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Aruba
Spanish Lagoon Mangrove Trail & Bird Watching
- Duration2 hours
- Max Travelers7 people
- Free CancellationUp to 24 hrs
- CategoryAdventure Tours, Conditional Booking Questions
Overview
Spanish Lagoon Mangrove Tour & Bird Watching
Explore the serene Spanish Lagoon, a protected wetland rich in history and wildlife. This guided tour takes you along a scenic mangrove trail to discover ancient Amerindian shell middens, the historic Balashi Gold Smelter Ruins, and the mysterious Frenchman’s Pass.
Bird watchers will delight in spotting Aruba’s iconic burrowing owl (Shoco), vibrant tropical birds like the troupial and bananaquit, and migratory species such as egrets and sandpipers. Learn about the mangrove ecosystem and its unique biodiversity from expert guides.
Highlights: Unearth Aruba’s ancient history, enjoy bird-watching opportunities, and experience the beauty of the island’s only inland water area. Perfect for nature lovers, photographers, and history enthusiasts alike, this memorable walk offers a fascinating glimpse into Aruba’s natural and cultural heritage.
Gallery
What's included
Water and fruit
What's Not included
Tour guide Tips :)
Itinerary
We start at the Local TV sender, TeleAruba in Pos Chiquito, and from there we start the hiking along the Spanish lagoon and go upstairs to the old bridge and have the view of the begging of the Spanish lagoon
After passing the new bridge under, then we hike along the Spanish lagoon mangrove trail.nnWe will pass along one of the oldest Aloe Farms at the top before we head back down to meet the trail again.nAt that point, you will see one of the 7 shell middens located at the Spanish Lagoon that has been carbon-dated between 1465 - 1280 BCnProceeding inland along the mangrove trail you will see quite different flora and fauna as this is our only inland water area on the island.nYou will also see a point in the trail where they loaded the barges with the gold to take out to the ships over 100 years ago. nAt the end of this amazing trail we will pass by the protected u201cShocou201d nest area. If we are very lucky and very quiet we can see these amazing creatures. Arubau2019s national symbol is the Shoco. This burrowing owl is only found in Aruba and is the most photogenic animal on the planet. A true pleasure to see.
We visit the ruins of the Old Balashi Gold Smelter Ruins. Right next to the old French men's pass. nThere is a great story of the haunted Frenchmanu2019s Pass that you will hear first as it is located next to the head waters. nThen we will show you the old ruins of the Balashi Gold smelter. Much it is still there to see.nFrom there we will hike up along the ridge overlooking the whole Spanish Lagoon area. Best spots for your vacation sightseeing pictures.nnThe Bushiribana smelter was built in 1825 by the Aruba Island Gold Mining Company to extract gold from the ore that was being mined in the nearby hills of Ceru Plat. It operated for ten years. The site has beautiful views and rich history also a great view of the Spanish Lagoon
Good to know
Service animals allowed
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.