ARUBA UNCUT

“FLAMINGO ISLAND”

Some people who visit Aruba ask to visit “Flamingo Island”. Well, first of all, there is no such thing called “Flamingo Island”. People are referring to the Renaissance island, which is located right offshore from the Reina Beatrix International Airport.

Renaissance Island is a private island, owned and operated by the two Renaissance hotels in downtown Oranjestad the capital of Aruba.

The island is meant to be a private beach and leisure island exclusively for the use of the guests of the Renaissance hotels.

Some years ago the Renaissance hotels introduced six flamingoes to Renaissance Island. These flamingos were initially an attraction on Renaissance Island but soon gained international popularity and many visitors to Aruba want to go there to see these birds.

So how can you visit Renaissance Island?

The Renaissance hotels offer a day pass that can be purchased for 125 dollars per person. You get one drink, a lunch, and a towel. You will not have the same privileges as a registered hotel guest.

The boat shuttles will run every 15 minutes starting at 07:00 from the downtown Renaissance to the Renaissance Island. The last boat returning from the Renaissance Island is at 18:45.

These passes are limited based on the hotel's occupancy percentage. If the hotel is over 90+ percent they will not sell day passes.

The best way to do this is to go to the hotel around 06:00 in order to check availability. They don’t book anyone over the phone.

If you can get a pass, you can leave on the first boat at 07:00. The day pass is a one-way to and one-way back from the island. You can’t go back and forth on a day pass.

There is another option, which is to book a room for a night. As a registered guest, you will have “free” access to the Renaissance Island.

Just keep in mind that the room rates can run you minimal about the same price of two tickets, depending on availability and season.

(Photo: courtesy of Lili.)

These flamingoes have been domesticated and are dependent on humans for the rest of their existence. They can’t fly away because their wings have been cut.  

It’s like a “petting zoo” because the birds just walk around and people are taking photos and selfies all day long.

Since flamingoes are protected, were or are any laws broken or violated? Is this marketing or animal abuse?

Honestly, I don’t know if paying $125.00 per person to go see 6 flamingoes is worth it. You can make a reservation and check into the hotel, still, the only attraction is really just the flamingoes.

Aruba has never had flamingoes living in the wild. 

To see flamingoes in the wild you need to fly over to the islands of Bonaire or Curaçao, which is 20 to 30 minutes from Aruba.

Bonaire has a colony of about 20,000 flamingoes and the island of Curaçao has a colony of about 5,000, all in their natural habitat.

No matter how you turn it, it’s a good business stunt by the Renaissance hotels. It’s a milking cow, which keeps on giving as long as the flamingoes are there and the people willing to pay to visit.

As far as I’m concerned, this is a thumbs DOWN!

Doc.