Green Vacations
Awareness and action are key to preserving Aruba’s pristine waters, sugar white beaches and renowned dive sites. The Arikok National Park has been created to protect Aruba’s flora and fauna, geological formations and historical sites. But, sometimes damage occurs due to unchecked human activity; for example, in some of the caves, the bats needed for the survival of cacti and plant life have all but disappeared. To help protect the environment, Aruba’s hotels have earned Green Globe Certification for environmentally-friendly initiatives. The Aruba Water Sports Association has created a system of environmental moorings to replace destructive anchors.
For the past fourteen years, the annual Aruba Reef Care Project (ARCP) has focused on the clean-up of the leeward coast from Baby Beach in San Nicolas north to Arashi Beach beyond the high-rise hotels. During the first weekend in July, hundreds of volunteers take part in one of the most ambitious clean-ups in the Caribbean.
The founder and organizer is Castro Perez, Ecotourism Project Manager for the Aruba Tourism Authority, sea lover, and certified PADI Divemaster. “We welcome your participation in this as well as other green events and hotel initiatives during your stay; we ask that you help us to protect the marine and animal life in our fragile ecosystem and keep our beaches litter-free…Corals grow only a fraction of an inch every year. Divers should use the right amount of weight, avoid freefall and keep a safe distance from the reef. Dragging and kicking with fins should be avoided. The reef should be left intact and no corals or other underwater sea life should be removed. Between March and July, sea turtles nest along the shore and should not be disturbed. Please do not drive on dunes or beaches.”
