Lac Bay
4.5
About
Mangroves and a small fishing village on the eastern part of the island.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Lac Bay and nearby attractions
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
7 within 5 kms
Attractions
22 within 10 kms
Contribute
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 waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,096 reviews
Excellent
665
Very good
329
Average
83
Poor
16
Terrible
3
Boleslav
Colorado1,878 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 21 July 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.
W&M
Deventer, The Netherlands781 contributions
Feb 2023
It is a nice coastal drive to Lac Bay. There are shallow waters and a lot of wind. Good for windsurfing.
Written 27 March 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.
AHotaling
Chelsea, MI70 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 13 March 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.
LonestarSpartan
Chapel Hill, NC748 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 27 February 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.
BrakiWorldTraveler
Belgrade, Serbia17,760 contributions
Jan 2023
This is an easy accessible bay with a nice beach. Has a free parking lot in front.
It's located around the middle of the island on the east coast.
Sea is calm and pretty shallow. Several bars around and places to rent surf gear. Good for a quick dip as Bonaire hasn't got that many easy access beaches - most are for diving.
It's located around the middle of the island on the east coast.
Sea is calm and pretty shallow. Several bars around and places to rent surf gear. Good for a quick dip as Bonaire hasn't got that many easy access beaches - most are for diving.
Written 9 February 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.
Allen B
Muskegon, MI1,221 contributions
Dec 2022 • Couples
The wind is high and water is beautiful, but the area near the beach is dumpy and needs to be cleaned up. Bad roads and thousands of cruise ship guests littering and jumping in the water with tanning oil on is making it worse.
Written 2 January 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.
KelflyOh
Colorado990 contributions
Dec 2022
We snorkeled at Lac Bay twice during our early December visit to Bonaire. Some of the best snorkeling of the week and well worth the 20+ minute walk through the shallow are to begin swimming.
Written 19 December 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.
Tourist12690840382
14 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
No restrooms! Yup. BUT the local shack sells beer and soda. No foods. The beach has soft sand but is so shallow that you have to walk quite a ways into the water to really swim or snorkel. I would not make a special trip to swim here. Nope. There is a small area to park cars, buses and bikes.
Written 12 October 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.
Get a Grip
Sydney, Australia98 contributions
Aug 2022
The used motor oil dump by the toilets is disgusting and is likely leaking into the water table. Hopefully it will get cleaned up soon!
Written 1 August 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.
michelewelker
Pennsylvania844 contributions
Aug 2021
We stopped here while exploring the island. The beach is beautiful, with lots of white sand and beautiful blue water.
Written 10 July 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.
A N
20 contributions
Are there enough sunbeds and umbrellas, how is it with restaurants and restrooms?
jinty166
Chatham, Kent
What is the nearest beach to cruise port?
Happiness827933
4 contributions
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.
Michelle F
Edmonton, Canada104 contributions
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.
yyzhnl
Mississauga, Canada196 contributions
A car is needed to get to this beach rough roads.
Amydhillon47
Highland Heights, OH13 contributions
How far from the cruise port?
638annemariem
69 contributions
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.
bex400
Perranporth, United Kingdom68 contributions
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
Konakolina
Knoxville, TN43 contributions
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.
celisha d
Vancouver, Canada80 contributions
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!!
Konakolina
Knoxville, TN43 contributions
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.
Merry K
Kill Devil Hills, NC1 contribution
Is there a cost to go to Lac Bay
maboscel
reno, nevada81 contributions
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.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listingLac Bay - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Lac Bay
- Hotels near Lac Bay:
- (0.02 km) Beach Studio Spock at Lac Bay
- (0.03 km) Beach Studio Aerial at Lac Bay
- (0.05 km) Beach Studio Shaka at Lac Bay
- (0.17 km) Sorobon Luxury Beach Resort
- (6.42 km) Windhoek Boutique Resort Bonaire
- Restaurants near Lac Bay:
- (0.05 km) Hang Out Beachbar
- (0.19 km) Sorobon Reef Bar
- (0.24 km) Bistro Sorobon
- (4.06 km) Lekker Thuis Bonaire
- (2.30 km) Foodies Bonaire