Our Story

A Vessel with
Soul

She has sailed across oceans, carried stories across seas, and found her place in the heart of Bonaire. This is the story of Lady Bellaïs.

The Vessel

Not Just a Boat.
A Living Piece of History.

Lady Bellaïs is a traditional wooden Brazilian schooner — the kind of vessel that turns heads the moment she enters the harbour. Her tall red-trimmed masts, elegant white hull, and warm teak deck are instantly recognisable on the waters of Bonaire.

She is not a modern catamaran or a purpose-built tourist vessel. She is a real wooden sailing ship, handcrafted in Brazil in the traditional style, and every plank of her hull tells a story. To step aboard Lady Bellaïs is to step into something genuinely authentic.

Brought to Bonaire to share the magic of traditional sailing with the island's visitors, Lady Bellaïs has become one of the most beloved sights on the water. Guests who sail with her once tend to return — and often bring their friends.

Whether you're here for a snorkel excursion, a sunset toast, or a private celebration, Lady Bellaïs offers something that no modern tour boat can match: atmosphere, character, and the quiet romance of a vessel with soul.

Bonaire Dutch Caribbean

Brazil Northeast Coast

The Journey

From Brazil
to Bonaire

Lady Bellaïs was born in Brazil — crafted by hand on the northeast coast in the centuries-old tradition of wooden boatbuilding. Her hull, her masts, every curve speaks of that heritage.

She made the crossing not as cargo, but under her own sail — across the South Atlantic and through the warm islands of the Caribbean. A voyage that became part of her story.

When she arrived in Bonaire's harbour, she was immediately at home. The turquoise water, the trade winds, the reefs below — everything about this island suited her. And everything about her suited the island.

South Atlantic · Caribbean Sea · Bonaire

Colourful buildings of Kralendijk, Bonaire

The Island

Bonaire — A Caribbean Treasure

Bonaire is one of the ABC islands of the Dutch Caribbean — and one of the most extraordinary places in the entire region. Its waters are part of a protected marine park, meaning the reefs are pristine, the fish are abundant, and the sea turtles are plentiful.

The island has no mass tourism, no cruise ship crowds, and no over-development. What it does have is crystal-clear turquoise water, year-round sunshine, warm trade winds, and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere that makes visitors want to stay forever.

From the deck of Lady Bellaïs, you'll see Bonaire as it was meant to be seen — from the water, at a gentle pace, with nothing between you and the horizon.

On Board

There Is No Other
Boat Like This

Lady Bellaïs is not a charter boat dressed up as an experience. She is the experience.

A Ship Built by Hand

Lady Bellaïs is a traditional Brazilian schooner — timber-framed, handcrafted, and finished with the kind of character that no fibreglass hull could ever replicate. The moment you step aboard, you feel the difference.

Bonaire Is Our Back Garden

We don't read from a script or follow a tourist circuit. Our crew knows these waters intimately — the reef channels where turtles gather, the quiet bays few visitors ever find, and exactly when to drop anchor for the perfect light.

Relaxed, Not Rushed

There are no scheduled photo stops, no countdown timers, no herding. Time on Lady Bellaïs moves at the pace of the wind. Linger in the water. Stay for another drink. Watch the sky change colour. This is your day.

The Kind of Day You Describe When You Get Home

Not "we went on a boat trip." Something more specific than that — the sea turtle that surfaced beside you, the warmth of the deck at golden hour, the taste of a cold drink with Bonaire's reef stretched out below. That kind of day.

Discover the Island

Explore Bonaire
Your Way

On Bonaire, the best memories are often the simplest ones. The warm breeze coming off the Caribbean Sea, pastel houses glowing in the afternoon sun, and the freedom to explore the island at your own pace.

That feeling of discovery is exactly what inspired Bonaire Cruisers. What began as a simple idea — helping visitors experience the island beyond the cruise port — has grown into a fun and easy way to explore Bonaire like a local. Instead of rushing from one tour stop to another, guests can take the wheel themselves and wander through colourful streets, hidden beaches, and scenic coastal roads.

From the moment you step off your cruise ship in Kralendijk, your adventure can begin. Within minutes you can be cruising through town, stopping for a fresh smoothie, watching flamingos in the distance, or discovering a quiet beach where the water is as clear as glass.

Bonaire isn't meant to be rushed. It's meant to be enjoyed slowly, freely, and with curiosity.

That's why Bonaire Cruisers isn't just about renting a golf cart. It's about giving you the freedom to create your own Bonaire story.

Explore Bonaire with Bonaire Cruisers

Come Aboard

Meet Lady Bellaïs in Person

The best way to understand why everyone loves her is to sail with her yourself.

View Experiences

Not Just a Boat.A Living Piece of History.