Lac Bay
Lac Bay
4.5
About
Mangroves and a small fishing village on the eastern part of the island.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
1,099 reviews
Excellent
665
Very good
331
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84
Poor
16
Terrible
3
AHotaling
Chelsea, MI139 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
Just a short drive from Kralendijk lies Lac Bay, a protected inlet that embodies the beauty of the Caribbean. The shallows here extend for close to a quarter mile, and the bottom is flat and sandy. You can walk and walk and the turquoise water will still only reach your waist. At about 300 yards out, the shelf drops abruptly into deep blue sea, where advanced scuba divers can explore the Blue Hole dive site and see stingrays, sharks, and tarpon. Most visitors to the south side of Lac Bay are there to enjoy the beach and the water and to windsurf. With the shallow flats and a constant breeze, Lac Bay is one of the windsurfing capitals of the world, and many enthusiasts come to spend a day on the water. A windsurfing school is here, for those who’d like to learn. Sebastian’s, a beachside bar and restaurant, caters to the swimsuit crowd and is open for lunch.
A drive around the Lac Bay brings you to the northern section. The road is rough and unpaved, and not recommended unless you have a four-wheel drive. You’ll encounter wild donkeys and flamingos, as this area is a RAMSAR site (important wetlands recognized by the United Nations). Not only do flamingos congregate here. This part of Lac Bay is a protected mangrove forest, and seahorses and conch breed and have their babies here. Visitors can only enter this part of the bay accompanied by a certified guide. The Mangrove and Kayak Center is located on the approach to the northern bay. This is where you can make arrangements to take a guided kayak trip into the mangrove forest. Several Bonaire outfitters also offer tours.
Definitely worth a day trip — or longer — to experience this side of the island!
A drive around the Lac Bay brings you to the northern section. The road is rough and unpaved, and not recommended unless you have a four-wheel drive. You’ll encounter wild donkeys and flamingos, as this area is a RAMSAR site (important wetlands recognized by the United Nations). Not only do flamingos congregate here. This part of Lac Bay is a protected mangrove forest, and seahorses and conch breed and have their babies here. Visitors can only enter this part of the bay accompanied by a certified guide. The Mangrove and Kayak Center is located on the approach to the northern bay. This is where you can make arrangements to take a guided kayak trip into the mangrove forest. Several Bonaire outfitters also offer tours.
Definitely worth a day trip — or longer — to experience this side of the island!
Written March 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Boleslav
Colorado1,881 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
Lac Bay is one, yet there is Lac Bay for the windsurfers and there is Lac Bay for snorkelers.
The snorkelers have to walk for a bit to get to the deeper part, but if you catch the right conditions, the current is not that strong, you will be rewarded by the best underwater life.
We went there 3 times and the conditions were not favorable on the last trip, the current was very strong, we ended up fighting it instead of enjoying the corral and the fish,
However on the second trip there, we kept swimming and exploring the healthy and beautiful corrals with large variety of fish, all very near the surface, one feels like swimming in the aquarium.
It was our favorite place in all of Bonaire for the snorkeling.
The snorkelers have to walk for a bit to get to the deeper part, but if you catch the right conditions, the current is not that strong, you will be rewarded by the best underwater life.
We went there 3 times and the conditions were not favorable on the last trip, the current was very strong, we ended up fighting it instead of enjoying the corral and the fish,
However on the second trip there, we kept swimming and exploring the healthy and beautiful corrals with large variety of fish, all very near the surface, one feels like swimming in the aquarium.
It was our favorite place in all of Bonaire for the snorkeling.
Written July 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lkatze2
Fort Lauderdale, FL5 contributions
Jun 2022
Just got back from a Carnival cruise. One of the stops was Bonaire. I had done my research to locate a spot my wife and I could snorkel and also I could try a little bonefishing. Lac Bay turned out to be the right choice. We snorkeled first and then I fished afterwards. The snorkeling was excellent, considering the water was only four feet deep. You have to walk out quite a distance through shallow water to get to the reef, but well worth the walk. One tip, don't be afraid of the windsurfers. Just walk straight out to the reef. When you get out the reef, start snorkeling north until you find live coral and lots of fish. Ignore the first area you come to, with the broken dead coral. continue snorkeling to the north. As to the bonefishing, it was excellent. There were bonefish all over the place. They were not spooked by the swimmers and windsurfers. I caught two in only 30 minutes of fishing. We plan on flying back and staying for a week on the island.
Written June 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DRCI1075
Dundas, Canada50 contributions
Apr 2022
Lac Bay is a must see for those who windsurf as well as those who don't. Lots of activity going on and the restaurant there has great views of the bay, good drinks and decent food. While we don't windsurf, we still went there for an "after dive" drinks and meal.
Written June 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
abhurley
Cincinnati, OH45 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
During the two visits I paid to Lac Bay I found the solitude of Bonaire lacking. If you have children or can get there from a cruise ship, everything you need is here. Food, drinks, chairs, water activities, beach, and ocean. If you love Bonaire for its solace and rocky beaches, go to Andrea I or II, or Washington Slagbii park.
Written January 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LonestarSpartan
Chapel Hill, NC763 contributions
Feb 2023
This is the best place in the world to see windsurfers doing all kinds of cool things. They have a school there if you want to learn. The water in the Bay is perfect for windsurfers, especially beginners who may fall off their boards several times while learning. The water is only about waist high in most places which makes getting back on your board much easier than in deeper water. They always have nice winds there as well.
There are a few restaurants and bars in the area, as well as a nice beach. Great people watching, particularly on the weekend when the locals bring their families out for a BBQ.
Definitely worth a visit.
There are a few restaurants and bars in the area, as well as a nice beach. Great people watching, particularly on the weekend when the locals bring their families out for a BBQ.
Definitely worth a visit.
Written February 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeff D
Murrieta, CA321 contributions
Jan 2020
I asked a taxi driver at the cruise port how crowded this location would be because I did not want crowds. She thought it would not be crowded for some reason so we went. We kind of wish we didn't. I guess it depends on how much time at beaches you have to determine how amazing this place is. If you are into Wind Surfing or want to learn, then this is your place. As far out as you can walk the water is super warm and only 3-4 feet deep. Pretty cool being able to walk so far out and just stand and watch the windsurfers go by. The bad part is the actual beach portion is tiny. Very few chairs and they were all taken when we arrived. Not even room to walk on sand near the bar/restaurant area of the beach. We walked the beach over and over and there was nowhere to squeeze in. We ended up way to the left and sat on the sand. I'm sure if half of the people were not here, there was a sand beach, and we had a chair, I would have enjoyed it much more. The walk to the bar to get a beer so quite a distance plus you could hardly walk due to overcrowding so we didn't even try for a drink. When you enter the water there is a dark colored crass looking stuff growing along the edges. There are signs telling you not to enter there. This forces you to just walk around the grass which in some areas can be hundreds of feet around to enter the water.
For me, the water was nice and a unusual experience to walk that far out waste high in water. The beach was way too small to fit the amount of people who go there. If you'r not going to wind surf, I would find another spot to spend the day. Overrated in my opinion.
For me, the water was nice and a unusual experience to walk that far out waste high in water. The beach was way too small to fit the amount of people who go there. If you'r not going to wind surf, I would find another spot to spend the day. Overrated in my opinion.
Written January 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael N
Baldwinsville, NY22 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
We drove here on a weekday and were surprised to see how many people were squeezed into a relatively small are a on rented side by side lounge chairs. The water is very shallow and you must walk quite far to get in water up to your waist. If you do so, you risk being hit by a windsurfer. There were two good spots for lunch there. If you’re a windsurfer, want to try windsurfing or have young children and want a shallow and calm beach, try this spot; otherwise I would pass.
Written February 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jane Miller
4 contributions
Dec 2019
The water is very shallow - you can walk all the way to the edge of the bay where the barrier reef is (long walk, though - wear sunblock and don't forget the tops of your ears!). I snorkeled for a while, since the area is very sandy/grassy and shallow, there are lots of small fish but not a great variety of species. The best part is walking out on the reef edge, where several crosses have been built of driftwood. Giant crashing waves are so close, their power is impressive.
Lots of windsurfers, when snorkeling I just avoided the area where they were practicing. Lovely little beach, nice chairs, drink service was quick and super friendly.
Lots of windsurfers, when snorkeling I just avoided the area where they were practicing. Lovely little beach, nice chairs, drink service was quick and super friendly.
Written January 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jia
Toronto, Canada240 contributions
Mar 2020
use windfinder to look at weather forecast, including wind, wave, tide. Come to snorkel here when high tie, otherwise it is too shallow to swimming above the coral reef. How to walk to the reef, just google lac bay snorkeling. You can see some small fishes here, good for kids. Calm water not cold. Here has facilities such as bathroom and restaurant.
Written March 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are there enough sunbeds and umbrellas, how is it with restaurants and restrooms?
Written January 23, 2023
How do you get to lac bay from the cruise port? What is the cost of the transportation?
Written October 13, 2019
The best way is to rent a scooter I think. Cruises run organised trips by taxi to and from lac bay and the ship
Written October 13, 2019
The beach by the airport has really good snorkelling. It is easy to enter the water because it is a sand beach. There is also a food truck right there in the car park where they have great food.
Written February 19, 2019
Is it possible to take local transportation (not taxi) here from cruise port? And if so. How much one way? And tips to do this would be sppreaciated.
Written July 19, 2018
A car is needed to get to this beach rough roads.
Written August 2, 2018
How far from the cruise port?
Written February 23, 2018
Agree with others that answered, it is not far but definitely
need some type of transportation (forget walking!). About half an hour to get there, the roads are rough so whatever mode of transportation you choose it will be a slowish ride.
Written February 24, 2018
Hi. You mentioned the your visit to Lac Bay was part of a tour. Could you tell me who the tour was with and if you had time to windsurf while you stopped at the beach. Thank you
Written February 10, 2018
I also was not on a tour. If you really want to do your own thing I would rec renting a car or taking a taxi. If you want windsurfing Jibe City has all you need.
Written February 11, 2018
Hey travellers. I don’t drive in other countries because I’m too anxious ( I know, dork alert) I’m having a hard time negotiating the busses... pretty limited and random times. Is a taxi the only public transport available to go the the national park? Donkey/ flamingo sanctuaries? Backpacking solo for a month , so trying to keep on a reasonable budget . Thanks!!
Written January 13, 2018
Getting to all of the places you want to do will be difficult without a car. Brenda at H20 Bonaire does island tours as well as water tours so that may be your best bet. Bonaire is small so you could do quite a few of those places in one tour. Brenda does private tours and I thought her prices were reasonable. That said driving in Bonaire isnt difficult and except in small downtown area very little traffic. And to correct a statement Ive seen by numerous people...driving in Bonaire is on the RIGHT side of the road. It is no different than in US or Canada. This is a Dutch territory not British. The same is true for Curacao. Happy travels.
Written January 13, 2018
Is there a cost to go to Lac Bay
Written December 7, 2017
To just go to Lac Bay, there is no charge. You can just park and go in the water either swimming or snorkeling or windsurfing if you have your own equipment. If you want to rent a lounge chair, rent equipment or eat - there are charges. Shallow water - great for kids. If it's a high wind day, it's a bit tougher to swim as there are many boards in the water.
Written December 8, 2017
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