Mr. Adolfo Oduber, owner of a welding shop in Pos Chiquito, made plans in 1959 to build a small bridge through the mangrove forest separating his house from the sea, allowing him to reach the seafront more quickly. This required cutting a 125-meter-long road through the mangrove forest, which was no easy task. Oduber who believed there was potential for attracting tourists, decided to build a wider bridge to the seafront. This was completed in March 1962.

He then began work on constructing a boat-shaped building on the reef island, located about 150 meters offshore.

The deck of this boat would feature seating for tourists to relax and perhaps dance in the moonlight in the evening. A bar and snack bar would also be built on board. The total investment for this plan, once complete, would be 50,000 Antillian guilders. Along the 125-meter-long bridge, which was built at a height of over a meter, he planned to place several bird cages.

He began construction of the building on the island in May 1963. All materials had to be carried over the 125-meter-long bridge and to the island by a small raft.
He invited the Executive Council and the members of the Island Council to come and take a look. 

In March of 1965, the Isla di Oro restaurant was opened by Governor Oscar Henriquez. The Executive Council decided to lend Mr. Oduber 25,000 guilders for the project.

Within a very short period, Isla di Oro became a hub of activity with its parties featuring local and international bands.

Since its opening, the history of Isla di Oro has been one of a highly original idea for a restaurant/ship-on-a-reef, a project that repeatedly failed. Over the years, it changed owners and operators time after time, but its success proved elusive.

As the years passed, the site became less attractive and closed its doors.

At the end of the 80s, maintenance and reconstruction of the building were carried out. Various activities took place at Isla di Oro, but it again lost popularity and interest and Isla di Oro closed.

Over the years, several development initiatives have been proposed for Isla di Oro; the site is currently privately owned by J. O. B Holding and managed by VBA.

The ruins of Isla di Oro are currently inaccessible due to the dilapidated state of the walkway.

.