Bbeach front accomodations in Bonaire? Gear?

4173 · Joined: 31 Aug 2004 Posts: 4

Does anybody know of a pleasant beach front quietaccomodation in Bonaire? Which rental place is better, Jibe City or the other one?

psmith2004 · Joined: 06 May 2004 Posts: 90

Hi,
Please see my (psmith7725) Bonaire report of June 27,2003.

Kon Tiki apartments are convenient to windsurfing locales but very quiet and not truly beach front. Also you are in a kind of isolated location.

There were some water front apartments closer to the airport and lots of hotels where the divers hang out.

I think Air Jamaica may have terminated their service to Bonaire, if so you may be faced with the silly 13 hr trips offered by the American airlines.

The two windsufing places are literally side by side and probably not a lot different from each other. I was vey happy with the other one (ie not Jibe City)
Have a great time!

Peter

4173 · Joined: 31 Aug 2004 Posts: 4

Thanks Peter: Kontiki looked good to us as well and we might take it. Being by the ocean has its pluses so well let you know if we find something else beachfront.

dennisrodger · Joined: 17 Jul 2001 Posts: 52

Went to Bonaire in February. Kon Tiki is great but pretty isolated and not on the beach. Depends on what you want. Kon Tiki is probably the closest to the windsurf area. Generally, Bonaire is not really a party spot anyway. Pretty sleepy island which I think is part of its appeal. Anywhere you stay youre probably not gonna have much of a party scene. As far as the windsurf rentals, personally Id recommend against the one renting Starboards (think its jibe city). Not sure which that is but rent from the other one. Nothing against Starboards (I own and love several of them) or Jibe City but you have to understand the Bonaire WS location. Much of the sailing area is truly shallow, like sometimes only a foot or two. This means that when the wind drops and you get on bigger gear you start having fin problems. For example, a starboard carve 161 will have a small ~ 32 fin on it out of necessity since there is not enough water to run the big fin that should be on it. When I was there they were running small slotted fins that made a lot of noise and allegedly helped the board perform; but, bottom line, ya just cant make a wide floaty board work with a tiny fin and big sail. Saw lots of frustrated people fighting wide boards and tiny fins. Obviously this is only a problem on a light wind day but each time Ive been there I had a few. The difference is that the other place rents HiFly Madd boards. They have a bunch of them and they are the hands down better solution for that sailing location. The twin small fins get up and go and dont spin out easily while others are wrestling a 32 fin on a 161 Carve.

alvaro001 · Joined: 08 Nov 2016 Posts: 44

My favorite by far is the windsurf place, lots of equipment, with good food. Roger and Elvis are hometown guys

forwards · Joined: 30 May 2000 Posts: 107

Regarding the starboard rental place ... it is NOT jibe city, they rent hifly and seemed to have a good assortment of gear. We rented from them during 3 trips and have been very happy with gear and the laid-back atmosphere. During one trip brought our own gear and rented a sail storage space and they were cool with that too!

forwards · Joined: 30 May 2000 Posts: 107

During prior trips we stayed at bonairebeachvillas which were some of the lease expensive town-side waterfront rooms. Place seems to have changed hands again and looks to be renting again. Located ~400 N of CapnDons Habitat dive. Can snorkel/dive from beach. Spartan rooms but cheap with great water access.

Caribchakita · Joined: 05 Jun 2001 Posts: 312 Location: Bonaire

There is one beachfront accommodation next to Jibe City. It is a lovely nudist resort. Kontiki is next being 1.5 miles from the site. There are a myriad of other options 4 miles down Kaya Van Eps Blvd.

Sadly many tourists do not find the hot spots that pulse at night with music and more. Nothing happens til about 11 or 12 at night. Havana has the best bar and social scene going lately. Then City Cafe and of course Karels. Bongos is a big happy hour spot on Fridays and many places have rum punch parties and local entertainment. Also, during various times of the year (seems like each month) there is a festival with great music and culture. Next is the Heineken Jazz Festival in May and Dive Adventure in June (has a windsurfing component).

Annie
www.bonairecaribbean.com