If you are considering a trip to Aruba (or perhaps you’ve already booked one) you might be concerned about Aruba’s wind. For some people, wind can be an annoyance and ruin an outdoor vacation.
Maybe you’ve heard others talk about the wind in Aruba, and so you’re wondering is Aruba too windy to enjoy? In this article, let’s discuss what you might be up against. Is Aruba windy?
Yes, Aruba is windy. The windier parts of the year can have daily average wind speeds in excess of 18 mph (source). However, the overall annoyance caused by the wind in Aruba is often exaggerated.
Most travelers to Aruba do not consider the wind to be a nuisance, and actually consider it to be a blessing since it brings a cooling relief from the sweltering heat that can exist in Aruba due to its proximity to the Equator.
In this article we will discuss the wind in Aruba in greater detail so that you are prepared for what to expect.
Table of Contents
Is Aruba Windy?
Yes, as we discussed above, wind speeds can be strong in Aruba. But wondering if Aruba is too windy to enjoy is an entirely different question.
Most traveler’s find the wind in Aruba to be a welcome relief from what can be very hot temperatures under direct sunlight near the Equator. The easterly winds can bring on a cool breeze that makes the temperature in Aruba much more tolerable and enjoyable.
That said, if you are sensitive to wind, it may be best to pack a jacket when visiting Aruba.
Why is Aruba Windy?
Aruba is windy due to its proximity to the equator, which brings in surface level trade winds due to the Coriolis Effect on the Earth’s surface (source).
Trade winds are surface level winds that blow towards the Equator before converging with the trade winds from the other hemisphere to create an area of calm near the Equator known as the Doldrums. Due to Aruba’s latitude location, it is subject to these surface level trade winds as they gust towards the Equator.
What Side of Aruba is Less Windy?
Aruba is located in the Northern Hemisphere. Trade winds in the Northern Hemisphere blow in from the northeast. Because of that, you might think that the eastern part of the island takes on stronger winds.
But the truth is that all parts of Aruba are subject to strong winds, even Oranjestad, which is located on the western side of the island. But as we’ve discussed throughout this article, the wind can be a blessing when you travel to Aruba.
TIP: If you are very concerned about wind, look for hotels that are built in a “U” shape that have natural wind blocks. Reading reviews of Aruba’s hotels on Trip Advisor can help you find one that helps block the winds.
Aruba Windy Season
**Please note that data in this section is for Oranjestad, Aruba
Aruba’s windy season runs from approximately the beginning of December until the end of August (source). Daily average winds speeds during these months can be in excess of 18 miles per hour. June in Aruba is usually the windiest month. Average wind speeds during June are in excess of 20 miles per hour. June 18th is, on average, the windiest day of the year in Aruba (source).
Aruba’s winds from the end of August to the beginning of December are a bit calmer on average. October is usually the calmest month, with daily average wind speeds at approximately 16 miles per hour, decreasing on average throughout the month (source).
Is Aruba Windy in December?
If you are planning a trip to Aruba around the Christmas holiday season, the average daily wind speed at the end of December in Aruba is approximately 19.5 miles per hour (source). December is the start of the windy season in Aruba. Average high temperatures during the month of December in Aruba are usually in the mid-80’s (F).
Does the Wind Ruin Aruba?
For most people, the wind is not a severe nuisance while visiting Aruba. Again, the wind often provides some relief from the heat that can be common in Aruba due to its proximity to the Equator.
But to say the wind is never a nuisance would be, of course, inaccurate. There may be very windy days that make hanging out at the beach difficult. Gusts of wind can pick up sand and blast it against your face and body, and blow your beach items around in the wind.
On those extremely windy days, it will be best to hang out by the pool instead. Some hotels create wind breaks so that the wind does not bother you as much poolside. Also, when next to the pool, you won’t have to worry about sand in your face.
All things considered, very few travelers to Aruba consider the wind to be so annoying that it ruins their trip. In fact, approximately half of the people that visit Aruba return again at least once during their lifetime (source). If the wind was such an annoyance, there would not be so many repeat visitors to Aruba.
The truth is, yes, expect wind, but unless wind is something that really bothers you, don’t expect it to ruin your vacation. There may be days where the wind causes you to change your plans a little, but there also will be days where the wind is a perfect relief to the heat.
5 Travel Tips for Aruba
- If you absolutely hate wind, but want to visit Aruba, try to schedule your vacation in October, which is Aruba’s calmest month on average.
- Research hotels thoroughly and read user reviews to find out which hotels provide the most relief from the wind. Remember, the wind is usually blowing in from the east.
- Wear sunglasses at the beach. Sunglasses are always a good way to protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays, but in case the wind does pick up some sand, sunglasses will help keep that sand from blowing in your eyes and causing irritation.
- There are other things to consider when traveling to Aruba. For example, some areas of the island use type F electrical sockets, which are different that US sockets. Most hotels are accommodated with type A and B sockets, but owning a simple universal travel power plug adapter that you can take with you is never a bad idea, especially if you are a frequent traveler.
- Hurricanes are an active threat in the Caribbean, especially during certain times of the year. To find out if Aruba gets hit by hurricanes and what the risk level is, visit our article: Does Aruba Get Hurricanes?