Lac Bay may well be the most beautiful place on Bonaire that isn't in every standard guidebook. A vast shallow bay on the east coast, protected by a natural reef barrier, with turquoise shades you won't see elsewhere, mangroves as far as the eye can see, and a windsurf culture that has raised world champions. Whether you come for a quiet beach afternoon, a windsurf lesson, a kayak trip through the mangroves, or the iconic Sunday BBQ at Cai — Lac Bay deserves a whole day on your itinerary.
The geography of Lac Bay
Lac Bay is a horseshoe-shaped bay on the east side of Bonaire, about a 25-minute drive from Kralendijk. The bay is closed off from the open sea by a reef barrier, so the water inside is shallow (often no more than 1–1.5 metres), almost still, and sun-drenched — perfect conditions for warm-water surfing and long walks through knee-deep water.
On the south side lies Sorobon, the tourist epicentre with windsurf schools, beach clubs and hotels. On the north side lies Cai, the quiet end with mangroves and the famous Sunday barbecue culture. In between: almost untouched mangrove forest.
Sorobon Beach
The main beach of Lac Bay. White sand, palm trees, shallow turquoise water — this is the "Caribbean dream" picture. The beach itself is free to access; most activity revolves around the three windsurf schools and the beach club.
- Sorobon Beach Resort: an eco resort with day passes ($25–35) including a sun lounger.
- Hangout Beach Bar: a lively bar with good burgers, smoothies and live music at weekends.
- Water-sports rental: SUP, kayak and snorkel gear available from several providers.
Windsurfing and kitesurfing
Lac Bay is a mecca for windsurfers of every level. Beginners benefit from the shallow water (you can stand anywhere), advanced surfers from the constant 15–25 knot trade wind. Three schools dominate:
- Jibe City: the oldest school, professional, a wide range of gear.
- Bonaire Windsurf Place: strong on lessons, child-friendly.
- Hangout Watersports: a mix of windsurf, intro kite lessons and SUP.
Lessons from ~$60 an hour, gear rental $40–70 a day. Sun protection and Lycra strongly advised — there is no shade.
The mangroves of Lac
Halfway along Lac Bay lie the extensive mangroves. The Mangrove Center runs kayak and canoe tours through the mangrove tunnels — a unique experience. You can do it yourself with a SUP or kayak, but book with a guide: it is easy to get lost, and the guide points out the nurseries of fish, birds and rarely seen marine life. A tour is about $45 for 2 hours, including gear.
Lac Cai and the Sunday BBQ
The north side of Lac Bay is called Cai. Conch shells were once collected here — you can still see huge piles of empty shells along the coast road, an island sight in themselves.
On Sunday afternoons (from ~12:00) Cai comes alive with the traditional BBQ. Local family businesses grill goat (kabritu), chicken and fish on large grills, live music plays (often Bari percussion or Tumba), and locals and tourists mingle under palm trees on the beach. Bring cash ($15–25 for a good meal), and come early because full is full.
Practical tips
- Transport: a rental car is strongly advised. No public transport; a taxi from Kralendijk is ~$25–30 one way.
- Best time: 10:00–16:00 for beach and water sports, Sunday afternoon for the Cai BBQ.
- Facilities: toilets and showers at Sorobon Beach Resort and Jibe City. Cai is more rustic — fewer facilities.
- Snorkeling: little point at Sorobon itself (too shallow, little coral). For snorkeling, head to the outer reef or other spots like 1000 Steps.
- Wind: almost always. On windless days Lac Bay turns into a mirror — also beautiful, but no windsurf action.
Walking through Lac Bay
An underrated activity: simply walk through knee-deep water from Sorobon towards the mangroves. The water is crystal clear, you see small fish, sometimes a ray or an octopus, and your feet sink into pure white sand. 30 minutes of walking, no gear needed, and it's free.