Flamingo Island Aruba Day Pass: All You Need to Know
Planning visiting Flamingo Island Aruba with a Day pass? Or perhaps you are interested in other ways to get closer to the pink flamingos? You are in the right place! Visiting Aruba is incomplete without walking along a pristine private beach surrounded by crystal-clear waters and pink flamingos! This dreamy scene awaits you at Renaissance Island, often called Flamingo Island, part of Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort and Casino.
The day spent here was the highlight of our Aruba trip, but planning it was unexpectedly overwhelming. In this post, I am sharing the ultimate guide to visiting Flamingo Beach with a day pass and two other less hustle-free options. It covers what to do on the island, where to eat, how to visit with kids, and tips on planning your trip.
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Little About Flamingo Island (Renaissance Island)
Flamingo Island, officially known as Renaissance Island, is a stunning private paradise in Aruba known for its picturesque beaches and vibrant wildlife.
Owned by the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino, the island is a popular destination for visitors seeking a tranquil escape. You can relax on the soft sands of Flamingo Beach, where you can encounter the island’s famous resident flamingos roaming around beaches freely. The Flamingo Beach is an adults-only side, and families with kids can only visit from 9 am to 10 am.
Here, you will also find the Iguana beach, a family friendly side of the Island where we spent most of the day and shortage of seeing Flamingos as they roamed freely from one beach to another.
With lush tropical landscapes, crystal-clear waters, and various amenities, Flamingo Island offers a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure, making it an unforgettable highlight of any trip to Aruba.
How To Visit Flamingo Island Aruba
To visit Flamingo Island in Aruba, you have a few options:
- Stay at the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino: The hotel offers complimentary access to the island as part of your stay, making it the easiest way to enjoy the island and its amenities. To make it most budget-friendly, you could book for one or two nights only.
- Book a Spa Treatment: Another lesser known way to access the island is to book a spa treatment at Spa Cove at the Okeanos Spa at the Renaissance Island. Your spa treatment includes a day pass to Flamingo Island. This option allows you to book your day in advance and avoid the hustle of a day pass hunting.
- Purchase a Day Pass: If you’re not staying at the hotel or booking a spa treatment, you can visit Flamingo Island Aruba by getting a day pass. This option allows non-guests to access the island for a fee, typically around $125 per person. However, these passes are limited based on the hotel’s occupancy and can sell out in a few minutes.
How to Purchase a Day Pass
If you decide to go for a day pass, it is important to know the tips to maximize your chances of getting your tickets! Day passes are limitedย and only available when hotel occupancy exceeds 80%.
To purchase, visit the Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort website on Saturday the week before your trip at 9:00 am sharp (Aruba time). The day passes are available for the upcoming week only.
Adult passes cost $125 plus tax per person.
Children aged 6-12 pay $62.50 per person, while kids five and under enter free.
Make sure you have a good connection and your card on hand, and have a few days of flexibility to book in case your preferred day is sold out.
We were at the airport at that time, getting ready to board. I logged in and saw that all preferred days were sold out in seconds. I tried again in few seconds and thankfully saw one more availability, which I booked as I got on the plane before a take off.
Honestly, it was not fun to get tickets this way. If we visit again, I will either stay at the Renaissance Hotel for a night or two or get their spa treatment for guaranteed access.
Also, note that you can buy up to 5 passes per transaction, so plan accordingly.
Getting to Flamingo Island With a Day Pass
To get to Flamingo Island, every hotel guest and day pass holder needs to take a 15-minute water taxi from the hotel to the Renaissance Island.
The boats are complimentary for hotel guests and day pass holders. You must show your room key or day pass before boarding, and it will be checked.
Our Journey to Flamingo Island started at the Renaissance Hotel.ย Navigating to the boat departure was very easy. After we had parked the car, we went to the lobby, and they directed us to a waiting area near a large Starbucks.
Water Taxis depart every 15 minutes daily between 7 am and 6:45 pm. (Check hours before your trip for any changes)
After a few minutes of waiting, the boat arrived, and we got inside on our way to Flamingo Island! It was a comfortable ride that lasted about 15 minutes.
Visiting Renaissance Island with kids
Renaissance Island has two beaches: the well-known Flamingo Beach, which is adults-only, and Iguana Beach, which is family-friendly. They are only a short walk apart.
If you have kids, you may wonder how to see flamingos at Renaissance Island.
You will need a day pass, a spa treatment, or need to be a hotel guest to access the island, so this step does not change.
The only difference is that Families with kids can only be on Flamingo beach side from 9 am to 10 am; after that, it becomes strictly adults-only. Honestly, we did not miss out on much.
We stayed on the Iguana side for most of our stay and saw flamingos roam from one beach to another as they wished. But you are better off getting up as early as possible, as most of them hang out on Iguana Beach during the morning hours.
Things to do on Flamingo Island With a Day Pass
Take Photos With Flamingos
Let’s be honest. The main reason for visiting Flamingo Island is to get perfect pictures while interacting with Flamingos. While it sounded impossible, taking photos with them was much easier than I imagined. Just stay patient with them and be natural around them to not scare them off.
Flamingo Safety Rules:
- Respect Their Space: Approach gently. Do not chase after.
- Feeding Guidelines: If you want to feed the flamingos, you can purchase the food on the island using USD Quarters. Please do not feed them outside food.
- Timing Your Visit: The best time to see the flamingos is in the morning when they are most active. Arriving early can also help you avoid crowds and have a more personal experience with the birds. We arrived around 8:30 a.m. and saw most roaming on the beach until the afternoon.
- Child Supervision: If you visit with children, ensure they understand how to interact gently and respectfully with the flamingos. Supervise them closely to prevent any accidental harm to the birds.
Swimming and Snorkeling
The water at Flamingo Island was the calmest and cleanest we saw in Aruba. It is certainly worth going for a swim or snorkeling. Guest Pass holders can use complimentary water equipment, such as snorkeling gear, kayaks, and paddleboards. Make sure to utilize them and make the best of your stay.
Beach Relaxation
It was very relaxing on the beach. With the limited space, we felt that each guest was treated equally with our complimentary beach chairs and towels.
It is a perfect place to unwind with a good book.
The adult-only section of the beach ensures a peaceful atmosphere for those seeking tranquility.
You can order drinks and snacks directly at your beach chair through the attentive beach service staff.
Relax on a hammock
Flamingo Island features several hammocks strategically placed throughout the island, offering a perfect spot to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
Rent Private cabanas
While this is not included in a day pass, you can reserve your private shaded cabana for an extra cost if you need more comfort. It can be pricey, but it may be worth splitting if you visit as a group!
Explore Nature Trail
Beyond the beach, Renaissance Island offers picturesque nature trails that allow you to explore the island’s natural beauty. These trails wind through lush landscapes, providing opportunities to observe various flora and fauna, including native plants and wildlife like iguanas. However, the staff informed me that I should expect many mosquitos inside.
Get Spa Treatments at Okeanos Spa
If relaxation is your goal, consider indulging in a spa treatment at the nearby Okeanos Spa, a Spa Cove inside the Renaissance Wind Creek Resort. The resort offers various services designed to pamper and rejuvenate you, including massages, facials, and body treatments.
Grab Lunch
Papagayo Bar & Grill is a casual beachfront restaurant that serves fresh sandwiches, salads, and grilled specialties. It is very family-friendly, with kid-friendly menu options as well.
The Fish Shack on Flamingo Beach offers casual food options, delicious seafood dishes, and refreshing beverages.
Best Time to Visit
Renaissance Island welcomes visitors daily from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. However, children are only allowed on Flamingo Beach between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., making this the perfect time slot for families.
The best time to arrive is early morning when the temperatures are cooler and the flamingos are most active. You’ll also have better chances of securing prime beach spots and photo opportunities with the flamingos.
What to Bring
- Waterproof sunscreen (reef-safe recommended)
- Swimwear
- Towel clips
- Waterproof phone case
- Cash for food and drinks
- Camera
- Sunglasses and hat
- Quarters to buy food for flamingos. An ATM is also available.
Lockers are available for rent to store valuable items while you swim or explore.
Nearby Accommodations
If you want to stay near Flamingo Island, The Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort & Casino is your top choice, offering automatic access to Renaissance Island and its famous flamingos. Booking this hotel gives you complimentary entry throughout your stay.
The resort features two distinct properties: the adults-only Marina Hotel and the family-friendly Ocean Suites. Both provide the same privileged access to Flamingo Beach.
Several other luxury hotels are within walking distance of the water taxi departure point to Renaissance Island. These include the Renaissance Marketplace area properties and downtown Oranjestad hotels.
Is Flamingo Island Aruba Day Pass Worth it?
You may hear different opinions about it, but personally, to us, it is worth it. Flamingo Beach is worth a visit if you’re looking for a fun and unique experience. The beautiful beach has soft white sand and clear blue water, making it a perfect relaxing spot. Even if you visit with kids and end up on Iguala beachside, we could still take many pictures with flamingos and feed them without rashing.
Remember that a day pass is the riskiest option if you want to visit. To guarantee your visit, I highly recommend staying at least one night and experiencing the tranquility of the Renaissance resort itself. For a more affordable option, book a spa treatment.
