Savaneta knows seafood. It has for generations.
So when Aruba’s original fishing village throws a seafood festival, the fish arrive the way they always have. By boat.
The turquoise sea quite literally sparkled at the festival’s doorstep.
Music drifted through the afternoon as families found their favorite spots under the shade of mature kwihi trees.
Savaneta had come out for Savaneta. Sundays unfold at their own pace here, and we simply followed.
This is a place where fishing is a way of life, its knowledge passed from one generation to the next.
On Sunday, that old tradition became a friendly competition, with fishermen bringing in an impressive 1,000 kilos of fish.
And the island brought its appetite.
Di Lama pa Tayo.
From the sea to the plate.
At the grills, Aruba Wine and Dine prepared the fishermen’s catch, fresh from the boat.
Fish this fresh doesn’t need much fuss.
Forty seafood vendors filled this little village with foods that have belonged on Aruba’s tables for generations: conch and lobster, ceviche, crab, calamari, octopus, keri keri, and more.
Impressive octopus tentacles spilled across the grills, curling over the heat.
Family recipes came out for the day, too.
Lunch came with a side of nostalgia.
I nibbled on fresh barracuda from the grill, along with grilled octopus and calamari rings, but it was the saltfish with funchi and sweet plantain that brought back a taste I recognized from childhood.
Funny how a familiar taste can cross an ocean and find you again.
Colorful bottles of fruit juices lined the tables, with island flavors like shimarucu, kenepa, macapruim and mispel.
Handmade crafts filled the spaces in between, and chilled Balashis were never too far away.
On a hot Aruba day, cold coconut water is a little tradition of my own.
Soon, the afternoon found its old, familiar rhythm.
The wiri kept good time while the Tingilingi Box played, and couples simply began to waltz.
Folding chairs came out beneath the shade trees by the former Brisas del Mar, the Rasmijn family’s beloved seafood restaurant. A domino table waited for later.
I smiled imagining the clackety-clack of the tiles long before the spirited game began.
Sipping cold coconut water beneath the shade trees, I raised my coconut to old traditions, good food, and Sunday afternoons by the sea.
Savaneta certainly perfected Sunday afternoons.
When is the Savaneta Seafood Festival?
The second Savaneta Seafood Festival was held on September 27, 2026. The fishing tournament began early in the morning, with fishermen returning to the Savaneta pier in the afternoon for Di Lama pa Tayo, “from the sea to the plate.”
What local fish can you eat in Aruba?
Aruba’s local catch can include wahoo, mahi-mahi, red snapper, grouper and barracuda. Traditional preparations include keri keri, seasoned shredded fish, along with fish soups, grilled fish and other local recipes.
What local fruits are used for juices and batidos in Aruba?
Local fruits include shimarucu, kenepa, macapruim and mispel, along with mango, papaya, guava, soursop and tamarind. They’re eaten fresh and also used in juices and batidos, cold blended fruit drinks.
Where is the Savaneta Seafood Festival?
The 2026 festival was held along the waterfront in Savaneta, Aruba, at C3X2+4FC.
Brand Manager, Kukoo Kunuku & Jolly Pirates
Carla Cavallaro has called Aruba home since 1989 and helped launch Jolly Pirates in 1997. She works with both Jolly Pirates and Kukoo Kunuku and writes about Aruba’s history, people, sea life and the stories behind the places visitors experience today. kukookunuku.com
