Klein Bonaire North (Hato)
- Freeride, Freestyle
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Flat, Chop
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Klein Bonaire North (Hato) is a small, uninhabited island area with crystal-clear water and a sandy launch setup, often described as flat water that can turn choppy. The winds are trade winds with an east to northeast component and a typical range around 15–25 knots, generally most consistent from December through August, with the strongest wind chances reported between May and August. Because it is remote and environmentally regulated, conditions are presented as primarily suitable for advanced riders operating with proper support. Multiple sources emphasize that kitesurfing is restricted/prohibited on Klein Bonaire itself, with rules including a 500m buffer zone and limitations on where starting/landing can occur. Where permitted, kitesurfing is described as being limited to a specific Marine Park entry/exit zone, and distance requirements in open water are highlighted. Safety planning is central here: there is no rescue service/boat on-site, and both the offshore wind setup and island remoteness increase consequence. Expect enforcement/permit considerations (STINAPA nature fee tag described as required in this protected marine area) and strong emphasis on staying clear of sensitive reef areas. Local guidance specifically calls out going with a buddy/support boat, respecting the 75m-in-dark-blue-water style distance guidance, and wearing UV protection. Beyond kitesurfing, wingfoiling is described as feasible due to deep water and suitable conditions, again tied to boat safety and correct operational distances. Windsurfing is described as not allowed on Klein Bonaire, with windsurfing instead noted for other Marine Park locations, which effectively makes wing/kit the main “at this exact launch” categories under the cited restrictions.
- Remote, uninhabited island access by boat/water taxi
- Crystal-clear water and small sandy launch stretches
- Reliable east/northeast trade winds around 15–25 knots
- Strict Marine Park enforcement and distance rules; kitesurfing requires compliance with permitted zones
- No on-site rescue service
- Crystal-clear water and flat-to-choppy conditions for freestyle/freeride/foiling.
- Highly reliable trade winds during the main season.
- Beautiful, remote island setting with strong environmental management.
- Kitesurfing is officially prohibited except in strictly defined Marine Park zones/entry-exit areas.
- Advanced-only, offshore-feeling logistics (boat/support needed).
- No rescue service on-site.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE, E
- Offshore directions
- NE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Trade-wind conditions (easterly trades) with generally consistent airflow.
- Reliability
- Trade winds are described as highly reliable/blowing consistently from December through August.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Wind can be gusty during the day, though overall reliability is high in the main trade-wind season.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, November, December
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Chop
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach with sandy launch area.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Flat — Reported as flat/mostly flat but can be choppy depending on conditions.
- Chop Level
- Light chop — Flat water with potential choppiness; one source describes choppy water and clear visibility.
- Launch
- Small — Small sandy stretches along the coast; some shoreline is coral rock.
Through the year
October to December is the primary rainy period (generally sparse rainfall).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Flat-to-choppy water with very clear visibility and trade-wind conditions. Operations require advanced-level ability, boat support/logistics, and strict compliance with Marine Park rules/entry-exit zones; kitesurfing is treated as officially prohibited except where specifically permitted.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Not allowed on Klein Bonaire; windsurfing is described as restricted to other areas within the Marine Park (logistics typically involve sailing across from the main island).
- Sail Sizes
- 5.5–7.5 m²
Foil is described as possible due to deep water conditions, provided you have boat safety/appropriate access. One note specifies foil working area in dark-blue water at about 75m from shore; it also notes restrictions on starting/landing from Klein Bonaire.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Described as deep water and suitable for foiling (with operational distance/boat-support requirements).
- Min Depth
- 2.0m
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Klein Bonaire North (Hato) in the full forecast view.
Klein Bonaire North (Hato) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 7–17 ktsGusts 25 kts
- Direction
- E98°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2417 kts
- Windy days
- 5/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–0.7 m3s period
- Temperature
- 28–31 °C
Over the next 7 days, Klein Bonaire North (Hato) is forecast for daytime winds of 7–17 kts, peaking around 17 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 25 kts. The prevailing direction is E. Waves run 0.1–0.7 m with a period of about 3s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- no-rescue-service
- offshore/off-island wind
- beach-guests
- coral reefs
- sharp coral
- sharp ironshore rock
- offshore wind
- sun exposure
- no rescue boat on-site
- ranger/permit enforcement risk if distance rules are not followed
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No rescue service/boat on-site.
- Emergency Info
- Contact the Coast Guard or STINAPA rangers on VHF channel 16.
Rules of the spot
Kitesurfing and windsurfing are restricted/prohibited on Klein Bonaire with a 500m buffer zone; starting or landing from Klein Bonaire is not allowed. Kitesurfing is only allowed at an Atlantis entry/exit zone within the Marine Park. Maintain distance rules when operating in open water (including a 75m distance from shore in dark-blue water) and follow STINAPA permit requirements where applicable.
- No starting or landing from Klein Bonaire (500m buffer zone required).
- Kitesurfing only allowed at the Atlantis entry/exit zone within the Marine Park.
- Maintain 75m distance from shore in open waters (dark blue water).
- STINAPA permit/fee tag required (where applicable) and kitesurfing strictly regulated within the National Marine Park.
- No kitesurfing in main shipping lanes between islands.
- Never go alone; there is no rescue service for this launch area.
- Stay compliant with distance rules: keep at least 75m from the shore in dark-blue water to reduce ranger/penalty risk.
- Respect coral reefs and avoid touching the bottom.
- Use a buddy and a support/boat for any attempt, given the offshore setup and permit/logistics constraints.
- Wear a rash guard for UV protection.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Kralendijk
- Nearest Town
- Hato
- Nearest Airport
- Bonaire International Airport (BRP)
- Parking
- No parking on the islet; some parking is available at boat launch points on the mainland. Parking at Klein Bonaire itself is not recommended/no facilities.
- Public Transport
- notExisting
- Access
- Accessible only by boat or water taxi from the main island of Bonaire; the spot is roughly 1km away and downwind, with advanced riders sometimes crossing the channel from the Hato area.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Dutch, Papiamento, English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Accommodation is available only on the main island of Bonaire.
- Food & Drink
- None on the island; bring all your own water and food.
- Equipment Rental:
- Rental gear is available on the main island of Bonaire and must be transported to Klein Bonaire by boat.
- Gear Storage
- Not available on-site.
- Gear Repair
- Repair services are described as located in Kralendijk.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Klein Bonaire North (Hato)?
The best overall months at Klein Bonaire North (Hato) are May, June, July, August. The best wind months are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Klein Bonaire North (Hato)?
Klein Bonaire North (Hato) works with NE, E winds. Offshore directions are NE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Klein Bonaire North (Hato)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Klein Bonaire North (Hato): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 5.5–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Klein Bonaire North (Hato) suitable for?
Klein Bonaire North (Hato) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate.