Love those Tropical Trade Winds

After travelling the Caribbean islands from the dry mountainous areas of the Virgin Islands and through into the lush rainforests of the Antilles (St. Lucia and Dominica), the ABC islands bear the dry, hot, flat plains of scrub and cactus. What you do with those features makes Bonaire a worthy stop in your travels. Landsailing, of course!

Landsailing Bonaire

Bonaire is a flat, dry arid island accosted by strong trade winds from the Caribbean Sea. What better than to take advantage of those strong winds and move wind-surfing to landsailing? Nelson Croft and his beautiful wife Naomi have done just that with their Landsailing Bonaire operation. They have set up blokart landsailing on the windward side on Bonaire to harness these winds tying in with this new eco-sport rushing across New Zealand, Europe, Japan and the US where the plains are flat and the winds constant.

Ms. Gogirlfriend and I challenged each other to outrace the other around the figure-8 track (the largest track purposely-built in the world). Once we got a grip on the jibbing, tacking and turning, the race was on. We sped along at speeds of about 40-50 kph (25-30 mph) goading each other on. I have to say that I out-maneuvered her as I took solid advantage of the wind angles and blokart momentum ... I was even up on two wheels at one point heading into a turn!!!  It was great fun.

Nelson's Landsailing Bonaire experience is designed for anyone 8-80 years of age. It takes no special skill, sailing knowledge and no extra-ordinary muscle capabilities. The blokarts take a three pointed frame base and add a wind-sail sail. Comfortable to sit in for the hour of sailing, they are maneuvered by a basic steering wheel to the front of the cart and one sheet-rope cord to pull and catch the wind as you tack out of a turn and pick up the winds from the other direction. Harness the wind just right and speed forward on the straight-away. The track is about 580m with hopes to expand it to 2km and built on a hard calcium base that makes a great land-sailing platform. Harnessing the wind for your adrenaline thrills ... a great recommendation!

Bonaire Diving

Landsailing is a must while travelling to Bonaire, but don't forget the island is known for it's snorkeling and diving richness with the coral reefs surrounding the island. Virtually anywhere you go around the island will have under-water beauty to explore and chart. The pristine reefs and diverse marine life are preserved in one of the first Caribbean marine parks making this unparalleled for colour and beauty under the sea. Definitely a must-do if you are a diver.

Have you been to Bonaire landsailing, diving or exposed to other new adventure? Send us a comment or tell us about it on Facebook and Twitter.