Red Slave (Bonaire)
- Wave, Big air
- Best for
- Advanced to Expert
- Skill Level
- Medium waves
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Red Slave (Bonaire) is a technical, expert-oriented spot on Bonaire’s southern coast where consistent trade winds can support kitesurfing and other wave riding. Wind is typically described from the east to east-northeast, with a typical range around 15–25 knots during the reliable season. For kitesurfing, sources emphasize that it’s not a teaching or practice area: it’s described as advanced/expert wave-riding with medium waves (around 2 m noted by one source) and offshore wind. Some material also notes gustier behavior around midday, while the broader trade season is described as very consistent. Safety risk is a central theme. The launch/shore area is described as very rocky and small, with sharp coral/reef elements and sea urchins near the shallows. Conditions can generate strong offshore currents—particularly with stronger southeasterly winds—and there is no organized rescue service at this end of the island. Multiple sources advise against riding alone and stress careful launch/landing technique and gear readiness. Surfing is described as an expert-only reef-break experience: a powerful hollow right-hand reef break that can groom when winds are offshore (east winds). However, it is not positioned as an overall “surf for everyone” destination due to the combination of offshore wind, currents, and the reef launch constraints.
- Expert-only kitesurfing/wave riding with offshore east-to-northeast winds (15–25 knots typical).
- Crystal-clear water and a reef-focused setup.
- No organized rescue at the spot; strong current and rocky launch hazards.
- Consistent trade wind season with east to northeast components (15–25 knots typical).
- Crystal-clear water and a distinctive wave/reef setup described as clean/offshore-groomed in the right conditions.
- No rescue service at the spot; riding alone is unsafe.
- Official kitesurfing prohibition with only conditional/tolerated behavior reported by sources.
- Offshore conditions + strong currents; rocky/small technical launch/landing and sharp reef environment.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, ENE, NE
- Offshore directions
- E, ESE, ENE, NE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Consistent trade winds (Alisios) with offshore components for certain directions; described as east to northeast.
- Reliability
- consistent trade wind
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — One source describes gustier midday winds; overall trade season described as very consistent.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Medium waves
- Beach
- Sand — One source describes sand; another describes rocks/reef. Treat as mixed/varied depending on exact landing point.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Medium waves; one source notes around 2 m for kite wave conditions.
- Launch
- Small — Very small, rocky entry/launch described near historical landmarks; easier entry than some rockier locations is mentioned by one source.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Moderate-to-expert difficulty depending on entry/conditions; one source describes expert-only due to very rocky/small launch.
Through the year
Rarely crowded due to the high skill level required.
October to December (rainy season).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Advanced/expert wave kitesurfing in a medium-wave setting (around 2 m noted by one source). Conditions require offshore wind from the east to northeast with 15–25 knots; described as not a teaching/practice area.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–10 m²
A powerful hollow right-hand reef break that is not optimized for general surfing due to offshore wind and challenging currents; works best on specific swell directions.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- S, SW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed setup to trades/offshore components; reef environment with strong currents.
- Wind Effect
- East winds are offshore here, grooming wave faces.
- Bigger Swell
- Becomes very heavy and dangerous with significant swell; holds size but requires expert positioning.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Described as powerful and hollow when conditions are right.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Hollow right-hand reef break; grooming when wind is offshore.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Fast, vertical, and often hollow sections.
- Ride Length
- Short — Short rides with fast, hollow sections.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typical ride distance reported as 50–100 meters over shallow reef sections.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Red Slave (Bonaire) in the full forecast view.
Red Slave (Bonaire) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 8–18 ktsGusts 27 kts
- Direction
- E99°
- Strongest day
- Fri, Oct 2318 kts
- Windy days
- 5/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.5–1.5 m5s period
- Temperature
- 28–31 °C
Over the next 7 days, Red Slave (Bonaire) is forecast for daytime winds of 8–18 kts, peaking around 18 kts on Friday, October 23 with gusts to 27 kts. The prevailing direction is E. Waves run 0.5–1.5 m with a period of about 5s. 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
- Sharp coral/reef area
- Sea urchins near shore
- Strong offshore/off-bay currents with certain stronger southeasterly winds
- Powerful southward current can develop with strong southeasterly winds
- No organized rescue services at this end of the island/spot
- Remote launch/landing with very rocky, small entry/exit areas
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No spot/boat rescue service reported; regional rescue is limited/monitored further offshore.
- Emergency Info
- No rescue service at the spot. Nearest emergency response described at/through Atlantis Beach; general emergency number 911 for the region, but response time to the southern tip can be significant.
Rules of the spot
Officially not allowed to kitesurf at this spot; some sources note it may be tolerated only with significant offshore distance (e.g., staying at least 75 meters from shore in deep blue water) and in conditions where rangers may tolerate it.
- Kitesurfing is officially not allowed.
- Access/conditions are described as not suitable for practice/teaching—expert level only.
- Be able to stay upwind immediately from launch; otherwise you can be swept past the point.
- Ride upwind from Atlantis to reduce the risk area from sea urchins.
- If riding is tolerated, keep a large offshore buffer (at least ~75 meters from shore in deep blue water) and be aware this does not constitute permission.
- Ensure your gear is in perfect condition; a broken line can lead to drifting into open water.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Kralendijk
- Nearest Town
- Kralendijk
- Nearest Airport
- Flamingo International Airport (BON)
- Parking
- Limited unpaved parking along the side of the road.
- Public Transport
- Virtually non-existent; car/truck/scooter rentals are standard.
- Access
- Follow the coastal road south until you see the four red stone obelisks; the spot is directly adjacent to the historical landmarks. One source also describes access as a ~20-minute drive south from Kralendijk just south of Atlantis Beach and a few dive spots before the historical 'Red Slaves' landmark.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Dutch, English, Papiamento
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — No accommodation directly at the spot; options concentrated around Kralendijk and Belnem.
- Food & Drink
- None available; bring water and food.
- Equipment Rental:
- No on-site rentals reported; rentals available in Kralendijk and at Atlantis Beach.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Breeding grounds for Caribbean flamingos near salt pans.
Iconic industrial structure popular for diving and photography.
Historical landmarks tied to Bonaire’s salt industry history (slave huts/salt mines).
World-renowned diving destination with shore-entry access points around the island.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Red Slave (Bonaire)?
The best overall months at Red Slave (Bonaire) are December, January, February, March, April, May, June, July. The best wind months are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August.
Which wind directions work at Red Slave (Bonaire)?
Red Slave (Bonaire) works with E, ENE, NE winds. Offshore directions are E, ESE, ENE, NE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Red Slave (Bonaire)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Red Slave (Bonaire): Kitesurfing: 7–10 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Red Slave (Bonaire) suitable for?
Red Slave (Bonaire) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced to Expert · Surfing: Expert.