Mangel Halto is a secluded beach with a sun deck, mangroves & calm, shallow waters, popular for kayaking & snorkeling.  It is nestled amidst the mangrove forests with a tranquil beach that stretches approximately 600 meters (0.37 mi).  To the north of the beach lies the natural reserve known as Spaans Lagoen.  The calm and shallow lagoon make it an ideal spot for activities like snorkeling, kayaking, and SUP boarding.

Inside the bay is a bowl-shaped dive site with the wreck of an old tugboat, Kappel, at a depth of 12 meters (39 ft), suitable for snorkelers.  There can be a decent current though, so you should wear fins and be cautious if you aren't a strong swimmer.

There is a sloping coastal reef dive site located just beyond the reef where the ocean depth reaches 110 meters (360 ft). There are two cuts on the left side of the reef, these cuts are used to get access beyond the reef.  The deepest cut is marked by a white buoy.  The left cut is more shallow and less chance for boat traffic.  This area is suitable for advanced snorkelers.

The reef ecosystem serves as a habitat for octopuses, Green moray, sea turtles and barracudas.  Mangel Halto Beach also serves as an excellent shore diving site.  It is possible to walk out to the edge of the reef to find parrot fish, yellowtail snapper, sergeant majors and blue tangs as well as deep water gorgonians, sponges and anemones.  The reef plunges to depths of 110 meters where octopi, morays and barracuda abound.

The area around Mangel Halto features limestone cliffs from the Late Pleistocene Lower Terrace mixed with reef rubble.

The description above was copied from or heavily based on Google Maps, Wikipedia and Aruba Tourism Authority.

More Information

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