Spanish Lagoon

The Spanish Lagoon is a the only inner bay wetlands area on Aruba, encompassing about .7 square kilometers.

Formed during the last Ice Age, the Spanish Lagoon, is under the management of Arikok National Park, with the physical lagoon area containing tidal mudflats, mangrove swamps, ruins of the Balashi Gold Mill, and a network of walking and hiking paths and trails.

Designated as a Ramsar Site, the lagoon area is an important breeding grounds for fish such as reef fish and shellfish, waterfowl and birds. 

Amongst the trails in the Spanish Lagoon area is the Mangrove Trail which allows visitors to walk a flat single track path into the mangrove thickets lying beside the water. Visitors planning on heading here should definitely bring their bug repellant.

There are several areas to park around the lagoon's perimeter, with a walking path circling most of the lagoon and connecting it to outside areas of interest.

While Arikok National Park manages the lagoon area, there is no fee to required to visit.