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Everything You Need to Know About Landsailing on Bonaire

Last Updated: November 14, 2022 · Bonaire, Caribbean

Landsailing… I had literally never even heard of the word before my trip to Bonaire Island.

Luckily, not knowing much about the sport didn’t stop me from cruising around the track in my “blokart” like a pro. I would say that’s thanks to all those years playing Mario Kart with my sister, but who knows?

Landsailing, also known as sand sailing, sand yachting (my favorite), or even dirt boarding, is pretty much like racing around a track in a gokart, but instead of gasoline or pedal power, you rely on wind energy to blow your sail.

And it turns out, Bonaire is the perfect island to try this recreational sport out. Not only is landsailing a fun and eco-friendly thing to do on Bonaire, but it’s also suitable for all ages.

Whether you’re visiting the island on a diving vacation or on a cruise, here’s everything you need to know about landsailing, plus why you should add it to your Bonaire adventure bucket list!

Table of Contents show
Your Guide to Landsailing on Bonaire
A Brief History of Landsailing
Where to Go Landsailing on Bonaire
Is Landsailing Hard?
What to Expect From Landsailing on Bonaire
What to Wear & Pack for Landsailing
Have Fun Landsailing in Bonaire!

Your Guide to Landsailing on Bonaire

Land sailers racing around track on Bonaire

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links that may earn me a small commission should you decide to click through and make a valid purchase (at no extra cost to you). Thanks so much for your support!

A Brief History of Landsailing

As I discovered down the rabbit hole on Wikipedia, landsailing’s history goes back several centuries or thousands of years and isn’t just a modern phenomenon; the earliest known text describing the use of a “sail on a carriage” or “wind-driven carriage” was written in China 552–554 AD.

We can even see the beginnings of landsailing with yachts in the early 17th century. Sure, today’s blokarts aren’t as elaborate or decorated as their predecessors, but they are powered in the same way. Wind pushes the sail of the vehicle which rolls on wheels.

Today, there are landsailing competitions held around the globe. And each type of vehicle has a different “class” it will race in. The different classes are due to differences in technicalities, mast sizes, shapes, and functionality.

There are even blokart world championships held around the world as well, and those race in two different classes.

When you go landsailing on Bonaire, you won’t need to worry about tech specs, or racing for that matter. (Well, at least not the championship kind!)

Where to Go Landsailing on Bonaire

📍 Kaminda Sabana Piedra Krus, Kralendijk
⏰ Mon-Fri 1-5pm / Sat-Sun 10am-5pm
📞 599-786-1572
🏎 Book It Here

Bonaire Landsailing Adventures is owned and operated by Donna and an awesome team of seasoned blokarters.

The guys at BLA are pros at landsailing, so even if you aren’t, you’ll be in safe hands. Besides, you can’t just rent a blokart and go out on the island on your own, so this guided activity is a must!

You can find BLA on the windy side of Bonaire Island, so on the northeastern side facing the Atlantic.

I would recommend you first spend the day exploring the Washington Slagbaai National Park and then, on your way back from Rincón to Kralendijk, stop by for your landsailing adventure just before sunset. (Make sure to book in advance, though!)

This way, you’ll end the day with a bang and at the most beautiful time of day, too.

Blokarts, landsailing on Bonaire at sunset
Woman wearing helmet and GoPro about to go land sailing on Bonaire

Is Landsailing Hard?

Landsailing requires a bit of arm strength to pull the sail, but that’s about it! Otherwise, it’s a very easy activity to learn with no prior experience.

When you book your session with Bonaire Landsailing Adventures, Donna or another team member will first take you through the basics and safety essentials of landsailing. Then, once everyone is feeling ready to roll, they will help buckle you in, and put a helmet on you!

Pro Tip: Bring your own GoPro with backup screws. They have outfitted helmets perfect for securing your action camera to capture awesome footage of you racing your friends around the track! 📸

So, you might be wondering… Can I fall or tip over?

Yes, but you’ll be safely strapped in and you won’t fall out. That’s in part thanks to the design of the blokart which has three wheels. In the unlikely event that you tip over going around a curve, one of the guys at BLA will race over and set your kart upright.

What to Expect From Landsailing on Bonaire

One word: FUN!

Donna has a simple promise: You’ll leave with what she calls the blokart grin—and it’s true. We had so much fun zooming around the dirt track! I especially love that this activity is for all people, all ages, and all skills, and is sustainable.

During your session, you will have plenty of time to do the whole circuit. Each time, you get better and faster!

Of course, be aware of your surroundings and try not to jam into your fellow blokarters—this isn’t bumper cars at the fair!

Landsailing on Bonaire.

What to Wear & Pack for Landsailing

Landsailing is an adventurous outdoor activity, so you should dress comfortably!

Since your blokart vehicle is not covered, you should consider the sun and pack/wear sunscreen and cover your arms and shoulders (especially if you go at midday).

Sunglasses will help protect your eyes from the sun as well, and also from the dirt and wind.

Here’s a quick summary of items you might wish to wear or pack in your day bag:

  • Closed-toe shoes or secure sandals (I wore my Teva Sandals)
  • Loose shirt and shorts
  • Sunscreen (remember to use only reef-safe sunscreen on Bonaire like Raw Elements)
  • Hat/Visor
  • Sunglasses
  • Reusable water bottle
  • GoPro, Insta360, or other action camera *optional

You can leave your rings and jewelry back at your resort in Bonaire or secure them in your bag before your ride so they don’t get lost or possibly injure you as you tug/release the rope.

Have Fun Landsailing in Bonaire!

So, are you excited about going landsailing? I sure hope so! It was definitely one of the highlights of all the activities we got to do during our week on the island.

Book your blokart adventure here 🏎💨

More Bonaire guides:

  • 15+ Best Places to Eat on Bonaire Island
  • 20+ Epic Things to Do in Bonaire
  • Hiking Guide to Mount Brandaris
  • The Ultimate Bonaire Travel Guide

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By: Bri · In: Bonaire, Caribbean

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I’m Bri, an adventurous digital nomad living abroad full-time since 2015. It is my hope to inspire you to live a life of adventure, seek out meaningful experiences, and travel slowly and mindfully!

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Ultimate Kathmandu Bucket List - 20 Top Things to Do in Kathmandu, Nepal #kathmandu #bucketlist #nepal #travel www.bucketlistbri.com Bucketlist Bri

20 Things to Do in Kathmandu, Nepal: ULTIMATE BUCKET LIST

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Traveling solo in Nepal has awakened in me a confi Traveling solo in Nepal has awakened in me a confidence & sense of self (at the risk of sounding cliché), of “my essence” and inner Knowing, and where my compassion and passions mingle and thrive. I was reading some of your comments on my recent Reel about solo travel and how I put myself at great risk/in danger. But as I was telling my Tibetan friend, Sonam, tonight (yes, the new one I made last week!), I inform my decisions mostly by 1. Asking myself, “Would this make a good story?” and 2. Listening to my body and emotions. Yes, it’s risky to travel solo, to be a female in a male-dominated culture, to go out after hours with people you just met, etc. But doing that — and all the magic that followed by “allowing” — reminded me exactly of who I am at my core: Curious and open to the world, willing to get uncomfortable for the sake of finding magic and serendipity. Some of you said, “I’m too scared to do this, how do you overcome that fear of personal safety?” And to this I say, I don’t! Fear accompanies me along the journey. Living life is one big risk. It’s uncomfortable to be open, vulnerable, and unsure. But once you accept that and once you begin to let compassion and curiosity guide you rather than your fear, the real magic starts to happen in all areas of life, not just travel. I find these moments most in travel though, when I’m confronted with contrast and am left vulnerable to the world and the kindness of my fellow humans. My Reels are not meant to romanticize or gloss over very real risks/threats in life, but rather to share a real account of what’s possible (adventure, connections, love, etc) when you worry less about societal norms and what’s “safe not safe” “right not right” and allow your over-active fears to take a backseat. 
This is your reminder to trust your inner compass to guide you in writing your epic life story. ✨✨

To sum it up: 

1. Choose a life of adventure 
2. Stay curious
3. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable (otherwise said, seek discomfort)
4. Let love and light flow in and out 
5. Change is the only constant 

#solotravel #nepaltravel #solofemaletraveler #soloadventure #localtravel #trekkingnepal #adventurethatislife
The strength of women 💛 These ladies were lau The strength of women 💛 

These ladies were laughing so sweetly while filling up their water jugs at the Manga Hiti fountain in Patan. I watched them for a while and then plucked up the courage to ask if I could take their photos, which only made them giggle more. 

I've always felt that not being able to communicate in the same language makes for even more interesting encounters. Without words, we have to touch each other's humanity with eyes and gestures, and most of the time it leads to unspoken mutual understanding, acceptance, and love. We three walked away with the biggest smiles on our faces. I yelled out "Dhayabad!" (Thank you!) as they hoisted their jugs up the stairs, laughing all the way. I won't forget this shared moment between us 🙏 

Check stories for the landscape orientation for some of these photos ✨ 

#nepal #nepalnow #nepalphotography #nepaliculture #nepalisbeautiful #natgeoyourshot #patan #kathmanduvalley #lifetimeexperiences #photonepal #nepaltravel
Did you feel it? Nepal’s ancient wisdom, its swi Did you feel it? Nepal’s ancient wisdom, its swirling spirituality, its raw humanity? ✨🇳🇵❤️

#nepal #visitnepal #nepalnow #travelstories #localtravel #mindfultravel #slowtravel #natgeotravel
When you say “yes” as a solo traveler and stay When you say “yes” as a solo traveler and stay open to the randomness of life and the kindness of strangers, really wonderful memories can be made. Thank you Lama family and my new Tibetan friends for such a fun and insightful sequence of experiences 🙏 💛

#solotravel #localtravel #nepaltravel #nepaldiaries #nepali #solofemaletravel #kathmandunepal #thamel #tibetanfood #solotraveldiaries
My first week back in the chaos of Kathmandu, 💛 My first week back in the chaos of Kathmandu, 💛 

Being back after 7 long years away has jolted my body, brain, and spirit. At first, I felt overwhelmed with the recurring thought of, "I don't know what to do with myself." It was only when acceptance knocked on my door, and I finally decided to let it in, that things began to shift and flow.
 
In Nepal, particularly Kathmandu, everything around me swarms like a hive. I have nowhere else to go but inside myself. I've discovered through years of slow traveling (and solo travel) that peace awaits me there -- a sense of independence, power, and knowing that is still, comforting, and safe. And I can tap into it whenever I need to.

Chaos and peace reside in all of us, and Nepal has a cosmic, ancient way of reminding you of just that. 

📍 Patan Durbar Square, Lalitpur

#nepaltravel #patan #durbarsquare #nepalphotography #slowtravel #nepal #solotravel #lalitpur
They ask, “Why?” I was 29 when I embarked on They ask, “Why?” 

I was 29 when I embarked on the plane on the 21st, and 30 when I disembarked on the 23rd. How fitting. I spent all of my 20s abroad (except for my two final semesters in undergrad), and moved to Nepal when I was 21. 

What better way to say goodbye to my twenties than by returning to the start? I felt the desperate urge to start my 30s this way—alone on a one-way ticket with no concrete plans. I have both feared and longed to come back all these years. You see, I had made a promise to one of my closest Nepali friends that I’d see her again, but the reality is that I no longer can. 

She, along with another dear friend, passed away from cancer a couple of years back. The thought of returning to my old life here without my friends made me, well, incredibly sad. I had thought that, upon landing in Kathmandu—or taking a bite of my first momo—after so long, I’d find myself bursting into tears of both grief and gratitude. But I didn’t. Instead, I found familiarity in the chaos and chaos in the strangeness. 

Just being here—and the decisions and actions it took to get here—has reminded me of the preciousness of this one very short life. And that, by choosing to celebrate mine—at the exciting turn of a decade no less—by coming back to Nepal on a solo trip that would force me into daring discomfort when I could instead retreat to the comforts of family or my partner, is how I want to live it.

Truth is, a couple of months ago the thought of Nepal felt out of reach. It felt risky, unattainable. But the idea itself pushed open, just a crack at first, a door that had been otherwise closed. I could have more easily ignored my “what if?” daydreams—calling them off as too hard, too uncomfortable, or too far-fetched to actually pursue—and kept it shut.
But sometime in mid-July, I decided to look at flights. And I found one (truly, just one) option that could work. And it just so happened that it would fall on my birthday, or rather bridge my birthday. The idea of getting on a plane at 29 and getting off it at 30—back in Nepal—sold me. I fell in love with the story, the adventure, the unknowingness of it all. 

So, yeah. That’s why. Or as I prefer, “Why not?”
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