Trip Report: Sad Day At CocoCay

Little Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas is a private island leased by Royal Caribbean for their ships to use as a beach destination for passengers. In the past they marketed it as CocoCay and in 2019 following extensive renovations they began calling it Perfect Day at CocoCay.

We visited CocoCay twice during the past week and they were first visits following the renovations.

Some of the improvements we liked. We liked that there is now a pier for up to two ships to dock at the same time. This used to be tender port with all of the hassles associated with going to and from the island using ship tenders. This is much, much better.

There is also trams stations and trams scattered around the island in case you get tired of walking. We like this too.

 

But the island has become one big cash cow for Royal Caribbean. There are cabanas for rent.

There are day beds for rent.

There is a helium balloon ride. This costs $75 to ride whereas it costs just $20 for an identical one at Disney Springs.

There is a water park with water slides, this one reportedly the tallest and largest in North America. The only things you get free on the island are a beach chair with umbrella and your lunch.

The zip lines cost extra too.

Pretty much anything natural (besides the beach) has been obliterated to make room for all the theme park-like attractions. I really miss this old nature trail which traversed the spine of the island as shown in this 2014 photo.

There were signs along the way describing the native flora.

Such as sea grapes.

And an actual native Poison Wood tree!

Touch it and the sap would burn you!

The pathway was rough but it was natural.

We did find a few short remnants of the old trail during this visit.

But sadly you're not supposed to use it.

And you can no longer walk around the island anymore either. So some will call this progress and some will like the new "attractions". Do come visit and take advantage of what's here. But with much of what made this a natural Bahamian island now gone, it is, in my opinion, a Sad Day At CocoCay.