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Just offshore from Oranjestad’s bustling downtown atmosphere, rests Renaissance Island, a 40-acre retreat reserved 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 features a wealth of activities and Aruba’s only private beaches. Throughout the day, water taxis depart from the main resort and deliver visitors to the placid shores of Renaissance Island, where uniquely developed facilities await vacationing families and couples alike. Visitors of all ages will find water sport 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 everything Aruba has to offer, plus a little extra scenery and hospitality, hop aboard the boat to Renaissance Island.
The separate adult-only facilities offered on Renaissance Island create the perfect atmosphere for a romantic getaway. One of Aruba’s best activities for any romantic getaway can be found at Renaissance Island’s Spa Cove. Couples are treated to open-air massages overlooking the Caribbean Sea at sunset, while champagne and fresh fruit complete the evening. During the day, couples can work out at the fitness center, play in the water and enjoy some of Aruba’s best scenery. Couples can dine at the island’s grill during the picture-perfect afternoons and enjoy candlelit meals at the gourmet steakhouse when the sun goes down. Renaissance Island is also home to a wedding cove, a peaceful site overlooking the Caribbean Sea perfect for intimate ceremonies. The island’s 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 features activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving and paddle boating. While the crystal-clear water offshore is perfect for family fun, the uncrowded beach offers plenty of space for children to play while parents recline in sun. Families can also enjoy refreshments offered at the island’s restaurants or take in Waterscapes at Renaissance, a light show designed for both the young and young-at-heart.
As Renaissance Island is home to a pair of spacious, 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 jet-setters in search of a distinctive hideaway. As everyone visiting Aruba wants to spend some time relaxing by the water, both beaches on Renaissance Island offer plenty of hammocks, shade umbrellas and beach chairs to make relaxation a breeze.
Despite the fact that Renaissance Island feels like a secluded destination, the island is only minutes from the heart of Oranjestad. Within the Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino, visitors will find a vast assortment of boutiques, restaurants and theatres. Just beyond the resort’s doors, Oranjestad’s famous harbor district is a bustling area known for excellent shopping opportunities and family-friendly entertainment.
Getting to Renaissance Island takes only ten minutes via the water taxi that provides some excellent views of Oranjestad and the sparkling Caribbean Sea. The Renaissance Island water taxi departs every 15 minutes between 7 AM and 7 PM from the Renaissance Marina Hotel.
While Aruba certainly has many sites to see and many places to bask in the Caribbean vacation experience, Renaissance Island and its private beaches represent the finest Aruba has to offer. Whether you are traveling with your fiancé, friends or entire family, set aside some time for a visit to Renaissance Island and see for yourself why this 40-acre Caribbean paradise is considered Aruba’s most impressive private getaway.
Justin Burch writes articles about travel in Aruba for the Marriott Resorts.