A first look at Oasis Lagoon at CocoCay.
Royal Caribbean’s private island CocoCay, is located in the Berry Islands around 140 miles from Miami and 60ish miles from Nassau Bahamas. A few years ago Royal Announced an ambitious plan to transform the Island which required tendering and consisted of a few beaches, a floating bar, some cabanas and a local straw market to a new concept. The new CocoCay would include a concept called “Perfect Day at CocoCay”.
A Huge 12 panel Panorama of the island (10mb) can be found HERE!
Tendering is a thing of the past, the Perfect Day concept includes a dock which can handle two ships. A large pool, in fact the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean. A water park with the tallest slides in North America and a wave pool. Also there will be a helium balloon that takes visitors 450 feet in to the air, a Beach Club, over the water cabanas and more.
This preview will mostly focus on the progress of the dock and the Oasis Lagoon pool.
CoCoCay dock:
For many years the bane of cruising to CoCoCay has always been the anticipation of getting to enjoy the private island and having it cancelled because the winds were too strong for tenders. Docking is always a preferred method to getting off a ship as opposed to tendering.
The CocoCay dock has recently opened. The first ship to official dock was Mariner of the Seas on March 16th 2019. I was on that journey and following one on March 20th. All pictures and descriptions are from those journeys.
The dock was functioning but still under construction with majority being completed with the exception of the mooring dolphins. Shortly after our journey Anthem of the Seas, a Quantum class ship, the 2nd largest class of Royal Caribbean docked at CocoCay but it was reported the ship had to engage bow thrusters because the mooring dolphins are not finished.
When the Perfect day is complete there will be a walking path that goes from the dock to the Oasis Lagoon. Currently the construction has part of the path closed and one must trek over the sand to get to Oasis Lagoon. Sand Wheel chairs were seen to assist Physically Disabled folks getting across the sand.
Oasis Lagoon:
The real surprise of the day was the opening of the Caribbean’s largest fresh water pool Oasis Lagoon.
The highlight of the pool is the area around the swim up pool bar. Simply put it is the focus point of the whole pool. There were ample loungers around the pool and umbrellas were plentiful by our second visit. There is a bridge that crosses the pool and gives and excellent view of both sides. There are coves and shaded areas, some areas have large shallow plateaus for sitting or children to play on and the area closest to the water park has a sloping entry for easy access.
The pool consist of much more than the bar. The bridge is a great place to view the whole Oasis Lagoon and digest just how large the pool is.
There are coves and bar tops in the pool.
There are shelves for sitting in and even a zero sloping entry.
There are plenty of loungers and ever since our first time there more umbrellas were placed. This reduced the biggest initial observation which was of a lack of shade. Note: There are going to be pool cabanas to rent which have not been placed as of our sailing, but don’t worry they will arrive soon.
The Lifeguards are at their post from morning to close and there are multiple spots were children can be outfitted for safer swimming.
Even if you don’t want to swim the bar has beach access and is with in a short walking distance to food and restrooms.
Classic CoCoCay:
I know there are people who are like “Leave my CoCoCay Alone!” Rest assured most of the beaches are not changing and there is still plenty of space to relax or hang out at the Floating Bar. Here are a couple of pictures of the classic CoCoCay.
Progress on Perfect Day:
Now while you are enjoying what is completed there is still lots going on behind the scenes. The water park, Perfect Day CoCoCay is getting closer to completion every day.
Also they have started work on the Coco Bach Club
Special thanks to Matt from RoyalCaribbeanBlog.com for hosting the Double Dip to CoCoCay Group Cruise.
Also a shoutout to Annette from MEI Travel, for putting a great cruise together and putting up with endless blinding Fuji Insta-matic flashes.
Finally A big thank you to Royal Caribbean for having the pier and Oasis Lagoon operational for our group to use and party with twice.
Friends don’t be afraid to book Perfect Day at CoCoCay. When it is done it is going to be the premier destination in the Bahamas.
