Mangroves-Spaans-Lagoen-Mangel-Halto-Aruba-Parke- Arikok-photo-visitaruba
Photo by Arikok National Park

Mangroves and Wildlife: Environmental Awareness from Aruba Pt. II

Did you know that Aruba’s diverse terrains include the intricate mangrove ecosystem?

The most popular mangrove sites in Aruba would definitely be considered:  SPAANS LAGOEN & MANGEL HALTO.

Over the past years there have been some concerned comments shared by both locals and visitors of our One Happy Island about the not-so-happy care when it comes to these natural habitats.

From careless behavior that in consequence has ignited accidental fires, leaving destruction and ash behind…🔥🔥🔥

To the controversy surrounding a resort that has been an ongoing topic of debate within the Aruban community, with regards to the deforestation of the mangroves and drilling through the coral reefs…

ALARMS ARE GOING OFF when it comes to the conservation of Aruba’s mangrove ecosystem.

In hopes of inspiring some more care for these natural wonders, I’ve compiled a few snapshots of mangroves, and some of the wildlife that depends on them to strive, in order to bring more awareness on LIFE AT THE ‘MANGEL NAN’. (P.S. that’s ‘mangroves’ in Papiamento! 😉)

SPAANS LAGOEN

mangroves-spaans-lagoen-by-Henkjan-Kievit-DCNA-aruba-visitaruba
Photo by Henkjan Kievit // Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA)

Plenty of lush greenery and adventure await in the waters of the Spaans Lagoen.

spaans-lagoen-spanish-lagoon-aruba-photo-by-dennis-martinez-surf-and-paddle-school
Photo by Aruba Surf and Paddle School

Just be sure to leave this spot as you found it: ZENFUL & pristine.

arubaanse-wegenbouw-maatschappij-photo-of-aruba-spaans-lagoen-brige-visitaruba
Photo by N.V. Arubaanse Wegenbouw Maatschappij (AWM)

Did you know that ‘Spaans Lagoen’ translates to ‘Spanish Lagoon’ in English? – Now you do! *wink wink*

spaans-lagoen-overlooking-mikes-reef-photo-by-tranquilo-captain-anthony-hagedoorn-aruba-visitaruba
Photo by Anthony Hagedoorn//Captain of The Tranquilo

The photo above is shot from Spaans Lagoen, overlooking Mike’s Reef – Here you can see the transition starting from the turquoise waters that will start to welcome you into the Mangel Halto zone.

MANGEL HALTO

Mangel-Halto-Beach-photo-by-beachesofaruba-aruba-visitaruba
Photo by BeachesOfAruba

Mangel Halto is a name in Papiamento*, and yet, although the term ‘mangel’ is used to describe mangroves… Just as with many other words in Papiamento – the name can be perceived in different ways…

*Papiamento is the second official language of Aruba

mangel-halto-aerial-view-by-aruba-paradise-photos-visitaruba-blog
Photo by Aruba Paradise Photos

The go-to translation would be: ‘Tall Mangroves’, but if taken literally it could be translated as: ‘Candy High’.

photo-by-havenshomeslifestyle-mangel-halto-aruba-mangroves-visitaruba
Photo by @havenshomeslifestyle

The waters at Mangel Halto are SO CLEAR, no wonder this spot is a favorite for snorkeling!

mangel-halto-shot-by-tahnee-izah-britton-in-aruba-visitaruba
Photo by Tahnee Izah Britton

Speaking of underwater explorations

Let’s take a dip into the ocean and check out what aquatic creatures await nearby the mangrove trees.

Swimming with SEA LIFE

jonathan-boekhoudt-pachi-photo-underwater-reefs-at-magel-halto-aruba-visitaruba
Photo by Jonathan Boekhoudt // Pachi

Snorkeler sending a peace sign and good vibes to the colorful corals… ✌

aruba-bobs-snorkelingsquid-shot-at-mangel-halto-visitaruba
Photo by Aruba Bob Snorkeling

Caribbean reef squids having a little color-changing salsa… 🌈🦑

French-Angelfish-at-mangel-halto-photo-by-happy-divers-aruba-visitaruba
Photo by HAPPY DIVERS ARUBA

A French angelfish showing off its vibrant patterns… ✨

happy-divers-aruba-photo-underwater-mangel-halto-school-of-fish-visitaruba
Photo by HAPPY DIVERS ARUBA

There is plenty of diversity to be found roaming around underwater, but there is also plenty of action to be seen above water too!

From birds who fish in the waters nestled between mangrove vines, to nesting in the trees, this beautiful ecosystem houses many different bird species too

Soarin’ birdlife

pelican-mangel-halto-habitat-birdlife-aruba-conservation-marcella-janczewski-visitaruba-800
Photo by Marcella Janczewski

Birds of all sizes, colors, and quirks, visit the mangroves of Aruba.

Check out some more of our feathery friends that frolic about these parts of the island below!

photo-by-at-rene-renelpix-birdlife-aruba-spaans-lagoen-visitaruba-black-necked-stilts
Photo by @Rene.Renelpix

Black-necked stilts searching for dinner… 🕵‍🔎

tricolored-heron-bird-wildlife-spaans-lagoen-aruba-by-rene-renelpix-visitaruba
Photo by @Rene.Renelpix

A tricolored heron strutting its stuff for the camera… 📸

photo-by-aruba-birdlife-conservation-of-least-sandpipers-at-spanish-lagoon-visitaruba
Photo by Aruba Birdlife Conservation

Least sandpipers picking at snacks near mangrove vines… 🦖

photo-by-patrick-pena-of-barn-swallow-bird-spaans-lagoen-aruba-visitaruba
Photo by Patrick Pena

A barn swallow resting easily on a ‘Hubada’ branch at Spaans Lagoen… ☠

photo-by-aruba-geographic-flamingo-at-spaans-lagoen-visitaruba
Photo by Aruba Geographic

Flying fellas aren’t the only ones that wander through the vines of mangrove trees… 👀

CRAWLIN’ Crustaceans

fiddler-crabs-photo-by-aruba-birdlife-conservation-mangroves-visitaruba-blog-800
Photo by Aruba Birdlife Conservation

You can find the quirky fiddler crabs cleaning up around the mangroves… 🦀

hermit-crab-at-spaans-lagoen-photo-by-josh-y-yaya-aruba-visitaruba
Photo by Josh y Yaya

Hermit crabs can be found crawling around under the sea chilling in their shells… 🐚

A Message from Aruba reef care foundation:

*Video by Byron Boekhoudt // Aruba Reef Care Foundation

On that note…

We hope you learned something new today about Aruba, and how much life there is surrounding the existence of the mangrove ecosystem!

Keep up with our VisitAruba Blog, or follow us on Facebook, to STAY UP TO DATE WITH ARUBA!

netflix-original-documentary-film-chasing-coral-free-screening-at-university-of-aruba-with-visitarubaP.S. SAVE THE DATE: August 16, 2018 – We’re co-hosting a Chasing Coral screening at the university of aruba – see event details 🐠💦

 

*DISCLAIMER: The VisitAruba team does not promote physical interaction with wildlife.