Events Calendar Insider: Planning Your Trip Around Bonaire’s Competitions & Festivals

If you’re timing a Caribbean escape for maximum excitement, Bonaire’s official Events Calendar is your best friend. It shows upcoming festivals and water‑sport competitions so you can plan travel dates to watch champion windsurfers at Sorobon, enjoy kitesurfing action on the south‑west tip, and catch other island happenings—with enough downtime for snorkeling vibrant reefs just meters from shore.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to use the Events Calendar, what to expect at Bonaire’s signature sports spots, and the essential logistics—like Nature Tag and entry tax—to make planning effortless.

Why plan with Bonaire’s Events Calendar

Bonaire’s Events Calendar (accessible from the main navigation on the official site) lists island festivals, water‑sport competitions, and other happenings. Using it to anchor your itinerary lets you:

• Align travel dates with can’t‑miss competitions—especially windsurfing at Sorobon, where award‑winning and champion professionals train and compete.
• Build in perfect weather days—consistent trade winds and nearly 365 days of warm sunshine create ideal conditions for kitesurfing, windsurfing, and more almost every day of the year.
• Balance action with exploration—when the calendar is light, Bonaire still shines with snorkeling close to shore, kayaking mangrove tunnels, sailing to Klein Bonaire, and visiting more than 85 marked dive sites.

Pro tip: Pair the Events Calendar with the site’s interactive Map to scout beaches, dive and snorkel entries, and other points of interest you’ll visit between events.

How to use the Events Calendar (step‑by‑step)

1. Open the Events Calendar from the main navigation on the official Bonaire website.
2. Scan your target dates for festivals, windsurfing competitions, and other highlights.
3. Add experiences to your plan using the Favorites tool across the site—save dive sites, beaches, dining, and excursions you’ll enjoy between events.
4. Check related planning pages in the Plan Your Vacation section:
   • Itineraries for inspiration you can customize.
   • How To Get To Bonaire for travel logistics.
   • Getting Around for on‑island transportation options.
5. Use the Map to visualize locations and minimize transit time on event days.
6. Subscribe to the e‑newsletter ("Stay Up to Date With Our E‑Newsletter") for the latest news, event updates, and travel tips.

Top moments to plan for

Windsurfing at Sorobon (east side)

Sorobon is one of Bonaire’s crown jewels—a shallow, protected bay with steady winds, warm waters, and sunshine nearly 365 days a year. It hosts numerous international windsurfing competitions annually and is home to champion professionals. Visitors can:

• Watch pros up close as they practice or compete.
• Take lessons—many professionals teach children and adults at all levels.
• Refuel beachside with on‑site food, refreshments, and tropical cocktails when you’re off the water.

If your dates align on the Events Calendar, plan a full Sorobon day: spectate, take a class, then relax on the beach.

Kitesurfing on the south‑west tip

Bonaire’s kitesurfing area sits on the island’s south‑west tip. You can find it by following the brightly colored kites along the shoreline. Consistent trade winds create near‑perfect conditions almost every day of the year. Whether you’re riding or watching, this stretch delivers photogenic action and reliable breeze.

Boating and sailing experiences

For an unforgettable evening around your chosen event dates, enjoy a moonlit dinner on the water. During the day, you can snorkel off the boat or sail to Klein Bonaire for a picnic on a deserted tropical island.

World‑class sport fishing

Bonaire features numerous sport‑fishing charters. If you’re planning a trip around water‑sport competitions, consider dedicating one morning to fishing—the Caribbean setting and offshore action round out an event‑focused itinerary.

Essential logistics for event‑focused trips

Nature Tag and entry tax—what to know

• Nature Tag (Bonaire Nature Fee):

  • Cost: USD 40.
  • Required for: all water activities, including boating or sailing—even if you don’t get in the water.
  • Validity: Covers every water activity for the calendar year and remains valid across multiple visits within that same year.
  • Where to purchase: STINAPA is the designated point of sale.
  • Why it matters: All funds support maintaining and protecting Bonaire’s marine and island ecosystems.

• Tourist Entry Tax:

  • Cost: USD 75 per person, per visit.
  • Charged: Every time you enter Bonaire, even with multiple trips in the same calendar year.

Both fees are listed and paid in U.S. dollars (USD). Plan to settle them before you dive into event days.

Where to find operators and sites

• Use the Watersports section and click Find watersport operators for local companies offering rentals, lessons, and guided tours (diving, snorkeling, kitesurfing, windsurfing, fishing, kayaking, and more).
• For snorkeling between event sessions, look for yellow roadside stones along the coastal road; they mark site names and the easiest water entry points.
• Divers and snorkelers can choose from more than 85 marked dive sites across the island.

Klein Bonaire during event downtime

Klein Bonaire is a deserted tropical island with no permanent residents or infrastructure. There are no restrooms, restaurants, or services, so bring everything you need (water, sun protection, snacks). You can reach it by kayak or sail, then snorkel, picnic, or simply enjoy unspoiled beach time.

Getting around, itineraries, and languages

• Explore Itineraries, How To Get To Bonaire, and Getting Around in Plan Your Vacation to streamline event‑day logistics.
• The official website is available in English, Dutch, German, and Spanish—choose your preferred language from the selector.
• Build a custom plan with the Favorites tool to keep event times, beaches, and dining in one place.

Age and safety

• Minimum age: 5 years for activities such as kitesurfing, scuba diving, or windsurfing.
• Medical support: The island’s hospital provides emergency and medical treatment for watersport‑related injuries.

Practical takeaways and tips

• Start with the Events Calendar: Check your preferred month, then adjust arrival/departure to maximize event days.
• Secure essential fees early: Purchase the Nature Tag (via STINAPA) if you plan any water activity; budget for the USD 75 tourist entry tax per visit.
• Pair events with signature spots:
  • Sorobon for windsurfing pros, lessons, and easy beachside dining.
  • South‑west tip for kitesurfing and steady wind.
  • Lac Bay for kayaking through mangrove tunnels on the windward side.
• Use the Map page: Visualize where competitions and beaches are, then cluster activities to cut travel time on big event days.
• Mark favorites: Save dive sites, snorkel spots, and restaurants to the Favorites tool to create a personalized itinerary.
• Know your entry points: For shore snorkeling, follow the yellow stones that label sites and entry spots along the coast.
• Plan Klein Bonaire smartly: No facilities exist—pack water, snacks, and sun protection.
• Tap local operators: Book lessons, rentals, and charters via Find watersport operators for windsurfing, kitesurfing, diving, fishing, and more.
• Stay informed: Subscribe to the e‑newsletter for updates on news, events, and travel tips.

FAQs for fast planning

Where do I find Bonaire’s Events Calendar?

On the official Bonaire website—open the Events Calendar from the main navigation.

Can I watch professional windsurfing competitions on Bonaire?

Yes. Sorobon hosts numerous international windsurfing competitions each year, and you can see professionals up close.

Are watersport conditions good year‑round?

Yes. Consistent trade winds and nearly 365 days of warm sunshine make conditions suitable almost every day of the year.

Do I need a Nature Tag, and what does it cover?

Yes. A USD 40 Nature Tag is required for all water activities, including boating or sailing. One tag covers every water activity for the entire calendar year, and it stays valid across multiple visits in that year.

How is the Nature Tag different from the entry tax?

The Nature Tag is a conservation permit for water activities. The tourist entry tax is USD 75 per person, per visit and is paid each time you enter Bonaire.

Where can I kitesurf—or watch kitesurfers—on Bonaire?

Head to the south‑west tip of the island; you can find the area by following the brightly colored kites along the shoreline.

Is Klein Bonaire inhabited? Are there facilities?

No. Klein Bonaire is a deserted tropical island with no restrooms, restaurants, or services—bring all necessary supplies.

Conclusion: Make your dates count

Bonaire’s Events Calendar makes it easy to align your trip with the island’s biggest thrills—from windsurfing showdowns at Sorobon to breezy kitesurf sessions and festive island moments. Combine the calendar with the Map, Itineraries, and Favorites tools to build a seamless plan, and remember your USD 40 Nature Tag (for water activities) and USD 75 entry tax per visit.

Ready to plan? Open the Events Calendar, subscribe to our e‑newsletter for updates, and explore Watersports, How To Get To Bonaire, and Getting Around to finalize the perfect event‑focused itinerary.