I think Perfect Day at CocoCay is the best beach day you can find in the Caribbean, but there are mistakes I see people making there all too often.
Royal Caribbean designed its private island in The Bahamas to be an all-encompassing beach escape. Unlike traditional cruise line private islands that just have a beach, there's so much more to do.
I estimate I've been to CocoCay around 50 times over my many years of cruising. That's increased in recent years with Royal Caribbean sending more ships to include a visit to the island.
I think you should maximize your visit by taking advantage of everything you can do. First-time visitors often are unaware of all the options, and squander their time.
Here are my 12 things not to do when you visit Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Don't sleep away your day
The top mistake I've seen people make is sleep in and miss out on CocoCay.
The problem with sleeping late is you disembark late, and by the time you get to mid-day, everything is packed and it's the hottest time of the day.
If you can disembark the ship the first hour your ship is docked there, you will have the best choices of seats everywhere. Moreover, it's the best time for the water park to minimize waits for slides.
Anytime I've slept in, it's been a real challenge to find chairs and an umbrella in a location you prefer. While there are more beach chairs (no cost to them) than needed, you might need to go to the very back of the seating area or significantly far away from the water.
It's tempting to sleep late, but I'd recommend hitting up the island early and then either taking a nap on the island or head back to the ship for that shower and nap.
I really don't think you need to book an excursion
I've forgotten on a few occasions that Royal Caribbean actually sells excursions off the island, and I think they're all a waste of money.
There is so much to do around CocoCay, from beaches to a waterpark, to pools, that I just don't think this is the day of your cruise to spend money on a tour.
The scuba and snorkeling around CocoCay are mediocre from the perspective of what you can see, and the swimming with the pigs tour is way too expensive and short.
Jet skiing and parasailing sound fun, but I'd argue all the tours are better done on any other island you are visiting.
While you can debate the merits of certain add-on extras being worth the cost around CocoCay, I'd skip any shore excursion that takes you off the island.
The adults-only area is a party, not a quiet area
Hideaway Beach was built as an adults-only enclave, but some people assume it's going to be quiet and reserved.
The extra cost venue is meant to be an escape from kids and families, but the idea is for it to be more of a Vegas pool party. Think of it more like an adults pool and beach day party.
There is a DJ at the center of the giant pool, and the music is pumped quite loudly and all over Hideaway Beach. Unless you go to the very ends of the beach, the music is fairly loud.
There's also a sports bar near the entrance that offers a bar, televisions, and very comfortable seating. There's a band that plays music here most of the day.
I love the energy Hideaway Beach has, but don't go in thinking it will be a place to read a book without any distractions.
Don't run back to the ship as soon as it rains
It will almost certainly rain while you're at Perfect Day at CocoCay, but that shouldn't be the end of your plans for the day.
Rain in the tropics is common, but short lived. It might be a light passing shower or an intense thunderstorm. But it's rarely an all-day rain out.
If it does rain, seek shelter nearby but give it time to pass. Most of the time, rain will last less than an hour. Heck, if there's no lightning, continue the fun in the water while it rains!
A lot of newbies will immediately pack up and run back to the ship as soon as it starts raining. This means when the rain passes, crowds will be much less. This is great for enjoying more time in the water park, pools, or floating bar.
There's no coffee on the island
Since you're taking my earlier advice of not sleeping in, be sure to properly caffeinate before you disembark the ship.
There is no coffee served on CocoCay, so if you need a cup to get going in the morning, be sure to get it prior to leaving the ship. Yes, you can take it with you off the ship to continue drinking.
There is one exception, and that's at the Coco Beach Club, where they serve your basic hot coffee. Since this area has an extra cost and limited capacity, it's likely not an option for most people looking to get their cup of joe.
You don't have to walk everywhere
CocoCay isn't a big island, but walking around it can be tiring, especially when it's hot out.
Royal Caribbean offers complimentary trams around the island that you can hop on and off at the designated stations.
Take advantage of the tram to get around quicker and reduce fatigue.
It can feel cool when you're on the pier, but the wind will often disappear as soon as you get to the interior of the island.
Another advantage of the tram is it's a great way to see everything there is, and the layout of where everything is situated. It's a fun mid-day "excursion" if you're considering switching spots.
Oasis Lagoon is my favorite spot, but the pool isn't heated
If your cruise sails in the winter months, be prepared for a cold pool day.
To be clear, I prefer my pool to be on the "refreshing" side than feel like a bathtub, but not everyone feels that way.
Oasis Lagoon is a massive freshwater pool and right in the middle, featuring a swim-up bar that's a lot of fun. But prepare yourself for the chill.
In the summer, it feels great because of how hot it is outside. But even during spring break, the pool can be quite cold.
If you want a heated pool day, you'll find that at the Coco Beach Club or Hideaway Beach.
Apply sunscreen often, because you don't want to get sunburned
If it seems obvious to say it's a mistake to not get sunburned when out in the sun, clearly not enough people know this tip.
When I walk back to the ship in the afternoon, there are always dozens of people who are headed back onboard with a shiny red "souvenir" on their back.
Be sure to apply sunscreen before disembarking the ship, and then re-apply every couple of hours. Being in the water washes away the sunscreen quickly.
Don't book two extra cost areas on the same day
I recommend not booking two extra cost experiences to try to do on the same day.
For example, don't book the Coco Beach Club and Thrill Waterpark. Or Hideaway Beach and Coco Beach Club.
The reason is you're unlikely get full value out of either one if you split your time. Royal Caribbean only docks their ships at CocoCay for about 8-9 hours, and each of these experiences is designed to be a full day activity.
If you're trying to do all the water slides and wave pool, that will take up most of your day. That doesn't leave a lot of time for enjoying the beach clubs.
Book one or the other, but not both.
You don't need to bring towels off the ship if you booked an extra cost area
If you booked a cabana or Coco Beach Club, leave the ship towels onboard.
These extra cost areas include towels you can use, meaning it's one less thing to haul around.
In fact, the towels at the Coco Beach Club are must bigger and softer than the ones from the ship. It's a nice upgrade to enjoy.
There are towel exchange stations around the island. In my experience, you could get towels from there's a chance they could run out of clean towels. So bring towels off the ship if you're headed anywhere else.
Babies can go to any pool or beach
While swim diapers aren't allowed to be used in your cruise ship's pools or slides, your infant can wear them around the island.
The health regulations are different on land versus on a ship. This means your baby can come with you into Oasis Lagoon or the other pools and splash areas.
The waterpark is a mistake if your kids are younger than 7 years old. Go to the free splash areas instead
Families see a water park and think it's great for kids, but it's probably a mistake for young children.
The water slides have strict height requirements and the wave pool is pretty intense. I think kids that are younger than 6 or 7 years old are probably too short to get value from it.
Instead, go to Splashaway Bay and Captain Jill's Galleon for water and slide fun at no additional cost.
Splashaway Bay has a few slides that are perfect for younger children, and there are other small slides at Captain Jill's.
For parents, there are comfortable adirondock chairs surrounding Splashaway Bay, and Captain Jack's bar a few steps away.
