Aruba is a tale of two sides.
This caribbean island sits in the direct path of the trade wind. Over 300 days a year it
is buffeted by wind, and waves, from the east. The east coast takes the brunt of the punishment,
while the west coast is sheltered.
Not surprisingly, the sheltered west coast is where you find the hotels, and where visitors
to Aruba flock. It’s easy, safe, convenient, the water is calm, and the activities are
laid on.
This fisherman's huts, on the west coast, is where kiting is taught in Aruba.
The best part of this spot is the amount of wind. Only a handful of spots on the entire
planet, have this many hours of wind, which gives you the best shot at completing a kitesurf
course.
And walking distance from the main hotels, are a couple of experienced schools, with
boats, radios, and new kite gear.
The downside of the spot is the off-shore wind. Because the wind passes over the tip
of the island, it becomes gusty. This means that learning to ride here takes longer, as
you need to develop excellent kite control and safety understanding before getting on
the board.
For experienced kiters, looking for gust-free practice, you need to look along the east
coast.
Now, most of the east coast is a rocky jumble. But right at the far south of the island,
is a yawning mouth of sand. Boca Grandi beach.
It’s about an hour from the hotels, and you’ll need a decent car to get here. But
if you’re looking for a place to practice, it’s well worth the trip.
At 12 degrees latitude, and with open ocean to the East, Aruba is perfectly placed to
receive the trade winds.
These winds blow between 15 and 22 knots from the East, and often won’t change for months.
The most likely time for the wind to stop, is in Autumn. When warm ocean temperatures
fuel tropical storms hundreds of miles away. These storms don’t hit Aruba, but they can
block the trade winds for a few days or even weeks.
If you’re looking for a spot, where you can get lots of kiting experience, or you
need to entertain non-kiting friends or family, then you should consider Aruba and the surrounding
islands.
All further information can be found in the description.