How To Get a Renaissance Island Aruba Day Pass to Flamingo Beach

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.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.

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

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