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Aruba's Natural Pool Shore Excursion

Aruba Natural Pool

The Natural Pool is an unusual formation of rock and volcanic stone along a deserted coastline in southeast Aruba.

The rock formation creates a tranquil pool that occasionally gets dramatic sprays of water when the incoming tide pounds against the rocky shoreline next to it.

Visitors to the pool, which is known as “conchi” or “Cura di Tortuga,” can swim in the pool, snorkel nearby or catch some rays from the sun.

Natural Pool is located in Arikok National Park. The fact that the Natural Pool is in rugged terrain means that visitors usually reach it by foot, horseback or 4x4 vehicle.

Going directly from Oranjestad to Natural Pool is a little more than six miles or 10 kilometers. It is not accessible by car. That means a jeep, 4x4, ATV or horse is the usual means of getting there.

Natural Pool Excursion Tips

Natural Pool Map

The resorts, airport and cruise port are on the eastern side of the island. Aruba excursions usually include Natural Pool as one of several stops around the island on guided “Best of Aruba” shore excursions.

The typical visit to Natural Pool is available from both cruise lines for cruise visitors and local tour operators for anyone vacationing on the island. As an example, Carnival Cruise Line offers a three-and-a-half hour tour of the island in 4x4 vehicles. The tour, which costs $109 per person, first includes snorkeling in the pool plus visits to Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins, the Baby Natural Bridge, the Gold Mill Ruins and driving by the California Lighthouse.

Some excursions will take guests up to California Lighthouse at the northern tip of the island, then down the west coast to Natural Pool, Arikok park and the location of the collapsed Natural Bridge, which was Aruba’s most famous natural attraction. Visitors can still see the smaller Baby Natural Bridge.

Depending on the tour type, an excursion may last up to five hours and usually will leave in the early morning or early afternoon. After multiple visits to the island, I recommend taking a morning trip because the island interior gets quite hot in the afternoon, especially during the summer.

Scott S. Bateman is a professional journalist who has traveled widely throughout the Caribbean and the Americas. He is the author of four books about cruising in the Caribbean, Alaska and Mexican Riviera.
September 01, 2021

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