Dutch Antilles windsurfing holidays, with the Dutch Antilles experts.

Windsurfing in the Dutch Antilles is a unique experience; as one might expect from a country set in the crystal waters of the Caribbean, the natural beauty here is overwhelming. Pink feathered flamingos, emerald green mangroves and a kaleidoscope of tropical fish. But what sets this location apart from all the others is the lifestyle. Pure, simple and unspoiled. You won't find any congested high-rise hotels on the horizon, no exhaust belching buses filled with frantic tourists lining up for a photo-op and no motorboats in a frenzied race to nowhere. Instead, this is a place where you'll become overwhelmed by all the things windsurfers live for. The Dutch Antilles have a tropical climate, with warm weather all year round and are world renowned for its excellent conditions for windsurfing and consistently rated among the best windsurf locations in the world.

Average temperature for the ABCs year-round is a perfect 28°C (82°F). High noon is a bit warmer and at night it can get breezy, but mostly you’ll be fine in shorts and T-shirt. The islands are fairly dry, averaging a little over 1in (2.5cm) of rain per month. Much of this falls from September to early December. The islands usually miss the Caribbean hurricane season, although a couple passed to the north in 2007 and dumped a lot of water. As always, when you go depends on how cold you are. If you just have to warm up December to April, then you can join the crowds during high season. Otherwise, the islands are more accessible and rates much cheaper other times of the year. The high season for cruise ships runs October to April. Outside of these times the port towns can be almost sleepy.

You can pay for just about everything in US dollars on the ABCs. Sometimes you will get change back in US currency, other times you will receive it in Aruba florins (Afl) or Netherlands Antillean guilders (NAf or ANG) on Bonaire and Curaçao. The Netherlands Antilles Guilder is tied to the US Dollar. Most ATMs on Aruba and Curaçao let you withdraw currency in US dollars. American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted. Most major currencies, including US Dollars, Pounds Sterling and Euros, are easily exchanged. ATMs are located around the island. In Netherlands Antilles travellers checks are accepted by all banks and most hotels. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, you are advised to take travellers checks in U.S. dollars.