Sail to the Bonaire Regatta

Flocks of sails swarm the sea in preparations of the Bonaire Regatta.

Racing throughout the day and festivities fill the night. This Bonaire event brings out the whole shebang for seven days of racing fun.

If it floats, the Bonaire Regatta has a race for it! There are more than 60 races in various classes and everyone is welcome to join in. The competitive fun ranges from yachts, optimists, wooden boats, fishing boats, kayaks, micro boats and windsurfers. Sailors from all over the world come to Bonaire to participate.

In the fall, for over 30 years, Bonaire has hosted and celebrated the International Sailing Regatta. What started out as a small boat race has turned into a huge event that all the ABC islands participate in. Big name sponsers come here by the likes of Amstel, Coca Cola, Banco di Caribe and many more. Even the children get the week off of school!

The whole island celebrates this event. There's a parade and carnival throughout the streets of Kralendijk to Wilhelmina Park. Stands are set up for selling local food, souvenirs and artists selling their work. There are a variety of games and tournaments keeping the competitive spirit alive with vollyeball, dominoes, tennis and softball. There is also a popular swim to Klien Bonaire, with plenty of safety boats to help out along the way.

And when the night falls the party starts. With 5 happy hours worth of 2 for 1 drinks everyone is sure to be tipsy and primed for dancing! Plenty of bands, singers and artists from around the ABC islands perform on the festival stages.

The grand final of the fireworks signifies the end of the Regatta...until next year.

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