There are all sorts of names we give to the world’s best beaches and while some names don’t give away anything about what we might encounter if we visit them, others actually reveal just that. Flamingo beach is the one belonging to the latter group – it’s a beach where you can get up close and personal with these lovely pinkish creatures.
Still, before we delve into its exotic side, we have to take a look at other aspects of visiting it. First and foremost, we have to pinpoint its exact location, ways of getting there and see what else is there to do other than admiring these majestic birds.
Where exactly is Flamingo beach?
Flamingo beach is situated on a long strip of land called the Renaissance Island, right next to the island of Aruba. Aruba is actually a part of the Dutch Caribbean – the group of islands just off Venezuela’s coast located in the Lesser Antilles. Although the islands are technically way closer to South America than to the Netherlands, they are still Dutch territory ever since the colonies were formed in 1815.
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How to get to Flamingo Beach?
The Renaissance Island where Flamingo beach is located belongs to Renaissance Aruba Resort which means this island is privately owned and the only way to get to it is by a boat.
There are two ways to get on a boat that will take you to the island – either by being a guest of the Renassaince Resort in Aruba or by purchasing a ticket regardless of where you’re staying in Aruba. However, the second option is a bit more complicated and here’s why.
First of all, if you’re a guest at the Renaissance Resort in Aruba, you can visit the island free of charge and you get the day passes to visit it for as many times as you like. The departure is very neatly organized as the boat actually sets off from inside the hotel building every 15 minutes. However, if you’re staying at another hotel or resort, you have to pay $125 for the ticket. In addition to this, you can’t book the tickets in advance because the availability of the tickets depends on the hotel’s occupancy. So, if there are 20% to 30% vacancies in the hotel, there will be room for the passengers who are not staying at the resort. It is a bit of a lottery, especially in the peak season as the hotel is occupied to the full capacity. The best way to make sure you will get the ticket is to check with the hotel the night before you plan on visiting Flamingo beach.
Seeing as Flamingo beach is rather couple-oriented, you might want to reconsider visiting it with children for one particular reason – children can only visit it between 9 am and 10 am.
This might seem a bit disrespectful, but the management of the resort decided to introduce this rule in order to keep the pink inhabitants undisturbed and provide their guest with the ultimate peacefulness and relaxation. In case your little ones are set in their ways and insist on visiting the island, this is the only time you can take them there. The good news is that children under the age of 12 don’t pay for the boat ticket.
Read more: On a Plane with a Toddler – Should You Worry?
Why Is Flamingo Beach So Special?
This beach is probably the only place in the world where the only permanent residents are the 7 lovely pink flamingos which freely stroll around and frolic in its crystal clear water. These pink occupants have not been there forever, though. In all probability, the charming birds were brought to the island from Venezuela and in order to prevent them from migrating, their wings are claimed to have been clipped. Although some animal rights activists pertain to the standpoint of evident animal cruelty, anyone visiting the island will see that the animals are well taken care of and not neglected in any way. There is a warden in attendance at every given moment and he is in charge of supervising the visitors’ demeanor toward the animals.
Flamingos in Aruba are only found on this private island and more specifically, in its adult section so you can’t find them on the family side of the island. Everyone is allowed to feed the flamingos and as soon as you enter the beach, you will be able to spot the place where you can buy the food to feed the graceful birds. Don’t be disappointed if they’re not in the mood for grabbing a bite – after all, everyone is trying to feed them or else snapping some instagrammable shots so you might have to wait your turn to take photos with them too.
The pink flamingos are unquestionably the island’s most striking highlight but the Renaissance Island also offers plenty of other attractions that will make for a perfect vacation.
This is a full-service beach which means you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to amenities and activities. Apart from the flamingos on the adult side, iguanas rule the family section so we may freely say this is one exceptional island when it comes to animals just relaxing around. The adult section is also ideal for snorkeling as the water is perfectly transparent so you will be able to see an abundance of the underwater world.
The amenities on Flamingo Beach include a bar, a restaurant, spa cove, and the ultimately relaxing hammocks hanging among the lush shrubs and mangroves. You can also rent beach huts which are dotted around the Renaissance island, providing excellent service and comfort for ultimate pampering of your body and your soul.
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Attractions near Flamingo beach
Without a doubt, Renaissance Island is a wonderful portion of paradise easily available from Aruba. But Aruba itself has several more beaches you can visit to complement Flamingo beach. You will be thrilled to discover that, unlike Flamingo, all the beaches in Aruba are actually public.
Oranjestad is the island’s most bustling town and it is in its close vicinity that you can find some outstanding beaches. First of them is the lovely Baby Beach, ideal for families and couples alike. The water is shallow and amazingly clean, perfectly decorated with exotic trees and shrubs, sprinkled with fine white sand. Next off is the most recognizable beach of the island – the exotic Palm Beach. The name is pretty much self-explanatory as this beach is nicely nestled between the rows of tall palm trees and it stretches for two long miles. It has all the possible amenities you could think of – water sports, bars, restaurants, huts, and even the shops. After the sun sets, the beach becomes a mecca of a lively nightlife atmosphere.
Another equally iconic beach is the picturesque Eagle Beach whose trademark is the famous fofoti tree, overlooking the Caribbean Sea. The white sand of Eagle Beach is ideal for summer sports, such as volleyball and tennis. On top of this, Eagle Beach is also one of the popular spots to encounter the cute sea turtles which nestle on the beach and lay their eggs there.
In case you want to escape the crowds such as those found on Palm Beach, you should head to Arashi Beach. This spacious beach is a true oasis of peace, ideal for snorkeling. Similar to Arashi is the rocky Malmok Beach. Unlike all the others, this beach has a unique setting comprising strips of rock with occasional white-sand bays. Out in the sea, there are several sunken wrecks which are ideal for scuba-diving and snorkeling so it comes as no surprise why they usually call this beach the snorkeler’s dream.
Aruba travel is obviously nothing short of a fairytale. This remote island in the Caribbean is sure to provide its visitors with some unforgettable memories. Of course, no matter how otherworldly it looks, it still wouldn’t be complete without the fantastic Flamingo Beach which is possibly one of the most unique and exotic destinations in the world. It makes no difference whether you’re traveling with your partner, kids, or even solo! Aruba will not disappoint.
