Visiting Flamingo Island in Aruba
The Flamingo Island experience in Aruba is one you don’t want to miss. You get up close and personal with flamingos and iguanas set on this private beach. Once on the island you can lounge, snorkel, float, eat, drink and get a spa treatment. There are several ways to get to this island. After doing my research it was a no brainer to do the spa package. Check out my step by step on doing this for your visit. No matter how you decide to visit you will want this on your itinerary!
Getting to Flamingo beach
There are three ways to visit this amazing island that is part of the Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort. On this island is Flamingo and Iguana Beach.
If you stay at the resort, it is included to take the water taxi over to the island and enjoy on your own time. This comes with the cost of the hotel nightly rate.
You can also visit with a day pass. These currently cost about $125 per adult and include the boat ride over. They become available at 9 AM on Saturday for the subsequent week so you cannot book them out until then. They can sell out quickly depending on demand.
Lastly, you can book a spa treatment at the flamingo beach or iguana beach spa. They offer several packages that include lunch or not. This gets you access to the island and you also get a massage. This is what my friend and I did and we loved it and would highly encourage anyone to do it this way.
The Spa
The Okeanos Spa is associated with the Renaissance Wind Creek Resort. Make sure if you book that you are booking the package on the island as they do also offer treatments at the spa in the hotel.
When we did it, I reached out a few months before. They advised me to reach out again 1 month prior to start making reservations. My friend and I went with a couples package which included the boat ride to and from the island, lunch with a drink and the 50 minute massage. The total for both of us was $525.
To make the reservation I had to fill out a form with my credit card to reserve the spot. On the day of the tour you can pay with that card or give another.
step by step day flamingo beach
Check in Okeanos Spa
First step is to get to the Renaissance hotel if you are not staying there. We took a taxi from our hotel there. They recommend you check in 2 hours early. To check in you have to go to the Okeanos Spa which is located on the second floor of the Renaissance Hotel. You will go up the escalators and go to the left. At the spa, you check in and they give you the boat passes, map of the island, tickets for your lunch with drink and your spa tickets. This is also when you pay for the package.
Boat to the island
Next you will take the boat over to the island. The boat is in the lobby of the hotel right next to the Starbucks. There is a little line and the boats come back and forth. To get on the boat you give your boat passes. The ride is not very long but does give a nice view of the harbor. You may get sprayed a little if you sit near the back of the boat.
Exploring the Island
Flamingo Beach
The Flamingo Beach side is adults only while the Iguana side is for families. The Flamingo side children can visit between 9 AM-10AM only. We snagged chairs early on the flamingo side with the umbrellas over them. We then walked around to Iguana side and explored the island.
When we arrived early we saw no flamingos and then realized they like to hang out around the gift shop in the morning. We got a bunch of pictures then.
Get your gear
Also there is a hut where you can take out towels, floats and snorkels all for free while you are visiting the island.
Feeding Flamingos
You can feed the flamingos with food that you can purchase in machines- bring quarters or exchange dollars in the gift shop for some quarters.
Massage Time
We went to the massage area just before our time. We chose 10:15 AM. It was great because we got to the island early and got a little time to explore and then go for the massage. We figured this would also be good because we would have the afternoon to have lunch and then relax. The massages are in overwater bungalows. They give a little water and the atmosphere is really nice. We brought extra cash to tip them. It was a perfect 50 minute massage!
Lunch Time
We did the lunch package so we got a meal and a drink with lunch over at the Papagayo Bar and Grill. If you don’t purchase a lunch package you can still buy things ala carte there. On the Flamingo Beach side there is a little beach bar with select food items and drinks. There is a more extensive menu at this Papagayo Bar and Grill which is located on the Iguana Beach side.
Enjoy the afternoon
After lunch we continued to just enjoy the beach. The flamingos roam free and you can snag some picture opportunities. We also capitalized on the free floats and snorkels. The snorkeling was better than I thought it would be with tons of different fish. We got some drinks at the beach bar.
Stay for sunset
I had read that staying for sunset was worth it. We told each other we would see how we felt since we were arriving so early but we just loved the day and ended up staying to watch sunset and caught the final boat back. The crowds really die down and seeing the sunset was incredible. I would highly recommend it.
Tips
What to Bring
Definitely bring water and snacks for this trip. I ended up needing a quick snack before the massage. You will need sunscreen for sure. Bring cash for tips and a credit card. If you want to feed the flamingos you will need quarters. Most importantly don’t forget your camera you will be taking a million pictures. If you have a charging bank, I would recommend bringing that to top off your charge (especially if you are staying all day and taking lots of pictures)!
Book the spa
If crossing your fingers for a day pass makes you nervous go with the spa package. It was sublime and no stress! You can book it a month in advance.
Take Advantage of the freebies
You can take out towels, floats and snorkels from the hut in the middle of the island. If you are not a guest you leave your card information and then return at the end of the day. The snorkeling was better than I would have thought and a great way to pass some time.
Plan your trip to Flamingo Beach Island in Aruba
If you haven’t made it to Aruba yet, consider this your inspiration to go. It is beyond beautiful and you will not be disappointed. Flamingo Beach Island is well worth the hype and my friend and I had a complete blast. I highly recommend visiting here. I definitely recommend the spa package- it was well worth the cost for a fun filled day!
