Manglaralto Estuary

🌿 Manglaralto Estuary
Type	Mangrove estuary
Location	Manglaralto, Santa Elena Province
Special feature	One of the last old-growth mangrove stands on this coast
Access	On foot from Manglaralto town; kayak at high tide

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🌳 Manglaralto Estuary

The Manglaralto Estuary is a mangrove wetland at the mouth of the river (estero) that runs through Manglaralto…

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The Manglaralto Estuary is a mangrove wetland at the mouth of the river (estero) that runs through Manglaralto town on the Ruta del Spondylus. It is notable for containing one of the last remnant stands of old-growth mangrove on this stretch of the Ecuadorian Pacific coast — a rarity in a region where mangroves have been extensively cleared for shrimp aquaculture and coastal development.

The Mangroves

Old-growth mangrove forest here reaches significant heights — mature red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) and black mangrove (Avicennia germinans) trees form a canopy several metres above the water. The aerial root systems (prop roots and pneumatophores) create a dense, labyrinthine habitat below the waterline that serves as a nursery for juvenile fish, shrimp, crabs, and other marine organisms.

Mangroves are among the most carbon-dense ecosystems on the planet and provide critical shoreline protection against erosion and storm surge. The survival of this stand while surrounding areas have been cleared is attributed to the relative isolation of Manglaralto and the lower development pressure compared to the southern peninsula.

Wildlife

Species group	Examples
Birds	Great blue heron, tricoloured heron, little blue heron, snowy egret, roseate spoonbill (occasional), mangrove yellow warbler, kingfisher, frigatebird overhead
Fish	Numerous juvenile species using the estuary as nursery habitat
Crustaceans	Blue crabs, mangrove crabs, snapping shrimp
Molluscs	Oysters attached to prop roots
Mammals	Occasional raccoon; bats roosting in the canopy at dusk

Did you know…?

🐚 …the coast road is named after a red shell that Andean peoples offered to bring the rain?

Read the story →

Activities

Kayaking

The estuary is navigable by kayak or small boat at high tide. This is the best way to enter the mangrove channels and experience the interior of the forest. Kayak rentals are available in Manglaralto (ask at accommodation or locally). A guided paddle takes approximately 1.5–2 hours.

Birdwatching

The estuary is one of the better birdwatching locations on the Ruta del Spondylus. Early morning (before 8 AM) is best. Herons and egrets are present year-round; seasonal migrants pass through during the northern winter (October–April).

Walking

The edge of the estuary can be explored on foot from Manglaralto town. A path follows the river toward the sea. Note that the interior mangrove channels are only accessible by boat.

Conservation

The mangrove stand is informally protected by community awareness and by the lack of development pressure in Manglaralto. No formal protected area designation covers this specific estuary. The main threats are:

Shrimp pond expansion further south along the coast
Solid waste dumped into the estuary margin (a documented local issue)
Climate-change-driven sea-level rise

Getting There

Manglaralto is on the E-15 (Ruta del Spondylus), approximately 50 km north of La Libertad. Buses from the Sumpa Bus Terminal (Santa Elena) run frequently throughout the day. The estuary is accessible from the village on foot.