Renaissance Island, Noord Travel Guide

4.5 (149)

Escape to Renaissance Island in Aruba for flamingo encounters, pristine beaches, and a secluded tropical getaway. A unique private island experience!

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Renaissance Island

Renaissance Island, a private island owned by the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino, offers a unique escape with its white-sand beaches and resident flamingos. Accessible by water taxi, it's a haven for relaxation and wildlife encounters, featuring two distinct beaches: the adult-exclusive Flamingo Beach and the family-friendly Iguana Beach.

A brief summary to Renaissance Island

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Renaissance Island.

Book a stay at the Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort to guarantee access to Renaissance Island and avoid the hassle of securing a day pass.
Day passes are limited and sell out quickly; book online the Saturday before your intended visit, as they are released for the upcoming week.
Visit Flamingo Beach in the morning for fewer crowds and better photo opportunities with the flamingos.
Consider booking a spa treatment at the Okeanos Spa's Island Cove location, which includes access to Renaissance Island for the day.

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Explore Renaissance Island on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near Renaissance Island, mapped for you.

Getting There

Water Taxi

The primary way to reach Renaissance Island is via the Renaissance Aruba Resort's water taxi. If you're a guest at the Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort, access to the water taxi is complimentary and unlimited. The boat departs every 15 minutes from a dock located within the resort. Specifically, the boat departs from behind Lucy's Bar or near the Starbucks in the hotel lobby. The ride to the island takes approximately 8 minutes. If you are not a hotel guest, you need to obtain a day pass, subject to availability, to board the water taxi. Day passes cost $125 per person. The first boat to the island leaves at 7:00 AM, and the last boat departs the island at 6:45 PM.

Discover more about Renaissance Island

Renaissance Island, a 40-acre private coral island off the coast of Aruba, is a unique destination offering visitors pristine beaches and the opportunity to mingle with flamingos. Owned by the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino, the island provides an exclusive retreat accessible only by boat. Once known as Sonesta Island, it was purchased by Sonesta Hotels and opened in 1989. In 1991, it was renamed Renaissance Island after Sonesta was acquired by Ramada Renaissance Hotels.The island features two main beaches: Flamingo Beach, an adults-only area where flamingos roam freely, and Iguana Beach, which is family-friendly. The flamingos are not native to Aruba but were brought to the island, primarily from Bonaire, and have become a major attraction. In addition to the beaches, Renaissance Island offers mangrove forests, nature trails, and diverse wildlife, including iguanas, tropical fish, and various bird species.To access Renaissance Island, guests can take a water taxi that departs every 15 minutes from the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino in Oranjestad. For those not staying at the resort, day passes may be available for purchase, subject to availability and hotel occupancy. Besides the beaches, the island provides amenities such as cabana rentals, a spa, restaurants, and water sports. Two airplanes were sunk near the coast to create a diving site.