Aruba- One Happy Island!!

David and I traveled to Aruba in January 2012. David was completing IKO Examiner training for Fernando Dulce, owner of Xtreme Winds Kiteboarding School and also running an instructor training course. Aruba is a really really awesome island, they call it "One Happy Island" and after spending time here now I know why. Flying into Aruba is amazing, you fly over all these tiny islands, crystal clear water and beautiful reefs. As we approached Aruba I was already planning my next Caribbean vacation as well as my next Google Earth view and fly overs.  We finally landed on Aruba after flying from Maui to LA, to Miami and then to Aruba. After finally arriving, getting thru customs (we always pick the slowest line) our fun began. 
We stayed in Noord, (about 30 minutes from the airport). Aruba is pretty small, you can get from one side to the other in about 1 hour.  All the kite and windsurf schools are set up in Noord, there is a strip of hotels and most of them have watersports centers in front of them.  We kited at Fisherman's Huts which is straight off shore wind, so when you kite you must have a rescue boat. The water is flat and crystal blue, and super white sandy beach. The set up on the beach is nice, lots of schools right on the sand offering rental gear and lessons. There are lots of hotels and restaurants so you can go and get lunch and drinks at any of the beachside bars! There are tons of other activities on this beach as well, parasailing, banana boats, windsurfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, booze cruises, you name it they have it...
Boca Grande is another kite beach on the Southern part of the island, there is a beautiful white sandy beach, with side-on shore wind, and waves. Boca Grande reminded me of Maui. Boca Grande is the windier part of the island. There are no facilities here so be sure to pack a lunch and some drinks. The sun in Aruba seems stronger than in Maui, and it is hotter so be sure to wear a big hat and suncreen.

This is a sign from one of the kite schools set up on the beach.

Here is another school at Fishermans Huts that offers windsurfing and kiting. All the major kite brands are in Aruba.. Naish, Best, Cabrinha, Ozone, and North.

David trained Fernando and ran an Instructor Training Course while in Aruba. Here are some of the newest IKO kiteboarding instructors! The candidates came to Aruba from USA, Switzerland, and the rest were Aruba locals.

Here are our hosts and good friends, Fernando and Helena Dulce (and Nea). They own Xtreme Winds Kiteboarding School and can arrange lessons, rental, accommodations and what ever else you need! Their school is an IKO Center they are awesome people!! http://www.xtremewinds.com/