Coco Cay is in my point of view, exactly how I imagine a utopia to be. Crystal clear waters, white sandy beaches, palm trees, hammocks and a beautiful climate make this one of the most beautiful islands in the world. Want to experience it? You’ll have to book a cruise holiday with the Royal Caribbean cruise company if you do. That’s right, they own this tranquil island set in the middle of the Bahamas and that makes you their extra special guest!
Finding Coco Cay
Coco Cay is so magical that you will struggle to find it on most maps… and even if you did there is only one way to get there – on a Royal Caribbean cruise. A number of this cruise line’s ships do stop there so you have a choice of other destinations to choose from when you are looking for the perfect holiday. If you really want to make sure you stop here, I recommend booking outside of hurricane season. Out of the numerous cruises I have taken around the Caribbean, two had to remove the island from the itinerary due to hazardous weather conditions. This is not to say that you won’t get a chance to visit but it does mean there is a risk.
Things to Do on Coco Cay
After arriving you will be shuttled to shore on a small ship and then you will have the whole day to relax, explore or do whatever you want. Here are my top 5 suggestions:
- Go Snorkelling
There is a fantastic reef surrounding the island and the marine life is sure to surprise you. The waters are crystal clear almost all year round and you may see anything from sting rays to Nemos! This is an activity that my kids loved although you will be asked to make sure you do not touch or stand on the coral. If you don’t have any snorkelling gear you can rent it on the island at an affordable price.
- Chill in a Hammock with a Coco Loco
Hammocks can be found all over the main beach on Coco Cay and they are an awesome way to relax and spend an hour or three relaxing. I took my Kindle with me on my last holiday and spent hours just chilling out in one of these. I recommend buying a Coco Loco (a Coco Cay speciality that comes in a number of flavours) before choosing a hammock for the day.
- Water Sports
I love water sports and definitely recommend trying some of the ones available on Coco Cay. You have a choice of parasailing, jet skiing or kayaking. If you book the jet skis you can have a private tour around the island with a driver – sounds awesome, no?
- Iguana Encounters
The iguanas on Coco Cay are huge but don’t let that stop you from getting close and taking a few photos. Some of them are as big as four feet long, now how’s that for a photo opportunity?
- Visit the Straw Market
Yes, there really is a market on this tiny haven of paradise. In fact it will be one of the first things you see when you get to the island. The shops are run by the locals and they are a great place to find some fabulous souvenirs – I mean how many people can say that they have actually been to Coco Cay? You can also get your hair braided if you fancy a new look!
If this all sounds perfect, there is only one thing to do – book a cruise with the Royal Caribbean company and get ready to visit a real island utopia.
Author Bio: To visit Coco Cay you will need to book a cruise with Royal Caribbean. To compare the prices on cheap Caribbean cruises that visit the island, visit the Major Cruise website and book your holiday today! Images by kylewest
