjoyed a fantastic 90 minutes of windsurfing in paradise.
I even completed my first successful gybe! I decided to stop after getting tired. Low tide was at 17:00, and I was told to avoid windsurfing past 14:00 to minimize the chances of hitting underwater rocks.
After returning my gear, I took a shower and rested. I decided to stop by for lunch at the Reef Bar. I ordered the following items:
- Appetizer: Bread with Tzatziki Dip
- Main: Salmon Poke
- Drinks: Sparkling Water
It was all very delicious, but the service was a bit slow. I also stopped by the hotel's main desk, as my safe lost power and would not open, and my mini-fridge was lacking ice trays.
For dinner, I stopped by the
Reef Bar and ordered the following:
- Drinks: Sparkling Water
- Appetizer: Bruschetta (Mushroom, tomato, toast)
- Main: Pasta Seafood (shrimp, bisque, parsley)
I initially ordered Gazpacho for an appetizer, but it was no longer available. I ordered Bruschetta in its place, and the Bruschetta was delicious. The Pasta Seafood was also delicious.
It was very windy, gusting to 30+ knots, and I was worried that my food might get blown away. Thankfully, it did not.
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
I woke up at 07:00, sore with a few blisters on my hands (from all the windsurfing). After showering and shaving, I decided to get breakfast.
I stopped by
Reef Bar and sat down at a table overlooking the beach. I ordered the following breakfast items:
- Farmer's Omelet (on bread)
- Coffee
I decided on a simpler breakfast as the Chef's Choice breakfast is just too big! The Farmer's Omelet was unique, as it was served on a large piece of bread.
I had a windsurfing gybe
lesson with an i
nstructor planned for 10:00. I stopped by the
Dunkerbeck Pro Center and talked to my scheduled instructor. When it came time for the lesson, the wind was unusually light and unfavorable to practicing carve gybes. The instructor offered me to reschedule for another day or time, and I decided to reschedule for 10:00 on Wednesday.
I decided to try windsurfing anyway, and selected the following gear:
I decided to try windsurfing barefoot (I like it!) and tried to get planing. I was able to catch a few gusts and get planing on a few runs, but the wind was very inconsistent. After about an hour, I decided to finish and rest, hoping for an afternoon session when the wind picks up.
I decided to eat an early lunch, in case the wind picked up later in the afternoon. I stopped by
Reef Bar and ordered some drinks (as the lunch menu was not available until 12:00). I ordered a small Stella Artois (0.25cl) beer and a large (0.75cl) sparkling water.- Drinks: Stella Artois Beer (draft), Sparkling Water
- Main: Salmon Poke
As I was drinking and eating, I observed the windsurfers and wing foilers. The wind has dropped off a lot, and only a few wing foilers were planing. I thought to rest a bit and then go out windsurfing with a focus on practicing light wind maneuvers such as tacks and gybes.
The Sorobon hotel messaged me about fixing my safe, and a receptionist came by with the key to open it. It turned out that the safe battery fell out. It's now working fine.
At around 13:30, I decided to work on my light wind gybes and headed to the
Dunkerbeck Pro Center. This time, I selected light wind gear, as I wanted something light and stable. I selected the following:
I spent the next 2.5 hours practicing light-wind gybes and occasional tacks. Initially, I was always falling in, but I gradually started to make progress. My hands were full of blisters now. There is no easy or painless way to develop windsurfing calluses.
For dinner, I stopped by
Reef Bar and ordered the following items:
- Drinks: Sparkling Water
- Appetizer: Gazpacho
- Main: Catch of the Day (Wahoo)
The Gazpacho was too sweet, but the Catch of the Day (Wahoo) was pretty good. I like my Gazpacho to be spicier and less sweet.
I started watching the movie
A Real Pain about mismatched cousins who reunite for a Poland tour, to honor their beloved grandmother. The movie was rated highly, but I did not find it as compelling as the reviewers did.
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
I woke up at 07:00, sore with a few blisters on my hands (from all the windsurfing). After showering, I decided to get breakfast.
I stopped by
Reef Bar and sat down at a table overlooking the beach. I ordered the following breakfast items:
- Eggs Benedict (salmon, hollandaise)
- Coffee
The Eggs Benedict was small but delicious. Service was unusually slow.
At around 09:00, I rushed to Dunkerbeck Pro Center to get a few gybes in before my 10:00 lesson. Wind was much stronger than on Tuesday, and I selected the following gear:
- Board: Starboard Kode 115
- Sail: Serverne 5.2m
It was much harder to gybe on the smaller board, and with blistering winds, I almost succeeded in completing a gybe. After 30 minutes, I sailed back to Dunkerbeck and talked to my instructor. After resting a bit, I sailed to prepare for the upcoming windsurfing lesson.
The focus of the lesson was on carve gybes, and I was using the following gear:
- Board: Goya Volar 110-liter
- Sail: Severne Freex 5.2m
The
Goya Volar should be easier to gybe than the
Starboard Kode, so the instructor suggested that I use
Volar for the lesson. I did a few unsuccessful gybes, and the instructor gave me the following pointers:
General Windsurfing:
- To get the board to plane earlier, point the front foot forward (not sideways). Put 70% pressure on the front foot (to keep the board level) and to prevent the tail from sinking (dragging)
- Keep the front foot more straight to get planing earlier
Planing Carve Gybe Tips:
- Initiate with max speed (at least 100 yards if planing with both feet in the footstraps)
- Sail on a broad reach for maximum speed
- The gybe is a large arc (not a quick maneuver). Sharp turns lose speed rapidly.
- Get down low, so that your head is at or below the boom
- Check for traffic
- Get out of the harness
- Take the foot out of the rear footstap and put it on the other forward footstap deck pad (but not on the tail). Both feet should be parallel to each other.
- Don't put pressure on the rear foot. You need to stand on both of your toes (pull up with your front foot on the footstrap) to initiate the turn (and push your front arm slightly)
- When approaching downwind, move the sail to its downwind position (like in a light-wind gybe)
- Change your feet and then immediately rotate the sail
- Put extra pressure on the boom to provide additional stability during the foot change
- Don't try to sail clew-first (it will not work in high winds)
I decided to eat an early lunch, in case the wind picked up later in the afternoon. I stopped by
Reef Bar and ordered some drinks (as the lunch menu was not available until noon).
I ordered a small Stella Artois (0.25cl) beer and a large (0.75cl) sparkling water. It was nice to sit and relax, watching the windsurfing action right there.
- Drinks: Stella Artois Beer (draft), Sparkling Water
- Main: Salmon Poke
When I returned from lunch, my room was being cleaned and I asked the staff where there might be an outdoor shower, and they showed it to me (and a nice outdoor faucet for cleaning feet)!
After lunch, I decided to practice light wind gybes. This would help me get better with the more complex Carving/Planing Gybe. I rented the following gear from
Dunkerbeck Pro Center:
- Board: Goya Volar 130-liter
- Sail: North X-Over 5.0
In two hours, I managed to perform a lot of successful, light-wind gybes! I still have a long way to go learning carving gybes.
For dinner, at around 18:30, I stopped by
Reef Bar and ordered the following items:
- Drinks: Sparkling Water
- Main: Seafood Pasta
Today, the Seafood Pasta had no shrimp (the Wahoo replaced the shrimp), but it was otherwise the same. Service was unusually attentive and fast (a big difference from breakfast and lunch).
In the evening, I decided to watch
The Red Shoes, a highly rated movie from 1948. According to Perplexity, this is the summary of the plot:
The Red Shoes (1948), directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, is a dramatic film that intertwines the worlds of art, ambition, and personal sacrifice. The story follows Victoria "Vicky" Page (Moira Shearer), a young and ambitious ballet dancer who dreams of becoming a prima ballerina. She is discovered by Boris Lermontov (Anton Walbrook), a demanding and authoritarian impresario who runs a prestigious ballet company. Lermontov becomes her mentor, pushing her to achieve greatness but demanding absolute loyalty to her art and him.
Vicky's career skyrockets when she is cast as the lead in a new ballet adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale The Red Shoes, with music composed by Julian Craster (Marius Goring). As Vicky and Julian grow closer, they fall in love and eventually marry, much to Lermontov's disapproval. Lermontov, who views personal relationships as a distraction from artistic dedication, dismisses Vicky from the company.
Torn between her love for Julian and her passion for ballet, Vicky eventually returns to Lermontov's company to perform The Red Shoes once more. This decision leads to a tragic confrontation, as Julian demands she choose between her marriage and her career. In a moment of despair, Vicky commits suicide by throwing herself in front of a train, symbolizing the ultimate sacrifice to the red shoes that have come to dominate her life.
I liked
The Red Shoes (1948), but I was less enthralled about the dramatic ending.
Thursday, March 27, 2025
I woke up at 07:00, sore with a few blisters on my hands (from all the windsurfing). After showering, I decided to get breakfast.
I stopped by
Reef Bar and sat at a table overlooking the beach. I ordered the following breakfast items:
- Eggs Benedict (salmon, hollandaise)
- Coffee
The Eggs Benedict was small but delicious. Service was fairly fast.
At around 09:00, I rushed to Dunkerbeck Pro Center. Wind was moderate, and I selected the following gear:
- Board: Goya Carrera 118
- Sail: Severne 5.8m
As the wind was up and down (gusty), the sail did not have enough low-end power to get me planing consistently. I worked on my gybe and managed to get one successful gybe. I had many nice blasting sessions and had a big smile on my face. It was so much fun!
I stopped by
Reef Bar and ordered some drinks (as the lunch menu was not available until noon). I ordered a small Stella Artois (0.25cl) beer and a large (0.75cl) sparkling water.
It was nice to sit and relax, watching the windsurfing action right there.
- Drinks: Stella Artois Beer (draft), Sparkling Water
- Main: Tuna Poke
The Tuna Poke was excellent and I enjoyed my draft Stella Artois. I rested a bit after lunch to get ready for the afternoon windsurfing session.
I decided to practice light wind gybes. This would help me get better with the more complex Carving/Planing Gybe. I rented the following gear from
Dunkerbeck Pro Center:
- Board: Goya Volar 130-liter
- Sail: North X-Over 5.0
I was able to get more consistent light wind gybes, but the Goya Volar 130 is hard to get planing.
This was my sixth straight windsurfing day, and my hands are full of calluses.
For dinner, at around 18:15, I stopped by
Reef Bar and ordered the following items:
- Drinks: Sparkling Water
- Main: Fish of the Day (Wahoo)
The
Fish of the Day (Wahoo) entree was delicious, and the service was unusually fast. It was not crowded at all. In the evening, I decided to watch
The Red Shoes,
Friday, March 28, 2025
I woke up at 07:00, sore with a few blisters on my hands (from all the windsurfing). After showering, I decided to get breakfast.
I stopped by
Reef Bar and sat at a table overlooking the beach. I ordered the following breakfast items:
The Breakfast Sandwich was delicious. Service was fairly fast, as I was the first one at the bar at 08:00.
As I had already used up my 6 windsurfing rentals at Dunkerbeck Pro Center, I needed to purchase 3 additional days for $182 ($65/day).
Wind was light to moderate, from 12 - 15 knots, so I was recommended the following setup by the staff at Dunkerbeck:
- Board: Goya Carrera 118
- Sail: Severne Gator 6.5m
It turned out to be an excellent combination and I was planing most of the two hours. I completed one successful gybe and had many very close gybes. It was a fantastic morning session!
I stopped by
Reef Bar and ordered some drinks (as the lunch menu was not available until noon). I ordered a small Stella Artois (0.25cl) beer and a large (0.75cl) sparkling water. It was nice to sit and relax, watching the windsurfing action right there.- Drinks: Stella Artois Beer (draft), Sparkling Water
- Main: Reef Club Sandwich
The Reef Club Sandwich was pretty good and I enjoyed my draft Stella Artois. I rested a bit after lunch to get ready for the afternoon windsurfing session.
At around 13:30, I decided to practice light wind gybes for 90 minutes. This would help me get better with the more complex Carving/Planing Gybe. I rented the following gear from
Dunkerbeck Pro Center:
- Board: Goya Volar 130-liter
- Sail: North X-Over 5.0
I was able to get more consistent light wind gybes, but the Goya Volar 130 is hard to get planing.
This was my seventh straight day of windsurfing!
For dinner, at around 18:30, I stopped by
Reef Bar and ordered the following items:
- Drinks: Sparkling Water
- Appetizer: Bread with Tzatziki Dip
- Main: Seafood Pasta
The
bread with Tzatziki dip was delicious, as was my seafood pasta, which was different each time I ordered it. This time, instead of Wahoo, it was prepared with tuna.
Saturday, March 29, 2025
Last Full Day in Bonaire :-)
I have experienced amazing windsurfing on Bonaire, and was sad about how quickly the week has gone by.
I woke up at 07:00, sore with a few blisters on my hands (from all the windsurfing). After showering and shaving, I decided to get breakfast.
I stopped by
Reef Bar and sat at a table overlooking the beach. I ordered the following breakfast items:
- Chef's Choice Egg, Yogurt, Fruit
- Coffee
The Chef's Choice Egg was delicious. Breakfast service was quick, as I was the first one at the bar at 08:00. Wind was light to moderate, from 12 - 15 knots, so I was recommended the following setup by the staff at Dunkerbeck Pro Center:
- Board: Goya Carrera 118
- Sail: Severne Gator 6.5m
It was an excellent combination and I was planing great for the first hour. I even completed 4 gybes (one very nice one).
The room cleaners locked me out of my room, and I had to visit the Sorobon reception desk to get my room (Studio 3 reopened. I also stopped by the Sorobon Gift Shop to purchase a few gifts. The prices are higher than I expected (but everything is imported).
I also stopped by
Reef Bar for lunch and ordered a small Stella Artois (0.25cl) beer and a large (0.75cl) sparkling water. It was nice to sit and relax, watching the windsurfing action right there.- Drinks: Stella Artois Beer, Large Sparkling Water
- Main: Tuna Poke
The Tuna Poke was excellent, and the service was fast.
I rested a bit after lunch and at 14:20 returned to
Dunkerbeck Pro Center for my second windsurfing session. Since the wind was decent, I rented the same gear as in the morning:
- Board: Goya Carrera 118
- Sail: Severne Gator 6.5m
I had a fantastic afternoon session (the wind was up and down) and completed a few more gybes. It was very crowded (the most windsurfers I have ever seen on the water).
When I finished at 16:00, I returned my gear, showered, and checked into my Delta flight.
For dinner, at around 18:30, I stopped by
Reef Bar and ordered the following items:
- Drinks: Sparkling Water
- Appetizer: Ceviche
- Main: Risotto
The Ceviche was small but excellent. The Risotto was alright, but not my favorite of the entrees.
When I returned to Studio 3, I started to pack my suitcase. It's a bit sad leaving windsurfing paradise.
Sunday, March 30, 2025
Flight back from Bonaire to San Francisco with a stop in Atlanta.
- 3/30/25 15:09 Delta 1764 BON to ATL (arriving 19:50)
- 3/30/25 21:59 Delta 656 ATL to SFO (arriving Monday, 0:22)
I woke up at 07:00. After showering, I decided to get breakfast. The
Reef Bar was not yet open (it opens at 08:00, so I watched a couple of windsurfers on the water).
I ordered the following breakfast items:
- Eggs Benedict with Salmon
- Coffee
The Eggs Benedict was delicious. I thought about ordering pancakes, but I was full already.
This would be my 9th and final windsurfing day at Bonaire. I was a bit sad :-)
Wind was light to moderate, from 12 - 13 knots, so I was recommended the following setup by the staff at Dunkerbeck Pro Center:
- Board: Goya Carrera 128
- Sail: Severne NCX 7.0m
The Carrera 128 and the NCX 7.0m were an excellent board/sail combination, but the sail rig was very heavy. I don't like using such large sails. However, the Severne NCX is an excellent sail and felt fast and stable at speed. The larger Carrera 128 board felt very similar to Carrera 118. I managed to get a few excellent runs and completed a few successful gybes!
I reviewed my Sorobon hotel bill and verified my taxi transfer back to the Bonaire Airport for 13:00. I also stopped by
Jibe City to purchase a T-shirt. Jibe City was much more crowded than Sorobon (it must be cheaper) and has some interesting windsurfing training gear as well as bars and restaurants. It caters to a less wealthy clientele.
At noon, the wind had died and there was not much windsurfing going on. I was lucky that I had sailed for 9 straight days with excellent wind. Without wind, Bonaire felt very hot (almost like a dry sauna).
I stopped by for lunch (for the last time) at
Reef Bar. I ordered the following items (the waitress said that sandwiches would be the fastest):
- Drinks: Coffee
- Main: Reef Club Sandwich
The Reef Club Sandwich was too big, and I ate the chicken and skipped all the bread. I finished eating at 12:30, well in advance of my planned 12:50 checkout time.
I checked out of my Studio #3 at 12:50 and waited for the taxi to the Bonaire Airport.
At 13:00, the taxi stopped by and I was quickly taken to the airport (a 10-minute drive).
My Delta #1764 flight from Bonaire airport (BON) departed right on time at 15:09, bound for Atlanta (ATL). However, my connecting flight to San Francisco (SFO) was delayed.
While flying to Atlanta, I watched
Dune Part One. I enjoyed it. It was the best movie I had watched this year (2025). Here is the summary of
Dune Part One, from Perplexity:
Summary of Dune: Part One
Denis Villeneuve's Dune: Part One is an epic sci-fi adaptation of Frank Herbert's novel, focusing on the rise of Paul Atreides and the political intrigue surrounding the desert planet Arrakis.Introduction to Arrakis: The Galactic Emperor transfers control of Arrakis, the source of the valuable spice, to House Atreides, displacing the brutal House Harkonnen. Duke Leto Atreides, his son Paul, and Lady Jessica arrive on Arrakis amidst suspicions of a trap orchestrated by the Emperor and Baron Harkonnen156.
Paul's Visions: Paul begins experiencing intense premonitions after exposure to spice, foreseeing a holy war fought in his name. He learns of the Fremen, Arrakis' native people, who revere him due to Bene Gesserit manipulations 15.
Betrayal and Attack: Dr. Yueh betrays House Atreides to save his wife, disabling their defenses. The Harkonnens and Sardaukar soldiers invade, killing Duke Leto (who attempts to assassinate the Baron but fails). Yueh ensures Paul and Jessica survive by leaving them with supplies before being killed156.
Escape and Survival: Paul and Jessica use "The Voice" (a Bene Gesserit skill) to overpower their captors and escape into the desert. They reunite briefly with Duncan Idaho, who sacrifices himself to protect them from Sardaukar forces15.
Joining the Fremen: Paul and Jessica encounter Stilgar's Fremen tribe. Paul wins a ritual duel against Jamis, earning acceptance among the Fremen. He embraces his destiny as the prophesied "Lisan al Gaib" while vowing to fulfill his father's dream of peace on Arrakis156.
Themes and Ending
The film explores themes of destiny, survival, political betrayal, and ecological struggle. It concludes with Paul beginning his transformation into a leader among the Fremen, setting up for Dune: Part Two.
After finishing with Dune, I started watching the "
Who Will Write Our History" documentary. It was a very sad documentary about Jewish life in the Warsaw ghetto during World War 2.
When in Atlanta Airport, I stopped by for dinner at
Fresh to Order. I ordered a Salmon entree. It was edible, but not delicious. I have yet to find something worth eating in Atlanta's airport.
My Delta #656 flight to San Francisco was delayed, due to poor weather in San Francisco (some of the runways were closed), so instead of departing at 21:59, the flight departed at 23:30, landing at SFO at 01:45.
During the 5-hour flight, I watched part of Gladiator 2 (which was somewhat interesting), though not as engaging as the original Gladiator with Russell Crowe.
I ordered an UberX to take me back home, and the ride was more expensive than normal ($135), arriving home at 02:59.
Total Trip Costs
| Item | Days | Cost/Day | Subtotal |
| Delta SFO to BON Flight | 1 | $513.71 | $513.71 |
| Delta BON to SFO Flight | 1 | $513.71 | $513.71 |
| Sorobon Beach Ocean View #21 | 1 | $449.00 | $449.00 |
| Sorobon Beach Studio (Garden View) #3 | 7 | $329.00 | $2,303.00 |
| Breakfast (prepaid) | 8 | $24.00 | $192.00 |
| Lunch & Dinner (a la carte) | 9 | $90.00 | $810.00 |
| Board Rental @ Dunkerbeck Pro Center (6-day pass) | 6 | $70.00 | $420.00 |
| Board Rental @ Dunkerbeck Pro Center (3 extra days) | 3 | $61.00 | $183.00 |
| BON Airport Roundtrip Transfer (BON to Sorobon) | 1 | $75.00 | $75.00 |
| UberX from SFO to home | 1 | $135.00 | $135.00 |
| | | |
| | TOTAL | $5,459.42 |
Sorobon Beach Resort Review
Highlights
- Windsurfing on Lac Bay (Sorobon) is phenomenal
- Eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the Sorobon's Reef Bar
- Food is generally excellent, but service is inconsistent (can be fast or slow)
- Lots of Dutch tourists (despite a long flight from the Netherlands)
- Everyone speaks English and Dutch (and some Spanish)
- Studio rentals are good enough (no need to splurge for an ocean view)
- Hotel staff are friendly and let me stay past the checkout time
Lowlights
- Mosquitos come out in the morning and evening (bug spray is recommended)
- The hotel service desk is frequently closed for 10 minutes or more (there is no one always manning it, like at a U.S. hotel)
- Sand is everywhere, and it's hard to keep it out of the room. There are outdoor showers, but I preferred some paved walkways (to keep feet clean)
- I was hoping for some live music at the hotel, but there was none
- When the wind stops, it gets uncomfortably hot
Bonaire Island Review
Highlights
- World-class windsurfing on Lac Bay
- World-class diving
Lowlights
- Roads are in poor condition (and badly maintained)
- No Uber or Lyft (or any other ride-sharing service)
- A taxi can be pre-ordered from the hotel, but it is expensive (does not use a meter)
- Mosquitos come out in the morning and evening (bug spray is recommended
- There is live music at Little Havana in Kralendijk, but nothing at Sorobon Beach
- Difficult to find GoPro parts (but I managed to find a Dive Shop that had some)
- $75 entry fee (to enter Bonaire)
Bonaire Notes
- Best time for strong, consistent wind on Lac Bay: February and March
- According to locals, there are long periods of no wind, even during the windy months
- I got very lucky with the wind (as the previous two weeks had no wind at all)
- A/C sockets use European (French) standards. Bring European plug adapters
- Currency: U.S. Dollars
- Taxis: very limited, pre-order ahead of time. Uber & Lyft do not exist. Cars available to rent
- Google Fi: works using the international plan
- Dunkerbeck Pro Center does not currently rent wing foiling gear (but other nearby shops have a limited selection). Wing Foiling lessons are available.
Windsurfing Gear Reviews
- Boards
- Goya One Pro 94 - wave board that handles chop well, but hard to get planing
- Goya Carrera 118 - typical freeride performance, goes well upwind, fast
- Goya Carrera 128 - slightly more volume allows it to carry a larger sail (7.0 m)
- Goya Volar 100 - typical performance for a standard board
- Goya Volar 110 - planes normally. Nothing outstanding
- Goya Volar 130 - very slow to plane but very stable for light-wind gybe practice
- Starboard Kode 105 - excellent in chop. Planes quickly. Great all-around board, but slower than Goya Carrera
- Starboard Kode 115 - just like Kode 105, but with more sail carrying capacity
- Sails
- North X-over 5.0 (black) - very stable but feels underpowered. Handles gusts well
- Severne Freex 5.4m
- Severne 5.7m
- Severne Freex 5.8m
- Severne Gator 6.5m (Freeride) - excellent sail, plenty of power, and handles gusts well
- Severne NCX 7.0m - heavy but very fast, plenty of power, and handles gusts well
Links
