Conchi Natural Pool

Conchi Natural Pool is an area about 20 feet wide and 15 feet deep surrounded by a protective wall of volcanic stone that is a popular swimming destination in a distant corner of Arikok National Park.

Definitely a highlight of our visit, the pool sits within a large stone outcropping formation rising from the rough tides of the eastern shore. After climbing up the rocks from the sandy beach, the pool reveals itself, it's blue waters refreshed by waves crashing over the high rocks and circulating through the pool before washing back out between a wall of rock to the south. There are several areas where the rocks are tall enough to leap into the deep portions of the pool, and a smaller pool can be found nestled in the stone on the easternmost shelf.

Conchi, which means 'bowl' in the Papiamento language, Pool is about 15 feet deep in its center, with fish swimming around in the clear waters. Bringing a snorkel and mask is will definitely pay off here.

The swimming experience was amazing, and by far one of our favorite things to do in Aruba. The biggest downside to planning a visit to the pool is reaching it. Its distant location ensures that there is no easy way to reach it.

Lying at the end of a rough dirt road, those with high clearance 4WD vehicles can enter Arikok National Park at its main entrance and proceed to drive to the pool, a drive that takes about an hour each direction. (Those with rental vehicles should make sure their rental agreement insurance allows for this, as many agreements won't.) From the parking area, visitors will need to descend about 80 feet of stairs and cross a sandy beach to reach the rock area. It's also possible to drive a 2WD drive vehicle to the end of the paved portion of the road and hike the last 2.5 miles out to the pool. 

Alternatively, several Jeep and ORV tours will include the Natural Pool as one of the stops along their routes. 

There are group horseback tours available that will stop at the pool.

And finally, the shortest hike to reach the pool is via the Conchi Natural Pool Trail which is about 2.8 miles round trip and starts from a different parking area in a rural part of the park.

Aruba's Conchi Natural Pool lies within Arikok National Park and is subject to all park entrance and open hours policies.

While the pool is usually calm and very suitable for swimming, the surrounding beach is very rough and signs are posted marking that swimming is not allowed or safe. There are no amenities in the area.