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LOCAL Friday 17 February 2023

Aruba’s underwater wonderland

ORANJESTAD - Exploring the underwater Antilla is a 400-foot-long long ship, built in
wonders is something you should defi- 1939 in Hamburg, Germany. Antilla came
nitely do during your stay in Aruba. The to Aruba, because it had to find a neutral
underwater world has everything to offer port. When Germany invaded the Nether-
that makes a snorkel trip so exceptional; lands on May 10, 1940, the crew decided
an impressive, colorful sea life with exotic to let their own ship sink, to prevent it from
fishes, turtles and beautiful coral reef. The falling into the hands of the Dutch Navy.
historic shipwrecks, located on the Aru- Antilla lies on its portside in Malmok bay,
ban seabed are also worth a visit. Aruba and the sunken word war two ship is now
is known for its white beaches and blue one of Aruba’s most popular snorkeling
oceans, which means there are many fas- and dive spots. However, the ship wreck
cinating under water spots, where you can can only be reached by boat. The ship is
take your snorkeling gear and we select- visible from the surface and during your
ed the top spots for you. snorkeling trip you be surrounded by hun-
dreds of tropical fishes, but the ship wreck Inside the bay, the water is clear and you find many col-
Tres Trapi alone is already impressive enough. orful fish. Outside the bay is a bit more challenging for
Tres Trapi means tree steps in Papiamento, beginners because of the wind and the waves, but the
Papiamento is together with Dutch the Baby Beach coral is alive and it is just like snorkel heaven.q
official language spoken on Aruba. The Baby beach; a white beach, with a crystal
beach is called Tres Trapi because it is ac- blue ocean. The beach is located on the
cessible by the tree steps carved into the southern part of the island. On the way to
rocks. Tres Trapi is a small rocky beach, the famous beach, you will drive through
located on the north-western side of the the old capital of Aruba, San Nicolas. The
island, approximately 5 to 10 minute drive old Aruban culture can be still felt and ex-
from Palm Beach. From the unique steps perienced here, so do not hesitate to get
you can easily walk over the beach into out of your car and walk around for a while.
the clear and turquoise blue ocean. While Baby beach is a child friendly beach, since
snorkeling you will encounter all kind of it is shallow and the water has a pleasant
tropical fishes and sea stars. The kind of temperature. The name therefore fits well
starfish you will find in the Aruban waters with the beach. Baby beach is an excel-
is the red cushion sea star. This is a starfish lent beach for snorkeling, especially if you
that is commonly found in the shallow wa- want to go with small children, because
ters of the Caribbean sea and if you are the water remains shallow and there are
lucky during your snorkeling visit to Tres Tra- still many underwater wonders to see. In
pi, you may come across one of the green the ocean there is an area marked until
sea turtles. Respect the animal, keep your where it is recommended to snorkel and
distance and enjoy the view. Also remem- on the beach you will find different facili-
ber; it is a once in a life time experience. ties. It is a perfect beach to spend your
day snorkeling and relaxing.
Antilla shipwreck
Mangel Halto
Mangel Halto beach is located in Sava-
neta, on the southern-west part of the is-
land. The beach is different from the other
beaches in Aruba; it is beach full of man-
groves. You reach the beach by a bridge
through the mangroves and then you will
have several entrances to the sea. There
are diverse spots where you can enjoy a
perfect beach day, wooden stairs made
to enter the water and a dock to sit on
and enjoy the view. Mangel Halto is also
worth a visit for the snorkeling experience.