CocoCay: Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day Island

Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas is a highlight of any Eastern or Western Caribbean cruise. Unlike most private islands, your ship docks directly at the pier — no tender boats, no waiting. Step off and you’re on the island within minutes.

Island Overview

Location: Berry Islands, Bahamas Official Website: royalcaribbean.com/cococay-cruises Typical Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Currency: US Dollar (everything charged to your SeaPass card) What’s Free: All beaches, pools, basic food, tram, kids splash areas What Costs Extra: Thrill Waterpark, Coco Beach Club, Hideaway Beach, cabanas, balloon ride, zip line WiFi: Ship WiFi packages work on the island too Getting Around: Free tram runs every 15 minutes with 5 stops — Arrivals Plaza, South Beach, Coco Beach Club, Up Up & Away, Chill Island, and Oasis Lagoon. Or just walk — the island is compact.

Free vs. Paid

Free Activities

• All beaches — South Beach, Chill Island, Harbour Beach
• Oasis Lagoon — Largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean, with a swim-up bar
• Splashaway Bay — Free kids water park with 5 small slides, spray features, and shallow play areas. Kids can easily spend 30+ minutes here
• Pirate Ship — Toddler-friendly play area with spray features and a small slide, right near the arrival area
• Snorkeling at Chill Island — Bring your own gear or borrow free from the ship. There’s a shipwreck to explore and you may spot tropical fish and even small manta rays
• Beach loungers — First-come, first-served on all beaches
• Lunch at Chill Grill — Burgers, hot dogs, BBQ chicken, tacos, salads, fruit. Fresh ingredients — not as much variety as the ship but tasty
• Captain Jack’s & Skipper’s Grill — Additional free food spots around the island
• Floating bars — Buy drinks, seating is free
• Beach sports — Volleyball, etc.
• Life jackets — Free to borrow at all beaches

Paid Experiences

Thrill Waterpark ($37-$159 per person, averages ~$75)

• Daredevil’s Peak — Tallest waterslide in North America (135 ft!). Thrilling but not for the faint-hearted
• Daredevil’s Tower — Multiple slide options at different thrill levels
• Wave pool — Largest wave pool in the Caribbean
• Adventure Pool with obstacle course
• Kids aqua park area
• Pricing note: Dynamic pricing — on sale 91% of the time. Under $55 is a great deal. Pre-book on the Royal Caribbean app for up to 40% off. If the price drops after you book, contact customer service for a price match

Coco Beach Club ($99+ per person)

• Private beach area, much less crowded
• Infinity pool overlooking the ocean
• Upscale lunch included at the club restaurant
• Cabanas and daybeds available (additional cost)
• Worth it if: You want a premium, quieter, adults-focused experience

Hideaway Beach (18+ only, separate admission)

• Adults-only beach area for a more relaxed vibe
• Less crowded, calmer atmosphere
• Great option for couples

Up, Up & Away Helium Balloon ($99+)

• Rises 450 feet for panoramic views of the entire island and your ship
• Great for photos — clear days offer stunning vistas
• Note: Cancelled in high winds, so if weather looks iffy, go early

Other Paid Options

• Zip line across the island ($39-$79, averages ~$48)
• Swimming Pigs excursion ($100+) — Visit nearby pig island, swim with pigs, take photos.

A huge hit on social media (book the early 9:30 AM slot for less smell and smaller crowds). Be careful when holding pigs in the water — they kick!

• Overwater cabanas ($600-$1,500+)
• Floating cabanas over the water
• Beach mat rental — $20 on island, or pre-book on app for $8.99 (great value, fits a family of 3)
• Float rental — $21, charged to SeaPass

Best Strategies

For Families with Kids

1. Get off the ship early — First off means first pick of loungers
2. Start at Splashaway Bay — Free, right near arrival, kids love it
3. Then hit the Pirate Ship for toddlers
4. Book Thrill Waterpark if kids are old enough — go in the morning when lines are shortest (8:30-10:30 AM)
5. Grab loungers at South Beach — Near the food, beautiful water
6. Lunch at Chill Grill — Free, easy, and the food is good
7. Afternoon at Oasis Lagoon — Free pool time, swim-up bar for parents

For Couples/Adults

1. Consider Coco Beach Club — Quieter, premium experience with included lunch
2. Or try Hideaway Beach — Adults-only, relaxed vibe
3. Go to Chill Island — Free, less crowded than South Beach
4. Rent a floating mat — Relax on the crystal-clear water
5. Swim-up bar at Oasis Lagoon — Great atmosphere, music, drinks
6. Book the balloon — Perfect couples activity on a clear day

For Budget Travelers

1. Everything free is genuinely amazing — You won’t feel like you missed out
2. South Beach & Chill Island — Gorgeous white sand, turquoise water
3. Oasis Lagoon — Largest pool in the Caribbean with swim-up bar
4. Chill Grill — Unlimited free food, surprisingly good
5. Bring snorkel gear from the ship (free to borrow) — explore the shipwreck at Chill Island
6. Skip all paid add-ons — Honestly, the free stuff alone makes for a perfect day
7. Pre-book a beach mat on the app ($8.99) — Only paid item worth it on a budget

Sample Day

Thrill Seeker Day

• 8:00 AM: First off the ship, straight to Thrill Waterpark
• 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Waterpark slides and wave pool (least crowded morning)
• 12:30 PM: Lunch at Chill Grill (free)
• 1:00 PM: Oasis Lagoon pool time and swim-up bar
• 2:30 PM: South Beach or snorkeling at Chill Island
• 4:00 PM: Last drinks at floating bar
• 4:30 PM: Return to ship

Relaxation Day (Budget-Friendly)

• 8:30 AM: Walk off the ship
• 9:00 AM: Take tram to South Beach, secure loungers (less crowded, great photos)
• 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Beach, swimming, snorkeling
• 12:00 PM: Lunch at Chill Grill
• 12:30 PM: Walk to Oasis Lagoon
• 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Pool time, swim-up bar, relax
• 3:30 PM: Final beach time at Chill Island
• 4:30 PM: Return to ship

Premium Day (Coco Beach Club)

• 8:00 AM: Walk off the ship
• 8:30 AM: Check in at Coco Beach Club
• 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Private beach, infinity pool
• 12:00 PM: Lunch included at the club restaurant
• 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: More relaxation, maybe rent a floating mat
• 3:30 PM: Explore the main island areas — Oasis Lagoon, walk around
• 4:30 PM: Return to ship

Family Fun Day

• 8:00 AM: Off the ship, kids start at Pirate Ship and Splashaway Bay (free)
• 9:30 AM: Tram to South Beach — beach time, shallow calm water perfect for kids
• 11:30 AM: Lunch at Chill Grill
• 12:30 PM: Oasis Lagoon — kids in the shallow end, parents at the swim-up bar
• 2:00 PM: Thrill Waterpark if pre-booked (or more beach time)
• 4:00 PM: Last snack, return to ship

Practical Tips

What to Bring

• Sunscreen — Reef-safe recommended. The sun is intense, and many visitors report getting seriously burned
• Towels — Available on the ship; bring them ashore. You can swap for fresh ones at island service stations
• Water shoes — Some rocky entry points at Chill Island snorkeling area
• Waterproof phone case — Essential for water activities and beach photos
• Snorkel gear — Borrow free from the ship’s towel station or rent on island
• SeaPass card — All charges go here, it’s your only “wallet” on the island
• Hat and rashguard — Extra sun protection, highly recommended

What NOT to Bring

• Cash — Not needed, everything goes on SeaPass
• Valuables — No secure storage on most beaches (lockers available near Thrill Waterpark)
• Food/drinks from ship — Not allowed to bring off
• Bluetooth speakers — Confiscated at the gangway as of 2025 (retrieved at Guest Services later)

Getting There Early

• Get in line 30 minutes before island opening is announced
• First off the ship = best lounger selection everywhere
• Waterpark is least crowded 8:30-10:30 AM
• South Beach is furthest from the pier — take the tram to beat the crowd

Food & Drinks

• Free: Chill Grill (burgers, hot dogs, BBQ chicken, tacos, salads, fruit)
• Free: Captain Jack’s and Skipper’s Grill (similar options)
• Free secret menu: Ask at Snack Shack for the “secret sandwich” — a chicken parmigiana sandwich that’s a hidden favorite
• Paid: Bar drinks (charged to SeaPass). Your cruise drink package works on the island!
• Paid: Coco Beach Club restaurant (included with club admission)
• Tip: Eat on the island — the food is fresh and it’s part of the experience

Saving Money

• Pre-book on the app — Activities are often 30-40% cheaper than on-island pricing
• Price match: If you pre-book and the price drops later, contact Royal Caribbean customer service for a refund of the difference
• Group discounts: For activities like the helium balloon, try asking on-site staff — groups of 8-10 have gotten up to 20% off
• Drink package: If you bought one for your cruise, use it on the island. Don’t buy separate island drinks

Weather & Best Time

• Best months: March through June — warm, less chance of storms
• Hurricane season: June through November, though most cruises still visit
• Winter (Dec-Feb): Water around 25°C/77°F — comfortable during the day, cooler by late afternoon. Wind can pick up
• Rain: Brief tropical showers are common, usually pass quickly
• Wind advisory: Some activities (balloon, zip line) close in high winds. If weather looks bad, do paid activities first thing in the morning

Changing & Facilities

• Restrooms, changing rooms, and showers are available across the island
• Freshwater rinse-off showers near the beaches
• The island has drinking water fountains scattered throughout

Should You Pre-Book?

Pre-Book (Recommended)

• Thrill Waterpark — Often sells out, much cheaper online
• Coco Beach Club — Limited capacity, book early
• Cabanas — Very limited, sell out months ahead
• Swimming Pigs — Popular, limited spots
• Zip line / Balloon — Can sell out on busy days
• Beach mats — $8.99 vs $20 on island

Buy on Island (If Available)

• Drink packages work here
• Small rentals (floats, snorkel gear)
• Last-minute waterpark tickets if not sold out

Don’t Miss

1. Oasis Lagoon — Even if you skip everything paid, this pool is incredible
2. South Beach — Furthest from the pier, most beautiful, least crowded in the morning
3. Chill Island snorkeling — Free, with a shipwreck and tropical fish
4. Floating Bar — Drinks in the water, Caribbean vibes
5. Daredevil’s Peak — If you’re brave and booked the waterpark
6. The walk from Chill Island back to the pier — Cross the bridge, look down at clear water and colorful fish below

Skip If Short on Time

• Walking the entire island without a plan (pick your spots, use the tram)
• Shopping (limited and overpriced souvenir shops)
• Waiting in long lines for the waterpark in the afternoon (go morning or skip)
• Stressing about doing everything — pick free OR paid and enjoy it

Royal Caribbean’s private island lives up to the hype — and the free stuff alone is worth the visit. Book Thrill Waterpark if you love slides, consider the swimming pigs if you want an unforgettable photo, otherwise just enjoy perfect beaches, a massive pool, and unlimited food without spending a dime.