When people think of Royal Caribbean's private island, they often envision the massive waterpark, hot air balloon, overwater cabanas, and zipline. While Perfect Day at CocoCay has a slew of activities for cruisers to enjoy, not all of them are included in the cost of your cruise.
I've visited Perfect Day at CocoCay eight times within the past two and a half years. Though I've explored the Coco Beach Club, relaxed at the adults-only Hideaway Beach, and ridden the slides at Thrill Waterpark, I've also kept my costs low by sticking to the free activities on other trips.
Thankfully, it's easy to plan a fun and relaxing day ashore without spending extra money. Unlike other ports of call, Perfect Day at CocoCay offers free activities and amenities that will keep you entertained while still sticking to your budget.
For example, did you know that there are free dining options ashore? Whether you want a quick snack or a traditional beachside BBQ, you can enjoy a bite to eat while on the island, instead of packing up to return to the ship for lunch.
Is Perfect Day at CocoCay free?
Yes, it's free to visit Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas, so long as it's on your cruise ship's itinerary!
When you pay for your cruise, you are paying for the port fees associated with docking at CocoCay, so you don't have to pay anything extra to explore the island. In other words, admission to Perfect Day at CocoCay is included in the cruise's price.
This is different from places like Nassau, which charge admission to its private beaches. You can expect to spend upwards of $70 on admission to beaches like Blue Lagoon Island, and even then, everything isn't included.
When your cruise ship is cleared, you can disembark and head straight to Chill Island or South Beach to relax on the beautiful Bahamian sand without worrying about extra costs.
That said, there are plenty of attractions at CocoCay that aren't free. For example, if you want to ride the slides at Thrill Waterpark, you must buy admission through Royal Caribbean or Celebrity.
Similarly, the adults-only Hideaway Beach requires a day pass for access to its exclusive amenities, including a swim-up bar and tasty pizza.
What to do at CocoCay for free?
CocoCay has something for every cruiser. In other words, don't assume that because CocoCay is a Bahamian island, the only included activity is the beach. In fact, that couldn't be further from the truth.
One of the first things cruisers see as they make their way onto CocoCay from the pier is Captain Jill’s Galleon, a kid-friendly waterpark brimming with water cannons and slides.
Behind Captain Jack's is another exciting area for children: Splashaway Bay. Like on Royal Caribbean ships, Splashaway Bay is designed for younger cruisers, with interactive fountains, water spouts, and water slides.
CocoCay is also home to a massive freshwater pool called "Oasis Lagoon." During the warmer months, this sparkling pool tends to fill up fast.
There are nearby sun loungers and umbrellas for those who wish to soak up some of the Bahamian sun or leave their belongings safely to the side while in the pool.
One of the best parts about Oasis Lagoon is the swim-up bar, meaning you don't have to leave the cool water to enjoy a tropical beverage in paradise.
Active cruisers will enjoy the Sports Pavillion at Breezy Bay and South Beach, where they can play basketball, volleyball, cornhole, and more.
I also recommend checking the Royal Caribbean Cruise Compass to see what complimentary activities are available.
Of course, many visitors are most excited about the beaches. You will find three complimentary beaches at CocoCay: Harbor Beach, Chill Island, and South Beach. Each beach has complimentary umbrellas and sun loungers available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Read more: I went to CocoCay for the first time. Here's what I'd do differently
South Beach is the furthest from the pier; however, CocoCay has free trams that make getting there easy and convenient. This is where you'll find a Snack Shack location, as well as a sports court and a floating tiki bar!
Chill Island has a little something for everyone, whether you want to grab a cocktail from the Whacky Seagull Bar, browse the market for souvenirs, enjoy a fresh BBQ lunch, or lounge on the beach.
Finally, there's Harbor Beach. This inlet has calm waters and is a favorite among families with younger children. It's a great spot to watch zip-liners make their final approach. Plus, it's not far from the Chill Grill for a complimentary lunch.
Speaking of lunch, when hunger strikes, you can head directly to one of three Snack Shack locations, Skipper's Grill, or the Chill Grill for an all-you-can-eat feast.
Skipper's and the Chill Grill are beachside BBQs dishing up everything from tacos to freshly grilled burgers, fruit, cookies, fries, corn, and more.
The Snack Shack is widely popular primarily for its famous mozzarella sticks. However, you can find a full meal at the Snack Shack, including tasty options like crispy chicken sandwiches and salads.
CocoCay has a limited number of free lockers available for guests. This way, you don't have to worry about leaving your items unattended while you search for fish off the shore of Chill Island or grab a bite to eat without sacrificing your chairs.
However, because there isn't an abundance of lockers, it's recommended that you make your way off the ship earlier rather than later to secure one.
Lockers can be found at South Beach near the Sports Pavilion and to the right of Oasis Lagoon near the restrooms and smoking area.
Read more: 21 easy ways to save money on a Royal Caribbean cruise
You can have a great time at CocoCay without spending money on the extras
Though some cruisers can't imagine visiting CocoCay without paying for admission to exclusive areas like Hideaway Beach, the Coco Beach Club, or Thrill Waterpark, what makes the island "perfect" is that it appeals to all budgets and interests.
For example, though Carnival is planning to upgrade Half Moon Cay, there currently isn't much to do on the island other than relax on the single stretch of beach or play a round of volleyball. Plus, beach umbrellas aren't included!
In comparison, CocoCay has Oasis Lagoon, three different beaches, multiple sports pavilions, a floating tiki bar, and more.
And while not technically free, another great perk of CocoCay is that Royal Caribbean drink packages work ashore. This differs from Carnival, as the CHEERS! package can't be used while on Half Moon Cay.
This means that if you pre-paid for the drink package, you can enjoy a drink from one of the many bars for "free" (it's like it's free if you aren't paying for it at the moment!).
Read more: How much is a Royal Caribbean drink package?
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 traveled frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas during her freshman year of high school. Having sailed on nearly 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
