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My family and I love cruising. If you've seen my other posts, you know it's our favorite way to travel. We unpack once, travel all over, have tons of things to do onboard, and, if we're not taking a TransAtlantic crossing, we get to visit some amazing places with their own amazing offerings. This last cruise, we didn't have anything booked in the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao), but the night before we docked in Bonaire, we looked through the excursions one last time and decided to grab something very last minute. Best.Decision.Ever. (read more)
BONAIRE LANDSAILING ADVENTURES
There is a lot I want to say about this excursion, and I plan to do so in this post (and video), but the first thing I want to say is that, in my 16 years of cruising, I have NEVER experienced an excursion like this. That's saying a lot, because we have been on some spectacular excursions (I'm looking at you, Alaska helicopter tour to Meade Glacier).
So, if you're thinking of booking it, do it. I have a feeling that this is going to be one of those excursions that books up fast once word gets out about how great it is. If you and I are ever on the same cruise going to Bonaire, you're going to be competing against me, my mom, and my two boys for spots. And since the track only holds 10 at a time, that leaves you with only six spots. You feel me? I also need to say that, if you do book this, I don't get anything for it. This is NOT a paid advertisement of any sort. I get nothing from Royal Caribbean, nothing from the owner of the business, etc. If you buy something I suggest from Amazon, I get a little bonus (though it costs you nothing extra), but the excursion is not like that. Just in case you were worried I was suggesting it because I was getting paid. I'm not. Now that I've given you fair warning about snapping up the available spots, let's talk shop! CHECK OUT OUR REVIEW OF MEADE GLACIER BY HELICOPTER 
LANDSAILING IN BONAIRE
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BONAIRE LAND SAILING ADVENTURES
BOOKING AND GETTING THERE
We were on a Royal Caribbean ship (The Explorer of the Seas) so we booked directly through the cruise ship. You can definitely book directly with Bonaire Landsailing Adventures by giving them a call at +599 786 1572, by going over to their Facebook Page (that's the link) and sending a message, or by visiting their website directly.
There were only three times available when we booked; each time holds a maximum of ten people, but you can reserve the track later in the afternoon if you have a large group that wants to go.
I know that on the day we went she had a group of 15 people coming in after we finished. They had reserved the track and were planning on taking turns riding during their reservation. So, if the excursion is all booked up by the time you get around to booking (don't say I didn't warn you), definitely reach out and see what they can do for you.
The cost was around $90 per person. We feel like this was a great price, loads of value for the money spent.
Children from ages 3-8 can ride with a parent (I wasn't clear on this in the video, but have since had confirmation from Donna), so if you have a little, little, they can still go and have a great time! The cruise ship had 8 years old listed as the minimum, so if you've got a younger child, give Donna a call/message and she can work it out with you.
I expect this excursion to start selling out quickly once word gets around. The business is fairly new, around two years old, which is why I think we were able to book it so late and pay the price we paid. Hopefully she's making a good profit at $90 per person, but if not, I don't think she's going to have any trouble asking for more money down the road if she wants to.
We walked off the ship and were met by an RC employee who took us to two young men waiting with the rest of our group. They led us away from the port and found some shade for us while we waited for Donna to pick us up.
About five minutes later Donna showed up in her big white van, dropped off the prior group of guests (who were raving about how much fun they had) and picked us up. The whole way to the track she told us about the business, how she got started, etc. She was a wonderful guide and kept everyone in the van entertained on the trip there and back, so if you have questions, feel free to ask!
The trip there was about 15-20 minutes, the drive was smooth, the AC was nice, and the chatter was lively.
CHECK OUT OUR REVIEW OF BUMPER CARS AT SEA
There were only three times available when we booked; each time holds a maximum of ten people, but you can reserve the track later in the afternoon if you have a large group that wants to go.
I know that on the day we went she had a group of 15 people coming in after we finished. They had reserved the track and were planning on taking turns riding during their reservation. So, if the excursion is all booked up by the time you get around to booking (don't say I didn't warn you), definitely reach out and see what they can do for you.
The cost was around $90 per person. We feel like this was a great price, loads of value for the money spent.
Children from ages 3-8 can ride with a parent (I wasn't clear on this in the video, but have since had confirmation from Donna), so if you have a little, little, they can still go and have a great time! The cruise ship had 8 years old listed as the minimum, so if you've got a younger child, give Donna a call/message and she can work it out with you.
I expect this excursion to start selling out quickly once word gets around. The business is fairly new, around two years old, which is why I think we were able to book it so late and pay the price we paid. Hopefully she's making a good profit at $90 per person, but if not, I don't think she's going to have any trouble asking for more money down the road if she wants to.
We walked off the ship and were met by an RC employee who took us to two young men waiting with the rest of our group. They led us away from the port and found some shade for us while we waited for Donna to pick us up.
About five minutes later Donna showed up in her big white van, dropped off the prior group of guests (who were raving about how much fun they had) and picked us up. The whole way to the track she told us about the business, how she got started, etc. She was a wonderful guide and kept everyone in the van entertained on the trip there and back, so if you have questions, feel free to ask!
The trip there was about 15-20 minutes, the drive was smooth, the AC was nice, and the chatter was lively.
CHECK OUT OUR REVIEW OF BUMPER CARS AT SEA
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BONAIRE LANDSAILING ADVENTURES
AT THE TRACK
Once we got to the track, Donna showed us where the restrooms were (this is an important thing for me because I always have to pee) and then led us around back to a seating area where we all gathered to get some safety information.
A goodly amount of time was spent on safety, and rightfully so. Donna and her crew want to be absolutely sure you know what you're doing and that you are comfortable with the instructions before you get into the kart and on the track.
My nine year old really wanted to drive, and Donna said that he could, provided he could control the kart and pay attention to her instructions. She was very clear on this with him and he made sure to listen up so he wouldn't end up having to ride with me.
I'm going to dumb it down here because you'll get all of this information given to you when you ride, but basically, if you're having a problem of any sort in the kart, let go of the rope. If the rope is taught, you will go fast, if you let go of the rope, you let go of the wind and the propulsion.
All your problems are solved if you'll just LET GO OF THE ROPE.
This can be hard to remember while you're in the thick of things. The first time I caught a gust of wind and my kart went up on two wheels, I had a tense moment of "ahhhh!" and then remembered what Donna said.
I let go of the rope, went back on to three wheels, and everything was fine. I did go up on two wheels a few times, and each time I was able to let go of the rope and get it quickly back under control.
There is a chance you can tip your kart, but don't be worried about this. It happens once in awhile, you're given clear instructions on what to do if it happens, and the guys on the track will be there in two shakes to pick up your cart and get you going again.
A woman in our group tipped her kart. The guys were so good that when (at the end) she told us she'd tipped, almost no one in the group knew because the guys had her sorted out so quickly.
Basically you are given good, clear, easy to process information that will keep you safe. The employees are on top of things as well, so if you have trouble, someone is going to help.
Let's talk gear.
HEADING TO DISNEY? THIS IS OUR TOP TEN MUST HAVE PACKING LIST
A goodly amount of time was spent on safety, and rightfully so. Donna and her crew want to be absolutely sure you know what you're doing and that you are comfortable with the instructions before you get into the kart and on the track.
My nine year old really wanted to drive, and Donna said that he could, provided he could control the kart and pay attention to her instructions. She was very clear on this with him and he made sure to listen up so he wouldn't end up having to ride with me.
I'm going to dumb it down here because you'll get all of this information given to you when you ride, but basically, if you're having a problem of any sort in the kart, let go of the rope. If the rope is taught, you will go fast, if you let go of the rope, you let go of the wind and the propulsion.
All your problems are solved if you'll just LET GO OF THE ROPE.
This can be hard to remember while you're in the thick of things. The first time I caught a gust of wind and my kart went up on two wheels, I had a tense moment of "ahhhh!" and then remembered what Donna said.
I let go of the rope, went back on to three wheels, and everything was fine. I did go up on two wheels a few times, and each time I was able to let go of the rope and get it quickly back under control.
There is a chance you can tip your kart, but don't be worried about this. It happens once in awhile, you're given clear instructions on what to do if it happens, and the guys on the track will be there in two shakes to pick up your cart and get you going again.
A woman in our group tipped her kart. The guys were so good that when (at the end) she told us she'd tipped, almost no one in the group knew because the guys had her sorted out so quickly.
Basically you are given good, clear, easy to process information that will keep you safe. The employees are on top of things as well, so if you have trouble, someone is going to help.
Let's talk gear.
HEADING TO DISNEY? THIS IS OUR TOP TEN MUST HAVE PACKING LIST
BONAIRE LANDSAILING ADVENTURES
GEARING UP AND GOING
Everyone in the group is provided with a helmet and gloves. If you don't have sunglasses (I recommend bringing them along) you will also be provided with slightly orange tinted safety goggles.
All of these things are to keep you safe, though, if you follow instructions, you never need to worry about smacking your head.
The gloves come in handy because you are pulling on the rope quite a bit, and you definitely don't want that rope gripped in your bare palm for 45 minutes.
Sunglasses do more than shade you from the sun, as I quickly realized. When people go around you (I'm slow, they go around me a lot) they can kick up sand since the track is just hard packed sand. The sand will fly and hit you in the face, so the sunglasses/goggles keep it out of your eyes.
Don't worry, it's not painful! You can tell it's happening, and you will need to shower once you get back to your stateroom, but it doesn't hurt at all.
Once you've all got your gear on, the guys will lead you around the track to the Blo Kart parking area. The karts are equipped with different size sails. As you can see in the picture, there are three different sail sizes in our group.
My mom (around 200 pounds) has a large sail. My oldest son and I (who are around 120 pounds) have the middle sails, and my youngest son (at 65 pounds) has the small sail.
They want you to have a sail large enough to make you go, go, go, but not a sail so large that you'll blow....away.
You'll sit down, get buckled in, and then, one by one, you'll be pushed out on to the track so you can start catching some wind.
Before you know it, you'll be zooming around that track like a pro! The sun will be shining, the wind will be blowing, and you'll be racing around with nine of your newest friends as the waves crash on the beach, a perfect backdrop to a perfect day.
That's me, and that's the ocean in the background! It was epic!!
WHEN WE CAN'T TRAVEL, WE GET UNIVERSAL YUMS, OUR FAVORITE INTERNATIONAL SNACK BOX
All of these things are to keep you safe, though, if you follow instructions, you never need to worry about smacking your head.
The gloves come in handy because you are pulling on the rope quite a bit, and you definitely don't want that rope gripped in your bare palm for 45 minutes.
Sunglasses do more than shade you from the sun, as I quickly realized. When people go around you (I'm slow, they go around me a lot) they can kick up sand since the track is just hard packed sand. The sand will fly and hit you in the face, so the sunglasses/goggles keep it out of your eyes.
Don't worry, it's not painful! You can tell it's happening, and you will need to shower once you get back to your stateroom, but it doesn't hurt at all.
Once you've all got your gear on, the guys will lead you around the track to the Blo Kart parking area. The karts are equipped with different size sails. As you can see in the picture, there are three different sail sizes in our group.
My mom (around 200 pounds) has a large sail. My oldest son and I (who are around 120 pounds) have the middle sails, and my youngest son (at 65 pounds) has the small sail.
They want you to have a sail large enough to make you go, go, go, but not a sail so large that you'll blow....away.
You'll sit down, get buckled in, and then, one by one, you'll be pushed out on to the track so you can start catching some wind.
Before you know it, you'll be zooming around that track like a pro! The sun will be shining, the wind will be blowing, and you'll be racing around with nine of your newest friends as the waves crash on the beach, a perfect backdrop to a perfect day.
That's me, and that's the ocean in the background! It was epic!!
WHEN WE CAN'T TRAVEL, WE GET UNIVERSAL YUMS, OUR FAVORITE INTERNATIONAL SNACK BOX
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BONAIRE LANDSAILING ADVENTURE
DRIVING (AND EVENTUALLY STOPPING)
There are so many "best parts" of this excursion, but the "best best part" is how long you're on the track. It's not quick, it's not a few laps and done, no, it's like 45 minutes of you racing around the track! Plenty of time for you to get comfortable with the Blo Kart, get to know the steering, the propulsion, the corners, etc.
It's also plenty of time for you to go fast! If I had to guess, I would estimate that some people in our group were hitting 30 miles per hour, no kidding!
You get to spend so long driving that you start to wonder if they've made a mistake. Did they say "last lap" and you just didn't hear it? Are you supposed to be driving still? You look around, everyone else is driving, so at least if you're wrong, you're all wrong together. :)
The guys walk around and take pictures, a lot of pictures. I think we have 22 of just the four people in our group, that's awesome!
They do eventually tell you "last lap" and this is where your earlier training comes in handy. There's a sign at the end of the track that says "If this is your last lap, let go of the rope now" or something. So when the guys tell you "last lap" (and you'll know when this is) you keep going until you get to that sign, then you let go of the rope and watch the guys. They will direct you off the track and around until you can park right back where you started.
They put a tire over one of the Blo Karts tires to keep you in place, and you stay in your kart until everyone on the track has parked.
Then they take a group picture, and everyone gets out of their karts.
This is partly because everyone wants a great picture, and partly because they don't want you out of the kart while there are still karts on the track. Staying in the kart for a picture is just a bonus!
No one wants to get run over.
So listen to them and stay put, they'll let you know when you're safe to get up.
Here we are at the end of our drive.
HERE'S OUR REVIEW OF THE WHITE PASS TRAIN RIDE IN SKAGWAY ALASKA
It's also plenty of time for you to go fast! If I had to guess, I would estimate that some people in our group were hitting 30 miles per hour, no kidding!
You get to spend so long driving that you start to wonder if they've made a mistake. Did they say "last lap" and you just didn't hear it? Are you supposed to be driving still? You look around, everyone else is driving, so at least if you're wrong, you're all wrong together. :)
The guys walk around and take pictures, a lot of pictures. I think we have 22 of just the four people in our group, that's awesome!
They do eventually tell you "last lap" and this is where your earlier training comes in handy. There's a sign at the end of the track that says "If this is your last lap, let go of the rope now" or something. So when the guys tell you "last lap" (and you'll know when this is) you keep going until you get to that sign, then you let go of the rope and watch the guys. They will direct you off the track and around until you can park right back where you started.
They put a tire over one of the Blo Karts tires to keep you in place, and you stay in your kart until everyone on the track has parked.
Then they take a group picture, and everyone gets out of their karts.
This is partly because everyone wants a great picture, and partly because they don't want you out of the kart while there are still karts on the track. Staying in the kart for a picture is just a bonus!
No one wants to get run over.
So listen to them and stay put, they'll let you know when you're safe to get up.
Here we are at the end of our drive.
HERE'S OUR REVIEW OF THE WHITE PASS TRAIN RIDE IN SKAGWAY ALASKA
BONAIRE LANDSAILING ADVENTURE
FINISHING UP YOUR TOUR &
TIPPING (OPTIONAL)
Once everyone is safely out of their Blow Kart, you'll be lead off the track to the seating area you started from. You'll take off your gear, collect your belongings, and enjoy some fresh, cool water and some fresh fruit that's been provided for you.
This is also the time when you can leave a tip. There's a tip jar attached to the side of the building (it has a funny picture of a person in a kart that tipped over) and, if you thought the service and excursion were great, now's your chance to show your appreciation.
We left a $50 tip for our party of four, but of course tipping is optional and at your discretion.
Donna handed us some brochures at this point so we knew where to go to find our pictures later on. The pictures were uploaded fast, I think the next day, and we had a ton of fun looking through them. I'll post all them (of us) in the gallery below. Feel free to scroll on through!
The guys really do take great pictures, and I feel like this is an added value, albeit one you aren't charged for. It's just really nice of them to take those pictures for you, since you're not in any position to take them yourself.
USING ROYAL CARIBBEANS ROYAL UP PROGRAM TO BID ON A STATEROOM UPGRADE
This is also the time when you can leave a tip. There's a tip jar attached to the side of the building (it has a funny picture of a person in a kart that tipped over) and, if you thought the service and excursion were great, now's your chance to show your appreciation.
We left a $50 tip for our party of four, but of course tipping is optional and at your discretion.
Donna handed us some brochures at this point so we knew where to go to find our pictures later on. The pictures were uploaded fast, I think the next day, and we had a ton of fun looking through them. I'll post all them (of us) in the gallery below. Feel free to scroll on through!
The guys really do take great pictures, and I feel like this is an added value, albeit one you aren't charged for. It's just really nice of them to take those pictures for you, since you're not in any position to take them yourself.
USING ROYAL CARIBBEANS ROYAL UP PROGRAM TO BID ON A STATEROOM UPGRADE
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BONAIRE LANDSAILING ADVENTURES
HEADING BACK TO THE SHIP &
FINAL THOUGHTS
After one final bathroom break we loaded back into the van and headed back to port. Donna took us on a little side excursion because she'd seen a flamboyance (that's a real word) of Flamingos and wanted to show them to us.
It was super cool!
Also, if you didn't know, a baby Flamingo is called a Flaminglet. I'm not even kidding.
Adorable!
We were dropped back at the same place she picked us up, all with plenty of time to head out into Bonaire to do some shopping, sightseeing, touristing.
The people were friendly, the island was safe and clean, and the water was just beautiful. We didn't snorkel, but Donna assured us that if we just got in to the water, even knee deep, along the shore, we'd see the fish.
Next time, we will take her advice, for sure!
The entire tour lasted around 2 and a half hours. We had the 11 a.m. tour and were back by 2 p.m. roughly, leaving us a few hours to walk around on our own, get some ice cream at Gio's (which Donna suggested) and grab some small souvenirs from a nearby market.
We loved this tour, we think it was well worth the money, and we're already looking for another cruise that goes to Bonaire just so we can do it again.
A word of warning, don't go in September, or at least expect that you might get cancelled. You can absolutely get in touch with Donna and book an appointment, but she did tell us that it's the only month of the year where the wind dies down at times, so if you're on a September cruise, this tour likely isn't going to be offered on your itinerary, and that would be very sad, indeed.
We hope you take the tour, we know you're going to love it as much as we did! If you do take it, come back and let us know how it went!
Ty
It was super cool!
Also, if you didn't know, a baby Flamingo is called a Flaminglet. I'm not even kidding.
Adorable!
We were dropped back at the same place she picked us up, all with plenty of time to head out into Bonaire to do some shopping, sightseeing, touristing.
The people were friendly, the island was safe and clean, and the water was just beautiful. We didn't snorkel, but Donna assured us that if we just got in to the water, even knee deep, along the shore, we'd see the fish.
Next time, we will take her advice, for sure!
The entire tour lasted around 2 and a half hours. We had the 11 a.m. tour and were back by 2 p.m. roughly, leaving us a few hours to walk around on our own, get some ice cream at Gio's (which Donna suggested) and grab some small souvenirs from a nearby market.
We loved this tour, we think it was well worth the money, and we're already looking for another cruise that goes to Bonaire just so we can do it again.
A word of warning, don't go in September, or at least expect that you might get cancelled. You can absolutely get in touch with Donna and book an appointment, but she did tell us that it's the only month of the year where the wind dies down at times, so if you're on a September cruise, this tour likely isn't going to be offered on your itinerary, and that would be very sad, indeed.
We hope you take the tour, we know you're going to love it as much as we did! If you do take it, come back and let us know how it went!
Ty
OUR ROOM ON EXPLORER OF THE SEAS
If you'd like a tour of the Family Ocean View Panoramic Suite we had on board Explorer of the Seas, here's the video!
6 Comments
12/9/2019 01:54:21 pm
Holy cow!!! What an incredible blog post! I am spinning with all your accolades and the thoroughness of your account of your experience with us. WOW! Thank you so much for taking the time to put this together. I just looked through your site. Fantastic! Can't wait for you and your family to come back to Bonaire again to do some more landsailing. Your blokart awaits. Have a wonderful holiday season and we'll see you again next year! Cheers, Donna
Sheila (Ty The Hunter)
12/9/2019 02:04:14 pm
Thanks for the wonderful comment! I am telling you that when we get back to Bonaire, this will be the first excursion we book, and we'll likely book back to back and just stay there for three hours driving as much as you'll let us, lol. It was the best day ever! Such a gem of an excursion! I'm almost sad to think of how hard it'll be to book once word gets out! Do let me know once you get the shirts, we'll want to purchase some, for sure.
Nancy Allingham
12/9/2019 09:42:26 pm
Hi Donna,
I just read the above blog and what great accolades for your land sailing business. It sounds like a great fun thing to do on a holiday. Wouldn’t I love to come some day and at least see you and the island even if I didn’t have the courage to landsail......but you never know!! I know your Dad did it and had a blast. The blog above really took me there!
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Nancy
Sheila (Ty The Hunter)
12/10/2019 05:49:32 am
Hi Nancy! I'm not going to pressure you into it, but I will say that you alone control the speed, so it can be fast or slower, whatever you like. I'm not an adventurous person at all, but I'd do this again in a heartbeat, it was just so much fun. I hope you get out there one day!
Claire Rouner
12/10/2019 06:43:44 am
I'm Sheilas mom and sidekick. I am 65 and pleasantly plump. I DID IT! Sheila has talked me into zip lining in the jungles of St Thomas, a helicopter ride to the top of a glacier in Alaska, underwater motor cycling and swimming with stingrays in Grand Cayman just to name a few. This was by far one of the most exhilarating excursions to date. I was totally in control of the rope! I'd go back in a heartbeat. Thank you Donna and your wonderful team of talented young people for showing an old lady a great time!!!
Sheila (Ty The Hunter)
12/10/2019 07:05:04 am
Best, and most fearless, sidekick ever! I love you, momma!
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