Hi Jim - For Bonaire, I didn't take my vest and felt comfortable. Only about 1/3 of the area in Lac Bay is over your head in depth and it's easy to see where the deep parts are. I felt like I had enough float with the saltwater and my waist harness and I think I only water started 4-5 times the whole week (seemed like I was doing a standing beach start all the time).

Jim, I would drop your question here (click Reply Topic in link) windsurfillinois.com/index.php/forum/windsurfing-vacations/…

hello all for those whom have visited Bonaire did you feel in necessary to have your life jacket on?
leaving Thursday wasn't sur if I should pack mine I always where mine cause of deeper waters

Jim, thanks for the heads up. Will keep an eye out for them! Yikes!

Have Fun I've sailed at Calema over by the cape area considered the Banana River It was ok till I saw the Crocodile off my port about 20 yards No more of that their are some spots near Sarasota ill send you the link if I can find it

Thanks Jim, I saw the bluffs to the West. Will have to check it out come Springtime. I will be down in Merritt Island for most of my FL trip, then a little over in the Sarasota area. Looking forward to it.

Hello Ed I drove their from Clinton IA last year talked to a local fisherman who was their he said he saw windsurfer their once reported the water is about 5 ft deep the bluffs to the west could block any western wind heading to Florida end of month Tarpon springs then Tampa area their is some good sailing spots thier

Thanks Jim. I think Captain Don’s is where we stayed when we went 15 yrs. ago. It was fine, albeit a little bit of a drive to get to the beach. Should be a great time for you both. You should definitely do some snorkeling as well, because Bonaire has incredible marine life, and people come from worldwide to dive there. Thanks also for the into on Lake Shabbona. I got a foiling board since I knew I would need something for light / no winds, so hopefully I can get some days there.

Thanks Ed my wife booked a place called Captions don Habitat its on the other side near town on the water condo it came with 4 day windsurf package from the windsurf place site so I think we are set
FYI opening day for lake Shabana is May 1st can sail till October 31st didn't get a lot of good days in last season just poor wind directions and conditions

Jim, I went to Bonaire about 15 years ago. It’s lots of fun and Lac Bay is incredible. Not sure I would be much help on where to stay, but I think we booked through Sailboard Vacations which is who was running one of the centers there then. Happy to provide any other info I can, and would like to hear about Lake Shabbona sometime.

thanks Ady great info

Did you check Greg’s post? Very detailed information, if you haven’t. www.windsurfillinois.com/index.php/forum/windsurfing-vacations/…

sorry ady couldn't remember how to send a message but thanks, I don't log in much I did see ed had reached out to me but the message had timed out

Hi Jim, nice hearing from you! I don’t know why you are addressing me, but I’ve never been to Bonaire . There is a bunch of information in the “Windsurfing Vacation “ section though. Also our newest member Ed is looking for info on Shabonna and I told him that you are the expert on that.

hello all just reaching out to anyone who has been to Bonaire lately wondering whom did you rent from and where did you stay for accommodations going there this may
thanks for any feedback

True, but friends, hotdogs and beer make a skunk day look a whole lot better :)

well looks like forecast has changed ill check both in morning but don't look like much at either place

I’ll be at Lake Andrea probably with my wife and maybe a friend or two. The place is awesome for a family picnic/windsurfing/paddleboarding combinations. Why don’t you come here instead? Or Silver Lake -also nice for family. The wind is supposed to be better here as well. Looks very light at Wolf tomorrow.

its the alternative to Shabana which is all we got out this way may go to wolf tomorrow Sunday looks like SW no good at shab