Preserving Paradise: How Aruba Protects Its Beaches, Marine Life & Turtles

Aruba may be famous for its postcard-perfect beaches and vibrant turquoise sea, but beyond the beauty lies a constant effort to balance tourism and environmental preservation. With over 2 million visitors each year and limited natural resources, the island faces real ecological pressures. Fortunately, both the government and local organizations are taking tangible steps to protect Aruba’s fragile ecosystems. From its coral reefs to its nesting sea turtles, while educating the public on sustainable tourism. Here’s a closer look at the environmental work being done behind the scenes, and how you, as a visitor, can be part of it.

The Challenge: Fragile Landscapes on a Small Island

Aruba's geography makes it uniquely vulnerable. The island is arid, with limited freshwater sources, and its coastal zones, which are vital for tourism, are under constant threat from erosion, sea-level rise, and unregulated development. On top of that, mass tourism puts pressure on waste systems, coral reefs, and biodiversity.

This reality led Aruba to set ambitious sustainability goals, including a pledge to run 100% on renewable energy (originally targeted for 2020 but still in progress) and a commitment to preserve 25% of its land and marine environment as protected areas.

Sea Turtle Protection: From Policy to Practice

Sea turtles have nested on Aruba’s beaches for centuries. Four species are found around the island: loggerhead, green, hawksbill, and occasionally leatherback turtles, all of which are endangered or threatened.

Each nesting season (March through November), the local foundation Turtugaruba monitors nesting activity and works with the Department of Nature and Environment (DNM) to protect and document each nest. Once located, nests are marked with signage and barriers, and tracked until hatching. Volunteers may even assist in relocating nests when they're at risk from high tides or foot traffic.

Artificial lighting from resorts and beachfront homes can confuse hatchlings, causing them to crawl inland instead of toward the sea. Aruba has responded by implementing light pollution mitigation, encouraging low, warm-colored lights near turtle beaches. Certain properties have even participated in a voluntary “lights out” program during peak hatching weeks. Law enforcement supports this as well under Aruba's Nature Protection Ordinance, disturbing a turtle nest or handling hatchlings is illegal and subject to fines.

Coral Reefs: Quiet Crisis & Active Restoration

Aruba’s coral reefs are biodiversity hotspots but have suffered over the years from sediment runoff, rising sea temperatures, and unregulated boat anchoring. Coral bleaching is now a serious concern, especially during El Niño years when sea surface temperatures rise sharply. In response, local dive centers like ScubbleBubbles and JADS Dive Center have partnered with coral reef restoration projects, such as Reef Renewal Foundation Aruba. These initiatives cultivate endangered coral species like Acropora palmata (elkhorn) and Acropora cervicornis (staghorn) in underwater nurseries. Once mature, the corals are transplanted to degraded reef areas in hopes of restoring biodiversity and structural integrity. Additionally, Aruba's Marine Park, established in 2018, includes several zones around the island where fishing, jet-skiing, and anchoring are limited or prohibited. This regulation, while still in the early enforcement stages, aims to give marine ecosystems space to recover.

Beach & Coastal Conservation

Beach erosion is a growing concern due to climate change and tourism-related construction. To combat this, Aruba has introduced spatial zoning plans (known as Ruimtelijk Ontwikkelingsplan Aruba or ROP) to restrict new developments in sensitive coastal areas. Sand dunes in Eagle Beach and Arashi are now being protected through controlled access and native vegetation restoration. In some areas, pathways and signage guide visitors away from fragile dune systems, while conservation groups plant sea grape, buttonwood, and other native flora to stabilize the sand. One of the biggest shifts in recent years was Aruba’s nationwide ban on single-use plastic bags, straws, Styrofoam, and even certain sunscreens. The law took effect in 2020, making Aruba one of the first Caribbean islands to enforce such comprehensive waste-reduction legislation.

Education & Community Engagement

Protecting nature starts with awareness. Aruba invests heavily in environmental education through schools and public campaigns. Organizations like Aruba Reef Care Foundation, which has organized reef and beach cleanups for over 25 years, engage both residents and tourists in hands-on conservation. Hotels and resorts are also part of the equation. Many are now certified by EarthCheck or Green Globe, indicating they meet sustainability standards for water use, waste management, and environmental awareness. Some, like Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, even aim to be fully carbon-neutral.

👣 What You Can Do as a Visitor

Being a responsible traveler in Aruba doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort, it just means making mindful choices:

• Choose reef-safe sunscreen (look for mineral-based, oxybenzone-free products)

• Avoid touching or standing on coral reefs

• Don’t walk on or disturb sand dunes

• Stay clear of marked turtle nests

• Say no to plastic straws and bags (bring a reusable bottle or tote)
  

If you're feeling proactive, consider joining a local beach cleanup or even "adopting" a coral fragment through one of the reef foundations.