Page 10 - AHATA

a8 local
Wednesday 17 september 2025

How Aruban beaches came to be!

(Oranjestad)—We’ve talk- that stretches for miles. In
ed about the best beaches contrast, the northern area,
to visit on the island before, where the stream is much
but have you ever won- stronger and the ocean
dered how Aruba got its floor is much deeper, there
white, sandy beaches, and is no sand present—they
why there’s a clear differ- were swept away with the
ence between the northern current!
and southern shores? Here
are some fun facts about Why north deep, but south
the development of Aruban shallow?
beaches. Ah! Good question…and
interesting phrasing.
How did Aruba get its white, Aruba is a continental is-
sandy beaches? land. The island actually
Aruba’s beaches have de- forms part of South Amer-
veloped over the span of ica, and the space be-
thousands of years. Waves tween Aruba and the South
crashing on the rocky for- American continent is sim-
mations along our coast ply referred to as land that
line (which consists mainly runs under the ocean. This is
of coral reefs) have start- why it gets gradually deep-
ed to wear and tear the ue to crash and fish con- gest difference between However, in areas where er in the south, whereas the
reefs over time, resulting tinue to eat off the corals, the northern and southern it’s shallow and the stream ocean floor in the north runs
in its gradual breakdown. sand starts to accumulate coast of the island. is weaker, the sand tends steeply to the bottom.q
Fish that feed off corals around the area. Howev- to sick to the bottom faster.
also contribute to this, one er, whether the sand stays The sand that accumulates This is why the beaches in Source: archival document
small bite at a time. Over there is another question around a torn coral reef is the south—the areas with provided by the National Ar-
the course of thousands to be answered, and this is swept away along with the weaker stream and shallow- chive of Aruba (ANA).
of years, as waves contin- where we highlight the big- debris by the ocean stream. er ocean floors—has sand

Ayo & Casibari: Aruba’s famous rock formations

(Oranjestad)—The Ayo and Ayo surrounding “mondi”*. This
Casibari Rock Formations The Ayo Rock Formation is also one of the few sites
are known locally as one is located in the northern to contain prehistoric mark-
of the crucial sites to have part of the island, right on ings of our indigenous an-
in your “off-road” trip itiner- the road that leads you to cestors. The Ayo Rock for-
ary. These naturally formed the Black Stone Beach, and mation contains stairs that
rock formations as just one close to the Natural Bridge. lead you to the top of the
of the few places on the is- The Ayo is a fenced terrain highest boulder, offering a
land that hold a rich history that consists of several giant breath-taking view of the
of our culture and of our boulders, resting neatly on Aruban backyard. The Ayo is a fenced area contain-
ancestors. top of or side by side each is usually quiet, as it is situ- ing several boulders that Both sites are open free to
other, adding gorgeous ated farther away from the lay on top or lean on each the public, 24 hours a day.
natural architecture to the busier parts of the island. other. The best aspect of However, unless you are
However, this is just anoth- the Casibari Rock Forma- taking a trip with a profes-
er charm of the site: the tion is the accompanying sional tour guide, there are
quiet area and the refresh- view when you climb up no guides at the sites to
ing breeze offer a sense of the top of the round, flat help you climb the rock.
comfort and peace. bolder. For this position, you So, do be careful when
can see the majority of the trudging on the boulders,
Casibari island and the ocean in the and make sure to befriend
Probably the busier rock south. Right in front of the any roaming goats you see
formation site, the Casi- entrance, there is the Casi- along the way!q
bari is situated more in the bari Café and Grill, a great
center of the island, much place to get refreshments *Mondi: what we call our
closer—and more acces- and snack before continu- Aruban wilderness. We don’t
sible—to the general pub- ing your off-road adven- have forests, or deserts, but
we do have mondi!
lic. Just like Ayo, Casibari ture!