Lac Cai – Bonaire

About this beach

Lac Cai is on the east side of Lac Bay, the large lagoon on Bonaire’s southeast coast, across the bay from Sorobon. From Kralendijk you drive towards Sorobon and follow the signs to Lac Cai. The last few kilometres around the bay are bumpy and partly unpaved; a car with a bit more ground clearance helps. There is no public transport.

The water is shallow and calm, with sand and seagrass on the bottom, and a coral reef at the mouth of the bay blocks most waves. It is not a coral garden: you snorkel over seagrass, where sea turtles sometimes come to feed. Stay in the sheltered part of the bay, because there is current at the opening to the sea. Across the lagoon you can see the mangroves.

There is little shade, so bring your own. A snack bar sells food and drinks; it is busiest on Sundays, with local food such as fresh fish and often live music. The tall piles of empty queen conch shells (karkó) come from fishermen who caught large numbers of conch in Lac Bay and dumped the shells here. Catching karkó has been prohibited since 1985. Look and take photos, but do not take shells. Dogs are not allowed and kitesurfing is prohibited in Lac Bay.

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