Just off the coast of the bustling atmosphere of downtown Oranjestad is Renaissance Island, a 40-acre haven set aside for recreation and relaxation. Designed to offer guests of the Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino a secluded spot to enjoy Aruba’s famous beach lifestyle, Renaissance Island offers an abundance of activities and Aruba’s only private beaches. Throughout the day, water taxis depart from the main resort and whisk visitors to the placid shores of Renaissance Island, where uniquely developed facilities await families and vacationing couples alike. Visitors of all ages will find water sports activities ranging from snorkeling and scuba diving to kayaking and deep-sea fishing. Meanwhile, the island’s restaurants, spas and fitness centers help guests complete the relaxing and rejuvenating experience. If you want to enjoy all that Aruba has to offer, plus a little more scenery and hospitality, come aboard the ship to Renaissance Island.
Separate adult-only facilities offered at Renaissance Island create the perfect setting for a romantic getaway. One of Aruba’s best activities for any romantic getaway can be found at Renaissance Island’s Spa Cove. Couples enjoy outdoor massages overlooking the Caribbean Sea at sunset, while champagne and fresh fruit complete the evening. During the day, couples can work out in the gym, play in the water, and take in some of the best scenery in Aruba. Couples can dine on the island grill on perfect evenings and enjoy candlelit meals on the gourmet grill when the sun goes down. Renaissance Island is also home to a Wedding Cove, a tranquil spot overlooking the Caribbean Sea, perfect for intimate ceremonies. Island wedding planners arrange all the details, leaving couples plenty of time to enjoy their getaway.
Visiting families will also find plenty of options for afternoon fun on Paradise Island. Iguana Beach is the designated family beach and offers activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, and pedal boat rides. While the crystal clear water offshore is perfect for family fun, the uncrowded beach offers plenty of room for kids to play while parents recline in the sun. Families can also enjoy refreshments offered at island restaurants or enjoy Waterscapes at Renaissance, a light show designed for both the young and young at heart.
Since Renaissance Island is home to a pair of wide, horseshoe-shaped beaches, families aren’t the only travelers having fun in the sand. On the opposite side of Renaissance Island, Flamingo Beach caters to the whims of traveling couples and high society in search of a distinctive hideaway. Since everyone who visits Aruba wants to spend some time relaxing by the water, both beaches on Renaissance Island offer plenty of sunbeds, umbrellas, and beach chairs to make relaxation a breeze.
Although Renaissance Island feels like an isolated destination, the island is only minutes from the heart of Oranjestad. Inside the Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino, visitors will find a wide variety of shops, restaurants, and theaters. Beyond the gates of the community, Oranjestad’s famous waterfront district is a bustling area known for its excellent shopping opportunities and family entertainment.
Getting to Renaissance Island takes just ten minutes via water taxi that offers great views of Oranjestad and the sparkling Caribbean Sea. The Renaissance Island Water Taxi departs every 15 minutes between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM from the Renaissance Marina Hotel.
While Aruba certainly has many sites to see and many places to enjoy the Caribbean vacation experience, Renaissance Island and its private beaches represent the best that Aruba has to offer. Whether you’re traveling with your fiancé, friends, or the whole family, set aside time to visit Renaissance Island and see for yourself why this 40-acre Caribbean paradise is considered Aruba’s most impressive private getaway.
Justin Burch writes Aruba travel articles for Marriott Resorts.