Page 14 - AHATA

a8 local
Monday 23 June 2025

National Park Arikok: Aruba’s biggest nature conservation

The National Park Arikok tant natural attraction; also Park Foundation. This foun-
comprises almost 18 % of known as The Natural Pool. dation was established in
the island. Its rugged ter- The journey to the Pool is and July 2003. In February 2017,
rain, desert-like hills filled adventure by itself and only mangrove and wetland
with tall cacti, breathtaking possible by foot, horse, ATV RAMSAR site #198 Spanish
coastline and protected or 4×4 vehicle. Lagoon was annexed to
local flora and fauna wel- Arikok National Park due to
come you to be explored. Cultural and Historical its importance as a feeding
There are numerous animals components and breeding area for water
to discover, for example the There are a number of sites birds and as a nursery area
sea turtle who lays his eggs within the park that attest for a variety of marine organ-
on the park’s beaches. to the history of Aruba. The isms. With this addition, the
Caquetío Indians left rock areas under FPNA manage-
The national park Arikok paintings in Cunucu Arikok ment increased by 70 hect-
takes you on a memorable and Fontein Cave. The bird ares while the amount of
journey of the islands past drawing in the park logo is a species of flora and fauna
offering unique geological, copy of one of these histori- to be conserved to over 250.
cultural and historical sites. cal artistic expressions. On December 21st, 2018 (AB
These can all be enjoyed ago by the same female fauna against a backdrop of 2018 no. 77) Parke Marino
and explored either on your hatches—a very rare oc- great geological complexity. Old plantation (Cunucus) Aruba – currently consisting
own or during guided tours. A currence of daytime nest- We are proud to state that sites tell the story of an active of four marine protected ar-
wide variety of educational ing and hatching. Sea turtles approximately 18% of the yet challenging agricultural eas (MPAs) – was officially es-
and informative programs prefer nesting in the cool and total land area of Aruba is past. tablished and subsequently
and fun activities is available. dark hours of the night. And assigned as a National Park, brought under management
hatchlings usually wait for the to protect and preserve the These Cunucus were also of ACF. In 2019 management
Did you know that four of cue of cooling surface sand flora, fauna, geology and his- residential areas for the few plans will be established for
the in total seven species before emerging. torical remains present within families that worked the land. the new MPAs which include:
of sea turtle lay their eggs Arikok National Park. These families found ways to coral reefs, sea grass beds,
on Aruba's beaches? In the Nature Conservation survive in the difficult condi- mangrove systems, a large
national park, a Least Tern The protected area of Na- The Landscape tions, and were able to erect diversity of breeding sea-
(Sternula antillarum) keeps a tional Park Arikok was official- There is a great geological their homes with materials birds. Parke Marino Aruba
strict eye on a very special ly established in 2000. Arikok variety within the park. The found in the area. Two of also contains potential shark
event taking place below National Park is a 34 square main aspects are the rough these adobe houses have nursery areas, endangered
on the beach: a majestic kilometers (7907 acres) of hills of the volcanic Aruba been restored. Park rangers sea turtle nesting beaches
Leatherback (Dermochelys natural area, located at the lava formation, the mysteri- are learning many of the old and marine mammal nursery
coriacea) heads back to sea north-eastern part of Aruba ous rocks of the batholithic building techniques in order areas.
after laying her eggs, while which contains examples of quartz-diorite/tonalite, and to preserve this unique Aru-
another nest laid 2 months most of the island’s flora and the limestone rocks from fos- ban mud-house. At Cunucu Visit the National Park Arikok
silized coral. The two tallest Arikok and near Plantation to see the wonder of Aruba’s
hills on the island are situated Prins you can find these ado- nature. The visitor center in
within the park. Jamanota be houses. San Fuego and entrance in
hill 188 meters (617 ft) and Vader Piet (San Nicolas) is
Arikok hill 176 meters (577 ft), Park Management open daily from 8:00 AM to
from which the name of the For the management of the 15:30 PM. Contact the ACF
park is derived. park, a dedicated founda- via e-mail, info@acf.aw or
tion “Aruba Conservation call +297 585 1234 for more
The line of the permanently Foundation (ACF), formerly information.q
wind-and-wave beaten known as Aruba National
North Coast is broken by sev-
eral bays (boca’s). Most of
them are small yet impressive
inlets at the mouth of dry riv-
erbeds. Some of these bays
(boca’s) are spectacular
sights, adorned with white,
sandy beaches and sand
dunes, as is the case at Boca
Prins and Dos Playa.

Arikok is also home to Con-
chi, Aruba’s most impor-