Caribbean winds lame?

forwards · Joined: 30 May 2000 Posts: 109

Ive been following site reports and various weather charts during the past 2 months, which suggest that this fall has been very light in Aruba, Margarita, and Bonaire. Am thinking about a last-minute trip to Bonaire but dont want to get skunked. Also notable that Vela hasnt updated their wind reports for months, and yesterday removed them altogether. Anybody have first-hand wind reports from any of these sites?
I know fall is iffy, but this fall/winter looking worse than normal.

Thanks

caribwnd · Joined: 27 May 2015 Posts: 154

Yes, fall winds here have been light as we are getting more rain than in recent years (since 1999 we have not had rains like this) but here in Margarita 8 out of 10 days are windy (15-25 knots) so its not a matter of getting skunked but is lighter than in recent years.
This does not mean the winter is a write-off-on the contrary. I remember after the heavy rains of 1999 we had one of the windiest seasons in memory.
So come on down and enjoy the wind and sun!!
Margariteño

lasbrisas · Joined: 28 Mar 2000 Posts: 210

Wow, tough question to answer. The wind has been light here in Margarita, but 2 days ago we sailed 5.0. But predicting when the wind will kick in is impossible. The next 5,0 day could turn into 30 days of non stop sailing. I believe your chances of wind this time of year are greater in Margarita than Bonaire or Aruba, but dont look for any wind guarantees. Think of it this way, if you come, the water will be warm, the sun will be shining, and the beer is cold. That much I will guarantee!!

cpainter1 · Joined: 10 Sep 1998 Posts: 12

Just returned from a week in Aruba (Dec 6-13). Winds were generally on the light side - sailed 6.0, 6.5 and 7.7 - and also a bit gusty. But we had wind every day with almost no rain (vs. heavy rains just the week before). It was great!

schnapps · Joined: 07 Dec 2001 Posts: 144

Spent Thanks Giving at Aruba and the winds were light, sailed a 6.7 / 7.0 / 8.1, if you go be prepared for light wind sailing.

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

Winds are always light in the Caribbean Sept. - early Dec.

Ann

forwards · Joined: 30 May 2000 Posts: 109

Thanks for the posts. In prior visits to Bonaire (3x) and Barbados (2x) from ~12/20-early Jan we had good wind (<6m sail size) about 75% of the time. The current pattern looks different, with longer-range 10day GFS and NOGAPS weather models continuing to show very light trade patterns thru end of next week. These models show what looks to be a continuing pattern... so we delayed our trip. Ive also noticed that Vela is very selective about wind reports, generally only posting when things are good, though at least they were honest in their 8-Dec Aruba report. Ill agree that planning a windsurf vacation around xmas is hit+miss proposition, so better if you have the flexibility to reschedule when winds look iffy, or go to a place like Bonaire which has great diving/ snorkeling if no wind. Have also been skunked going to Baja (2x, 2-3 week trips) around xmas where hit-rate was <30%, and believe that short- notice trips are the only way to improve the odds of hitting it there.

dirt · Joined: 17 Aug 2001 Posts: 56

I just got back from Bonaire (12/11-1 Cool

and we had planing wind on the first day only - and that was on an 8.0 (Im 190 lbs). Im glad theres other stuff to do and so many good food options to distract me. But having pre-paid for 7 days of w-surf gear wasnt money well spent this year.