At first glance, it may seem like Perfect Day at CocoCay has something for everyone. Royal Caribbean’s 125-acre private island in the Bahamas is filled with thrilling adventures and relaxing beaches for vacationers.
You’ll find overwater cabanas, quiet places to chill, and shorelines bumping party music. Adrenaline seekers can race down gigantic waterslides, zip line across the island, and soar above it in a hot air balloon.
I visited CocoCay during my first cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas in May 2022. Although it provided pretty much every activity I could think of for a Caribbean vacation, the island felt like an extension of the ship. I longed for a more authentic Bahamian experience.
Perfect Day at CocoCay is Royal Caribbean’s 125-acre private island in the Bahamas.
Royal Caribbean isn’t the only cruise line with a private island in the Bahamas. Carnival, Disney, and Norwegian each have their own exclusive Bahamian paradise.
The island is only accessible to cruisers on Royal Caribbean ships.
CocoCay was the final stop of my seven-night Caribbean cruise that sailed out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. We also stopped in Roatán, Honduras, and Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico.
As cruisers step onto the island, a band greets them with Caribbean tunes.
I thought the band set the chill, Caribbean vibe as I walked off the dock.
Most attractions on the island are complimentary, including the food and many of the pools and beaches.
Guests could munch on the island’s burgers, hot dogs, salads, and sandwiches. There were also desserts like cookies, brownies, and funnel cakes.
Some exciting features cost extra, like the waterpark and hot air balloon rides.
Other excursions also incurred an additional price, such as zip-lining, snorkeling, and jet skiing.
Maps, signage, and color-coded paths make the island easy to navigate.
Green leads to Chill Island, orange leads to Oasis Lagoon, and blue leads to Thrill Waterpark.
Getting around is easy, too. You can either walk or ride a free tram to different parts of the island.
I thought the tram was a nice touch, but I preferred getting around on foot so I could take my time enjoying the paths in between beaches and activities.
If you’re looking to relax, head to Chill Island. It’s free to access.
Chill Island is the place to spend a laid-back day in a lounge chair in the sand. It has no music, making it the quietest beach on CocoCay. The beach is lined with umbrellas and chairs, all of which are free to use.
If you want more privacy, you can rent a daybed on the beach.
You can also book an over-the-water cabana for an added price.
These floating cabanas cost $1,000 to rent when I visited.
Of course, there is a swim-up bar offshore.
Cruise ship drink packages extend to CocoCay.
For a more active beach day, check out South Beach on the other side of the island.
Here, you’ll find plenty of activities, like basketball, volleyball, and jumbo-sized billiards, among others.
Both beaches offer complimentary amenities, including life vests.
This could be especially useful for families traveling with kids.
Both beaches have snorkeling shacks. I was able to rent gear for $37.
I went snorkeling at Chill Island and saw some neat fish close to the shore.
The beaches have vibrant souvenir shops.
I spotted T-shirts, beachy accessories, and essentials, such as sunscreen, for sale.
If you prefer the pool, head to Oasis Lagoon.
It is home to the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean, according to the cruise line. The pool features several inviting coves and upbeat music. There’s also a swim-up bar.
Next to Oasis Lagoon, Splashaway Bay is a water playground.
The playground resembles the Splashaway Bay found on Royal Caribbean ships. It is free for guests.
Next door is Thrill Waterpark, where you’ll find the waterslides for the “big kids.”
This area is home to waterslides and a wave pool. When I visited, access cost up to $140.
Thrill-seekers may also be interested in the hot air balloon ride that reaches 450 feet into the air.
When I was on the island, it cost up to $84 per person. I booked a ride, but unfortunately, the winds were too high for the balloon to operate. Royal Caribbean refunded my ride.
Back on the ship, I took in a panoramic view of CocoCay before departing.
I could see some of the other 700 Bahamian islands in the distance, and I wondered what it would be like to visit them.
While I had a fun and relaxing day at CocoCay, it felt more like an extension of the cruise ship than a visit to another country.
Since I’m not into the thrills of waterslides and zip lines, I would have rather spent time on a Caribbean island where I could have learned more about the culture.
For those looking for a resort-style destination, CocoCay has it all. From sports to peaceful beaches, the island is sure to fulfill all your vacation desires.
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