When I was planning my trip to Aruba I put out the call to my friends to see who had been there and what could not be missed. One of them mentioned that there are flamingos on the beach in Aruba and I was beyond ecstatic.
I could just picture it: Chilling with a bunch of pink compadres in that beautiful blue Caribbean water? It’s a photographer’s dream!
But when I arrived in Aruba it turned out that there are not scores of flamingos roaming around all over the beaches, they are in just one spot – a private island owned by a hotel.
Finding Flamingo Island
Renaissance Island is a private island connected to the Renaissance Hotel, which is located in the main shopping area of Aruba. It’s somewhat close to the cruise port and the airport in Oranjestad.
In order to access the island you have two options: You can stay at the Renaissance Hotel since it’s included as a hotel perk, or you can pay a $99 fee for access to the island for the day. It includes the boat transfer, lunch on the island, and a drink.
There is, however, a caveat. The hotel sells a maximum of 30 passes to the island per day to non-guests, so it is possible that you could arrive at the hotel and find that they are sold out.
That said, the hotel can cost as low as $150 per night and it has a pretty awesome pool as well, so I would suggest staying there for a night if seeing the flamingos is really high on your list of must-dos in Aruba.
You can also call the hotel ahead of time to make sure they still have passes before you head over. If they turn you down at the lobby, remind them that you called ahead, and they still may sell you a ticket – it worked for a couple of friends of mine.
What Renaissance Island is like
The island itself is absolutely stunning. You access it from a tiny little porch area next to the Starbucks on the floor below the lobby in the Renaissance Hotel. The speed boat runs every 10 to 15 minutes and, reminiscent of Las Vegas, takes you under the lobby of the hotel before heading right out into the ocean.
After about 15 minutes you arrive at the island which has been carefully crafted into a dreamy Caribbean getaway with hammocks, swaying palm trees, and of course, a little group of flamingos.
The island is divided into two sides – the adult side and the family side. The flamingos are actually located on the adult side, so do expect to see some children coming over to see them from time to time.
There are also little huts on one of the rocky peninsulas that you can rent out for the day, which we did since my time in Aruba fell on the birthday of two of my friends and I. So we had to, right?
Each one has a hammock over the water, and the end one that we rented had a swing as well. Sadly, drinks are not included so this is purely for the privilege of having a private area on the island.
Is Flamingo Island worth it?
I had a wonderful time on the island, all in all. I thought it was absolutely beautiful, relaxed, and of course I enjoyed a little romp in the warm water with the flamingos.
That said, I think that $99 is really steep. There are only about seven flamingos and everybody wants to take photos with them. They are not native to the island, so I think of it more as a petting zoo than anything else. You should also know that the only shade on the island is palm trees unless you seek refuge in the bar area or are one of the lucky few who rent a Bungalow. For me, that means I could not hang out on the island all day because I don’t want to be in the sun for that many hours.
I do think that the Renaissance Aruba Resort is a lovely option, however the only beach they have is the Renaissance Island, so there’s no strolling out of your room and right onto the sand like if you stayed in Palm Beach, which I personally did.
The best of both worlds, if you have the time, would be to spend a couple days at the Renaissance and a few days elsewhere that has more of a beachy feel.
Thanks, Aruba, for giving me a taste of the Caribbean. It definitely left me wanting more!
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Nour says
Thank you for sharing your honest opinion Kristin! The flamingo beach was on my bucket list for this year but I had no idea there were only 7 flamingos and that it’s more like a petting zoo! I may have to reconsider ? Thank you for sharing your adventures with us! Have a lovely day ?
Kristin says
It was still cool but yeah, it’s a tourist attraction rather than a naturally occurring thing…
Cindy Geesey says
Kids only allowed on private island until 10 AM, tops optional after that.
Kristin says
Tops optional? Didn’t see that, but cool!
Ryan says
Looks pretty rad, I want some pink compadres in my life! That resort is pretty damn beautiful too. I didn’t even hear about it when I went to Aruba!
Pilot Mark says
What an incredible experience! The photos are beautiful, you really made the most of this wonderful place. I had a similar experience swimming in the sea with animals in the Bahamas, but in my case they weren’t so exotic…they were pigs! The Exuma pigs looked very content wading around the crystal clear blue ocean and trotting along the white sand. An unforgettable experience, much like your own!
Dee says
We are going to be staying at the riu properties in palm beach. How do we sign up from another hotel to get to the flamingos I personally want to see them and get pics. Do we sign up at the riu or how does this work ?
Kristin says
You have to show up and pay for the ferry, or if you’re staying at another one of their properties maybe contact them and see if they’ll include it for you.
Dee says
Thank you very much!
Sam says
This resort and private island are now owned by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians out of Alabama. I am headed down in March. Hoping for an amazing vacation.
Kristin says
Thanks for the update! Is it still named Renaissance?
GG says
Hey Kristin, the answer is yes I believe. They plan on keeping the same brand and name for all of their new acquisitions of casinos and resorts according to this site which I find reliable. Hope this helps! https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wind-creek-hospitality-purchases-caribbean-casino-resorts-300539321.html
BTW this group of Native Americans-Creeks have a unique history in that they were not removed during incidents like “The Trail of Tears”, so they have remained in or near the home the whole time and have their own government, etc. The site gives more details about them beyond my scant historical knowledge!
Angie says
Thank you for sharing your experience. I’m surprising my husband with a trip to Aruba for his birthday in May and I had wanted to do a day trip to Flamingo Island. I will now be rethinking it because of the lack of shade, cost and the fact that there really aren’t many Flamingos. That being said, it does look like a beautiful island.
Kristin says
I think it’s still pretty cool, but the natural pool is an amazing day excursion too!
Raven says
This was extremely helpful and a huge time saver I will save this bucket list items for when I can stay on the island when not on a cruise.
Kristin says
Awesome! Enjoy.
Suzette says
Thank you Kristin for the input. I’m traveling to Aruba 22 May 2018. Flaminigos are my favourite birds!!!!!! I’m taking my daughter with me. Yes, it’s a steep price, but, the sun won’t bother us. We are from St. Croix!!!!!! I are seriously considering this, even though I will pay for it, but, I don’t know when I will ever visit Aruba again. ANy other places you suggest? Restaurants/attractions???
Kristin says
Yes take the day trip to the Natural Pool! They bring you to cave as well. It was my favorite thing I did besides the flamingoes. The diving is decent too.
Alexis says
Kristen- any chance you recall the cost associated with renting a hut for the day?
Kristin says
I think it was several hundred.
Cc says
Hi Kristin,
I am in Aruba right now staying at one of the Riu resorts which I know is very close to the shopping mall area. Today is our second last day here and we have still yet to visit the island! Do you by any chance remember what time the tickets go on sale?
Kristin says
You’ll want to give them a call and get there as early in the day as you can. If you show up and they say they’re sold out you can try saying you talked to them on the phone and they said they had space. That actually worked for me last time!
Nicole says
We will be visiting in Dec for a yoga retreat. But our flights worked out better to stay 1 extra night. So I’m considering staying at this hotel and seeing the flamingos.
Is there a certain time they take everyone out to the island and what time do they typically get back to the hotel?
Kristin says
The boat runs all the time, all day, so you can go and come back whenever!
Rini says
Hi Kristen,
I’m planning on visiting Renaissance island in late November! Just having a little hard time finding out how the transportation would work going from Aruba (AUA airport) to Renaissance island? Did you have any trouble with transportation or is that something the Renaissance resort provides?
Thanks!
Kristin says
I’d contact the resort! I took a bus that drops people off at various resorts, so that’s an option too.
Lesa Mitchell says
Thank you for the information. My husband and I will be taking a cruise in April of 2019. I would love to see flamingo island.
Kelly Campbell says
There is actually a third way to visit the island. Their spa guests can stay for the day. My Boyfriend and I have an oceanside couple’s massage booked for Oct 16, 2018. It will be our first time there. Cant wait!
Kristin says
Thanks for the intel that’s awesome! Better value too.
Arisa says
My family we will stay in other hotel but I want to see the flamingoes too, is it the price $99 is only for one person ? or how it works ? thank you
Kristin says
$99 per person, yes.
Mich says
Hi Kristin this is a very nice review..!! I’m actually planning a weekend getaway to Aruba.. any recommendations on what to do since we only have 2 days there..??
Kristin says
You could do this one and Arikok National Park. That would be a pretty sick trip!
Dawn says
Hi this is most helpful, we have booked a night in the renaissance resort and casino Marriott. Could you confirm that this is the right hotel to be able to spend the day at the flamingo beach. Thank you
Kristin says
These are two separate bookings right? It’s the renaissance hotel that I linked to in the post.
Willerd Sánchez says
Thanks for sharing your experience! I think the same as you in relation to the price of the entrance, it is true that swimming with flamingos is something quite unusual but they are very few besides that everyone wants to be close to them! I usually stay at the nearby beaches like Eagle Beach, it’s very beautiful, it’s also worth seeing the California lighthouse, do not you think?
AJ says
Does someone go behind the flamingos and pick up their poo? Just curious
Kristin says
Haven’t seen it.
ShAron Colleran says
Be careful my husband had a heart attack and died. If they had a defibrillator on the island he may still be alive and we had to wait for boat to take us from island back to mainland. Nightmare
Kristin says
I’m so sorry that happened to you! That sounds like a terrible experience. I wish you all the best with your healing.
Nicole says
We are there now and sadly an older man had a heart attack and died yesterday on the island but they do now have a defibrillator which was used.
NEIL EMERY says
can I book excursion on cruise ship to island
Kristin says
I have no idea but probably not
Erika says
How much was it to rent a hut? if you stay at the hotel, is the hut included? I booked two nights to stay there out of my week because i don’t want to deal with the competition of getting a boat ticket, but hopefully that means it doesn’t get too crowded, what did you think of the crowd? Great article!
Kristin says
You would have to still pay for the hut. I’m honestly not sure what they charge now. Best to ask them directly.