Your Royal Caribbean cruise is stopping for a day at its private island in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay. Paradise awaits. What could go wrong? Perfect is in the title! True…but it is always best to know what to expect before you step foot on this tropical oasis with pristine beaches and the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean. Kingdom and Cruise Travel has 10 Tips for your Perfect Day at CocoCay. Reach out to me or one of the other experienced agents at Kingdom and Cruise for help booking your Royal Caribbean cruise!

There is something for everyone on this island. We will show you where you can find thrills and where you can just chill.

10 Tips for your Perfect Day at CocoCay

1. Get Off the Ship Early

This is key. If you follow one piece of advice from this blog post, make this the one! Early morning means lower crowds and the best spots at the pools and beach. Oasis Lagoon is the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean, but that doesn’t mean it has enough loungers for everyone coming onto the island. Snag yourself a spot early in the day! Chairs will fill up at the beachfront too but not as quickly as at the pool. Are you heading to Thrill Waterpark? The shorter lines are only early in the day.

Even the swim up bar gets crowded early on Perfect Day. Nobody is judging! It’s vacation.

2. Decide your goals for the day ahead of time: pool, beach, water park?

Don’t wander aimlessly. Set a goal. Check the map, and head to your preferred destination. Thrill Waterpark has giant slides, a wave pool, a kids adventure zone and more. There is an extra fee for entrance to this section.

Thrill Waterpark, Perfect Day at CocoCay | Royal Caribbean Cruises — Photo Credit: Royal Caribbean

Fancy a day at the beach? Breezy Bay at Chill Island is a great beachfront with loungers and great activities like volleyball and billiard soccer! South Beach has more loungers, a float rental hut and a basketball court. Cove Beach is a quiet spot away from the hustle and bustle. Harbor Beach is on the interior of the island and has a calm lagoon. It is also very close to the food court area so that is a plus! Coco Beach Club is an upscale spot with an infinity pool and overwater bungalows. (extra fee, but dreamy) Finally, Hideaway Beach is an 18+ spot.

Many of the beachfront areas have activities for kids and adults to enjoy.

Splashaway Bay is the perfect solution for kiddos who need to be on the move and want some adventure. Slides, sprayers, buckets that dump down loads of water…my kids fell in love with this spot! The best news is this area is free!

Sometimes this is all the “thrill” your kids need. Luckily Splashaway Bay is included!

Pick your “vibe” ahead of time. If you want to explore a few different areas of the island, grab a lounger at a central location and use it as your home base.

3. Use the Drink Package if You Have It

Did you purchase a drink package? Do you have some drink privileges with your Crown and Anchor status? It works on the island! Hit up the floating bars, especially the Swim-up Bar at Oasis Lagoon. If you don’t, still take the opportunity to have a tropical drink while enjoying your fun in the sun. You will find bars throughout the island. Try the Coco Loco, the island’s signature frozen drink.

Recipe: Make the Coco Loco official CocoCay cocktail at home! | Royal Caribbean Blog — Try the Perfect Day signature frozen drink which blend rum with fruit juices.

4. Enjoy the Included Food

The food is included!! Unless you reserve a spot at Coco Beach Club for a fee, the lunch and snacks are included at Perfect Day at CocoCay so you might as well enjoy a meal on the island! Snack Shack near Chill Island is so good — don’t miss their crispy chicken sandwich and mozzarella sticks. Skipper’s Grill and Chill Grill have full buffets (burgers, tacos, salads, etc.)

Your meals on the island are included so don’t forget to stop at one of the buffets or the snack shack!

5. Take the Tram to Get Around the Island!

You don’t have to walk with all your towels and beach toys in the heat. Perfect Day at CocoCay has you covered. There are tram stops throughout the island at all the major locations. They will whisk you from one side of the island to the other in no time!

The trams fit plenty of riders. There were no lines to ride when we visited!

6. Book a Cabana or Beach Bed (If You Want Luxury)

The ultimate in luxury is an overwater bungalow with a slide right into the water! You can take it down a notch with just a beach bed or or cabana. All of these options will sell out quickly. The amenities include water, towels, food delivery, charging stations and comfortable chairs. Once you have your cruise reserved, get the app on your phone and start reserving these amenities! If you don’t have a cabana or a beach, no worries! There are plenty of free chairs and umbrellas on Perfect Day.

Floating cabana — Photo Credit: Royal Caribbean

7. Utilize the Complimentary Accessibility Equipment Available

If someone in your party uses a wheelchair or if you have kids in strollers, you can STILL access the beachfront right up to the water! Beach wheelchairs and strollers are complimentary and available on a first come first served basis. Once you arrive on the island, just ask one of the many crew members welcoming guests. There are also ramps throughout the island and pool lifts. Everyone can enjoy Perfect Day at CocoCay!!

Don’t forget to pick up your accessible wheelchair and stroller as soon as you arrive.

8. Bring Essentials with You

What should you take on the island with you? Reef-safe sunscreen (don’t forget to reapply after some time in the water!), towels (they will hand these to you on the gangway as you head out), sunglasses, a hat, a cover-up, some sand toys, water shoes if you are doing any snorkeling, a waterproof phone case, any necessary medication for the day, and your wallet! The bartenders always appreciate tips so carry some small bills!

You may even want to bring sneakers if basketball by the beach is your thing!

9. If Water is Not Your Thing, You Still Will Have a Perfect Day

Some ideas for those who want a dry experience on the island:

Take a walk to explore all the corners of the island. You won’t get lost! There are signs everywhere pointing the way.
Borrow a book from the Little Free Library at Splashaway Bay. I did this and loved reading about some Bahamas history.
Play beach volleyball, basketball, billiards soccer, giant Jenga, ping pong, giant chess, connect 4 and more!
Book one of the thrilling excursions (ahead of time) like the Zipline or the Up Up and Away Helium Balloon Ride, which brings me to our final tip…

The ultimate chill day on Perfect Day could be simply cozying up with a book on a hammock!

3. Book an Excursion!

Perfect Day at CocoCay is an excursion itself; BUT, for the added layer of fun, spend a couple of hours on a tour like – swimming with the pigs (a truly unique Bahamas experience), snorkeling, renting a Jet Ski, checking out the fish on a glass-bottom boat, kayaking or even scuba diving! To get the best availability, book in your app after your cruise is booked.

Swimming with Pigs in the Bahamas: What ... — These cuties really can swim! Photo Credit: Cruise Critic

Even though we have laid out 10 Tips for your Perfect Day at CocoCay, the best way to get the most out of your cruise is by working with a travel agent! Kingdom and Cruise Travel advisors are ready to help you plan your next great adventure with Royal Caribbean or any cruise line. Where do you want to sail? Let us know in the comments!

By Kingdom and Cruise Travel Advisor, Alli Matthews