Arashi Beach (Noord)
- Freeride, Wave
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Flat, Shallow, Small waves, Medium waves
- Spot Type
- Busy
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Arashi Beach is an exposed beach-break environment where the wind direction and swell timing strongly determine water conditions. For kitesurfing, it’s described as shallow and relatively flat inside, turning into small-to-medium wave riding with reef/rock/urchin hazards—so it’s best kept for advanced riders who can manage offshore wind risk. Surf is possible when the right northwest-related swell lines up; offshore trade winds can groom waves when swell is present, though wave quality is described as average and rides tend to be short. Access is generally straightforward by car/taxi, with parking close to the beach, but plan your equipment logistics because on-spot rentals and specialized setups are limited in the sources. Safety guidance repeatedly emphasizes reefs and offshore-wind consequences: choose your launch/landing carefully, respect any swimming zones, and consider riding with a buddy or informing others before you go out.
- Crystal-clear water with high visibility
- Consistent NE/ENE trade winds (often offshore)
- Shallow/flat conditions for progression (inside) but with reef/rock hazards
- Surf can work during the right winter/rare swell windows
- Crystal-clear water and generally shallow/flat conditions for fast progression (inside zones).
- Strong, consistent east-northeast trade winds that are typically offshore on this stretch of coastline.
- Good accessibility with parking and straightforward beach access.
- Advanced/experienced riders only for kitesurfing due to shallow water and reef/rock/urchin hazards.
- Offshore wind increases the challenge and risk (getting pulled away).
- Limited on-spot gear infrastructure; plan to bring or arrange gear elsewhere.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE, ENE, E
- Offshore directions
- NE, ENE, E
- Wind Range
- 15–30 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Trade winds from the east/northeast (NE/ENE), generally offshore on this western-facing coastline.
- Reliability
- high
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gustiness close to shore is noted in some conditions.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Shallow, Small waves, Medium waves
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Described as small to medium waves depending on conditions.
- Chop Level
- Light chop — Flat to choppy inside the bay, with small chop further out.
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy launch/landing area with some rocky patches; occasional palapas can be obstacles.
Through the year
Can be crowded with tourists and swimmers during high season from November until April.
September and October (hurricane season) are noted as higher risk for low wind days; another source describes October to December as the rainy season with brief rainfall.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Primarily a shallow, (relatively) flat-water kitesurfing beach with small to medium waves and a reef/reef-patch bottom. Offshore to side-offshore trade winds from the NE are key; conditions are suited to advanced riders who can manage upwind position and the hazards of reefs/rocks.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Offshore trade-wind windsurfing with flat water mixed with small chop further out. Best for advanced windsurfers comfortable with offshore winds and reef/rock hazards.
- Sail Sizes
- 5–7.5 m²
Foil-friendly away from the immediate shoreline, with offshore wind requiring high proficiency to ensure a safe return. Shallow nearshore; depth becomes adequate further out.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly conditions are indicated, with adequate depth away from the shoreline.
- Min Depth
- 1.5m
- Wing Sizes
- 4–5 m²
Exposed beach break; typically works best when the right (rare) northwest-related swell arrives. Wind is usually offshore, helping shape waves, but bottom hazards and the mix of sandy/rocky ground matter for takeoffs and exits.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- N, NW
- Swell Height
- 0.5–1.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Described as exposed by some sources, with semi-sheltered behavior depending on swell/wind direction.
- Wind Effect
- Trade winds are offshore here and can groom waves when swell is present.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become messy with too much energy; best on clean groundswells.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Wave quality is described as average, improving when clean groundswells/swell line up.
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Sources describe mixed/peeling characteristics depending on swell.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Short
- Ride Length Details
- Ride length is generally short.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Arashi Beach (Noord) in the full forecast view.
Arashi Beach (Noord) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 6–18 ktsGusts 29 kts
- Direction
- E98°
- Strongest day
- Fri, Oct 2318 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.7–1.6 m7s period
- Temperature
- 28–32 °C
Over the next 7 days, Arashi Beach (Noord) is forecast for daytime winds of 6–18 kts, peaking around 18 kts on Friday, October 23 with gusts to 29 kts. The prevailing direction is E. Waves run 0.7–1.6 m with a period of about 7s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Reefs
- Rocks
- Sea urchins
- Offshore wind
- Swimmers and snorkelers
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards were indicated for this spot.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No on-site rescue availability was indicated.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are in the Noord district or Oranjestad.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No specific localism/access restrictions were indicated.
Rules of the spot
For advanced riders only. Respect designated swimming zones where applicable; this beach can be popular with families and swimmers.
- No designated kite launch zone (use caution when choosing your launch/landing).
- Be careful of reefs when on the water.
- Offshore wind can pull you away—ride with a buddy or let someone know you are out.
- Surf conditions are often best early in the morning when wind is lighter.
- Waves may be calm, but swell can still bring local surfers during the right conditions.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Oranjestad
- Nearest Town
- Noord
- Nearest Airport
- Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA)
- Parking
- Plenty/large sandy parking area available directly at the beach.
- Public Transport
- Buses run along main routes; limited options to Noord with taxis/rental cars commonly used.
- Access
- Accessible by car or taxi; also described as about a 10-minute walk from the last bus stop on Malmok. It is reported as the last beach before the California Lighthouse; directions reference taking the main island highway toward the lighthouse and looking to your left at the end of the housing area.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Dutch, Papiamento, English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Hotels and accommodation are described as nearby (often within a short drive).
- Food & Drink
- A small beach shack provides snacks, drinks, and basic meals.
- Equipment Rental:
- No specialized sport rentals on-site are indicated in the spot-level sources; regional context indicates gear rental is commonly available around the main riding/school areas.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Scenic coastal drive from Malmok to Arashi.
All-day cruise tours to nearby islands.
Iconic stone lighthouse with panoramic views of Aruba’s western coastline and northern shore.
One of the largest shipwrecks in the Caribbean, popular for diving and snorkeling offshore from Malmok.
Scenic coastal cliffs and natural pools at Malmok Beach.
Historic Dutch colonial buildings and museums in Oranjestad.
Ancient Arawak rock carvings near Malmok.
Archeological sites and historic Dutch colonial architecture in Oranjestad.
Guided off-road tours exploring the rugged desert terrain and limestone cliffs of the north coast.
Beachfront eateries and bars across Noord and Tierra del Sol.
Popular open-air beachfront bar and restaurant with lively atmosphere and sunset views.
International cuisine and local Dutch-Aruban dishes in Oranjestad.
Shallow-water beaches suitable for children.
Tropical garden filled with hundreds of butterflies near the Palm Beach hotel strip.
Family water parks and beach clubs along the northern coast.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Arashi Beach (Noord)?
The best overall months at Arashi Beach (Noord) are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August.
Which wind directions work at Arashi Beach (Noord)?
Arashi Beach (Noord) works with NE, ENE, E winds. Offshore directions are NE, ENE, E.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Arashi Beach (Noord)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Arashi Beach (Noord): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 5–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–5 m². The typical wind range is 15–30 kts.
What skill level is Arashi Beach (Noord) suitable for?
Arashi Beach (Noord) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate.