Windsurfing and kitesurfing vacation in Aruba.
About the island It is always windy and always sunny in Aruba! Located outside the hurricane belt, the island is known for its perfect weather; it hardly ever rains. Aruba is an autonomous region within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Together with Curacao and Bonaire, it forms a group referred to as the Dutch ABC islands. Arubans still carry a Netherland Passport and they keep striving for more independence from the Dutch.
Local beaches with white sand and turquoise sea waters are known as some of the best anywhere. Unlike other islands, Aruba does not have any lush rainforest, what you will see is a variety of cacti growing among dramatic rock formations and sand dunes, yet it is remarkable how many trees, shrubs and other vegetation grow here. The northeast coastline is rugged with crashing waves. In contrast, the south and west coasts have endless pristine white beaches with calm turquoise water. Locals are mostly of European descent with a mix of Latino and some of African decent. They are genuinely friendly people. What is incredible is the nation’s linguistic ability. The majority of the population speaks at least four languages: Dutch, English, Spanish and the local dialect called Papiamento. The population of the island is about 112,000. The major events on the island are Carnival and Elections. Unlike other places everyone is into politics here. Aruba has an endless range of fine restaurants: Tai, Brazilian, Argentinean, Japanese, Italian, Moroccan, and on. But eating out is expensive in this paradise. Get ready to spend about $25 US per person for a lunch special and about $40 US per person for a dinner. (Luckily, if you are on a tight budget, there are lots of inexpensive fast food places or cooking for yourself is a great option, there are excellent grocery stores.) Aruba also has one of the region's lowest crime rates. As the local license plates say it is "One Happy Island." And it is truly a happy place to be.
When to go: Aruba is one of the most popular windsurfing and kitesurfing destination in the world! Aruba's high-wind season is the longest in the Caribbean. Wind speeds are best in May, June and July, when they average 20 to 30 knots. From December through April, they slow to 15 to 20 knots, and from August through November they range from 10 to 18 knots. Conditions: 
Aruba offers warm, crystal-clear water that rarely drops below 24 °C (75 °F) and consistent winds that are a windsurfer's and kitesurfer’s dream: the average wind speed, year-round, is about 20 knots. The island used to be the destination for all levels: beginners to advance. Unfortunately, the high-rise hotels built on the southwest side of the island have created some turbulence and partially blocked the wind. Now the best sailing beaches of Aruba are no longer the best for beginners: it has become gusty inside of the reef.
The island, however, has both flat-water locations and challenging wave conditions. Beginners should stay in the shallow waters inside the reef. More advanced sailors will go outside the reef for speed sailing. Every year in June, Aruba hosts the Hi-Winds windsurfing and kitesurfing tournaments. This ten-day competition attracts the most competitive professional sailors and hundreds of amateurs to the island of Aruba and is sanctioned by the PBA (Professional Board sailors Association).
The best beaches for sailing: Fishermen's Huts is the most popular site in the area located at the end of Palm beach. It is a beautiful white sand beach with a great stretch of shallow water and lots of wind. Unfortunately, the wind is VERY gusty due to the high-rise hotels built recently on Palm beach. But both windsurfing and kite surfing rental shops and schools are still located in the vicinity of Fishermen's Huts so this is where you are going if you are a beginner. Kitesurfers are allowed on the beach only early in the morning (until 10 p.m.) and later in the afternoon (after 4 p.m.) to avoid the collisions with the windsurfers. Well, windsurfers were there first folks, so respect that.
Boca Grandi Beach is kite surfers number one choice in Aruba. It is located at the very bottom of the southeast side of the island. Boca Grandi bay is huge and has a little chop to small waves conditions most of the time. The wind is side on shore, so it is safe for beginners as well. The Hi-Wind kiteboarding contest every year mainly takes place at Boca Grandi. One detail that probably has to be mentioned is that the beach is covered in plastic garbage brought by the ocean from all over the world. Be environmentally friendly and pick up a few thing on your way back. And of course don‘t leave your own garbage. Druif Beach is not as gusty as the Fishermen's Huts and the wind directions are side onshore. A rescue boat is available at Divi Dutch Hotel water sports facility located right on the beach, just drop by the water sports center and introduce yourself, so that they will keep an eye for you. Bushiri Beach is just down the road (south) from Druif Beach and is quite good for sailing as well. Kiters should not sail too far south from this beach otherwise they might reach the airport zone. (No kiting is allowed in the vicinity of the airport due to the landing airplanes.)Arashi Beach is another spectacular beach not far from the California Lighthouse with white sand and vast shallow waters. This place is popular among swimmers but has no restrictions for other water sports. (Unlike Baby Beach). Plenty of fish in these waters make it also a popular snorkelling spot. The wind is off shore and you are on your own here. Advanced sailors only. Rodger's Beach is another alternative but for advanced sailors only. The beach is located at the very south point of the island just past San Nicolas. It has the gigantic oil refinery, which is claimed to be harmless. There is no obvious water pollution in these waters. Again the wind is side to side off shore and you are on your own here.
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