Page 11 - aruba-today-20240924

locAl Tuesday 24 sepTember 2024
A11

Aruba’s underwater wonderland

ORANJESTAD - Exploring the un- had to find a neutral port. When
derwater wonders is something Germany invaded the Nether-
you should definitely do during lands on May 10, 1940, the crew
your stay in Aruba. The underwa- decided to let their own ship sink,
ter world has everything to offer to prevent it from falling into the
that makes a snorkel trip so ex- hands of the Dutch Navy. Antilla
ceptional; an impressive, colorful lies on its portside in Malmok bay,
sea life with exotic fishes, turtles and the sunken word war two ship
and beautiful coral reef. The his- is now one of Aruba’s most popu-
toric shipwrecks, located on the lar snorkeling and dive spots. How-
Aruban seabed are also worth a ever, the ship wreck can only be
visit. Aruba is known for its white reached by boat. The ship is visible
beaches and blue oceans, which from the surface and during your
means there are many fascinating snorkeling trip you be surrounded
under water spots, where you can by hundreds of tropical fishes, but
take your snorkeling gear and we the ship wreck alone is already im-
selected the top spots for you. pressive enough.

Tres Trapi Baby Beach
Tres Trapi means tree steps in Pa- Baby beach; a white beach, with
piamento, Papiamento is together a crystal blue ocean. The beach is
with Dutch the official language located on the southern part of the
spoken on Aruba. The beach is island. On the way to the famous
called Tres Trapi because it is ac- beach, you will drive through the
cessible by the tree steps carved old capital of Aruba, San Nicolas.
into the rocks. Tres Trapi is a small The old Aruban culture can be still
rocky beach, located on the felt and experienced here, so do
north-western side of the island, not hesitate to get out of your car
approximately 5 to 10 minute drive and walk around for a while. Baby
from Palm Beach. From the unique beach is a child friendly beach,
steps you can easily walk over the since it is shallow and the water
beach into the clear and turquoise has a pleasant temperature. The
blue ocean. While snorkeling you name therefore fits well with the
will encounter all kind of tropical beach. Baby beach is an excellent
fishes and sea stars. The kind of beach for snorkeling, especially
starfish you will find in the Aruban if you want to go with small chil-
waters is the red cushion sea star. dren, because the water remains
This is a starfish that is commonly shallow and there are still many
found in the shallow waters of the underwater wonders to see. In the
Caribbean sea and if you are lucky ocean there is an area marked
during your snorkeling visit to Tres until where it is recommended to
Trapi, you may come across one of snorkel and on the beach you will
the green sea turtles. Respect the find different facilities. It is a perfect
animal, keep your distance and beach to spend your day snorkel-
enjoy the view. Also remember; it ing and relaxing.
is a once in a life time experience.
Mangel Halto
Antilla shipwreck Mangel Halto beach is located in
Antilla is a 400-foot-long long ship, Savaneta, on the southern-west
built in 1939 in Hamburg, Germany. part of the island. The beach is dif-
Antilla came to Aruba, because it ferent from the other beaches in

Aruba; it is beach full of mangroves. Halto is also worth a visit for the
You reach the beach by a bridge snorkeling experience. Inside the
through the mangroves and then bay, the water is clear and you find
you will have several entrances many colorful fish. Outside the bay
to the sea. There are diverse spots is a bit more challenging for begin-
where you can enjoy a perfect ners because of the wind and the
beach day, wooden stairs made waves, but the coral is alive and it
to enter the water and a dock to is just like snorkel heaven.q
sit on and enjoy the view. Mangel