Category: Budget Travel

10 Free Things to Do at CocoCay, Bahamas

3/18/2024

CocoCay is a privately owned island in the Bahamas - an island owned by Royal Caribbean. Therefore, the only way to get there and visit is by cruising on one of their Caribbean cruises or, if you're like Mr. Beast, renting out the entire island for yourself. Luckily, we've been able to visit this island twice - once in 2016 before the island was completely rebuilt, and once just last week. Most port days on CocoCay last about half a day, and even though there are quite a few amenities you can pay for, most visitors like us are looking for all the free things to do instead.

Other posts you might be interested in :

Our Essential Travel Resources :
There are a lot of travel companies out there, but some are better than others. These are our favorite websites and resources to help you plan an incredible trip.

For flights, we recommend using WayAway or Hopper to compare the cheapest dates to travel to your destination.

Car rentals comparisons are best through Discover Cars - just make sure to bring your international driver's permit with you if you're heading somewhere international!

We always use AGODA for hotels. They have an easy-to-use platform where you can compare the best rates.

To keep cell phone service if you're traveling internationally, we always use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required).

For fun things to do, we always recommend Viator to find the best tours in the area, otherwise Klook also does the trick, especially for tours in Asia.

Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use for travel insurance.

Lastly, my packing list for your international or domestic travels.

Planning Your Visit to CocoCay

Like we mentioned above, cruise guests typically have about a half a day to explore CocoCay. You can choose to either spend the day at the Thrill Waterpark (about $59-$139 per person for the day) or choose to relax and hang out at one of many of the free amenities listed below. Either way, we've put together some of our best tips to make your day at CocoCay as perfect as it can be.

Bring Sunscreen - chances are, you'll be spending the entire day in the sun, even if you nag a chair in the shade, and if you're heading into the water make sure to reapply periodically!

Wear Your Swimsuit - you'll be spending the entire day on the island, so we recommend wearing your swimsuit off the ship with some kind of cover up for when you're wanting to do some exploring or stop by one of the places to eat

Go Early - during our visit the majority of the chairs on the island were taken by 10 am, so we recommend heading off the ship early and having a spot in mind to set up camp for the day

Bring Your Own Gear - unfortunately we didn't think of doing this beforehand, but during our port day at CocoCay we saw multiple people bringing their own snorkel gear and inflatables to enjoy at the beach, this way you don't have to pay to use the ones on the island!

The Best Free Things to Do at CocoCay

1. South Beach
Located at the South end of the island, hence South Beach, this beach requires a short hike to get to. It's the perfect spot to hang out if the North end of the island is a bit windy. There's plenty of chairs here, and although the cabanas require a bit of money/reservation, there's also a sports pavilion and snack shack located in this area. This is one of the quieter ends of the island where you can hang out. Because this area is a bit shielded, it's calm waters also make it a perfect spot to go snorkeling. Closer to the beach, you can also find the island's floating bar - although this isn't complimentary.

2. Sports Pavilion at South Beach
The Sports Pavilion is the perfect spot to go if you're looking for some friendly competition or want to entertain the kids. They have ping pong, pickle ball, basketball, volleyball, giant jenga, and a few other little games.

3. The Cove/Cove Beach
Arguably the quietest and most peaceful spot on the entire island is Cove Beach. Located just a bit further down the shore from South Beach, and having a nearby Nature Trail if you're looking to head out on a walk - this is the perfect spot to go if you're looking to do a whole lot of nothing but chill by the beach during your visit to CocoCay. In addition to the cabanas you can reserve, there are also plenty of beach chairs here that you can use for free.

4. Oasis Lagoon
If the beach just isn't your thing, then we recommend checking out Oasis Lagoon. Although this spot is quite busy and in our experience chairs could be hard to find, this is the only pool on the island that is free and open for anyone to use. They also have life jackets and showers for guests to use - in addition to a bar you can swim up to!

5. Harbor Beach
Just next to Oasis Lagoon is Harbor Beach, the most secluded and enclosed beach on the island. Just like other beaches on the island, there are beach chairs here for guests to use, however due to it's proximity to Chill Island it can be one of the busier areas of the island. There's also a giant water fountain in the center of the water here!

6. Chill Island & Breezy Bay
Located on the North East side of the island is "Chill Island." By far the busiest spot on the entire island, ironically. There is plenty to do in this area - two beach areas, endless beach chairs, and many of the amenities on the island like the first aid shack, the gift shops, and multiple bars and places to eat like the Chill Grill. These two beaches are often the busiest, and they also offer a great view of the cruise ship & dock areas.

7. Nature Trail
Located on the south end of the island, the Nature Trail brings you between South Beach and Cove Beach. If you're looking to enjoy a bit of what's left of nature on the island, then this is your spot. The walk is flat and fairly short, making it fairly accessible - just make sure to keep your eyes out for the many chickens roaming the island!

8. Ride the Tram
One of the best free amenities on the island in our personal opinion is the free Island Tram! If you get there early enough, then there won't be many riders on the tram, and you can ride it as a sort of tour around the island! The driver's are also great to talk to, and you can learn more about the renovations they've done over recent years and what life is like for staff living on the island!

9. For the Kids (Captain Jill's Galleon & Splashaway Bay)
If you're traveling with young kids then Captain Jill's Galleon and Splashaway Bay are the perfect areas for them to play. They've got multiple sprayers, water buckets, and slides in these areas for them to enjoy!

10. Grab a Bite (and Ice Cream Cone)
Similar to cruise life, there are plenty of free places to grab a bite to eat on the island. In addition to the free ice cream stands, there's 3 main food halls. The Snack Shack has food to go - burgers, fries, chicken sandwiches, mozzarella sticks, etc. - that you can bring back to your chairs to enjoy. The Chill Grill at Chill Island has a dining experience similar to the Windjammer onboard your cruise - meaning it is buffet style. Their main focuses are a salad bar, taco bar, and BBQ. Every dining hall on the island also has a refreshment bar where you can fill up your water bottle or use their plastic cups to hydrate during your visit to CocoCay (water and juices are included).

Watch our CocoCay Experience here!