Bushiri
- Freeride, Wave
- Best for
- Intermediate to Expert
- Skill Level
- Chop, Small waves
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Bushiri is a low-profile kitesurfing launch north of Oranjestad, characterized by crystal-clear water, small waves, and chop over a rocky/mixed bottom with a small beach footprint. Wind is typically easterly (NE, ENE, E) and strongest and most reliable from January through August, with common wind speeds around 15–25 knots. Safety is the main constraint at Bushiri: the trade-wind flow is described as offshore, meaning a rider who gets downwind can face significant drift risk. Spot-level guidance stresses that it’s not a beginner location—use only if you are highly confident in your upwind ability, and plan for self-rescue limitations. Rescue availability is described as no at the spot level, and only limited at the regional level for wind sports. Hazards reported include rocks and potential submerged debris associated with nearby abandoned structures and building remnants. Launch guidance advises checking for submerged debris before entering the water, because underwater hazards may not be visible from shore. Turbulence near old hotel remains can also affect conditions right around the launch. For riders aiming to progress, the environment is generally quiet compared with major tourist beaches, and water clarity is excellent. Surf occasionally appears under the right swell conditions: a rare, left-hand, mushy sandbar wave that is mostly longboard-friendly, but wave quality is generally poor and large swell can close things out or make conditions messy.
- Crystal-clear visibility
- Consistent NE–E trade winds (January–August)
- Chop and small waves rather than heavy surf
- Crystal-clear water and small-chop/small-wave conditions.
- Wind is consistent from NE through E during the main season (January to August).
- Budget-friendly local scene with generally quiet, low-profile usage.
- Offshore trade-wind setup increases drift risk if you cannot ride upwind.
- Rocks and possible submerged debris near/after launch.
- No lifeguard service and rescue availability is very limited.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE, ENE, E
- Offshore directions
- E, ENE, NE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Extremely consistent Easterly Trade Winds.
- Reliability
- high
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Sources conflict on gusting: Perplexity reports steady gust factor; Gemini describes light-gusts.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Small waves
- Beach
- Pebble — Conflicting reports: Perplexity says pebble; Gemini says sand.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Chop and small wave conditions.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Chop conditions reported by multiple sources.
- Launch
- Small — Narrow sandy beach with rocky patches and nearby debris; launch area described as tight/narrow.
Through the year
Generally quiet and low-profile compared to major tourist beaches.
October to December can see more rain; Aruba is generally arid.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Chop and small waves with trade winds from NE, ENE, and E. Conditions include offshore trade winds; no safety net if you drift downwind. Not suitable for beginners.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
A rare surf spot that occasionally produces a rideable left-hand wave when a Northwest swell wraps around or during extreme trade wind swells.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- NW, N
- Swell Height
- 0.5–1.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed to offshore trade winds.
- Wind Effect
- Strong offshore trade winds groom the waves but can make it difficult to catch them.
- Bigger Swell
- Closes out or becomes messy with very large swells.
- Wave Quality
- Poor — Mushy, short rides requiring specific swell conditions.
- Wave Power
- Soft
- Wave Shape
- Mushy — Short, mushy waves.
- Peel Speed
- Slow — Short, mushy wave conditions.
- Ride Length
- Short — Rare; only occasionally rideable and mostly used by longboarders.
- Typical Ride Length
- 30–50 m
- Ride Length Details
- Short, mushy waves that require specific swell conditions to break properly.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Bushiri in the full forecast view.
Bushiri wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 6–18 ktsGusts 29 kts
- Direction
- E97°
- Strongest day
- Fri, Oct 2318 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.4–0.8 m6s period
- Temperature
- 28–32 °C
Over the next 7 days, Bushiri 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 0.4–0.8 m with a period of about 6s. 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
- rocks
- offshore wind
- open ocean drift
- submerged debris
- submerged debris from nearby abandoned buildings
- offshore turbulence near old hotel remains
- launch debris (building remnants)
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Spot-level sources say no rescue availability; regional context indicates limited rescue for wind sports.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are located in downtown Oranjestad.
Rules of the spot
Kitesurfing is generally permitted but common sense regarding offshore winds applies. Only ride if you are highly confident in your upwind ability; always ride with a partner and let someone on shore know your plans.
- Not suitable for beginners due to offshore conditions and limited safety net.
- Check for submerged debris from the nearby abandoned buildings before launching.
- Only ride if you are highly confident in your upwind ability.
- Always ride with a partner and let someone on shore know your plans.
- Beach risk reported: rocks.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Oranjestad
- Nearest Town
- Oranjestad
- Nearest Airport
- Aruba International Airport (AUA)
- Parking
- A parking is available at Bushiri. Unpaved parking area available near the beach access.
- Access
- Accessible via the coastal road north of Oranjestad, near the former Bushiri Hotel site.
- Cost Level
- Expensive
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous hotels and rentals are available within Oranjestad and the surrounding area.
- Food & Drink
- Local snack huts and restaurants are within walking distance in the surrounding area.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Bushiri?
The best overall months at Bushiri are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August.
Which wind directions work at Bushiri?
Bushiri works with NE, ENE, E winds. Offshore directions are E, ENE, NE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Bushiri?
Recommended equipment sizes at Bushiri: Kitesurfing: 7–12 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Bushiri suitable for?
Bushiri suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate to Expert · Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.