Find out the ideal and least favorable times to visit Aruba.

Discover the prime time to experience Aruba while avoiding the annual hurricane season with this informative video. Enjoy the full-screen version or hop over to the YouTube Caribbean channel for an in-depth understanding.

Visiting Aruba is ideal for vacationers who seek unspoiled island experiences, thanks to its enviable location. Tucked away at the southern fringe of the Caribbean hurricane belt, Aruba is sheltered from the ferocity of storms and hurricanes that frequently pummel the Caribbean islands, making it an irresistible paradise for all seasons.

The island's alluring climate makes Aruba a popular vacation destination. Most months, except during the peak of the hurricane season, between October and December, offer low-risk weather conditions, underscoring the fact that Aruba experiences one of the mildest climates worldwide. Moreover, with temperatures hovering in the 80s Fahrenheit and occasionally into the 90s during the summer, Aruba's weather is hard to beat.

For tourists who want to spend quality time snorkeling, swimming, and enjoying the beach, January through September is the perfect time to visit. Although water temperatures can be slightly cooler in January and February, which provides a respite from the inferno of the northern winters, the conditions may not be ideal for swimming, as the water could be too chilly in the mornings and barely warm enough in the afternoons. Nonetheless, these months receive the least amount of rainfall, according to the Aruba Meteorological Service, and are ideal for all types of vacationers.

Additionally, avoid the October through December period as the island receives potentially three inches of rainfall monthly, adversely affecting one's vacation experience.

Explore our Aruba travel guide to discover more information and check out our cruise port tips, best beaches, and excursion guides to fully explore Aruba. Remember, the key to a successful vacation is to travel at the ideal time.

When to go to Aruba - The best times

While some travelers argue that any season is suitable for an Aruban getaway, we beg to differ. Based on several visits to the island, we have observed better months than others for travelers to explore Aruba. With that being said, the ideal months to visit Aruba are between March and September. These months provide warm temperatures and a low chance of experiencing rainfall, making them suitable for anyone who seeks an unforgettable island experience.

Average Rainfall in Aruba

Aruba's rainy season is between October and December, where rainfall averages around three inches per month, making it the worst time to visit Aruba. However, Aruba is arid and experiences an annual rainfall of sixteen inches, with one-inch monthly rainfall averages from January through September, ideal for vacationers seeking low rainfall and tropical weather.

Despite a modest increase in rainfall during September, Aruba experiences a significant decline in visits during this month due to the potential threat of Caribbean hurricanes.

The chart indicates that individuals traveling to Aruba between March and May face a seven percent chance of encountering rain, while those visiting in December have a 37 percent chance.

The Aruba Hurricane Season

The hurricane season in Aruba is brief and mild, lasting only three months from September to November. The island rarely experiences tropical storms or hurricanes during this period.

Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao are located on the southern fringes of the hurricane belt. On average, the islands only experience one major tropical cyclone passing by or just south of them every 100 years, according to the Meteorological Service of the Netherland Antilles and Aruba.

While tropical cyclones pass within approximately 100 miles of the islands once every four years, they generally move northwards without causing significant damage or severe weather. However, they do increase rainfall and cloud cover.

The probability of encountering a nearby cyclone while in Aruba is very low. Although visiting the island during September or October increases the likelihood of experiencing bad weather, the chances of decent weather remain fairly high.

Average Air Temperatures

Aruba boasts one of the warmest climates in the Caribbean, with an average monthly high temperature of nearly 89 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the Meteorological Service of Netherland Antilles and Aruba.

The average monthly high temperature rises above 90 degrees Fahrenheit or 32 Celsius in August and September, making midday activities, like shopping and hiking, less comfortable. The beach sand also becomes unbearably hot during these months.

Inland temperatures without the protection of strong trade winds are warmer than coastal temperatures, despite the island's small size. The average low temperature is 78 degrees Fahrenheit or 25 Celsius, varying by only two degrees each month.

Average Water Temperatures

Water enthusiasts can expect average water temperatures of 81 degrees Fahrenheit in Aruba throughout the year, with slight variations from month to month.

During winter, the water is usually warm enough for swimming but may occasionally get too cool in the morning, forcing swimmers to take shorter dips. Water temperatures generally fall in between the average daily highs and lows, remaining comfortable almost year-round, except for the early mornings during winter.

Water temperatures average in the high 70s Fahrenheit and sometimes climb to the low 80s, creating a balmy environment.

Average Monthly Weather

Aruba's skies remain mostly blue with few clouds throughout the year.

January

January has the warmest and driest weather, making it the island's most popular month for visitors. Even with average high air temperatures of 86 degrees Fahrenheit or 30 Celsius, the sea water may occasionally feel cool. However, rainfall usually averages at around one inch.

Aruba's Weather by Month: What You Need to Know Before You Go

February

As winter continues, February brings slightly warmer temperatures and remains dry. Although the sea might be too cool for some, some currents can be comfortable while others can be chilly.

March

With schools on spring break, tourism spikes to the second highest level of the year. However, Aruba's weather is almost identical to February, except for a significant drop in average rainfall. It’s a bone-dry month.

April

April sees a rise in temperatures but a decline in visitors, making it the best month to visit so far. It provides warming weather, warming seawater, and fewer crowds on the beaches.

May

May is another good time to visit Aruba because it’s similar to April in terms of warmer temperatures and even lighter crowds.

June

With heat becoming a factor, temperatures in June average more than 90 degrees Fahrenheit or 32 Celsius, making land activities less enjoyable in the afternoons. It’s the second-lowest month in terms of visitors and best avoided if you’re not a fan of the heat.

July

July is the third most popular month, with weather like June - hot temperatures and little rainfall. However, visitors should be aware that heat can make land activities uncomfortable, especially in the Arikok National Park where most land excursions take place.

August

Visitors should expect average temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit in August, with fewer tourists than July. The beach sand can be scorching, but the seawater provides a warm bath.

September

The least popular month is September, with weather similar to the previous three months - hot temperatures and little rainfall. However, visitors should be aware that September is the worst month in the Caribbean hurricane season, and it’s also the hottest month of the year.

October

October is the start of the rainy season in Aruba and sees an average of only three inches of rain - similar to other islands during their dry season. However, it’s the second most active month for hurricanes in the region.

November

November, the second month of the rainy season, delivers another three inches of rain with 11 rainy days on average.

December

December sees higher rainfall than October and November, with an average of nearly 12 rainy days out of 31 in total, but temperatures remain warm enough for pleasant days on the beach.

Weather Impact on Visitors by Month

The above chart shows visitors to Aruba by month. Note the peak in March due to school spring break and the highest number of visitors in December for the holidays. September remains the least popular month. It’s worth noting that fall months typically see a decrease in visitors due to concerns about storms and hurricanes.

The image displayed indicates that, owing to the higher likelihood of precipitation, September experiences reduced tourism levels in Aruba. However, savvy travelers recognize this as an opportunity to avail of substantial discounts at hotels and resorts. These travelers judiciously monitor weather forecasts while proactively seeking out last-minute holiday packages.

While September is not the only month worth considering for fewer crowds and appealing climate conditions, others include May, and especially June, which typically registers the lowest number of vacationers annually.

Final Considerations

Tourists who prioritize pleasant weather and reduced chances of encountering storms, rain or hurricanes should ponder holidaying between March and August. However, August and September tend to have scorching temperatures. In contrast, October, November and December have relatively higher probabilities of rainfall, and infrequently, tropical storms or hurricanes.

Although visitors to Aruba can expect warm temperatures all year round, the occurrence of storms and hurricanes during the fall season remains uncontrollable.

While the possibility of experiencing a hurricane passing directly over Aruba is highly unlikely, there is a more significant possibility of one occurring in proximity to it, resulting in fewer dry days than usual during the autumn months.

Scott S. Bateman is a distinguished journalist who has toured extensively in the Caribbean and the Americas, authoring four books on cruising in the Caribbean, Alaska and the Mexican Riviera.

- May 03, 2023

May 03, 2023