Renaissance Island: Aruba's Private Flamingo Paradise

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.