Bahamas
CocoCay
Perfect Day at CocoCay: Royal Caribbean's Private Island
A day in CocoCay — with kids
Three-block day plans (morning, midday, afternoon) for different family stages.
CocoCay is perfectly engineered for families. The Splashaway Bay area is the first stop with young children — zero-entry pools, gentle waterslides, and a pelican-shaped water dumping bucket sized for toddlers. The park opens when the ship docks; grab a lounge chair and stroller-friendly walkway spot early.
The large freshwater pool (Oasis Lagoon) has a dedicated kids' splash section on one end. Lunch is included in Royal Caribbean's island day pass — hot dogs, burgers, salads, and a kids' station near the pool. Stake out a shaded spot before 11 am; the island fills up fast on busy sailing days.
The calm-water beach on the leeward side is ideal for the afternoon. The water stays knee-deep for a long stretch — perfect for toddlers digging in the sand while parents cool off nearby. Pedal boats (extra cost) can fit an adult and a 5-to-7-year-old passenger for a short loop.
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CocoCay — officially marketed as Perfect Day at CocoCay — is Royal Caribbean's private island in the Berry Islands of the Bahamas. The ship docks at a dedicated pier, and the island is a Royal Caribbean–only destination. No other cruise lines call here.
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The island divides roughly into two areas. The free area includes several beaches, the Chill Island zone, a floating waterpark (day passes charged separately), snorkel equipment rental, and lounge chairs. The upgraded area, Thrill Waterpark, is a separate fee and contains the Caribbean's largest freshwater wave pool, a 40-foot drop slide, a children's area, and a lazy river. Pricing varies by itinerary and booking timing; purchasing in advance aboard or before sailing is consistently cheaper than buying at the gate.
Oasis Lagoon, the island's centerpiece pool, is free with your cruise fare. It accommodates several hundred people and has swim-up bars, inflatable floatables, and shaded spots at the edges. On a slow ship day it's genuinely pleasant; on a day when two ships are in port simultaneously, it's crowded. Check your ship's port schedule before committing to one zone over another.
Chill Island, across the lagoon from the main beach, is a quieter section with hammocks, loungers under palm trees, and a bar. Families and solo travelers who want beach time without the waterpark energy tend to gravitate here. The beaches on this side face west; afternoon light is better for photography.
A helium balloon tethered at the island's center rises several hundred feet for aerial views of the cays and the surrounding Bahamian blue water. It carries up to 20 passengers at once and the ride is included in a separate ticket.
What's included in base cruise fare: beach access, Oasis Lagoon, use of the floating water mat, lounge chair (first-come basis), food at the covered pavilion for lunch. What costs extra: Thrill Waterpark, personal cabanas (book months ahead — they sell out), the balloon, snorkel equipment, personal watercraft, and alcohol beyond what's on your drink package.
CocoCay weather is reliable from November through May. Summer months are warmer and wetter; the island can be rough in hurricane season. The cay offers no shelter beyond the pavilion structures if weather arrives.
Good to know
What to Expect
Ships tie up at a pier on the north side of CocoCay, so passengers walk straight ashore with no tender. The island lies about 55 miles north of Nassau and is used only by Royal Caribbean Group, so the people around you will be your fellow cruise guests.
- The island is less than a mile long from east to west and less than 480 yards from north to south.
- The waterpark and pools are on the "thrill" side of the island, and the beach with cabanas is on the "chill" side.
- Your ship's daily program lists what is included and what costs extra on the day.
CocoCay on Your Own
CocoCay is a day on your own by design: the island is used only by Royal Caribbean Group's guests, and everything is within walking distance. The only planning is choosing between the beaches, the pools and the waterpark, and watching the time.
- Short distances: The whole island is less than a mile long, and nature trails run its full length and width.
- The quiet end: The east end has beaches facing a coral basin where manatees, rays and many fish can be seen.
- Sun and water: Bring sun protection and drinking water for a full day outdoors.
- Getting back on time: All-aboard is usually about 30 minutes before sailing, and your ship posts the exact time. A ship will not wait for passengers who lose track of the time, even on its own island.
Getting Around
CocoCay is small enough to cross on foot: it is less than a mile from end to end. Nature trails run the length and width of the island.
- Ships dock at the pier on the north side, so there is no tender ride.
- Ask on board about any island transport running on the day.
Tipping and Currency
In the Bahamas, most businesses add a 15 percent service charge to the bill, and any extra tip is up to you. The Bahamian dollar is pegged one to one with the US dollar, and US dollars are widely accepted at par.
- On CocoCay itself, ask on board how payments, charges and service fees work.
- English is the official language of the Bahamas.
Culture and Customs
CocoCay is a resort island run for cruise guests rather than a Bahamian community. The 2010 census, taken before the 2019 rebuild, counted 38 people on the island.
- It sits beside Great Stirrup Cay, which Norwegian Cruise Line has used as its private island since 1977.
- The Berry Islands are a group of Bahamian cays and small islands north of Nassau.
A Brief History
Before it was a cruise island, Little Stirrup Cay's shallows caught a series of 19th-century ships. Royal Caribbean took over its lease in 1988 and rebuilt it as Perfect Day at CocoCay in 2019.
- Susan Drew, 1848: On the night of 13 October 1848 the ship Susan Drew ran aground here. Her captain had the masts cut away to lighten her, and she was towed to Nassau.
- Oswego, 1855: On 7 April 1855 the Oswego, taking on water, was beached near the island to save her from sinking.
- USS Pawnee, 1871: In February 1871 the American warship Pawnee was beached and had to be towed off the sandbar by HMS Philomel.
- Prestissimo, 1872: In December 1872 the Prestissimo ran aground and threw 3,000 bushels of salt overboard to float free.
- Emerald Seas, 1986: On 30 July 1986 fire broke out aboard the cruise ship Emerald Seas soon after it left the island, and 987 passengers were evacuated to CocoCay while the fire was fought.
- Royal Caribbean, 1988: Royal Caribbean took over the island's lease in 1988, when it bought Admiral Cruises.
- Perfect Day, 2019: A rebuilding costing about 250 million US dollars added the pier, so ships could dock instead of using tenders, and a waterpark. Activists criticized the plans for their effect on the environment and on small local businesses.
Traveling With Children
CocoCay's two sides suit different ages: the "thrill" side has a waterpark and pools, and the "chill" side has beaches. Plan the day around your children's ages and how much sun they can take.
- Younger children: The beaches and pools suit a slower day; keep to calm water and shade, and bring plenty of sun protection.
- School age: The coral basin at the east end, where rays, manatees and fish can be seen, is a good place for a first look at marine life.
- Teenagers: The waterpark has two towers of waterslides, including Daredevil's Peak, the tallest waterslide in North America. Check on board for any height or age limits.
- Everyone: Nature trails cross the whole island if you want a break from the water.
Beaches and Water
CocoCay's beaches are on the "chill" side of the island, with cabanas along the sand. At the east end, the beaches face a coral basin where manatees, rays and many fish can be seen.
- The waterpark side has two pools as well as its waterslides.
- The whole island is less than a mile long.
- Ask on board which beaches and cabanas are included and which cost extra on your day.
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