CocoCay is Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas designed exclusively for the cruise line's guests.
After completely renovating the island and reopening in May 2019, Royal Caribbean dubbed the new experience "Perfect Day at CocoCay."
In fact, CocoCay was the first island of Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day Collection, which is meant to bring a next-level private island experience to cruise itineraries. The next private destination, Perfect Day Mexico, is slated to open in 2027.
Royal Caribbean spent a pretty penny renovating CocoCay, with a reported $250 million investment poured into transforming the Bahamas island into a tropical resort-like experience.
There's no shortage of thrills at CocoCay, including a massive waterpark, aqua play parks, zip line, helium balloon, and wave pool. However, those who prefer to relax will appreciate the island’s freshwater pool, chill island beach, floating tiki bar, overwater cabanas, and plenty of complimentary chairs and umbrellas.
Perfect Day at CocoCay is a wonderful addition to any Caribbean or Bahamas cruise itinerary. In fact, Royal Caribbean's newest ship, Utopia of the Seas, sails exclusively to Nassau and CocoCay from Port Canaveral!
Royal Caribbean designed CocoCay to be as convenient as possible, with everything tied to your SeaPass card, including the shops at the market.
This means you can leave your cash and credit cards in your cabin's safe! However, you may want to bring a beach bag to carry around your towel and any other miscellaneous items!
CocoCay has so much to do that you cannot do everything in one port stop. It is best to prioritize what you want to do and, most importantly, how much money you want to spend.
Since everything you need is complimentary, you do not have to spend a single dollar on the island. That being said, some luxurious upgrades will enhance your experience, such as the Coco Beach Club, water park, adults-only Hideaway Beach, and even overwater cabanas.
Here are the best Perfect Day at CocoCay tips to make sure you have the perfect day ashore!
Don't waste the day
CocoCay has much to see and do, so do not sleep the day away and waste your time on the island! Even for older cruisers, there is still value in getting off the ship and enjoying what the island has to offer as soon as you can.
For example, the earlier you get off, the more chairs you'll have to choose from. This is ideal for families with younger children who want to be steps away from the water.
Maximizing your time ashore also means that you won't feel rushed. Perhaps you booked the Coco Beach Club, and while it's nothing more than an upscale place to lounge, it isn't worth the cost of admission for two or three hours.
Having the entire day ashore means you can rotate between the heated infinity pool and crystal-clear Bahamian waters while still having time to enjoy the sit-down restaurant.
Some cruisers write off CocoCay as a waste of a port day, but that couldn’t be further from the truth! Vacation is meant to be relaxing and carefree, so if anything, enjoy CocoCay as a down day where you can just soak in the sun, have a drink, swim in the pool, or lay on the beach.
You can do more thrilling things in other ports or find a complimentary beach chair to lounge on while sipping on a Coco Loco! Moral of the story: utilize your time at CocoCay so you can see and do everything you want!
Read more: Royal Caribbean’s CocoCay vs Carnival's Half Moon Cay: Which should you choose?
Utilize the transportation
When Royal Caribbean renovated CocoCay, they added a brand-new pier, so cruise ships no longer needed tender boats to get ashore.
After you get off the ship, you can walk directly to the island along the pier or take one of the trams to the entrance. This is a great option, especially for those with mobility issues or those who simply do not want to walk in the heat.
The pier trams run all day between the island and cruise ships, so you can access the trams throughout the day.
CocoCay also has an island tram that runs every 15 minutes and circles around the entire island. You can travel between the Arrivals Plaza, Oasis Lagoon, Chill Island, South Beach, Hideaway Beach, Coco Beach Club, and the Up, Up & Away Balloon.
For those who want to get a lay of the land, taking the island tram will help get you quickly acquainted.
Also, those who need a sand wheelchair or sand stroller can access those on the island. Most of the island is paved but some parts do have sandy trails.
Try the swim-up pool bar
If you are looking for a good time with easy access to delicious cocktails, you will probably love Oasis Lagoon.
Oasis Lagoon is free to use and has a massive swim-up bar where you can get drinks with the swipe of your SeaPass card. It’s dangerously easy to have a great time here!
The pool has tons of chairs and umbrellas surrounding the premises with some even partially submerged in the water. You can also rent a cabana for an additional cost.
Most importantly, you can use your Royal Caribbean drink package onshore at CocoCay for drinks, and those with Crown and Anchor drink vouchers can also use their daily vouchers at the bars.
You can make all your friends back home jealous with access to your Internet package ashore, too. You will not have to be disconnected for a single second.
Eat the day away
Just like you won't go hungry on your Royal Caribbean ship, you won't have to hear your stomach grumble for long while ashore at CocoCay.
The island has three Snack Shacks that serve crispy chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, fries, mozzarella sticks, and the best funnel cakes! If you are looking for something off the menu, order the "secret sandwich," similar to a chicken parmesan sandwich.
It is the crispy chicken sandwich served with mozzarella sticks on top! Be sure to get an extra side of marinara sauce. Another popular option is the funnel cakes, which are served hot with a generous topping of powdered sugar!
Skipper’s Grill is another option ashore that serves up burgers, tacos, sandwiches, and an array of salads in buffet style. Finally, the Chill Grill buffet serves jerk chicken sandwiches, tacos, and Portobello & mozzarella sandwiches.
Captain Jack’s is a specialty dining option where you can purchase a variety of boneless wings a la carte. Finally, those who have admission to Coco Beach Club have complimentary access to The Coco Beach Club Grille for a made-to-order lunch and morning pastries.
CocoCay only serves lunch, so you will want to have breakfast onboard before heading out for the day. Most venues shut down around 3pm; however, this varies by sailing. Be sure to check the Royal Caribbean app!
Check out South Beach
If Oasis Lagoon is not your vibe, head to South Beach for a different spot to soak up the rays. The water is perfectly blue on South Beach with tons of chairs and umbrellas to relax.
Take a dip in the ocean and swim to the island's floating tiki bar! You’ll have to swim a bit to reach the bar, but it is manageable and in a calm bay.
South Beach also has an area for beach activities like volleyball and basketball. The Cruise Compass for the day even has organized pick-up games that you can participate in, so be sure to check that out early in the morning. You don't want to miss an activity!
South Beach has some stretches of quiet areas because it’s further from where the ships dock. You won’t find a party atmosphere like Oasis Lagoon or Hideaway Beach, so if a more serene beach day is your vibe, check out this area!
Free activities for children
Those traveling with little cruisers who don’t want to pay for excursions or admission to the Thrill Waterpark can enjoy plenty of kid-friendly activities that are completely free!
Splashaway Bay is a signature feature for Royal Caribbean cruise ships, offering tons of fun water activities for kids on the pool deck. Splashaway Bay on CocoCay is similar, but it was amplified to be even bigger and better! Your kids will love running around on this water playground and all the splash pads.
Captain Jill’s Galleon is another fun spot for little cruisers that is complimentary on CocoCay. Located right outside of the waterpark and at the end of the pier, your kids can enjoy a full pirate ship filled with water activities, including water cannons. This aqua park will be a hit with your little cruisers!
Souvenir shopping
Those who love to buy trinkets, t-shirts, or other souvenirs when traveling will appreciate a stroll through the straw market. These stands are operated by locals, so you will support the local economy as well.
It is nice to spend time strolling through this little market and shopping, especially if your schedule allows.
In my experience, the souvenirs were pricier than I anticipated. Expect to spend around $15 on a magnet and $25+ on a t-shirt. If you are looking for a long-sleeved shirt, they are more expensive and start around $40 each.
If you need sunscreen, a pair of sunglasses, a hat, or even a snorkel mask, you can grab that in this area, too. Again, though, expect to pay a premium compared to what you would on land. A single bottle of sunscreen costs around $35.00. Most stores here accept Seapass cards for payment, as well as cash!
Keep an eye out for wildlife
Perfect Day at CocoCay has more than beautiful turquoise waters and unique thrills. There's tons of lush vegetation where you can often find wildlife hanging out!
Be sure to keep an eye out for wild chickens, iguanas, and seagulls. That being said, you should never feed any of them!
Snorkeling
If you enjoy snorkeling, be sure to either bring your own equipment or rent gear from Royal Caribbean. Bringing your own, however, means that you can enjoy the snorkeling area at no additional cost!
Don't worry, there are lifeguards and platforms out there if you need a break. You are sure to see plenty of marine life, especially near the underwater plane wreck, including stingrays, fish, and sometimes even a sea turtle!
CocoCay excursions
If you want to experience some of CocoCay’s exhilarating thrills and luxurious amenities, you will need to pay for those. Admission charges apply to Thrill Waterpark, which includes the incredible Daredevil's Tower (one of the tallest waterslides in North America), Dueling Demons slides,an Adventure Pool, and a wave pool.
You can expect to spend more than $100 per person for admission to the waterpark; although, Royal Caribbean's dynamic pricing and pre-cruise sales can bring that price down. On an upcoming cruise onboard Icon of the Seas, the onboard pricing is advertised at $174.90 per person.
Catch CocoCay from above with a bird's eye view by flying through the sky on the zip line or soaring above the island on the Up, Up, and Away Balloon. These will both cost you extra, with prices ranging anywhere from $50 to $130 each.
Admission to the exclusive Coco Beach Club is costly, but it includes access to an exclusive beach, infinity pool, clubhouse, beach chairs, and umbrellas. You’ll also have complimentary dining at The Coco Beach Club Grille, where you will receive appetizers, made-to-order entrees (including options like lobster, filet mignon, roasted chicken breast, and cheeseburgers), and dessert.
Using the same Icon of the Seas cruise, a pass to Coco Beach Club is advertised at $229 when purchased onboard. Pricing, of course, can vary, so it is important to browse through Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner once you have placed your deposit to see how much they charge for excursions during your sailing.
Those looking to relax can indulge in renting a private daybed or cabana. While private daybeds will cost about $200 for the day, a cabana will cost anywhere from $700 to well over $3,000. The cabana can accommodate up to 8 people and includes sofas for lounging and a waiter to bring food and drinks.
The ultimate luxurious experience in CocoCay is renting a floating cabana, which can cost anywhere from $1,900 to $3,500. You will feel like you’re vacationing in Bora Bora with a private cabana that features a sofa, dining area, waterslide, and concierge. This also includes access to everything in Coco Beach Club, so you can bounce from the ocean to the infinity pool!
Pro tip: if you get an overwater cabana, consider eating lunch in The Coco Beach Club Grille, as the pelicans get feisty when there is food lying on the table!
Kayaking, snorkeling, jet skiing, and parasailing are all additional excursions that are available for purchase on CocoCay too. Other excursions from CocoCay include scuba diving, and swimming with the pigs!
Perfect Day at CocoCay Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Perfect Day at CocoCay prices?
There is no admission fee to go to CocoCay. Access to the island is complimentary, and most of the experiences are included with your cruise cost.
Here's what's included and what costs extra:
Can I bring my drone and use it at Cococay?
Drones cannot be operated onboard the ship at any time, nor on Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas.
How do I find ships that visit Perfect Day at CocoCay?
Many Royal Caribbean ships sail to CocoCay, so you just need to do a search for cruises that visit The Bahamas as a starting point.
If you go to Royal Caribbean's website and search for cruises, set the filter "Perfect Day at CocoCay." That will show you all the sailings that stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Plus, Celebrity Cruises also offers voyages to CocoCay. This means that you can experience the island on an award-winning Celebrity ship! This is ideal for older visitors who might want a more refined onbord experience focused on world-class dining and craft cocktail bars.
Can I use my drink package at Perfect Day at CocoCay?
Yes! Royal Caribbean and Celebrity drink packages purchased onboard or in advance via the Cruise Planner will be active on the island. A pro tip is to frequently check the pricing of the package. If you purchase it and find that the daily cost decreases later, you can simply cancel the package you bought for a refund and secure the lower rate.
Are there overnight stays at Perfect Day at CocoCay?
No, neither Royal Caribbean not Celebrity offer cruises that stay overnight at the private island.
Is there Wi-Fi internet access at Perfect Day at CocoCay?
Yes, and if you have an internet package you purchased for your cruise, it works at CocoCay too for no additional cost!
How does admission to Thrill Waterpark work on Perfect Day at CocoCay?
If you purchased admission to Thrill Waterpark, then you can come in and leave the park as you please. When you enter the park, you'll just need to swipe your SeaPass card. When you want to leave, use your SeaPass card again.
If you purchased Thrill Waterpark admission before the cruise, then your ticket is already pre-loaded on your SeaPass card, so there's nothing extra to bring with you. We recommend to get to the park as early as possible before the crowds start to show up. Later in the afternoon, you can choose to go in the wave pool or relax on the beach!
Are there lockers you can use Perfect Day at CocoCay?
Yes, you will find lockers to use around Perfect Day at CocoCay that are free to use, including one set inside Thrill Waterpark.
You don't need to bring a lock. Each locker is controlled via a code. You’ll also find complimentary freshwater showers, restrooms, and changing rooms available to use.
Are there beach chairs, towels, and umbrellas available at Perfect Day at CocoCay?
Beach chairs and umbrellas are complimentary to everyone and can be found at any of the beaches and pools.
Complimentary beach towels are available onboard your ship, can be brought onto the island, and exchanged throughout the day as desired at three towel exchange stations.
If you rented a cabana, then towels will be provided for you and you do not have to bring towels off the ship.
What are the height, weight, or age restrictions for the water slides or rides at Perfect Day at CocoCay?
Some experiences, such as water slides, have height restrictions.
Guests under 14 years old must be accompanied by another guest who is at least 14 years old to enter.
There are no restrictions for the Up, Up, and Away helium balloon, Oasis Lagoon freshwater pool, and Captain Jill’s Galleon.
Can you experience the CocoCay lazy river?
Unfortunately, Perfect Day at CocoCay does not have a lazy river. There is a complimentary freshwater pool at Oasis Lagoon, though!
Other pools on the island include the heated infinity pool at Coco Beach Club and the adults-only pool at Hideaway Beach.
What is the adults-only Hideaway Beach?
Hideaway Beach is an adults-only getaway located at Perfect Day at CocoCay. It's not free, and guests must pay to enter. Admission can be affordable; however, it varies based on the ship and sail date. It will be more expensive if you purchase it onboard, sometimes over $100 per person!
It has a capacity of around 1,800 guests and is comprised of three main areas:
- Beach
- Infinity pool
- Cabanas
Admission also includes food from Hideaway Hut and Slice of Paradise.
Allie Hubers
Allie Hubers has been cruising since she was a tiny toddler. What started as a yearly vacation with family quickly turned into a passion for travel, cruising and adventure. Allie's been on over 45 cruises all over the world. She even studied abroad on Semester at Sea, sailing the world on a ship while taking courses for college and visiting 4 continents.
