Discover the Two Signature Windsports of Aruba with Aruba Active Vacations
When you walk along Aruba’s Palm Beach coastline, you’ll notice two kinds of sails gliding across the water. One belongs to the windsurfers, riding with colorful sails attached to their boards. The other belongs to the kitesurfers, who soar and carve with their kites in the sky. Both sports are powered by the same steady trade winds that make Aruba famous—but they offer totally different sensations. So which one is right for you?
The Basics: What’s the Difference?
Windsurfing uses a board with a sail attached to a mast. You control it directly with your hands on the boom. It’s more like sailing—intuitive and smooth once you get the hang of it. Kitesurfing, on the other hand, uses a large inflatable kite that you control through lines and a bar, pulling you across the water on a smaller board. It’s a bit more adrenaline-packed and feels more like flying.
Windsurfing: Perfect for Control and Flow
At Fishermen’s Huts, the birthplace of windsurfing in Aruba, you’ll find perfect shallow waters, a sandy bottom, and consistent side-onshore winds. If you like a sport that combines balance, flow, and technique, windsurfing might be your match. It’s ideal for:
- Families and kids (we teach from age 6+)
- Travelers who prefer stability and control
- Anyone who loves a smooth connection between wind and water
Our windsurf lessons use premium gear, and you’ll learn step by step—starting from balance and steering to planing and turns.
Kitesurfing: For the Adrenaline Seekers
If you’ve dreamed of gliding, jumping, and flying above turquoise waves, kitesurfing is your sport. It’s more dynamic, using the power of the kite to lift you and generate speed.
It’s perfect for:
- Thrill-seekers and sporty travelers
- Those who already surf, snowboard, or wakeboard
- Anyone who wants to experience pure freedom and flight
At Aruba Active Vacations, our certified instructors ensure you learn in a safe, step-by-step way—starting from land training to your first water rides.
The Learning Curve
Both sports are beginner-friendly at Fishermen’s Huts thanks to shallow, calm water and expert instruction. Many of our guests actually try both during their vacation to see which one they love most.
Why Fishermen’s Huts Is the Ultimate Spot
There’s no better place in the world to experience both sports side by side. The bay is protected by a reef, offering flat water close to shore and stronger wind further out. You can start your day windsurfing and finish it flying a kite—all within the same beach!
Our Recommendation
- If you prefer a relaxed, steady learning curve: start with windsurfing.
- If you crave speed, jumps, and challenge: try kitesurfing.
- Or do both! We offer combo packages so you can experience the full magic of Aruba’s wind.
Ready to Ride the Wind?
Whether you choose windsurfing or kitesurfing, you’ll discover a new level of freedom on the water.
Book your lesson with Aruba Active Vacations, the island’s most experienced wind and kite center since 1991.
