Best destination for learning?

geohaye · Joined: 03 Apr 2000 Posts: 1150

Looking for opinions on this: What are the best places in the Caribbean to spend two weeks and really get a great start at windsurfing?

eibarrondo · Joined: 17 Apr 2000 Posts: 44

Looking for opinions on this: What are the best places in the Caribbean to spend two weeks and really get a great start at windsurfing?

eibarrondo · Joined: 17 Apr 2000 Posts: 44

Looking for opinions on this: What are the best places in the Caribbean to spend two weeks and really get a great start at windsurfing?

Id go to Margarita. It has shallow water for 300 mts, the wind is side-shore and is pretty windy from Jan-May. Aruba has off-shore winds that might be a pain for a beginner.

long4wind · Joined: 17 May 1998 Posts: 8

Ive been to Aruba, Bonaire and Margarita. All are in the windbelt, and all have really warm water (82 C), good equipment and excellent instruction.

But by far the easiest to learn is Bonaire. Lac Bay in Bonaire has a huge area of knee to waist deep water with a sandy bottom. And very flat water. Its also a great place to learn or refine your jibes. Bonaire is the kind of place where beginner feel really secure, especially the one who dont swim well.

Bonaire has some drawbacks, but for ease of learning, its the best place to take your loved one and maintain a relationship.

You can still learn a lot at either Aruba or Margarita. Dasher at Vela in Aruba is an excellent teacher. The only problem with Aruba is the off shore winds. Which puts the fear of god into beginners.

Margarita is also pretty good for beginners. But the waves can sometimes be 6 to 12 inches high. Which is nothing for someone who can already do it, but still a nightmare for a beginner. If you go to Margarita, be sure to learn in the morning.

Hope that helps.

wind25to30 · Joined: 05 May 2000 Posts: 7

I agree. You cant beat Aruba for flat water, and the Vela instructors are fantastic, but the offshore wind can put the fear of God in even the more advanced sailors.

I think your best bet is Bonaire. Its knee to waist deep everywhere! Onshore wind, fairly flat water, and you dont have the crowds of Aruba (or that #@%&#! reef). My wife is a beginner, and after we went there last year, she practically begged to go back. (Oh gee, do we have to?). In fact, were leaving this Saturday and meeting some friends there.

TheConor1 · Joined: 01 May 2000 Posts: 3

I have been to many Carribbean locations and My response is for someone who knows how to do the very basics i.e. to be able to do very little more than get back to shore.
1. I highly reccomend Aruba, the offshore winds are not a big deal there.
2. There is an island called Coche that is a boat ride from Margarita island. That is my number one reccomendation. You could stay there instead of margarita for some of your stay in the margarita area. It is offshore wind also, less crowded but not dangerous. When i was there it was like water skiing... the water was extermely flat.

bucacz · Joined: 10 Apr 2000 Posts: 3

Caribbean is great ... but also consider So. Padre Island, Texas... It is not as pretty, but it is a lot easier to get to from most places in the continential USA.

kipps · Joined: 01 Oct 1999 Posts: 40

Been to Aruba & Bonaire.

Bonaires the place, definitely. Agree with all the W/S reasons given.