How to Be a Responsible Guest: Protecting Aruba’s Beaches and Marine Life

As locals, we hold a deep appreciation for our island and strive to preserve its beauty for future generations. This guide shares how you can make a positive impact during your visit to Aruba and help preserve the underwater life of our island.

Use mineral-based reef-safe sunscreen

Aruba is known for having the most sunny days in the Caribbean, so applying sunscreen is essential during your time on the island. However, it's important to choose the right kind of sunscreen while you're there. To protect our reefs from harmful chemicals, Aruba has banned sunscreens containing oxybenzone in 2019. Traditional sunscreens often contain chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate, which have been found to contribute to coral bleaching and damage coral DNA, negatively impacting marine life.

Therefore it is important to use mineral based reef-safe sunscreens, as they are more likely to be biodegradable and break down naturally, minimizing their impact on the environment. It’s not necessary to look for mineral based reef-safe sunscreen before your vacation. A great way to support local companies while also helping protecting our reefs is by purchasing your sunscreen on the island at local companies like Aruba Aloe and Arubalife Organics.

Leave sea shells, sand or coral in nature

Seashells, white sand, and corals found on the beach or purchased from shops may seem like simple holiday memories, but did you know that every shell or piece of coral taken from its natural habitat can have long-term impacts on Aruba’s marine ecosystem? One small shell might seem harmless, but if everyone took just one home, it would amount to over a million shells a year.

Not only does this have an impact on the environment, it is also illegal. Taking any sea shells, corals, white sand or sea life such as sand dollars or dried sea stars from Aruba is against the law and could get fined at the airport. 

These shells serve as homes for many island creatures, such as Herman, a beloved hermit crab in Arikok National Park, who is nearly 40 years old. In his lifetime, he has changed his shell over a hundred times, just like many other hermit crabs. Help us protect our nature by leaving marine souvenirs in the ocean where they belong.

Avoid stepping on sea grass, coral or mangroves

Seagrass, corals, and mangroves maintain the health and balance of Aruba's waters, making their preservation essential for both the environment and the island's economy. Seagrass beds provide habitat, improve water quality, and absorb carbon dioxide. Coral reefs support a wide variety of marine life and protect the coastline from erosion. Mangroves act as nurseries for marine species, stabilize shorelines, and filter pollutants. To help protect these important ecosystems, it’s important to be careful when entering the water. Avoid stepping on coral, seagrass, or mangroves to keep them thriving for future generations. 

Maintain a respectful distance

In Aruba, we take great pride in our beautiful underwater life, especially the sea turtles that swim in our waters. Our island is home to Leatherback, Loggerhead, Green, and Hawksbill sea turtles. All of which are endangered and require our protection. When you encounter sea turtles while swimming, please keep a distance of at least 2 meters and avoid chasing them. If you find yourself having to actively follow a turtle, you are likely chasing it. Sea turtles surface for air approximately every 10 minutes, and if they are stressed by being chased or approached too closely, they may struggle to breathe properly, which can be dangerous for them. By keeping a respectful distance and staying calm, you can enjoy observing these magnificent creatures without causing them stress.

Observe marine creatures without touching them

Underwater life like turtles, sea stars, manta rays, and other marine animals have a delicate protective layer on their skin. This layer shields them from bacteria and parasites. Touching them can damage this layer, making them vulnerable to infections and diseases. 

This is especially important for sea stars, as they depend on water to move and breathe. When they’re taken out of the water, they can’t get the oxygen they need, leading to suffocation. Even a brief time out of the water can seriously harm or kill them, so it’s crucial to leave them in their natural environment. Remember the well-being of these animals is far more important than any photo opportunity.

Refrain from feeding wildlife

It’s important not to feed any of the underwater animals as food items like bread do not belong to their diet and can have a crucial impact on the ecosystem. Bread and other human foods are not natural for marine species such as fish, sea turtles, or even seabirds. When these animals consume food that they are not adapted to, it can cause a range of health problems, including malnutrition and digestive issues. Furthermore, feeding these animals disrupts their natural feeding behavior.

When fish and sea turtles consume bread for example, they may stop eating their natural food, such as algae or seagrass. This can lead to unchecked algae growth, which smothers coral reefs by blocking sunlight, causing coral bleaching and death. The loss of coral reefs and seagrass beds impacts the entire marine ecosystem, reducing biodiversity and destabilizing coastal environments. To protect these ecosystems, it's crucial to avoid feeding marine animals. 

Whether you're a local or a visitor, it's important to remember that we are all part of nature. Be mindful, take time to learn about your surroundings, and use your knowledge to help raise awareness.

Learn more about how to care for our beautiful island of Aruba here.