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-   -   getting different messages about wind in aruba! (https://www.fodors.com/community/caribbean-islands/getting-different-messages-about-wind-in-aruba-179114/)

barbara Mar 23rd, 2002 01:05 PM

getting different messages about wind in aruba!
 
please help. planning trip for my family in late may to aruba. can someone tell me how windy it is there at that time? when is there hurricane season. new to this site this week and have been getting different messasges about the weather there. can we sit comfortably on the beach in may? thanks.

Frank Mar 23rd, 2002 01:15 PM

Average wind speed is 20 - 25 knots. For most people that's windy. Spring is the windiest historically; Fall, the least. Divi Divi trees grow sideways because of the strong ever present wind. Traditionally south of Hurricane Alley but still can be a problem with weather related to stormy weather and hurricanes although less of a chance than some other islands during June to the end of November, hurricane season.

Daryl Lannert Mar 23rd, 2002 06:30 PM

My wife and I were in Aruba in October of 2000. The wind is actually quite pleasant. It really is more of a breeze. The weather is not a factor, it rains 17 days out of the year in Aruba. The last hurricane in Aruba was in the late 80's. The only thing I can say about Aruba is Bring Sunblock. You are closer to the equator and you burn very quickly. Aruba is a very pleasant and relaxing vacation spot. Have fun

kirk Mar 23rd, 2002 06:46 PM

It's a beautiful island and the wind is not that bad. Great for windsurfing. You will love Aruba.

Rudy Mar 23rd, 2002 09:19 PM

No hurricanes - Aruba is well south of the hurricane belt. And wind schmind -- I've been 7 times and never had a problem with the wind. It's a overblown issue (ha ha, now that's funny). Aruba is a wonderful, clean, safe island. Love it!<BR>

Beachcomber Mar 24th, 2002 05:50 AM

When I was there had to retreat to the pool because the sand was blowing so bad and I was sandblasted and sandburned. Not a nice beach vacation. Friends returned last week. Blew the maganzine out of his hands! Do not believe those that say there is no wind since it depends on the time of year.

BS Detector Mar 24th, 2002 10:27 AM

Puh-leese! Beaches are windy! I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain convection theory to you, but trust me, sun+water=wind. I've traveled to beaches all over the world, and, yes, depending on the various temp gradients and other meteorological factors, sometimes beaches are windier than others. Magazines blown out of your hand?!? Horror! I guess that couldn't happen on a beach in Florida, or even Lake Michigan. Bottom Line: Sometimes Aruban beaches are windy, sometimes they are not. <BR>

Beachcomber Mar 24th, 2002 11:00 AM

don't get your knickers in a twist. we agree that it depends on the windy season in Aruba. it is/was uncomfortable to sit on the beach with the blowing sand. It stung and hurt. It is the only island that I've been to where that happened. Tropical breezes are good and I understand. Strong gusting wind I love but not so you can't sit on the beach. I wouldn't be in Fla or Lake Michigan in the Spring because of the weather either but guessing they might be windy too. I can see you are well traveled - Fla., Michigan and maybe Aruba!

Karen Mar 24th, 2002 11:09 AM

The wind in Aruba is Horrific ... it does vary according to the season but we found that during the winter, we needed to make a wind breaker out of some lounge chairs and towels or be literaly blasted by the blowing sand. (And we were told that it gets worse toward Spring!) It was probably one of the most uncomfortable beach vacations I had ever experienced. People choose to stay by the pool ... no sand there ... well, why go to a beach island to swim in a chlorinated puddle? Those Divi Divi trees are bent over for a reason! <BR>

n6111W Mar 24th, 2002 01:06 PM

We have been to Aruba three times and love it. No matter where you go with ocean and beach, you risk the winds. We had a wind problem in Maui and could not even sit on the beach.

Susan Mar 25th, 2002 03:15 AM

Aruba's tradewinds are wonderful. It does get very very warm there, so these are very welcoming breezes. It never causes a problem for us and we have been there at various times throughout the year. Even once when a hurricane was in the Atlantic. <BR><BR>Aruba is out of the hurricane belt, so you do not have to worry.<BR><BR>Bon Voyage!

George Mar 25th, 2002 06:34 AM

My opinion: It appears that the people who complain about the wind in Aruba are not well-travelled and have nothing to compare it to. Just my opinion.<BR><BR>(Please, all you wind-haters, don't bother to impress us with your extensive travels, real or imagined. I, for one, won't be reading.)

chazz Mar 25th, 2002 06:42 AM

We were in Aruba for a week in February, allegedly one of the windier periods of the year, and found the breeze quite tolerable. Maybe we were just lucky.<BR><BR>We have encountered stronger winds on beaches in Jamaica, Cape Cod, Florida, and California. We were recently in the Virgin Islands and the beach in front of our hotel was just as windy as Aruba, although some of the more protected, "cove-like" beaches were less windy.<BR>

hmmmmm Mar 25th, 2002 09:05 AM

Yeah, wind can be a problem if you're not prepared. Simply put a string on your hat so it doesn't fly away. Pin it to your tshirt or use a long string from the hat to the chair. Use Croakies for your sunglasses. Let the sunscreen soak into your body BEFORE going outdoors so the sand doesn't stick to you. Reapply out of the wind. Keep your back to the wind also if you're not wearing sunglasses. Be careful with the constant breeze though. Many people don't feel the full heat of the sun because of the breeze and get badly sunburned. The trade winds are part of the reason many people go to Aruba. And that's because they can sit poolside or on the beach without sweating in 10 minutes and for the windsurfing. It's pretty much basic beach sense. Have a great time!

Karen Mar 25th, 2002 10:43 AM

In Aruba the sand blowing against you literally stings and HURTS ... it gets in your eyes, ears and all kinds of uncomfortable places. Sure it is hot ... and without the wind, might be hotter ... but you don't go to the Carrib to be cold do you? <BR>

kimberli Mar 26th, 2002 11:12 AM

no way, the wind isn't what you people make it out to be, its very refershing. the only time it became a pain is when i went out at night and tried styling my long hair! it wound up with clip or scrunchi in it! but by no means does it sting or hit you with sand in your eyes!! thats a bit dramatic.

Ana Mar 26th, 2002 01:23 PM

Let me put it to you in two words: HIGH WINDS<BR><BR>During May there are the competitions called the HIGH WINDS. <BR><BR>Does that answer your question? The sand actually hurts your skin, not very pleasant.<BR><BR>Ana

eshelton Mar 27th, 2002 04:10 PM

We went to Aruba in June 2000. The winds were not bad at all. I wouldn't worry about them.

Laughing!! Mar 28th, 2002 04:23 AM

This thread is so funny....this poor person asked about the winds in Aruba as he got so many mixed reviews, and what does she get?...A LOT more mixed opinions. Has this thread answered your question Barbara?? Still laughing.....

Susan Mar 28th, 2002 04:37 AM

I guess my question is this...do you prefer to for a place to be hot and humid with no wind??<BR><BR>or<BR><BR>Hot, dry with a nice breezy tropical tradewind to cool things off?<BR><BR>You can't please everyone, but Arubas wind were definitely a welcome!!<BR><BR>It gets very hot there, and I don't understand why people complain about the soothing winds...good luck


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