For those looking for an elevated experience while at Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas, look no further than the Coco Beach Club.
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The exclusive beach club is home to the first twenty floating cabanas in the Bahamas, an oceanfront infinity pool, beachfront cabanas, and an upscale restaurant with bar.
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The island itself has the capacity to hold close to 12,000 guests, but the Coco Beach Club was designed to handle just a few hundred. It's the ultimate brag-worthy experience while visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay.
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I paid $185 for a day pass to the Coco Beach Club at Perfect Day at CocoCay, and here's why I'm already looking forward to going back!
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As soon as we walked in, we were greeted with warm towelettes. While a small gesture, it is one that showcases the level of service and ambiance that they are hoping to provide to guests. If you turn to the left, you will find a small set up of coffee, tea, water, and pastries.
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The refreshments are not self-served; they have an attendant close by ready to assist you with grabbing pastries and pouring a cup of coffee or cucumber water. It's perfect for those who skipped breakfast to maximize their time at Coco Beach Club or who want a little something sweet throughout the morning before lunch.
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If you opted to purchase a cabana, you will probably be escorted there first. The walk along the pathway hardly feels like you are at the beach, as it is encapsulated by lush trees and plants.
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There are a few designated smoking areas situated along the path to the cabanas.
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Even if you didn't rent a cabana for the day, you still have access to the same amenities in the Coco Beach Club. For instance, the towels available for use are nicer than the ones on the ship-- they are bigger and softer!
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Each beach chair has a towel on it when you arrive, so you don't have to worry about bringing one from the ship or visiting an attendant.
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However, there is a towel stand available if you need another! Just remember to leave the towels at the end of the day before you head back to the ship. Near the towel stand, there were also life vests and floating mats available to guests. Both are included with the cost of admission.
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Additional life vests and mats were available near the coffee and pastries. If you didn't have access to the Coco Beach Club, the floating mats are usually $15.00-$20.00 for the day.
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There was also a wide range of seating options, including plush chairs, couches, and the traditional loungers found on the beach.
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Even the restrooms were nicer than the ones found elsewhere on the island! At Coco Beach Club, there are two separate washroom facilities. The first is located close to the restaurant, while the second is off of the path leading towards the overwater cabanas.
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I preferred the ones closer to the cabanas, as each restroom was a private room inside of a hut; there weren't any stalls!
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The heated oceanfront infinity pool at Coco Beach Club puts all pool onboard the ships to shame. While I was there, it never felt too crowded, and you could easily move about freely without bumping into someone. Plus, it's only steps from the bar (and yes, you can use drink packages here!).
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If I had visited in July, I don't think I would have appreciated the heated pool as much. The ocean, while comfortable, took some time to get used to. The pool, however, was the perfect temperature all day. Multiple people in my travel party spent longer in the pool than in the ocean!
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There is even a shower to rinse off after hanging out on the beach before heading into the pool.
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I arrived around 9:00am, and much of the seating around the pool -- including the in-pool loungers -- had already been claimed. It is, understandably, a popular spot amongst Coco Beach Club guests. I would advise getting off the ship as soon as possible if you want to spend your morning here. You can always move to a lounger on the beach later in the day.
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There is always a chance, however, that chairs will open up. I spotted two empty in-pool loungers around 10:30am!
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The outdoor restaurant at Coco Beach Club is comparable to any specialty restaurant onboard, if not better, and is included in the cost of admission! Note that you will need to stop by and make a timed reservation for lunch.
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I ate at the Chill Grill last time I visited Perfect Day at CocoCay, and I don't know how I will ever be content with those tacos again knowing this restaurant exists!
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To start, we were brought five different appetizers to share: a shrimp cocktail, baba ghanoush, ceviche, hummus, and tzatziki. The dips were served with fresh vegetables and pita bread! My favorite was the tzatziki, which I found to be light and refreshing.
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We were asked if we would like a second serving of anything, and I'm glad we said no because of how large the entree portions were. I ordered the Coco Lobster Sandwich, and while I enjoyed it, I wish I had ordered the Grilled Bahamian Lobster instead. The coconut crusted lobster paired with pineapple salsa was a little to sweet for my liking, but the french fries were delicious.
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Rather than serving the lobster with the traditional melted butter, it came with a garlic-saffron aioli, which was easily the star of the show. It complimented the tender lobster and french fries so well.
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There were five options for dessert: a Bahamian soaked rum cake, chocolate chip cookies, caramel and chocolate brownie, exotic fruit salad, and a tropical fruit sorbet. I went with the Bahamian soaked rum cake because, well, I was in the Bahamas! To me, the cake absorbed the rum well, and there was not an overbearing taste of liquor. However, others in my party disagreed.
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If you want a lighter dessert, the fruit salad is a great option.
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As mentioned earlier, you can elevate your stay at the Coco Beach Club even further with a cabana rental. If you purchase a floating cabana, access to the Coco Beach Club is included for up to eight guests. There are a limited number of them, so it's pertinent that you book them in advance.
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There are also beach cabanas that are usually more affordable than the overwater ones and include up to eight guests. If you have a larger party, there is a charge of $50 per person plus a Coco Beach Club day pass for a maximum for two additional people.
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It is fun to watch the staff ride their bikes over to the cabanas with a tray full of drinks!
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The upscale ambiance, delicious food, and exclusivity make the Coco Beach Club worth the splurge. Less than 8,500 guests were on the island when I was there, so I'd definitely purchase the pass again if there were two larger ships in port.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
