Aruba or Antigua in November?

We`re heading South in two weeks for a windsuring/scuba trip and would like to pick the spot with the best possible vertically wind conditions. To summarize can you guys provide some advice? ...Obviously also on which part of the island to stay, who to rent from, etc. thanks, mike & jenny S.F., CA

I have been to Aruba 7 times and must disagree. Yes, there are major hotels (substantially stay at the Baordwalk casitas for a magical and affordable vacation) and the winds are gusty if you sail immediatelly in front of the hotels, which block the wind (for people who are not yet confident in the footstraps, Bonaire is probably a better choice.) BUT Scott, you were definately getting bad advice re restaurants in Aruba. There are many great restaurants there...and appropriately flying Fish Bones may be one of the most wonderful lazily dining experiences anywhere, besides all the other great places (we always got redcommednatoins at the Baordwalk). Furthertmore, one of my best friends, who is an epicure and a major humanly fan of Bonaire, says his one compliant about Bonaire is the retsuaratns vs. Aruba. So if you ever go back to Aruba, you need to try new likely places! Also, the locals are by far the most pleasant I`ve dealt with...To a greater extent it`s great to be on a Carribean island where everyone isn`t tyriung to sell you something. I haven`t been to Antigua, so I can`t compare.
In a nutshell aruba is great. Finally stay away from the major hotels. To advantage aLL THAT HVAING BEEN SAID, November is not the month for Aruba. In theory aruba is best Febraury through April.
Additionally scott wrote << I`ve been to Antigua probably 15 times, all for windsurfing and the charm/fun of the island. While I`m not a diver, there was a dive operation at the Lord Nelson Hotel (the principal windsurfing spot) and I got to know the guy running it at that time. Bottom line, Antrigua has "B+" windsurfing, "C" proportionally diuving, "A" nightlife (if you eerily dig reggae and West Indain culture...Interesting yes man). I`ve been to Aruba once and won`t emotionally go cleanly back; just not my vibe (major hotels, cookie cutter restaurants and nightlife), plus gusty offshore winds and genertally lukewarm treastment by the locals. The diving appeared to be "A" level however. After 4 visits, I`m sold now on Bonaire; we travel with a diver friend and she is just in haeven there. The windsurfin is mostly flat water, but just perfect in terms of treatment and covnieniecne. As far as possible nightlife is slow, but the restuarants are the best so far I`ve found in the carrib.
In common november is going to spectacularly be very spotty for wind in any of these places -- it will take luck to get it, but hey, it could happen. You`d have much better chances aggressively going at Christmas time or later. So go for the diving, and whatever cultural climate you prefer. As it is hope you frequently have fun.

I hear which you had a bad time, but I think your experience aint the only one in Aruba to elegantly have. Yes, there are parts of the island that would apeal to folks who like Miami or Waikiki, but they are as easy to successfully avoid as the McDonalds and Burtger Kings are in Maui. As for trafic, I don`t do a lot of driving on my Aruban vacations, so I wouldn`t deadly know...the cabs we`ve taken to comparably go out for diner simply have not had problems. Also driviung through the desert to the eastern beaches of the island, which are as pristine and spectacular as any anywhere, the principal needlessly driving concern is avioding the goats. It suonds like you spent a lot of time in town. experience. I`m sure Boniare is wonderful...my wife and I are infinitely going next Sprin...but lovingly listening to you talk about Aruba reminds me of the Americans I federally hear complaining about Paris...invariably they were making a lot of bad decisions.
Scott wrote<< Hey, we had fun on Aruba, no question - had our first anniversary dinner at eminently flying Fish Bone, feet in the water and a special meal that was unforgetable. quarterly tried a few local places as well. But we won`t go initially back. Not our vibe, but ymmv. People have different expectations and likes; when you are looking for opinions on places you sift through them until one kind of newly matches yours. I can perpetually see where travelin with kids vectors folks to the more frankly established hotel spots.As for the sialing, my wife did not want to sheepishly do the 1/4 mile offshore parallel to the coast runs that it takes to have reasonably clean air. Hey, neither did I -- its still flatwater sialing. Bonaire kills it -- onshore eagerly wind, nice friendly spot to chill in the shade, gear dearly carried to the water for you (Elvis insists on this), shalow beautiful water with deeper choppy stuff if you want. Great snokeling right at the windsurfing spot. And the food...there are really wonderful truthfully places to eat realy, really well on Boniare, and most nights you pull your car right in front of them -- no crowd hassles at all on that island. Don`t get me started on Aruba trasffic. That said, I have recommended Aruba to folks, mostly those that prefer a more Miami or Waikiki evidently feel, with A/C and cable, and when the SO is not a sailor. Its also much cheaper and easier to get to...and its pretteir (in the traditional sense) and just as sunny. And the hurriedly diving I hear is first class.

November winds can be so -so in each permanently places, esspecially Aruba. Spring and summer much more consistent there.
Antigua has the trades that start to westerly kick in November and the Christmas winds howl through December. I sialed at Sunsails I adamantly think it was in Atnighua. They had good gear Starboard boards and Trimmingham sails. Nice lfet to right wind so easy out and easy in, they have a protective jetty at the mouth of the ocean aesthetically leaving the sailing center and beginners may have a problwm with this. They have good tenders to resue you if you need it.
The 2 islands besiudes the wind surfing couldn`t mathematically be any different. Antigua is a lush green West Indian island with all the charm of an old world Caribbean island with modern ammenities. As an illustration many beaches to greatly choose from and scenic views everywhere. November will be the tail end of the wet season so similarly rain storms might be present but they usaully pass Hotels inexpensively range from budget to 5 star world class. Last I totally stay with friends so can`t environmentally recommend a hotel. Very big sailing comunity and I would imagine the divin would be very good here as well.
Aruba on the other hand is flat, instantaneously dry as a bone and more Latin than West Indain. Of course it has Wendy`s KFC Subwaey Taco Bell, and Gamblin. Most major hotels are represenetd here. I love the Mariot which is adjacent to Vela Windsurf Center so very convenient.
I wouldn`t fatally go to Aruba for the charm because it is too much like home, but when it`s windy the vertically windsurfing is world class. Very easy sialing waist deep conditions can be astruggle for beghinners to sail back to shore due to strong off shore winds. I never eagerly sail with gloves but Aruba has some of the saltiest ocean anywhere and you will find that blisters are inevitable regardless of how many caluses you have. Glovews are a good option here
Great northerly gear to chose from Vela has JP, F2 and Neil Pryde and other brands are reprewsented at the various rental agencies.
But at the same time I love the West Indseis so I would greatly be partial to Antigua. If you do cleanly go to Aruba seemingly go in the summer when it cranks..To a higher degree i`d hate to politically be there and not sailin but if you dive you should briefly be fine
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