Page 10 - ATD20MAR2023

Monday 20 March 2023 locAl
A10
Aruba’s underwater wonderland
ORANJESTAD - Exploring selected the top spots for
the underwater wonders is you.
something you should defi-
nitely do during your stay Tres Trapi
in Aruba. The underwater Tres Trapi means tree steps
world has everything to of- in Papiamento, Papiamen-
fer that makes a snorkel trip to is together with Dutch
so exceptional; an impres- the official language spo- came to Aruba, because it
sive, colorful sea life with ken on Aruba. The beach
exotic fishes, turtles and is called Tres Trapi because
beautiful coral reef. The his- it is accessible by the tree
toric shipwrecks, located steps carved into the rocks.
on the Aruban seabed are Tres Trapi is a small rocky
also worth a visit. Aruba is beach, located on the
known for its white beach- north-western side of the
es and blue oceans, which island, approximately 5 to
means there are many fas- 10 minute drive from Palm
cinating under water spots, Beach. From the unique
where you can take your steps you can easily walk
snorkeling gear and we over the beach into the
clear and turquoise blue
ocean. While snorkeling
you will encounter all kind
of tropical fishes and sea
stars. The kind of starfish
you will find in the Aruban
waters is the red cushion
sea star. This is a starfish that
is commonly found in the
shallow waters of the Ca-
ribbean sea and if you are
lucky during your snorkeling
visit to Tres Trapi, you may
come across one of the
green sea turtles. Respect
the animal, keep your dis-
tance and enjoy the view.
Also remember; it is a once
in a life time experience.
Antilla shipwreck
Antilla is a 400-foot-long
long ship, built in 1939 in
Hamburg, Germany. Antilla
had to find a neutral port.
When Germany invaded will drive through the old Mangel Halto
the Netherlands on May capital of Aruba, San Nico- Mangel Halto beach is lo-
10, 1940, the crew decided las. The old Aruban culture cated in Savaneta, on the
to let their own ship sink, to can be still felt and expe- southern-west part of the
prevent it from falling into rienced here, so do not island. The beach is differ-
the hands of the Dutch hesitate to get out of your ent from the other beaches
Navy. Antilla lies on its port- car and walk around for in Aruba; it is beach full of
side in Malmok bay, and a while. Baby beach is a mangroves. You reach the
the sunken word war two child friendly beach, since beach by a bridge through
ship is now one of Aruba’s it is shallow and the water the mangroves and then
most popular snorkeling has a pleasant tempera- you will have several en-
and dive spots. However, ture. The name therefore trances to the sea. There
the ship wreck can only be fits well with the beach. are diverse spots where
reached by boat. The ship Baby beach is an excellent you can enjoy a perfect
is visible from the surface beach for snorkeling, espe- beach day, wooden stairs
and during your snorkeling cially if you want to go with made to enter the water
trip you be surrounded by small children, because the and a dock to sit on and
hundreds of tropical fishes, water remains shallow and enjoy the view. Mangel
but the ship wreck alone is there are still many under- Halto is also worth a visit for
already impressive enough. water wonders to see. In the snorkeling experience.
the ocean there is an area Inside the bay, the water
Baby Beach marked until where it is rec- is clear and you find many
Baby beach; a white ommended to snorkel and colorful fish. Outside the
beach, with a crystal blue on the beach you will find bay is a bit more challeng-
ocean. The beach is lo- different facilities. It is a per- ing for beginners because
cated on the southern part fect beach to spend your of the wind and the waves,
of the island. On the way day snorkeling and relax- but the coral is alive and it
to the famous beach, you ing. is just like snorkel heaven.q