☰

Menu

×

Call 1-800-352-8088

More
Blank white page or empty document with no visible content
1-800-352-8088

What it's like

Bubali Bird Sanctuary is a 20 hectare wetland at the north-western end of Aruba, near Palm Beach. It was first built as a wastewater treatment facility, and over time the ponds became a home for wetland birds. It is now recognized as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International.

A visit centers on the viewing tower, which gives the best view over the water. Early morning is the time to see herons and egrets. Large flocks of migratory waders arrive at different times of year, so what you see depends on the season. The wetland is slowly filling with aquatic vegetation, which is reducing the open water the birds use.

Good to know

  • Visit early in the morning for herons and egrets.
  • Bird numbers vary through the year as large flocks of migratory waders arrive seasonally.
  • The observation tower gives the best view of the wetland.
A place to visit: ​
Wetland sanctuary

Bubali Bird Sanctuary

A wetland sanctuary at the north-western end of Aruba, known for birds that come and go with the seasons. Visitors walk the paths and climb an observation tower to watch herons, egrets and migrating waders.

Snorkeling
snorkeling
Beaches
beaches
Volcanoes
volcanoes_geology
Caves and cenotes
caves_cenotes
Hiking
hiking
Shopping
shopping
Horseback riding
horseback_riding
Scuba diving
scuba_diving
Sport fishing
sport_fishing
Beach clubs
beach_clubs
Ancient sites
ancient_sites
Museums
museums
Food tours
food_tours
How to get there
The sanctuary lies near Palm Beach at the north-western end of the island.
Time needed
What it costs
Suits
Birders and wildlife watchers
{"bounds":{"east":-69.838538,"file":"place-oran.png","north":12.62477,"proj":"EPSG:3857","px":[1400,1200],"south":12.402141,"west":-70.104592},"landmarks":[[12.520192,-70.042485,"The cruise docks"]],"offmap_note":"Farther out, by boat or helicopter","whole":"The whole island"}
12.5567695
-70.0485101
{"acts":["land_wildlife"],"doors":[],"lat":12.5567695,"lon":-70.0485101,"nearby":["ORAN:arikok-national-park","ORAN:eagle-beach","ORAN:arashi-beach","ORAN:antilla-shipwreck"],"offmap":false,"spot":"ORAN:bubali-bird-sanctuary","trips":[]}

Tours that go here

Prices are per person, booked with our partner, Shore Excursions Group.

No items found.
Next, in ​
Aruba
All of ​
Aruba
Nature reserve

Arikok National Park

Aruba

Arikok National Park is Aruba's large wild reserve, covering about a fifth of the island on the rugged east side. Its dry trails, caves, old gold ruins and limestone cliffs make it the place for hiking and wildlife on land.

Tours here from ​
$83
​ a person
ORAN:arikok-national-park
{"acts":["hiking","land_wildlife","caves_cenotes","ancient_sites"],"doors":[],"lat":12.4996859,"lon":-69.94851,"nearby":["ORAN:quadirikiri-caves","ORAN:casibari-and-ayo-rock-formations","ORAN:fontein-cave","ORAN:natural-pool"],"offmap":false,"spot":"ORAN:arikok-national-park","trips":["CAABCUNARIK"]}
12.4996859
-69.94851
Beach

Eagle Beach

Aruba

Eagle Beach is a long, wide stretch of soft white sand on Aruba's west coast, with wind-bent fofoti trees, palapas and calm water for swimming. It is one of the island's best-known beaches.

Tours here from ​
​ a person
ORAN:eagle-beach
{"acts":["beaches","marine_wildlife","local_culture"],"doors":[],"lat":12.546562,"lon":-70.0599149,"nearby":["ORAN:baby-beach","ORAN:arashi-beach","ORAN:antilla-shipwreck","ORAN:boca-catalina"],"offmap":false,"spot":"ORAN:eagle-beach","trips":[]}
12.546562
-70.0599149
Beach, with reef

Arashi Beach

Aruba

Arashi Beach is a calm, shallow stretch of white sand on Aruba's northwestern coast, near the California Lighthouse. A reef lies about 150 meters offshore, and it is known for snorkeling and diving.

Tours here from ​
$69
​ a person
ORAN:arashi-beach
{"acts":["snorkeling","beaches","scuba_diving","island_tour"],"doors":[],"lat":12.6099338,"lon":-70.0531969,"nearby":["ORAN:antilla-shipwreck","ORAN:baby-beach","ORAN:boca-catalina","ORAN:palm-beach"],"offmap":false,"spot":"ORAN:arashi-beach","trips":["CAABEXPLORE"]}
12.6099338
-70.0531969
Wreck, by boat

Antilla Shipwreck

Aruba

The Antilla is a scuttled German freighter lying off Malmok Beach on Aruba's west coast. Snorkelers and divers reach it by catamaran, and the wreck is one of the largest in the Caribbean.

Tours here from ​
$89
​ a person
ORAN:antilla-shipwreck
{"acts":["snorkeling","scuba_diving","marine_wildlife","sailing_catamaran"],"doors":[],"lat":12.602098,"lon":-70.0577618,"nearby":["ORAN:arashi-beach","ORAN:baby-beach","ORAN:eagle-beach","ORAN:boca-catalina"],"offmap":false,"spot":"ORAN:antilla-shipwreck","trips":["CAABANTILLA","CAABSUNSET","CAABCHAMP"]}
12.602098
-70.0577618

The same kind of day, elsewhere

Wildlife and birding

Where it's best
Park with macaws and zip line

Gumbalimba Park

Roatan
Tours here from ​
$62
​ a person
Historic house museum

Ernest Hemingway House

Key West
Tours here from ​
​ a person
Ecological park and lighthouse

Punta Sur Eco Park

Cozumel
Tours here from ​
​ a person
Zoo and gardens

Ardastra Gardens, Zoo and Conservation Centre

Nassau
Tours here from ​
​ a person