We may earn income from links in this post. Please read this Disclosure for details.
.One of the most iconic images of Aruba is of Flamingo Beach, where graceful pink birds tiptoe across powder white sand set against turquoise blue water. For many people, seeing Flamingo Beach is one of the top things to do in Aruba.
Here’s everything you need to know about getting a Renaissance Island Aruba Day Pass to see the flamingoes in real life and spend the day in a VIP luxury cabana right on on Flamingo Beach!
Where is Flamingo Beach Aruba?
Is it worth it to go to Flamingo Beach? Prior to my recent trip to Renaissance Island Aruba (also known as Flamingo Island Aruba), the last time I swam with a bird was in cottage country north of Toronto.
There, my experience was more battle than bucolic. A Canada Goose chased me out of the water, smashing me with its powerful wings and splattering me with 10 pounds of projectile goose poop.
My avian encounter on Flamingo Beach was much more elegant. During my day at Renaissance Aruba Private Island, a trio of hot pink flamingos tiptoed by, cocking their heads ever so gracefully, as though asking permission to ripple the calm waters circling my lounger.
But swimming alongside flamingos is just one of the unique experience guests enjoy on Renaissance Island. There are lots of reasons to spend a blissful day there.
The first thing you need to know is that Renaissance Island Aruba is a private island. There are no hotels on Renaissance Island itself.
And there’s no bridge to the island. Access is via an 8-minute water taxi ride by luxury yacht from Oranjestad, the capital of Aruba. It’s not possible to buy Renaissance Island tickets.
To get on the water taxi you need to have either a DAY Pass or be a hotel guest at the Renaissance Aruba All Inclusive Resort & Casino. It’s a luxury resort featuring 565 rooms in two settings, the family-friendly Renaissance Ocean Suites and adults-exclusive Renaissance Marina Hotel.
Once you arrive you’ll have two choices of where to spend the day. Comprised of two sections, there’s Iguana Island (for families) and the aptly-named Flamingo Beach (adult-only).
Check prices and availability at Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino on Booking.com.
Where to Find Flamingos in Aruba
If you’re wondering which beaches in Aruba have flamingos, Renaissance Island beach is the only one. While you can see flamingos on Curacao, they’re not native to Aruba so you won’t see them in flocks on the island.
There are six flamingos on Renaissance Island and they are captive as their wings have been clipped. So it’s more of a zoo than a natural experience.
How to Get a Renaissance Island Aruba Day Pass
It’s important to note that Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino only sells Day Pass tickets if the hotel occupancy is low. So there is no guarantee that a Day Pass to the private island will be available to non-overnight hotel guests.
If you’re interested in a Day Pass and are not an overnight hotel guest at the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino, you can check at the front desk on a daily basis to see if Day Passes are available.
There are no guarantees but if they are available, they are sold on a first-come, first-served basis at $99 USD per person which includes lunch +1 non alcoholic drink. The cost for a private cabana is extra.This price is subject to change without notice.
Another option is to book a spa treatment. For example, a 60-minute massage for two includes an all-day pass to Flamingo Island, lunch for two and two drinks.
If you have your heart set on visiting Flamingo Island, it’s worth booking a stay at the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino. Note that there is a 2-night minimum.
Flamingo Beach is such a popular attraction, many people book a stay at the beginning or end of their vacation. The hotel is just 10-minutes to the airport.
Check prices and availability at Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino on Booking.com.
Should You Get a VIP Cabana at Renaissance Island Aruba?
While a full day on Renaissance Island Aruba is swanky enough on its own, guests staying at the hotel can ramp up the luxury quotient by renting one of the new ultra-private VIP ocean-front cabanas.
Located at the adult-only ‘Flamingo Island,’ this swanky Caribbean oasis features lounge chairs, seating area, water hammocks and complimentary food and beverages. It’s set on the shoreline of the beach with flamingos.
As part of my introduction to #unexpectedAruba a media visit hosted by the Aruba Tourism Authority and award-winning travel writer Susan Campbell (follow her @suectravel), I was invited to spend a day checking out this new VIP beach cabana service.
I loved it so much they practically had to drag me away at the end of the day . It was the perfect way to spend a day in Aruba.
Ideal for a romantic couples’ escape, luxury splurge, wedding or honeymoon celebration or girls’ getaway on one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful destinations, read on to hear what you get when you rent a private VIP cabana on Renaissance Island:
Cost of Ultimate Private Cabana Flamingo Beach
The Ultimate private cabana is larger than the other three cabanas and comes with its own deck and hanging hammock
Rental cost $200 USD per day excluding 15% service charge
Rental period 9 am to 7 pm
Amenities: 2 bottles of Voss still water, 2 bottles of Voss sparkling water, bottle of sparkling wine, refreshing tray‐passed bites. Personalized Cabana Server Service, cold towels, 2 water floats and wifi
Max 6 adults per cabana
Cost of Private Cabana on Flamingo Beach
Rental cost $150 USD per day excluding 15% service charge
Rental period 9 am to 7 pm
Amenities: 2 bottles of Voss still water, 2 bottles of Voss sparkling water, bottle of sparkling wine, refreshing tray‐passed bites, Personalized Cabana Server Service, cold towels, 2 water floats and wifi
Max 4 adults per cabana
Note: Prices vary by season and are subject to change without notice. Advance reservations are mandatory and cancellations must be received a minimum of 48 hours in advance. For cancellations with less than 24 hours or no show will be charged 100% of the rental price.
Check prices and availability at Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino on Booking.com. .
During my visit, I spent a blissful afternoon snorkelling with tropical fish, nibbling on fresh fruit dipped in melted chocolate, sipping bubbly and floating beside graceful flamingos.
By the end of the day, I got to thinking that Canada’s most iconic water fowl should take hospitality lessons from their feathered brethren in Aruba.
With a few lessons in avian etiquette, maybe they too could get a beach named after them some day. Although I have to admit, Goose Beach doesn’t have quite the same ring to it as Flamingo Beach.
More Travel Tips on Renaissance Island Aruba
Aruba Tourism Authority: Get maps, travel advice and other valuable resources on the official Aruba Tourism Authority website. www.aruba.com
Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino: This luxury resort features 565 rooms in two settings, the family-friendly Renaissance Ocean Suites and adults-exclusive Renaissance Marina Hotel.
Access to Renaissance Aruba Private Island is available to guests staying overnight at Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino and is accessed via complementary water taxi. www.renaruba.com
Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino Address: L.G. Smith Boulevard 82 is just a 10-minute drive from Aruba’s Queen Beatrix International Airport. The complementary water taxi to and from the private island drops guests off at the Renaissance Hotel.
Private Cabanas on Renaissance Aruba Private Island: : Depending on the size of cabana and number of guests (4-6 adults), the cost for a private cabana on Flamingo Beach ( adults-only) ranges from $150-$200 USD per day excluding 15% service charge
Check prices and availability at Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino on Booking.com.
Rental period 9 am to 7 pm
Amenities: 2 bottles of Voss still water, 2 bottles of Voss sparkling water, bottle of sparkling wine, refreshing tray‐passed bites. Personalized Cabana Server Service, cold towels, 2 water floats and wifi
Note: Prices vary by season and are subject to change without notice. Advance reservations are mandatory and cancellations must be received a minimum of 48 hours in advance.
Cancellations with less than 24 hours or no show will be charged 100% of the rental price. Reserve your cabana directly with the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino.
www.renaruba.com
Okeanos Spa: 297 583 6000 ext 6406 Appointments required.
For more tips on visiting Aruba, sign up for the free A Taste for Travel newsletter or read these posts:
Where to sample Dutch tapas on the Caribbean island of Aruba
The Smart Guide to Short-Term Playa del Carmen Vacation Rentals
Carol Perehudoff
Oh, how dreamy. I wanted to swim with pink flamingos, too. #Unexpected Aruba indeed.
Debbra Dunning Brouillette
I am SO there! I love private islands and this experience sounds divine, from the flamingos to the private cabanas and sparkling wine. I haven’t yet made it to Aruba but I hope that will change soon!
esperanza
Beautiful and elegant flamingos, crystal-clear water, friendly service of tasty treats in pretty cabanas – who could ask for anything more? I agree that Goose Beach with what such a name implies, would not be much of an attraction except for other geese.
Donna Janke
Renaissance Aruba Private Island looks wonderful. I could myself relax just looking at the photos!
Cindy
I want to be in that picture with the flamingos on the beach!!
Joe
Private beaches in the Caribbean? Now that sounds like the very definition of paradise! Glad to hear you had a more, um, savoury time with our Avian friends than you did in Canada – being able to swim that close to flamingos sounds like quite the experience!
Ursula Maxwell-Lewis
We have been short of sun here this Spring, I’m delighted to read about a warm destination – particularly one I haven’t visited (yet! 🙂 ) Hmmm – swimming with flamingos. Sounds like a beautiful idea. The photography certainly delivers the right messages!
Well done.
Culture Tripper
What dreamy photos! How wonderful to see those exquisite flamingos up close. Renaissance Aruba Resort looks stunning! (and way more serene than ‘relaxing’ alongside a Canada goose)
Sandy N Vyjay
This is the ultimate in luxury and indeed an indulgence for the senses. Lovely setting that brings alive the spirit of the Caribbean. A great getaway into paradise.
Heather
Those flamingos and uber blue beach sold me, need to see this place!
Bistra | The Magic of Traveling
Flamingos are the best! I know they are not native there, but if they are comfortable there – I’d visit the island!
Kevin Wagar
Wow! Aruba looks stunning! That water is gorgeous and those bungalows are idyllic!
Wendy Blumenstein
Looks fabulous! And no more than the price of diving for 2 people! I could see renting a cabana for a day or more on Renaissance Aruba’s private island.
Josie
Hi Michele,
What a thrill to be surrounded by the three pretties. So fun! — And certainly better than your other goose experience, poor girl!
Regards,
Josie
Doreen Pendgracs
I’ve never been to Aruba, but would love to visit someday. I do have a beautiful wood carving that my (former) sister-in-law brought us from Aruba and it’s always made me want to visit.