When we booked our stay at the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino, the main reason wasn’t the hotel itself — it was access to Renaissance Island. The private island is the only place in Aruba where you’ll find flamingos wandering along the sand and wading in the water. Since access is included for hotel guests, we made it part of our daily routine to spend a few hours there each day of our stay.
Getting to Renaissance Island
Boats depart directly from the hotel lobby every 15 minutes between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., making it quick and easy to reach the island. It’s only about an 8-minute ride, but the journey feels special since the boat pulls right into a canal inside the hotel.
The shuttle boats also stop at the resort’s other property, the Renaissance Ocean Suites, which is the family-friendly side of the hotel. So whether you’re staying at the adults-only Marina Hotel or at the Ocean Suites, you’ll have direct access to the island.
Once on the island, you’ll find two main beach areas — Flamingo Beach (adults only) and Iguana Beach (family-friendly). There are also private cabanas, hammocks, a spa, and a couple of beach bars and restaurants. We even ate lunch at the restaurant near Iguana Beach one afternoon, which was surprisingly good for a private island setup. Servers also make the rounds, so you can order drinks right from your chair without having to get up.
Flamingo Encounters
Although one part of the island is officially “Flamingo Beach,” the flamingos don’t exactly follow the rules. They roam the entire island, and our very first encounter was right off the boat dock — right where the food dispenser was located. (Tip: bring quarters, since the flamingo pellets cost 25 cents per handful.)
Once we had our initial fill of flamingo photos, we found a spot on the beach to settle in. The lagoon water is calm, thanks to a break wall that keeps the waves out, making it easy to swim, float, or simply wade around while the flamingos walk by.
Feeding the Flamingos
Once we got out of the water, it was time to try to feed the flamingos. There was one small issue: they’re not particularly interested in the pellets when they can obtain fresh food from the water.
Most of the time, they’d rather forage naturally than eat out of your hand. It is possible to capture a good picture, but it requires patience and numerous missed attempts.
It’s actually much easier to snap photos when the flamingos wander up onto the beach. There’s no shortage of opportunities, since they roam freely and don’t seem to mind weaving between people.
I was even surprised when one casually walked across the sand right between the rows of lounge chairs. Definitely not something you see every day.
Plane Spotting (or Not)
One thing about Renaissance Island that’s impossible to ignore is its location — it sits directly across from the airport runway. That means planes regularly fly nearby throughout the day. If you’re looking for a quiet, relaxing beach escape, the sound of jet engines overhead might be more of a negative.
On the other hand, if you’re an avgeek, this setup is a dream. You get a front-row seat to watch takeoffs and landings while you’re lounging in the water or relaxing on the sand. I couldn’t resist snapping photos of the planes flying so close overhead — it’s not every day you can go plane spotting from a tropical beach.
Other Parts of the Island
While Flamingo Beach is the star attraction, the rest of the island has plenty to offer. Iguana Beach is the family-friendly side, and you’ll find hammocks strung between trees, a spa cabana, and a full-service restaurant and bar. Servers also walk the beach, so you don’t have to leave your chair to order a drink.
You can also borrow floats and other beach equipment from the island. I believe this is included as part of the resort fee, but the supplies are limited — if you arrive later in the day, you might find they’ve already been taken. The process is a bit old-school: you sign out the items to your room, and if you don’t return them, your account will be charged.
Final Thought
Renaissance Island is unlike anything else in Aruba. Having flamingos casually wander around you on the beach is a surreal experience, and being able to hop on a boat from the hotel lobby to reach a private island feels like a vacation within a vacation.
That said, it isn’t perfect. You need to arrive early to secure a good spot on the beach, and the limited number of floats and towels keeps it from being an exclusive experience. And while it’s a relaxing getaway, it might not match the postcard-perfect resort beaches you see in Aruba brochures.
Still, for us, the experience was absolutely worth it. We visited the island every day of our stay, and despite its quirks, it was one of the most memorable parts of our Aruba trip. Whether it’s a bucket-list photo with the flamingos or just a unique way to spend the day, Renaissance Island delivers something you won’t find anywhere else on the island.
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