Where to See Flamingos in Aruba: Renaissance Island vs De Palm Island
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Where to See Flamingos in Aruba
The Aruba tag on Instagram is flooded with sunny, vibrant photos of girls in swimsuits feeding bright pink Flamingos. The picturesque locations look tranquil and tropical, making them highly sought after not only for the wildlife but also for the white sand and bright blue water that promise relaxation and fun. There is a common misconception that there is a place called “Flamingo Island” and that is the only place to see the birds in Aruba. But in reality, there are two islands: Renaissance Island, owned by the Renaissance Resort and Casino, and De Palm Island, privately owned by a large tour company in Aruba. Both private islands boast exclusivity, which means getting onto one of them will cost a pretty penny and needs to be booked ASAP.
Renaissance Island
Renaissance Island (AKA Flamingo Island)
About the Island + How to Get Tickets
Renaissance Island is owned by the Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort and Casino, a Marriot-branded hotel. This 40-acre man-made island is a private paradise and ultra-exclusive, and the first place where you can see flamingos in Aruba. Guests staying at the hotel have first access to the island, which boasts two restaurants, two private beaches, a spa cove, and sand and water sports. It’s even a popular destination wedding spot, and after being there myself, I can see why. The white sand and bright blue waters make for a stunning backdrop to any wedding.
If you’re not a guest of the hotel, you can still access the island, though you’ll have a much more difficult time during peak season. The hotel only gives out a certain number of passes to the island per day, and they sell out quickly. The only way to buy tickets is using this link the Saturday before you want to go. Ticket sales open at 9AM, and they sell out within minutes. Note that Saturday sales are for the following Monday - Sunday.
How to Get to Renaissance Island
The island is open from 7AM to 7PM on the day you reserved your ticket. There is a water ferry that leaves every 15 minutes from the Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort, but you don’t have to go all the way into the hotel to get to the dock. It’s located behind a small marketplace at the water’s edge near the resort, though if you can’t find it, it’s best to ask someone nearby to point you to the spot.
How Long to Spend on Renaissance Island + Food
While your ticket is valid from 7 AM to 7 PM, there isn’t enough to fill those 12 hours, in my opinion, unless you truly want to relax on the beach for the entire day. We stayed around 4 hours, and that was plenty of time to see the flamingos, relax by the beach, swim in the water, and wander around. Every ticket comes with a $25 meal credit (and you can bet that $25 doesn’t quite cover a full meal 🙄), redeemable at both restaurants/bars on the island. Otherwise, you have to pay for any food/drinks you want.
There are cabanas available for purchase if you want a dedicated shaded spot because it gets hot, hot, hot in Aruba during the middle of the day. With the cabanas, you’ll receive a bottle of champagne and service directly at your cabana. No need to leave at all! Otherwise, shade can be hard to find, and you might have to move your chair around to stay shaded by the palm trees.
Flamingos + Other Things to Do on Renaissance Island
Renaissance Island offers snorkel gear, kayaks, paddleboards, and floaties included in the ticket price. Spend time swimming with colorful fish and admiring the beautiful ocean around you! There is also a spa cove where you can get a massage, facial, or wrap in blissful peace.
There are two beaches: Flamingo Beach and Iguana Beach. Flamingo Beach is adults-only except for the hours of 9-10 AM, which is when supervised children are allowed to interact with the flamingos. The island itself is not very family-friendly and definitely boasts a more adults-only vibe.
Entrance to De Palm Island
De Palm Island
About the Island + How to Get Tickets
De Palm Island is an all-inclusive private island off the coast of Aruba, owned by De Palm Tours. The island is only open 6 hours per day: 10 AM or 11 AM until 5 PM. It is the second place in Aruba where you can see flamingos. You can buy tickets online (which if you want to hang out with the flamingos, you’ll definitely need to do) or you can buy them at the ticket booth on the premises. Online, you can also purchase other activities like snuba and sea trek. Kids are welcome at all hours on De Palm Island, and with many family-friendly activities, it’s a popular choice for travelers with children.
How to Get to De Palm Island
First, you’ll need to take a bus or drive yourself to the meeting point for De Palm Island. The bus is a very convenient option, so if you don’t have your own car, I highly recommend selecting bus pickup! Once you’ve reached the meeting point, you’ll take a ferry across the water from the main island to De Palm Island. The water ferry is about 15 minutes and the ride is fairly smooth. I didn’t even get anxious on the ride, and boats and I do not mix, so that was 100% a win for me.
How Long to Spend on De Palm Island + Food Options
The maximum amount of time you can spend on De Palm Island is 6 hours, but unless you are a total beach bum, you can easily stay for four or fewer hours. Your ticket is all-inclusive, including food and drinks (there are premium drinks for a cost), but the main dining area is only open from 11 AM to 1 PM. There were gluten-free options in the main dining area, and they were all marked, which was fantastic. However, it was buffet style, so if you’re worried about cross-contamination, I would pack a snack.
There are lots of beach chairs and umbrellas if you’re looking to stay out of the sun, but if you want some space and privacy, scout out a spot before you do anything else. We went to the chairs right up against the wall that separates the flamingos from the rest of the island and found that was the quietest spot away from all the craziness of the center part of the island.
Flamingos + Other Things to Do on De Palm Island
De Palm Island has flamingos in two locations: in a small pool by the waterslides where you can watch them but not interact with them, and behind a wall where you have to pay for the cabana to enter. If you want those insta-worthy shots and to interact with the flamingos, you’ll need to book the premium seating or beach cabana when you buy your tickets.
Other fun activities on De Palm Island include: snorkeling, snuba (extra cost), sea trek (extra cost), waterslides, a children’s play area, and banana boat rides. We snorkeled during out time there (equipment is provided) and it was actually pretty good! We saw tons of colorful fish and beautiful corals. Be wary of where you put your feet so you don’t damage them, though.
Which Island is Better to See Flamingos?
So out of the two places to see flamingos in Aruba, personally, I liked Renaissance Island better than De Palm Island. However, getting tickets to Renaissance Island can be extremely tricky, so if you don’t want to wait and immediately jump on your phone to buy tickets when they open (if you can buy any at all), you will still have fun on De Palm Island. The flamingo area is private and quiet, so you’ll still get the Renaissance Island vibes for the majority of your visit.
Renaissance Island Flamingos
Tips for Getting Photos with the Flamingos
The flamingos in Aruba will eat out of your hands, so bring some coins to buy food from the feeders! Otherwise, they’re used to humans, so you can sit close to them without them running away. Remember, these are wild animals, so keep an appropriate distance, don’t try to touch them, and if they seem distressed, back away slowly. You’re going to get the best lighting early in the morning or late in the afternoon, and if you don’t want others in your photos, early/late is also the best time to go.
Final Thoughts on Where to See Flamingos in Aruba
Thanks to Instagram, flamingos have become an iconic part of any trip to Aruba. Hopefully, this blog has helped you decide where to see the flamingos in Aruba! Or if you’re feeling adventurous, why not go to both?