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Spanish Lagoon Mangrove Trail & Bird Watching

12 Reviews 5.00 out of 5 stars Based on 12 reviews collected by City Boat Tours and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 100% of reviewers | Oranjestad, Aruba

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Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 26 (0) days in advance.

2 to 3 hours (approx.)
Hotel pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Instant confirmation

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.

What's Included

  • Water and fruit
  • (Optional)
  • Tour guide Tips :)
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Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point
Pickup details

Important Information for Your Tour- Hotel Pickup: Pickup from your hotel will be scheduled 30 to 45 minutes before the departure time, depending on your hotel location.- Towels Required: All guests must bring towels. Passengers without towels will not be allowed to board the transportation.- Punctuality Matters:Please arrive on time—the driver will wait a maximum of 10 minutes. If you miss the pickup, transportation will be at your own expense. However, if you manage to arrive at the departure point on time, you can still join the tour. Booking Confirmation: After booking, always confirm your pickup location to avoid delays.- Cruise Ship Passengers:The pickup point is at the "I Love Aruba" sign, located outside the cruise terminal, near the gas station. Pickup is scheduled 45 minutes before the tour departure time. We look forward to seeing you on this adventure!

What To Expect

Pos Chiquito

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
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30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Spanish Lagoon

After passing the new bridge under, then we hike along the Spanish lagoon mangrove trail.We will pass along one of the oldest Aloe Farms at the top before we head back down to meet the trail again. At that point, you will see one of the 7 shell middens located at the Spanish Lagoon that has been carbon-dated between 1465 - 1280 BC Proceeding inland along the mangrove trail you will see quite different flora and fauna as this is our only inland water area on the island. You 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. At the end of this amazing trail we will pass by the protected “Shoco” nest area. If we are very lucky and very quiet we can see these amazing creatures. Aruba’s 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.
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1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Balashi Gold Mill Ruins

We visit the ruins of the Old Balashi Gold Smelter Ruins. Right next to the old French men's pass. There is a great story of the haunted Frenchman’s Pass that you will hear first as it is located next to the head waters. Then we will show you the old ruins of the Balashi Gold smelter. Much it is still there to see. From there we will hike up along the ridge overlooking the whole Spanish Lagoon area. Best spots for your vacation sightseeing pictures.The 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
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30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers

Frequently Asked Questions

(6)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Spanish Lagoon Mangrove Trail & Bird Watching?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (AST). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

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Activity code: C-300281P2

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.00
12 reviews

Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 12 traveler reviews collected by City Boat Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
12
4 stars
0
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0

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On average, this is booked 26 (0) days in advance.

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What's Included

Activity name

  • Water and fruit
  • (Optional)
  • Tour guide Tips :)

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers

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Free Cancellation

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100% refund
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You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (AST).

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