Royal Caribbean’s private island looks like a tropical paradise.
Sprawling with pools, bars, beaches, restaurants, and a water park, it’s a family’s vacation dream come true.
To make this dream even more of a vision, the majority of amenities on Perfect Day at CocoCay are included in your cruise fare!
On my first visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay, I enjoyed resting on the beach and trying the snacks.
However, I didn’t know the full breadth of everything available for free.
We even went back to the ship to eat lunch, not knowing that we could have tried it on the island.
To prevent you from making the same mistake and missing out on everything the island has to offer, we’ve compiled a guide to exactly what is free on Perfect Day at CocoCay.
From beach chairs to tram rides to countless beaches, here’s everything you can enjoy without spending a dime.
Read more: I went to CocoCay for the first time, and here's what I'd do differently
Waterparks: Splashaway Bay and Captain Jill’s Galleon
Where else can you access an entire waterpark for free?
Splashaway Bay can be found on Perfect Day CocoCay as soon as you enter the island.
Featuring drenching buckets, tall, spraying fountains, and even free waterslides, it provides free fun for kids of all ages.
For the even younger kiddos, Captain Jill’s Galleon is a ship located right next door. The shipwrecked pirate spot also has water cannons and slides.
Whether you want to make a quick stop on your way onto the island or make the waterpark your whole day of fun, it’s free to access both Splashaway Bay and Captain Jill’s Galleon.
Food: Snack Shack, Skipper’s Grill, and Chill Grill
Nearly all the food venues at Perfect Day at CocoCay are free to enter.
Snack Shack has two locations available next to Oasis Lagoon and South Beach. This grab-and-go snack stop has finger food such as hot dogs, cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches, fries, and even salads if you’re looking for something lighter.
There are even desserts for free: brownies, cookies, and funnel cake. The funnel cake especially is a family favorite!
And there’s no limit to how much food you can grab. Just like onboard your cruise ship, you can even make a plate and carry it with you around the island.
There are even larger dining huts to choose from. Both Skipper Grill and Chill Grill are included in your cruise fare.
These open-air buffets include lunch eats like hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, corn, french fries, salads, and fruit options.
There are also taco stations with all the fixings you can desire, and rice and beans.
On the side, you’ll find condiments, cookies, brownies, and fresh fruit!
Again, all this comes included in your cruise fare, free of charge.
Beaches: Harbor Beach, Chill Island, and South Beach
Beach access on the island is also complimentary. The main shores are Harbor Beach and South Beach.
Harbor Beach is located near where the ship docks, making it a great option for families to play and spread out with sand toys.
South Beach caters more to adults, featuring hot sand and a floating bar.
It is completely free to stretch out on the sand, play in the clear water, and observe little fish swimming by.
Chill Island has access to the beach water. You can wade into the water further on, or bring your own snorkeling gear to look for fish and stingrays.
At all locations, you can also use beach chairs, umbrellas, and handy tables without paying anything extra.
You can also bring the complimentary towels from the ship, or pick up more on the island for free. They are interchangeable and completely included in the cruise fare.
Read more: Your really dumb Perfect Day at CocoCay questions answered
Be sure to keep an eye out for the hammocks around the island, because they are included too!
There are a number of hammocks in Chill Island as you cross the bridge from the Arrivals Plaza on your left side.
Tram rides
Perfect Day at CocoCay spans 120 acres. That’s 158 football fields!
With so much space to explore, it’s easy for the average pair of legs to get tired walking around.
To help solve this problem, Royal Caribbean has free open-air trams that run around the island.
The trams spot by every 15 minutes, making six total stops at the Arrivals Plaza, South Beach, Coco Beach Club, Up, Up, and Away, Chill Island, and Oasis Lagoon.
All you have to do is sit down at a bench to wait and hop onto the nearest tram!
There’s no reason to stay tired, hungry, or thirsty on this private island. Just relax and enjoy everything CocoCay has to offer.
Oasis Lagoon
Located in the center of the island, Oasis Lagoon is a popular pool complex that fills up fast.
There’s a large, sparkling pool where you can swim and splash around.
In the pool's center is a swim-up bar next to a DJ center. Live beats play, while guests sip tropical drinks and dance in the warm water.
Nearby sun loungers and umbrellas also make this a great place to leave your stuff or to sit and rest.
Access to this pool is also completely free, but be sure to show up early if you want to find a good spot!
Read more: My Impressions of Perfect Day at CocoCay: Revisiting 13 Years Later
Showers and lockers
Access to amenities such as showers and restrooms will always be complimentary.
You can also find changing rooms around the island, as well as lockers to hold all your valuable items.
You may find yourself waiting in line at busy times on the island, but rest assured, you’ll never have to pay.
Sports Court and Fitness Classes
Whether you enjoy Frisbee, basketball, or beach volleyball, the Sports Court has all the free activities you could desire.
There are also free fitness classes available, such as yoga or Zumba. You can check your cruise compass or the mobile app to see the exact activities offered.
This is a great way to take advantage of the sunshine, and slog off some of that cruise weight!
Be sure to walk to Breezy Bay to see all the fun sports activities that cost nothing extra there. There are a variety of games to play near the volleyball court.
So what costs extra on Perfect Day at CocoCay?
Specialty beverages, such as alcoholic drinks, cost extra at the bars on Perfect Day at CocoCay.
However, if you’ve already purchased a Royal Caribbean drink package, you can use it on the island by showing your SeaPass card, just like you would onboard the ship.
The same goes for the VOOM high-speed Internet: if you’ve already purchased the package, you will have access to it on Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Even if you don’t have the Wifi, you’ll be able to access the app while on the island.
This makes it convenient to check the time and onboard schedules and message your travel party.
Several shops on the island sell souvenirs, which come at an extra cost but can be purchased with your SeaPass card.
Access to the Thrill Waterpark also costs extra, in addition to the Up, Up, and Away hot air balloon.
Royal Caribbean also sells adrenaline-filled shore excursions such as ziplining, snorkeling equipment, swimming with pigs, kayaking, parasailing, and jet skiing.
For a luxury beach experience, you can rent CocoCay cabanas and daybeds by the beach.
Read more: Perfect Day at CocoCay beach bed review
For an even more private experience, Royal Caribbean sells access to the exclusive club Coco Beach Club.
More recently, the cruise line also opened up Hideaway Beach, an 18+, adults-only beach that costs extra.
