I am in the midst of planning a trip to Aruba. We tend to like to travel when kids are in school (less crowds, less kids). I was thinking of possibly traveling towards the end of April. The hotel considers this "off-season," but I was wondering if this is in fact the case? We don't mind some crowds, we just don't like being at resorts that are completely packed. If it makes any difference, we will be staying on Palm Beach.

I'm not an Aruba expert but "Off-Season" throughout the Caribbean usually starts in mid-April. There's definitely less people visiting the islands during the latter part of April and early May for several reasons:
1) Peak time is December 15 until after Easter - because people want to celebrate the Christmas/New Years holidays in a warm envirnoment, escape the cold during the dead of winter, go to someplace exotic with the family during President's Week, have fun in the sun during "Spring Break" and catch a last fling for Easter.

2) The influx of June brides and their new husbands haven't begun to arrive for the long anticipated honeymoon.

3) Families wishing to take advantage of the lower off-season rates won't be arriving until the kids finish school.

In short, late April early May is a great time to visit any island, including Aruba.

We went to Aruba the first week of September. Mistakenly, our week started Labor Day weekend, which was crowded until Tues. As soon as the Holiday weekenders left, it was great. No crowds. September is usually a good time since most children are back in school and Aruba is out of the hurricane zone.

Our other favorite time of year to go to the Caribbean is the first week of Nov. Hurricane season is usally done and the prices are still low until Thanksgiving weekend. We've gone in a November every year since 2002. This year, we chose the week after Thanksgiving to go to Jamaica. Rates were $300 cheaper.

Also we like to go the 3rd week of May right before Memorial Day weekend. Rates are still good, and have not experience any crowds.

We would like to go the 3rd week of April since that's when my birthday is, but found depending on when Easter falls, rates are still up and Spring Breakers are still traveling. May usually has better deals.

End of April, early May would probably be fairly quiet in Aruba. Most spring breaks are over and school is still in session.
Palm Beach is always busy and there are lots of activties. Enjoy Aruba. Where are you planning to stay?

Thanks for the replies! We will be staying at the Marriott Ocean Club.

We stayed at the marriott hotel next door. It is a great complex and the Marriott is a very nice large marriott! You will like it!

We went in late April 04 and it was not real crowded.

Christie

We've been there twice during "busy" periods (Easter week and Thanksgiving week) and once during a "low" week (last week in June) and I can't say I noticed a difference. Even during the busy weeks we had no problem getting a palapa on the beaches (Marriott on Palm Beach and LaCabana on Eagle Beach) and no problem getting in to any restaurants or on any tours. Where are you planning to stay on Palm Beach?