Destination: CocoCay, Bahamas

Coco Cay is Royal Caribbean’s private Bohemian island. Chances are, if you are taking a Royal Caribbean cruise destined for either the Bahamas or Mexico , Coco Cay is going to be included somewhere on your itinerary.

Where is Coco Cay?

Coco Cay is a small, tranquil location composed of white sanded beaches, blue-teal waters, and subtropical weather. Brandon and I both agree that this island is scenic and laid back- definitely a stop designed for relaxation or what we would like to consider “a day of recovery”. The beaches are lined with countless hammocks and lawn chairs, some covered by shade and others positioned strategically for sun bathing. There are multiple Royal Caribbean employees walking around offering cold beverages including an amazing cocktail called “Coco loco” which apparently is Coco Cay’s signature drink. For your convenience, all purchases made on the island can be charged using your stateroom key. {This excludes purchases made from the locals in the shops which require cash}

If you’re looking for something outside of lying out or taking a nap in a hammock then you’ll be sad to learn that your options are vastly limited. Because Coco Cay is both privately owned/operated and reserved for Royal Caribbean guests, you can imagine that the shore and land excursions are both minimal and costly. The cruise goer’s favorites seem to be parasailing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and water sport rentals. There is a small water park that you could enter for a small fee which is designed for family fun. Brandon and I have both participated in different “adventures” offered in Coco Cay:

See Coco Cay excursion and price list

Brandon's Excursions:

Brandon’s Coco Cay water excursions included both kayaking and sailing. At the time, Royal Caribbean’s advertised price for kayak rentals was $15 per half hour, which I consider to be acceptable. Brandon enjoys kayaking in general, using it as a means of exploring an island is undoubtedly a plus. We recommend this activity for those who enjoy staying fit and having a good time, such as the Twenty Travel duo. Sailing on the other hand was certainly an interesting experience. The individuals renting out the sail boats told Brandon that, although it would be his first sailing experience, it wouldn’t be that difficult. Needless to say, Brandon wasn’t able to keep the sail boat steady, crashed into rocks, and eventually gave up. The cost to rent a sail boat in Coco Cay is $45 per 30 minutes. We recommend that unless you are a skilled sailor, you may want to take your pass card on this one.

Jennifer's Excursion:

While in Coco Cay I decided to partake in the parasailing activity. My experience was not as “exhilarating” or as “adventurous” as it was advertised, however the views were breathtaking and the staff was both friendly and funny. I highly suggest that if you do take this excursion you should purchase or bring a waterproof camera. Considering you’re 400 feet up in the air, it’s perfect for landscape shots of both Coco Cay and other surrounding islands.

I recommend you purchase a waterproof camera before you board the Cruise. Most destinations as well as onboard shops sell disposable and non disposable waterproof cameras but the prices are outrageous. Walmart sells Kodak disposable camera’s for less than $10 as well as non name brand waterproof camera’s for about $100.
At the time, the excursion itself cost $79 per person and lasted only 30 minutes. I’m not going to say that parasailing in Coco Cay is a waste of time, however I do believe that parasailing as an “excursion” is overrated and not worth the money.

If you are looking to do something active and FREE during your Coco Cay visit then I suggest packing your tennis shoes and a bottle of water- this island has beautiful trails that are great for hiking/exploring. Here is a a printable map of Coco Cay Island, it should make it easier to navigate and discover different areas that most cruisers miss out on.

Grab a printable map of Cocoa Cay here

There are a few huts that offer a limited selection of souvenirs and Bohemian merchandise, but nothing special nor worth the inflated price. Royal Caribbean provides a free barbeque styled lunch buffet which includes chicken, hamburgers, veggie burgers, hot dogs, etc. There doesn’t seem to be any alternative dining options available on the island. However, I do want to add that the food served at the barbeque was of quality and enjoyable.

All in all I would say that Coco Cay is a great spot for those who need a day of leisure. If you are vacationing in hopes of site seeing, learning about new cultures, or just want to party- you will most likely be dissatisfied with this location. I personally enjoyed Coco Cay for the most part. It’s not a destination that I would go out of my way to visit again, but it was a nice rest from a long voyage composed of boat drinks.

We Rate Coco Cay, Bahamas