Page 13 - HOH

Thursday 30 March 2023 LOCAL
A10

Aruba’s underwater wonderland

ORANJESTAD - Exploring north-western side of the the Netherlands on May
the underwater wonders is island, approximately 5 to 10, 1940, the crew decided
something you should defi- 10 minute drive from Palm to let their own ship sink, to
nitely do during your stay Beach. From the unique prevent it from falling into
in Aruba. The underwater steps you can easily walk the hands of the Dutch
world has everything to of- over the beach into the Navy. Antilla lies on its port-
fer that makes a snorkel trip clear and turquoise blue side in Malmok bay, and
so exceptional; an impres- ocean. While snorkeling the sunken word war two
sive, colorful sea life with you will encounter all kind ship is now one of Aruba’s
exotic fishes, turtles and of tropical fishes and sea most popular snorkeling
beautiful coral reef. The his- stars. The kind of starfish you and dive spots. However,
toric shipwrecks, located will find in the Aruban wa- the ship wreck can only be
on the Aruban seabed are ters is the red cushion sea reached by boat. The ship
also worth a visit. Aruba is star. This is a starfish that is is visible from the surface
known for its white beach- commonly found in the and during your snorkeling
es and blue oceans, which shallow waters of the Ca- trip you be surrounded by
means there are many fas- ribbean sea and if you are hundreds of tropical fishes,
cinating under water spots, lucky during your snorkeling but the ship wreck alone is
where you can take your visit to Tres Trapi, you may already impressive enough.
snorkeling gear and we se- come across one of the
lected the top spots for you. green sea turtles. Respect Baby Beach
the animal, keep your dis- Baby beach; a white
Tres Trapi tance and enjoy the view. beach, with a crystal blue
Tres Trapi means tree steps Also remember; it is a once ocean. The beach is lo-
in Papiamento, Papiamen- in a life time experience. cated on the southern part
to is together with Dutch of the island. On the way
the official language spo- Antilla shipwreck to the famous beach, you
ken on Aruba. The beach Antilla is a 400-foot-long will drive through the old
is called Tres Trapi because long ship, built in 1939 in capital of Aruba, San Nico-
it is accessible by the tree Hamburg, Germany. Antilla las. The old Aruban culture
steps carved into the rocks. came to Aruba, because it can be still felt and expe-
Tres Trapi is a small rocky had to find a neutral port. rienced here, so do not
beach, located on the When Germany invaded hesitate to get out of your

car and walk around for southern-west part of the
a while. Baby beach is a island.
child friendly beach, since The beach is different
it is shallow and the water from the other beaches
has a pleasant tempera- in Aruba; it is beach full of
ture. The name therefore mangroves. You reach the
fits well with the beach. beach by a bridge through
Baby beach is an excellent the mangroves and then
beach for snorkeling, espe- you will have several en-
cially if you want to go with trances to the sea. There
small children, because the are diverse spots where
water remains shallow and you can enjoy a perfect
there are still many under- beach day, wooden stairs
water wonders to see. In made to enter the water
the ocean there is an area and a dock to sit on and
marked until where it is rec- enjoy the view. Mangel
ommended to snorkel and Halto is also worth a visit for
on the beach you will find the snorkeling experience.
different facilities. It is a per- Inside the bay, the water
fect beach to spend your is clear and you find many
day snorkeling and relax- colorful fish. Outside the
ing. bay is a bit more challeng-
ing for beginners because
Mangel Halto of the wind and the waves,
Mangel Halto beach is lo- but the coral is alive and it
cated in Savaneta, on the is just like snorkel heaven.q