×

Aruba🇦🇼 | festivalsAruba Hi-WindsWindsurf heats, kite freestyle, Fisherman’s Huts, Hadicurari flat water | things to do and best time to go

Explore Boca PrinsExplore Aruba International Film Festival

Backpacking in Aruba Hi-Winds
🌟 Highlightfestival ranked #3
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Your sneakers fill with warm sand as the trade wind snaps a kite overhead, and a board slaps the chop somewhere past the buoys. Aruba Hi-Winds is a windsurfing and kitesurfing competition in Aruba, held on the flat-water side of Fisherman’s Huts near Malmok, on the northwest coast, a short ride from Oranjestad. The crowd is mostly board sports regulars from the Americas and Europe, plus curious beach walkers who stay for the free show. The vibe is sunburned, salty and relaxed. It runs about a week, with racing and freestyle heats between morning and mid-afternoon, when the breeze is strongest. Costs catch people out here, so book rooms and rental cars early, since the nearby hotels fill fast. Bring your own water and shade because there is little of either on the shore. Leave the rental car at home on race days if you can, as roadside parking is tight and tickets sting. On day one, arrive for the first heats, grab a spot by the huts, then swim at a calm cove after the wind drops.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Aruba Travel Guide.


example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Aruba
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Aruba
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Aruba
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Aruba
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Aruba
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Aruba
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Aruba
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Aruba
Loading the map 🌍
CLICK TO FILTER
towns
landmarks
national parks
hikes
beaches
attractions
festivals
SHOW COUNTRY’S BESTSHOW ALL

✨ Why go?
Ranked #3 festival in ArubaWhat makes it a must-see festival

Aruba Hi-Winds pulls backpackers because the Fisherman’s Huts at Hadicurari Beach put you a few steps from the water, with no stadium barrier between you and world-class riders. You can stand where athletes rig their gear, watch them launch in shallow, steady wind, and talk to them afterward. That access is rare. Most major sporting events keep fans at a distance, while here the sand is the grandstand and everyone shares it.

The festival also makes a smart anchor for a longer Caribbean trip. Aruba sits outside the hurricane belt, and the event falls in a season when trade winds blow hardest, so the sport is at its best. Lessons at nearby schools let you try the gear yourself after a day of watching, which turns a spectator weekend into something you can actually do. Between heats, snorkeling … read more 👉
Aruba Hi-Winds pulls backpackers because the Fisherman’s Huts at Hadicurari Beach put you a few steps from the water, with no stadium barrier between you and world-class riders. You can stand where athletes rig their gear, watch them launch in shallow, steady wind, and talk to them afterward. That access is rare. Most major sporting events keep fans at a distance, while here the sand is the grandstand and everyone shares it.

The festival also makes a smart anchor for a longer Caribbean trip. Aruba sits outside the hurricane belt, and the event falls in a season when trade winds blow hardest, so the sport is at its best. Lessons at nearby schools let you try the gear yourself after a day of watching, which turns a spectator weekend into something you can actually do. Between heats, snorkeling and cheap local snacks fill the downtime. If you are crossing between Colombia, Curaçao or Bonaire and the wider Caribbean, a few days here fits easily, and the crowd is friendly enough that solo travelers meet people by the second afternoon.

💡 HighlightsTop highlights of Aruba Hi-Winds

  1. Fisherman’s Huts at Hadicurari Beach: The event’s home is a row of small colorful huts along a wide, shallow beach, where riders rig, launch and return within view of the crowd. The steady breeze and open sand are exactly why the competition lives here.
  2. Freestyle heats: Riders throw spinning jumps, loops and board tricks right off the beach, and judges score style and difficulty. The close shoreline means you see expressions as well as moves, which makes these the most photogenic sessions.
  3. Slalom and speed racing: Fleets of sails and kites sprint around marked courses, jostling at the turns. Races change quickly with the wind, so a calm morning can become a flat-out afternoon, and the commentary helps first-timers follow the action.
  4. Malmok and Palm Beach shoreline walk: Between sessions, stroll
… read more 👉
  1. Fisherman’s Huts at Hadicurari Beach: The event’s home is a row of small colorful huts along a wide, shallow beach, where riders rig, launch and return within view of the crowd. The steady breeze and open sand are exactly why the competition lives here.
  2. Freestyle heats: Riders throw spinning jumps, loops and board tricks right off the beach, and judges score style and difficulty. The close shoreline means you see expressions as well as moves, which makes these the most photogenic sessions.
  3. Slalom and speed racing: Fleets of sails and kites sprint around marked courses, jostling at the turns. Races change quickly with the wind, so a calm morning can become a flat-out afternoon, and the commentary helps first-timers follow the action.
  4. Malmok and Palm Beach shoreline walk: Between sessions, stroll the sandy stretch and rocky coves toward Malmok, where windsurf schools and small snack spots sit close together. The water is clear and good for snorkeling when the wind eases, and you can watch learners wobble through their first rides.
  5. California Lighthouse: A short ride up the coast, this white tower on the island’s northwest tip overlooks rugged limestone and dune scrub. The view along the coast shows how exposed and windy this corner of Aruba is, which explains why the sport thrives here. Go late afternoon for cooler air.
Watching from the sand at Aruba Hi-Winds costs nothing, and so does the shoreline walk, while the lighthouse view is also free from outside.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Aruba Hi-Winds

Island Jeep Safari with Natural Pool Baby Beach and Lunch

Island Jeep Safari with Natural Pool Baby Beach and Lunch

5.0(10329) 8h
From €126
per personViator
Aruba UTV Adventure to Natural Pool Jeep Transfer

Aruba UTV Adventure to Natural Pool Jeep Transfer

5.0(7256) 6h
From €317
per personViator
Aruba UTV Off-Road Driving Experience North Coast Stops

Aruba UTV Off-Road Driving Experience North Coast Stops

5.0(6024) 4h
From €253
per personViator
Half-Day Aruba UTV Adventure Tour

Half-Day Aruba UTV Adventure Tour

5.0(1852) 4h
From €200
per personViator
Aruba Small-Group UTV Adventure|Private Off-Road Tour Max 4 UTVs

Aruba Small-Group UTV Adventure|Private Off-Road Tour Max 4 UTVs

5.0(188) 4h
From €232
per personViator
Aruba Jeep Safari with Lunch and Open Bar

Aruba Jeep Safari with Lunch and Open Bar

5.0(93) 4h
From €885
per personViator
Private Aruba Jeep Adventure|Custom Island Tour with Local Guide

Private Aruba Jeep Adventure|Custom Island Tour with Local Guide

5.0(55) 4h
From €454
per personViator
Epic Off-Road Surron Electric Bike Tour in Aruba

Epic Off-Road Surron Electric Bike Tour in Aruba

5.0(43)
From €145
per personViator
Half Day Hike at Arikok National Park & Snorkel

Half Day Hike at Arikok National Park & Snorkel

5.0(39)
From €104
per personViator
Art, Beach and Culture Island Tour

Art, Beach and Culture Island Tour

5.0(35) 4h
From €86
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?When is the celebration of Aruba Hi-Winds?

Aruba Hi-Winds is a windsurfing and kiteboarding competition held each year in May or early June (the 2026 edition ran May 13 to 18, and the dates shift yearly) at Fisherman’s Huts on Hadicurari Beach, on the northwest coast near the high-rise hotel strip.
  • Best day: Race days in the middle of the event usually have the strongest breeze and the biggest crowd on the sand. Weekdays are quieter, and you can get close to the riders.
  • Weather: Expect 28 to 32°C (82 to 90°F), strong steady trade winds, little rain and hard sun. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, polarized sunglasses, a rash guard and a refillable bottle.
  • Booking: Reserve beds two to three months ahead. Rates in the Palm Beach area can rise 15 to 30 percent that week, so look at Oranjestad for lower prices.
  • Getting around: Palm Beach traffic
… read more 👉
Aruba Hi-Winds is a windsurfing and kiteboarding competition held each year in May or early June (the 2026 edition ran May 13 to 18, and the dates shift yearly) at Fisherman’s Huts on Hadicurari Beach, on the northwest coast near the high-rise hotel strip.
  • Best day: Race days in the middle of the event usually have the strongest breeze and the biggest crowd on the sand. Weekdays are quieter, and you can get close to the riders.
  • Weather: Expect 28 to 32°C (82 to 90°F), strong steady trade winds, little rain and hard sun. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, polarized sunglasses, a rash guard and a refillable bottle.
  • Booking: Reserve beds two to three months ahead. Rates in the Palm Beach area can rise 15 to 30 percent that week, so look at Oranjestad for lower prices.
  • Getting around: Palm Beach traffic thickens in the late afternoon. Arrive by midmorning, and leave before the evening rush or after dark.
Take the local bus or a taxi to the beach and skip the parking squeeze.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: not recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: not recommended for travelingMARMarch: not recommended for travelingAPRApril: not recommended for travelingMAYMay: not recommended for travelingJUNJune: excellent for travelingJULJuly: excellent for travelingAUGAugust: not recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: not recommended for travelingOCTOctober: not recommended for travelingNOVNovember: not recommended for travelingDECDecember: not recommended for traveling

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutAruba Travel Guide

An offline-friendly backpacking guide with optimized travel routes, ranked highlights, transport advice, and the best areas to stay.
example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Aruba
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Aruba
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Aruba
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Aruba
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Aruba
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Aruba
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Aruba
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Aruba
The digital guide (121 pages) contains:
✅ 32 highlights, ranked by travel appeal
✅ Optimized 2, 3 & 5-day travel routes
✅ Cities, national parks, landmarks, beaches
✅ How to get around
✅ Offline-friendly for travel without Wi-Fi
👉 Click to see all 30+ guide features

📅 Plan smarter in minutes, not weeks
✅ Month by month travel advice
✅ Festivals & national holidays
✅ Budget expectations

🗺️ Go to the right places, skip the overrated ones
✅ Honest pros & cons of destinations
✅ Top hikes, parks & viewpoints
✅ Lesser-known places most travelers miss
✅ Clear “worth it vs skip it” guidance

🛏️ Travel smoothly without rookie mistakes
✅ Best areas to stay
✅ Transport systems explained simply
✅ Common scams & safety advice
✅ SIM cards, money & practical tips

🌍 Understand the country, not just visit it
✅ Culture & traditions
✅ 52 Essential phrases & customs
✅ Festivals worth planning around
✅ Traveler-friendly historical context
✅ Insights that make places more meaningful

📱 Built for real travel conditions
✅ Fully downloadable PDF
✅ Works completely offline
✅ Optimized for phone use
✅ Useful in remote areas & buses
✅ Everything in one place
Stop searching, start planning
Get instant access to your full guide. 30‑day money-back guarantee.
+ Add another guide for just

By proceeding you agree to our terms.
Sent to your inbox immediately after payment • 100% Secure Checkout
Best Backpacking Travel Advisor 2025 tourism awardBest Backpacking
Travel Advisor
2025
What others say about Take Your Backpack Guides:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fantastic, amazing amount of information!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My goodness this is amazing, it's what I've been looking for hats off too you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I think this is absolutely BRILLIANT
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Very complete and informative. It's still missing places, but I gotta to commend you
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is truly amazing, thank you, can't wait to explore it with my kids!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Awesome resource, thank you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is amazing! Can't wait to explore the ones I haven't seen
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love this! Well done, great idea.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks for taking the time to make this gem!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This might be the best website I've ever seen.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Congratulations, and thank you so much for your work; it's incredibly valuable.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
In all seriousness I think you did a great job pointing out the important spots
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
10/10 very good
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
As someone who's only just starting to visit regularly this is awesome, thank you.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you very much! I'm going to visit my dad, it's going to be very useful!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is really cool! We'll be travelling for the first time and this definitely come in handy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You are now our minister of culture, congratulations 👨‍💼
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Just wanted to tell you that this is a pearl! Going to follow your recommendations.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is so cool. I'll definitely be using the resource for my travels soon.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is very impressive! Good work.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is an amazing and informative site. Very well done!

🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas and accommodation options

Eagle Beach and the Oranjestad center are the best bases for backpackers heading to Aruba Hi-Winds, and both leave you within a short ride of Hadicurari Beach.
Eagle Beach is quiet, wide and walkable, with small guesthouses, apartment-style stays and a few supermarkets. It suits solo travelers who want a calmer evening and an easy swim, and the local bus runs along the main road to the festival area in about 20 to 30 minutes.
Oranjestad is the budget choice. Rooms and apartments cost noticeably less than on the resort strip, the bus terminal is there, and restaurants and grocery stores sit within … read more 👉
Eagle Beach and the Oranjestad center are the best bases for backpackers heading to Aruba Hi-Winds, and both leave you within a short ride of Hadicurari Beach.
Eagle Beach is quiet, wide and walkable, with small guesthouses, apartment-style stays and a few supermarkets. It suits solo travelers who want a calmer evening and an easy swim, and the local bus runs along the main road to the festival area in about 20 to 30 minutes.
Oranjestad is the budget choice. Rooms and apartments cost noticeably less than on the resort strip, the bus terminal is there, and restaurants and grocery stores sit within a few blocks. You will meet other independent travelers here more easily, especially around the waterfront and the evening food spots. It is lively by day and fairly calm at night, though you should stay on the lit main streets after dark.
Palm Beach is the closest option, a short walk or ride from the action, but it is the priciest. Its beach bars and watersports shops are social, and kiters and windsurfers gather there, so it makes sense if you want to talk gear and conditions. Book early and share an apartment to keep costs down.
Noord, between Palm Beach and the airport, is residential and mid-priced. It is a decent compromise if you rent a car or split taxis.
Best hostels in Aruba


Best quality hotels in Aruba

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)Travel costs and budget guide for Aruba Hi-Winds

A day at Aruba Hi-Winds costs roughly US$135 to 215 per person, with US$75 to 130 of that going to a bed during the busy week.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$0 to 10Watching from the beach is generally free. Some events or lounges may charge a small fee.
AccommodationUS$75 to 130Guesthouse rooms or shared apartments in Oranjestad or Eagle Beach. Palm Beach costs more in festival week.
Local transportUS$4 to 25Buses cost about US$2.60 per ride and US$15 for a day pass. Taxis run US$15 to 30 for a cross-island trip, since they have fixed rates.
Food & drinksUS$35 to 55A pastechi costs US$2 to 4, a beach meal US$15 to 25 and a beer US$4 to 7. Groceries lower the total.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$15 to 30Sunscreen, water, a gear demo or lesson, and tips. Equipment rental runs higher.
… read more 👉
A day at Aruba Hi-Winds costs roughly US$135 to 215 per person, with US$75 to 130 of that going to a bed during the busy week.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$0 to 10Watching from the beach is generally free. Some events or lounges may charge a small fee.
AccommodationUS$75 to 130Guesthouse rooms or shared apartments in Oranjestad or Eagle Beach. Palm Beach costs more in festival week.
Local transportUS$4 to 25Buses cost about US$2.60 per ride and US$15 for a day pass. Taxis run US$15 to 30 for a cross-island trip, since they have fixed rates.
Food & drinksUS$35 to 55A pastechi costs US$2 to 4, a beach meal US$15 to 25 and a beer US$4 to 7. Groceries lower the total.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$15 to 30Sunscreen, water, a gear demo or lesson, and tips. Equipment rental runs higher.
Total Daily BudgetUS$135 to 215One night of high-season accommodation included.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🍲 FoodLocal Cuisine & Drinks

Food at Aruba Hi-Winds is beach-shack territory: grilled fish, pastechi (fried pastry filled with cheese, ham or beef), keshi yena (baked cheese stuffed with spiced meat) and burgers served from stalls and the beach bars by Fisherman’s Huts.
For authenticity, order a pastechi with a cold drink, then try fresh catch with funchi (cornmeal side) or pan bati (sweet flatbread). Local Balashi beer is the default pour in the afternoon heat, and Aruba Ariba-style rum punches are everywhere, but their sweetness hides the strength. Fresh coconut water and passion fruit juice work better when the wind is blasting and you are standing in the sun for hours.
Plates are generous, and sharing a fish basket between two people is common. Lines swell right after race heats finish, so go during a lull or order … read more 👉
Food at Aruba Hi-Winds is beach-shack territory: grilled fish, pastechi (fried pastry filled with cheese, ham or beef), keshi yena (baked cheese stuffed with spiced meat) and burgers served from stalls and the beach bars by Fisherman’s Huts.
For authenticity, order a pastechi with a cold drink, then try fresh catch with funchi (cornmeal side) or pan bati (sweet flatbread). Local Balashi beer is the default pour in the afternoon heat, and Aruba Ariba-style rum punches are everywhere, but their sweetness hides the strength. Fresh coconut water and passion fruit juice work better when the wind is blasting and you are standing in the sun for hours.
Plates are generous, and sharing a fish basket between two people is common. Lines swell right after race heats finish, so go during a lull or order before the last run. Many stalls take cards, but cash in small bills is faster at pop-up vendors, and US dollars are accepted nearly everywhere, though change may come in florins. Tipping around 10 to 15 percent is usual at bars when service is not already included.
Bring a refillable bottle, since beach drinks are priced for tourists, and keep snacks from the supermarket in Oranjestad or Noord to stretch your budget.

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Aruba Hi-Winds is held every year in May or early June at Fisherman’s Huts on Hadicurari Beach, near Palm Beach. It runs for about a week, and the exact dates shift each year. Arrive early in the week for quieter sand and close views of the riders, and check the official schedule before booking flights.
Attending Aruba Hi-Winds is mostly free, since spectators can watch from the public beach. Budget about US$135 to 215 a day with a bed, food, transport and extras. Buses cost around US$2.60 a ride, a beach meal runs US$15 to 25, and rooms in Oranjestad are cheaper than on Palm Beach.
Aruba Hi-Winds does not generally require advance tickets for watching from the beach. Reserve a bed two to three months ahead, since rates rise that week at Palm Beach and Eagle Beach. If you want to compete or join a clinic, register ahead through the organizers, and a rental car is only worth booking if you want to avoid buses.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Aruban festivals near Aruba Hi-Winds

Explore more nearby:


💡 Not sure where to go next?
Create a personalized itinerary for Aruba including Aruba Hi-Winds and the places that fit your trip.

Generate my itinerary

👉 Discover all festivals

Or checkout all Aruba has to offer (think cities, towns, villages, national parks, hikes, beaches, festivals)
Explore Aruba
Country photo of Aruba
© Google Images

We 💚 feedbackWhat to keep in mind

Aruba Hi-Winds suits active, curious travelers who like sport at close range, and anyone who would rather chat with athletes than sit in a grandstand. Beginners get an easy way in, and experienced riders get inspiration. I would bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and sandals you do not mind getting wet, then book a lesson once the heats end.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Aruba. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



🙋‍♂️ Give feedback

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

Read the full story