The Perfect Day at CocoCay: Royal Caribbean’s Private Island Paradise
Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s exclusive private island in the Bahamas, offers a unique getaway for cruise passengers. This beautiful island, designed to provide the ultimate beach day experience, is a popular stop for many of Royal’s Caribbean cruises and is also used by Royal Caribbean’s sister brand, Celebrity.
This massive island has multiple themed sectioned areas, including a water park. Because of its size, Royal Caribbean offers a continuously running shuttle to help cruisers traverse the different sections of the island. Check out this promo video from Royal Caribbean for a quick visual of what to expect at CocoCay. Royal Caribbean sometimes docks two ships here simultaneously, so if that’s the case on the day of your visit, you can expect it to obviously be substantially more crowded, as that may mean upwards of 10,000 guests at CocoCay simultaneously.
Note that “cay” is generally pronounced “key” (although many cruisers get this wrong), but “Perfect Day at CoCo Key” doesn’t quite have the same flair to it, so in this case, most people call it “Perfect Day at CoCo Cay,” pronouncing the last word as “cay.”
About CocoCay
The Bahamas, a nation of islands, is known for its clear blue waters and stunning beaches. One of them, Little Stirrup Cay, is home to CocoCay. It’s a huge private island spanning approximately 140 acres, dedicated exclusively to the enjoyment of cruise passengers.
The Bahamas, a nation of over 700 islands, is known for its clear blue waters and stunning beaches. CoCo Cay, a private island, provides a tailored experience for cruise guests. The cruise line reserves this private island solely for its passengers, ensuring a controlled and secure environment.
Private islands like CocoCay and others like Carnival Corporation’s Princess Cays are reserved exclusively for cruise line passengers, providing a controlled and safe environment for relaxation and fun.
It’s really nice to call upon a port where you don’t have to deal with aggressive local vendors hassling you right at the port to buy their goods. You also don’t have to arrange for transportation, figure out where to go and what to do, or book an expensive excursion. Those are the benefits of private islands, and that’s why I now even seek out itineraries that visit them.
Is CocoCay a Tender Port?
I really like CocoCay for many reasons, and one of them is that unlike other cruise line private islands like Half Moon Cay, CocoCay is not a tender port. This means that cruisers avoid the tedious time-suck of taking a water shuttle 20-30 minutes each way from the cruise ship to the pier, and instead, they just step right out from the ship onto a pier.
Related: Learn more about how to prepare for port days.
Things to Do at CocoCay
Because CocoCay is a private island, no third-party excursion options exist. If you want to take an excursion, you must book it directly through the cruise line. If you’re visiting here, you can enjoy the following types of activities.
Enjoy a Beach Day
Enjoying a relaxing beach day is one of the free things to do at CocoCay, as many of the sections (more on that in a moment) are free for guest use. Additionally, cruise guests can use loungers free of charge, and unlike other cruise line private islands, Royal Caribbean even provides umbrellas free of charge, although daybeds and cabanas are available to rent at an additional fee.
Beach strollers are also available at no cost, but like loungers and other complimentary amenities, they’re available on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests seeking a more exclusive or elevated beach day experience can pay a fee to enjoy the specialty areas of Hideaway Beach and Coco Beach Club.
Free kid-friendly activities at CocoCay include Splashaway Bay and Captain Jill’s Galleon, which are two splash pads designed specifically for children, and Oasis Lagoon, the Caribbean’s largest freshwater pool, covering three-quarters of an acre.
Adventure Activities
CocoCay provides some great adventure activities for cruisers seeking more adrenaline-pumping activities, including the Thrill Waterpark, Zipline, and the Up, Up, and Away balloon ride. Each activity requires an additional fee, varying by season and demand (and they can get quite expensive, especially the waterpark!), and has some specifications, such as height and weight requirements, and guests must wear close-toed shoes on the zipline.
The Thrill Waterpark is a popular spot featuring North America’s tallest waterslide, Daredevil’s Peak, a wave pool, and numerous other exciting water slides. The zipline allows cruisers to soar over the island, covering 1,600 feet in three segments. The Up, Up, and Away balloon ride provides a unique experience, lifting guests 450 feet into the air for stunning aerial views.
Royal Caribbean Excursions
As noted above, because this is a private island, no independent or third-party excursions are available, only ones offered by Royal Caribbean. Adventure activities like the waterpark, zipline, and balloon ride are offered as excursion options, but others are also generally available. These include snorkeling, boat rides, jet skiing, and swimming with the pigs. I personally participated in the latter and loved the experience, although reviews on this one tend to be mixed, which I documented here.
Related: New to cruising? Check out my Comprehensive Cruise Guide.
Are CocoCay Cabana Rentals Worth it?
Guests wanting a more private and luxurious experience at CocoCay can rent a private cabana to enhance the island experience. Each cabana provides unique amenities and varying levels of luxury (and varying costs, of course). Royal Caribbean offers these with dynamic pricing, meaning that the cost fluctuates depending on seasonality and demand.
Chill Island Cabanas offer a relaxing retreat with sectional seating and beach loungers priced between $299 and $569. Oasis Lagoon Cabanas, located by the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean, provide a similar setup with poolside access. For a more exclusive experience, Coco Beach Club Cabanas cost $949 to $1,599, including access to an infinity pool and upscale dining. The pinnacle of luxury is the Coco Beach Club Floating Cabanas — but these are going to really cost you. They’re priced from $999 to $1,599 but feature top-tier amenities like overwater hammocks and private slides into the ocean.
Whether these cabanas are worth it or not is wholly dependent upon your individual needs and budget. I personally don’t find them to be worth the cost, but I am the type of cruiser who generally tries to spend less on excursions to allow me to spend money instead on cruising more frequently.
What to Bring to CocoCay
I recommend bringing a few things with you to enhance the experience (beyond the obvious things like sunscreen). CocoCay is great for snorkeling, and when visiting a beach location, I always bring my own set. My favorite is this one from Amazon; it’s affordable yet high quality and has traveled with me worldwide to all sorts of snorkeling experiences. It’s also much more hygienic this way, as you’re not putting something in your mouth that’s been used by many other random people.
I also recommend an inflatable float. Many recommend not bringing floats on cruises since they’re forbidden from cruise ship pools, but I disagree because these really enhance the beach day experience, and you don’t have to worry about renting a float or pool noodle. This is my favorite because it’s so compact and versatile.
Finally, I recommend a lockable beach bag of some sort. CocoCay does have lockers available for complimentary use, but they’re not always conveniently located where you’re hanging out on the island. Having your own lockable bag allows you easy access to things like your phone while keeping it secure, along with your money and Seapass card.
Also, don’t forget to bring beach towels with you. Another thing I appreciate about Royal Caribbean and CocoCay is how convenient they make it when it comes to using towels. Towels are distributed onboard to cruisers before you disembark at CocoCay (if you’ve reserved a cabana, towels will be provided there), and if you need a fresh towel while on the island, there are several towel exchange stations available.
Related: Not sure about whether to pack beach towels? Here’s what you need to know.
Wi-Fi at CocoCay
Wi-Fi is available on CocoCay for cruisers who have purchased the cruise line’s VOOM Wi-Fi package, although connectivity can be spotty due to the island’s remote location. Note that you must disconnect from the ship’s Wi-Fi and reconnect to a different network on CocoCay.
Does the Drink Package Work at CocoCay?
Another thing that I love about Royal Caribbean’s CocoCay, compared to competing lines’ private islands, is that they allow the use of its drink packages on CocoCay, so cruisers can enjoy their favorite beverages without additional charges. The legal drinking age in the Bahamas is 18.
Food Options at CocoCay
Another thing I like about CocoCay is the variety of food options, both free and at a cost. Complimentary food options include Chill Grill and Skipper’s Grill, which serve beachside classics like burgers, sandwiches, tacos, and various sides such as fries and salads. Additionally, Snack Shacks are scattered around the island, offering items like Shack Burgers, crispy chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, and desserts like chocolate chip cookies and brownies. Fresh tropical fruits and refreshing soft-serve ice cream are also available at no extra cost.
At Perfect Day at CocoCay, while most dining options are complimentary, paid food options include Captain Jack’s, which offers a la carte pricing for items like chicken wings and steak fries; the Coco Beach Club, which offers an upscale menu-driven lunch as part of its premium entry fee; and the adults-only Hideaway Beach, which features dedicated food venues and a swim-up bar.
Sections of CocoCay
As noted above, Perfect Day at CocoCay is massive in size. Take a look at the island map to get an idea of this expansive island. Royal Caribbean has conveniently sectioned it off into different areas, including these four beach locations, that cater to cruisers’ individual needs.
Chill Island
Chill Island is a serene area designed for relaxation. It features long stretches of beach with calm, crystal-clear waters, ideal for sunbathing, swimming, and unwinding. The area is equipped with plenty of beach chairs and umbrellas, and it’s a perfect spot for those looking to enjoy the natural beauty of CocoCay without the noise of the other sections. Complimentary beach chairs and umbrellas are available here for cruisers’ use.
Oasis Lagoon
Oasis Lagoon boasts the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean, located in the heart of CocoCay. It features a swim-up bar, in-water loungers, and various seating areas around the pool. The lagoon also has a built-in sound system that plays music both above and below the water, adding to the lively atmosphere. Think of this more of the “beach party” scene, although still very family-friendly, whereas Chill Island is, as expected by its name, the chill spot for relaxation.
Coco Beach Club
Coco Beach Club is the spot for an upscale and exclusive beach experience. It features a private beach, a freshwater infinity pool, and luxurious overwater cabanas. The club also includes an exclusive restaurant serving a premium menu with items like lobster and filet mignon, providing a refined dining experience. Access to Coco Beach Club requires a separate admission fee, which varies depending on the season and demand and can get pricey, even at around $300 per person during peak season.
Hideaway Beach
Hideaway Beach is an adults-only area of CocoCay, and it offers a more secluded and peaceful environment with amenities such as heated pools, a private beach, two food venues, and a swim-up bar. This area is perfect for adults looking to escape the more family-oriented sections of the island. Entry to Hideaway Beach comes with a premium fee, typically between $39 and $89 per person, depending on the season and demand. This fee grants access to all the exclusive amenities and services provided in this adult-only section.
Climate and What to Wear
CocoCay enjoys a tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round, ranging from the mid-70s to mid-80s Fahrenheit. Light, breathable clothing, swimsuits, and sun protection are recommended to stay comfortable in sunny weather.
Related: Shop my favorite cruise styles and outfits.
Language and Currency
The official language of the Bahamas is English, making communication straightforward for most visitors. The Bahamian dollar is the official currency, but you typically won’t need cash on CocoCay. It’s generally a free beach day, and most purchases can be billed to your stateroom account using your Seapass card. There are shops selling souvenirs, so you may spend money on that, and some cruisers choose to spend money on specialty foods at the paid dining options like Captain Jack’s.
Time Zone
Keeping track of time zones can get complicated when cruising, especially for itineraries with multiple time zone changes on one sailing. Your captain will make announcements during the cruise to update you on these changes, but it’s good to be aware of these differences ahead of time when planning your stop at the port, especially for excursions.
Most cruise lines operate on “ship time” set to the time of their departing port, so it’s generally good practice to keep your phone or watch set to ship time. As for the port, the Bahamas operates on Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). Keeping track of the time is crucial, especially ensuring you stay coordinated with ship time. It’s a bit easier not to miss the “return to ship” time when you’re on a private island, but it is still possible!
