One Happy Aruba
Plan your perfect trip
Learning how to fly the kite in the water
●●●○#12 of 35 Boat Tours & Water Sports in Noord

Kitesurfing Aruba

★★★★½4.7 out of 5 · 63 reviews
water
3h
Age 12+
outdoor
Photo: © JustDiveIn via TripAdvisor

About

Kitesurfing Aruba operates out of Noord, not far from the high-rise hotel zone, and ranks #12 among water sports outfits in the area. The rating sits at 4.7 across 63 reviews, and it earned a Travelers Choice nod for 2025. The setup here is straightforward: three-hour sessions, minimum age twelve, and the intensity level is maxed out — meaning you're going to be active the entire time, not lounging on a board waiting for wind. The Travelers Choice designation suggests consistent execution, and the review volume is solid for a niche activity. Kitesurfing isn't parasailing; it requires coordination, some upper-body strength, and a willingness to fall repeatedly before anything clicks. Aruba's steady trade winds make it one of the better Caribbean islands for this, but that same wind means you're working hard. Booking goes direct through their site or contact point. Price is around $100 per session, which lines up with similar instruction-heavy water sports on the island. If you've never kitesurfed before, expect the first hour to be mostly rigging, safety, and body-dragging practice on the beach.

At a glance

Category
water
Duration
3 hours
Price
$100
Minimum age
12+
Intensity
●●●●●
Setting
outdoor
Booking partner
direct
Product ID

Photos

Learning how to fly the kite in the water© JustDiveIn via TripAdvisor

© JustDiveIn via TripAdvisor

Kitesurfing Aruba at TripAdvisor© gilside via TripAdvisor

© gilside via TripAdvisor

Kitesurfing Aruba at TripAdvisor© gilside via TripAdvisor

© gilside via TripAdvisor

Kitesurfing Aruba at TripAdvisor© gilside via TripAdvisor
+1

© gilside via TripAdvisor

More activities

Exploring the hidden treasure only accessible on our tour.OutdoorFrom $150© Management via TripAdvisor

ABC Tours Aruba

ABC Tours Aruba operates out of Oranjestad and has held the #3 spot among outdoor activities in the capital for a reason — it's a full-day commitment. The standard safari runs seven hours, which is longer than most competitors, and covers Arikok National Park, the natural pool, caves, and a handful of beaches in one loop. That scope explains the $150 price point, which is about double what shorter half-day land tours charge elsewhere on the island. The back-to-back Travelers Choice awards and the volume of reviews point to consistent execution, and the guides get mentioned often — not just for driving, but for pacing the day so it doesn't feel like a forced march. Families book this because the private routes skip the roughest terrain and can accommodate infants, which matters if you're trying to see the interior without bounce-testing a car seat. If you're on a cruise, ABC coordinates timing around port schedules. If you'd rather spend half the day at a beach club, this isn't that.

land
7h
Choose a Snorkel or  Sunset Cruises aboard the Jolly Pirates.OutdoorFrom $90© Management via TripAdvisor

Jolly Pirates Cruises

Jolly Pirates runs a four-hour catamaran cruise out of Hadicurari, the fishing pier on the northwest coast near the high-rise hotels. The boat is ranked #7 among Oranjestad water sports for a reason: multiple snorkel stops, rope swings off the stern, and a crew that keeps the vibe relaxed without being forced. You'll hit at least two reef sites, and the water is shallow enough that kids can snorkel comfortably—this is the lowest-intensity water activity in the category. Morning departures include a full meal; afternoon trips are drinks only, so check the schedule when you book. At $90, it's positioned between De Palm Tours' beach club package with slides and banana boats and the pricier land-based jeep safaris. If you want open water over a beach club, and sailing over driving through Arikok, this is the call. Book direct through their site. Cash tip for the crew is standard.

water
4h
Palm Pleasure Sailing and Snorkeling tripsOutdoorFrom $75© Management via TripAdvisor

De Palm Tours

De Palm Tours runs a private beach club on the west coast near Oranjestad, and it's built around water activities — think slides, banana boats, snorkeling gear, and a roped-off swimming area. The #5 ranking among Oranjestad transportation reflects that this isn't just a shuttle service; most visitors book the half-day beach package that includes cabanas, towels, and food service. The back-to-back Travelers Choice awards suggest consistency, and the 4.8 rating across 26,000+ reviews backs that up. The setup skews family-friendly. Kids get underwater activities in shallow zones, parents get palapas with shade and beverage service. It's beach entertainment, not wilderness — no natural pools or cave hikes like the UTV tours that head into Arikok. Duration runs around four hours, which is enough for the slides and a meal without burning the whole day. Note that the flamingo interactions cost extra, and cabana rentals are mandatory with the package. If you want inland exploration, this isn't it. If you want a contained beach day with activities included, it does the job.

water
4h

Source: TripAdvisor · view on TripAdvisor →

Photos by individual contributors as credited above.

Review summaries are AI-paraphrased from public traveler reviews.