Page 8 - AHATA

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local Wednesday 27 March 2024

Visit the island’s hidden natural pools

(Oranjestad)—Amongst the pool itself is very calm.
the countless beaches sur- It’s also relatively deep,
rounding the island that are and you can climb up the
well-known and frequently rocks and jump in!
visited, there are an addi-
tional two “hidden” natural Cave Pool
pools that are situated in This relatively new pool ap-
the northern coast of the peared just a few years
island, two ideal stops in ago, when a part of the
your tour itinerary. dried up coral floor broke
off and created a partition
Conchi (Natural Pool) between the ocean and
For many years, Conchi what is now the natural
was the only natural pool pool that is hidden there.
that we had on the island. Because it’s still so new,
Located in the Arikok Na- there is no official name for
tional Park, near Boca Keto it, but most people just call
and the Daimari Ranch, it the cave pool.
Conchi—also known “Cura
di Turtuga (Turtle’s Cove) or Just like the Conchi, the
just Natural Pool—is reach- new natural pool is situated
able with any 4x4 vehicle on the northern coast of
or by foot if you’re up for a Aruba. However, this pool is
long hike. However, since it much easier to reach with
is part of the National Park, any type of vehicle, and
you must first get permis- there is no hiking needed.
sion from park manage- This spot has also become
ment to enter. You would a regular stop for touring
have to purchase a day visitors.
pass, and receive a wrist-
band as proof of payment. When you get there, may-
Once you’ve completed be you won’t be able to
that, you are set! spot the pool immediately,
because you will probably
If you decide to hike from notice the moon-shaped
the entrance of the Arikok lagoon where wild north-
National Park, this is also ern waves crash into each
possible: do bring plenty other. Sounds scary, but
of protective clothing and if you look down on your
enough water and food—it right, you’ll see a calm,
could take you up to three crystal blue little pool in the
hours to hike there! corner. To get there, you
have to climb down some
However, when you even- stairs. Be careful when
tually do get there, you climbing down and follow
will be greeted with crystal the instructions of your tour
blue water surrounded by guide if you have one.
a natural rock formation
that protects you from the And just like Conchi, this
wild waves on the other pool also has a jumping
side. Though the pool is lo- spot, and a rope to climb
cated on the northern side back up the boulder. q
of the island (where the sea
is largely rough and largely Picture of cave pool is cred-
no suitable for swimming), ited to RockaBeach Tours