Bonaire’s warm Dutch Caribbean character sits naturally alongside the unhurried elegance of a classic sailing yacht. The island, largely undeveloped and designated a national park for both its land and sea areas, rewards the kind of slow, observant cruising that classic yachts are built for. Teak decks, gaff rig or traditional ketch profile, the aesthetics of a classic yacht and the beauty of Bonaire’s reef-fringed coast reinforce each other in a way that modern vessels rarely match.
Classic yachts available for charter in and around Bonaire range from lovingly restored ketch-rigged schooners to traditionally built sailing vessels with period interiors. Most carry between two and eight guests and a crew of two to four. The pace aboard is unhurried, the emphasis on seamanship and the kind of passages that leave room for conversation at the helm rather than just watching instruments.
Weekly charter rates for classic yachts in this part of the Caribbean typically range from 25,000 to 100,000 euros, depending on length, crew size and the vessel’s fit-out. An advance provisioning allowance of around 30 per cent covers fuel, food, drinks and marina fees. The high season from December through April coincides with Bonaire’s best trade winds and warmest hospitality.
Bonaire’s uncrowded anchorages suit the character of a classic yacht. Dropping the hook off Klein Bonaire in a traditional vessel, with the ridge of the island visible to the north and the reef alive beneath the hull, is one of those experiences the Caribbean does better than anywhere else.
