In the southeast of Bonaire lies Lac Bay, a wooded lagoon with beautiful beaches. Officially, Lac Bay (or Lac Bai) is the name of the entire lagoon, but it usually refers to the area around Sorobon. At Sorobon, you can windsurf and enjoy the sandy beach. You can also snorkel along the barrier reef, which offers stunning views. For bird enthusiasts, there’s plenty to experience as well. In the mangrove, you can often spot flamingos, herons, and other wading birds.
Sharing Island Love
Thank you for your interest in our beautiful island in the Caribbean! We love sharing our passion for Bonaire with everyone — locals, visitors, and of course, with our guests during Our tours. Curious how we do that? You can find all the details in Sharing Island Love.
With Island Love,
Looking to discover more beautiful places? Go on an adventure with us.
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Visit Lac Bay with us during the most complete island tour on Bonaire.
Sorobon
Sorobon is located on the west side of Lac Bay and is one of Bonaire’s highlights. It’s a vibrant place with a relaxed vibe. Along the water, you will find some charming beach bars overlooking the azure waters of the lagoon. Sorobon is a wonderful spot to conclude your Scenic Drive to the Salt Pans in the South. After snorkeling with the turtles at the Salt Pier, visiting the slave huts, admiring the Flamingo Sanctuary, and exploring the street art at the old shrimp factory, we’re ready for some food and drinks!
The lagoon is a hotspot for windsurfers. The water is calm and shallow, and the pleasant breeze provides wind in the sails. You can rent windsurfing equipment at one of the beach bars. If you’re new to windsurfing, there are plenty of opportunities for lessons. If relaxation is more your style, you can simply sit back in a beach chair with a cocktail and enjoy watching the surfers in action!
Sorobon is a lively place, and during the high season, it can get quite busy. Fortunately, for those seeking tranquility, there’s a lesser-known and hidden spot. South of Sorobon lies an untouched sandy beach next to an old fishing hut. With a foldable beach chair and a filled cooler, you will feel like a king there!
At the end of the Sorobon peninsula, you will find a lookout tower used by STINAPA rangers to oversee the area, but it’s also open to visitors. From the top, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the turquoise waters, seagrass beds, windsurfers, Lac Cai, and the waves breaking on the reef.
On the western tip of the peninsula lies Sorobon’s small fishing harbor. Seek shade under one of the palapas and enjoy a beautiful show when a fisherman cleans his catch, and Laughing Gulls and Magnificent Frigatebirds swoop down on the fish waste tossed into the water.
Birdwatching in the Mangrove
Sorobon is nestled between Lac Bay and the stunning mangrove forests of Bonaire. The mangrove is a unique area, teeming with life both above and below the water. Three different tree species thrive here, each having adapted to survive in this salt-rich environment. In our blog The Mangrove of Bonaire we delve deeper into the trees, their significance, and the importance of protecting the mangrove.
Kaminda Sorobon, the road running alongside the forest, is one of our favorite birdwatching spots. Pools along the forest’s edge attract various species of herons, flamingos, and other water birds. They find their food there: small fish, brine shrimp, mosquito larvae, snails, seeds, and more. When danger arises, they seek shelter within the forest’s fringe. With some luck, you might catch sight of an osprey passing by. Especially during the early and late hours of the day, you will find numerous birds along this road. Do you want to explore other rich birding locations? Book a Birdwatching Tour with us!
If you spot a remarkable bird, you can simply pull over and park your car on the side of the road. Birds are best observed while staying inside the car. Open all the windows to enjoy the breeze, and turn off the engine. Then you can peacefully enjoy the view! The birds are accustomed to car traffic, so as long as you remain inside the car, they won’t pay you any attention. Additionally, many photogenic donkeys graze alongside the road and may come to check out your car.
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Snorkeling at Lac Bay’s Reef
The reef that protects Lac Bay from the rugged waves of The East Coast of Bonaire is breathtakingly beautiful. Just like in the lagoon, the water on the reef is remarkably shallow, with various coral formations extending up to the water’s surface. Snorkeling at this reef is a true experience.
This snorkeling spot is best explored on calm days when the wind is minimal. Surfers will be absent, allowing you to wade directly from Sorobon to the reef. Moreover, the water will be calmer, which is more comfortable when there’s abundant coral at the surface. Make sure to apply sunscreen thoroughly, as the white sand on the bottom reflects additional sunlight.
Our seven snorkeling commandments: • We use reef-friendly sunscreen. • We enter the water at the yellow entry/exit rock. • In the water, we stay horizontal: minimizing standing, and never stepping on corals. • We don’t touch anything. Even a light touch can harm the coral. • We don’t take anything out of the water unless it’s plastic waste. • We don’t feed the fish. • We respect the reef, so we pay our STINAPA Nature Fee. |
After approximately twenty minutes of wading and/or swimming, you will reach the reef. On the ocean side, waves crash violently against the coral, but on your side, you will notice the water is calm (unless you’ve chosen a windy day). Nonetheless, stay at a safe distance from the corals to avoid accidentally bumping into them. Even a gentle touch can harm the protective mucus on the coral, making them susceptible to diseases.
During snorkeling, you can encounter many extraordinary creatures like turtles, barracudas, rays, and the queen conch. You could spend hours exploring, but beware of turning as red as a lobster when coming out of the water!
The Seagrass Beds, a Habitat of the Queen Conch
On your way to the reef, you will encounter some seagrass beds. These grass fields are highly vulnerable, so please avoid walking through them. Seagrass is the domain of the queen conch (locally known as karkó in Papiamentu). These massive sea snails feed on the algae growing on seagrass, and you will also find them elsewhere on the reef. With shell lengths of up to 35 centimeters (15 inches), they are hard to miss.
By feeding on algae, queen conchs keep the seagrass in good condition, which is vital for the sea turtles that love to feed on it. Unfortunately, you will notice significant algae growth on the seagrass. Due to overfishing, queen conchs are threatened with extinction. Although strictly prohibited, people still fish for them. If you come across conch on a menu, there’s a chance it comes from Lac Bay, even if the restaurant owner claims otherwise.
About us: A Tour With HopiBonaire
During a tour with HopiBonaire, you will explore the most remote and stunning locations on the island. We love introducing our guests to the diversity of Bonaire, which is why we also visit the Sorobon area during our versatile island tour, Mesmerizing Bonaire.
For the true off-road fans, we offer a visit to the pristine Lac Cai, located on the other side of Lac Bay. Here, you will find a beautiful and tranquil sandy beach, but the real joy comes from exploring the underwater world. It’s incredibly diverse and entirely different from the reef.
During our tours, you will be on your own with your group, providing an intimate and personalized experience at your own pace. We don’t rush you! All tours can be customized to your preferences, and there’s the option to book a fully tailor-made tour. Want to know more? Check out the offerings of our tours.
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