The CoCoCay Diaries: Sun-Kissed Edition

Chill Island is a section of Royal Caribbean's private beach, Coco Cay which is located in the Bahamas. It can only be reached by taking a Royal Caribbean cruise, and it is often only a single-day port of call on an itinerary. With that in mind, it is a place not to be missed.

Getting into CocoCay: What to Expect on Arrival

When I went to Coco Cay in March 2025, the two ships docked were the Odyssey of the Seas, my ship, and the Independence of the Seas. Thus, between both ships, there were about 9,000 cruise passengers docked on the island on that single day. 

Getting off the boat, you can either take a tram to the main entrance of the island or walk a long but beautiful dock, which takes about ten minutes. When getting to the main entrance of the island, there are many Royal Caribbean staff members ready to welcome you with music, dancing, and plenty of people who can provide assistance in finding where to go. One of my favorite parts of this island was the staff’s kindness: Everyone had a smile on their face and was truly friendly, welcoming, and kind. They were offering help to everyone and were eager to ensure you had a great visit.

The first thing you’ll see at the entrance past the staff is a giant water park. The water park offers several water slides of different intensities as well as some pools. There are also ziplines and a beautiful rainbow hot-air balloon offering outstanding views of the entire island.

On this trip, I was with my grandparents, aunt, and cousin, so we wanted something a bit calmer. There were also plenty of places and activities to book in advance, but we just wanted to enjoy the sun and the ocean. 

This want took us to Chill Island. About a five-minute walk away, we found several bars, a dining area, a small village of shops, a harbor, and a great view of the beach and ships.

We found a group of lounge chairs free of charge, far away from most of the guests; in fact, you wouldn’t even know that there were 8,985 people around. It was the perfect place to relax, read, tan, and even nap. Behind us were hammocks shaded by a plethora of gorgeous palm trees that my cousin enjoyed for most of our ‘perfect day at Coco Cay.’

Where to Eat at CocoCay: Chill Grill and More

When hungry, we went to the Chill Grill to get something to eat. Because this is Royal Caribbean’s private island, all of the food here was actually included in the cost of the cruise. Everything was buffet-style, with notable options including hamburgers and other grill items, a taco stand, a few sandwiches, fruits, salads, and sweets. I helped myself to some tacos, and I can honestly say they were great. The tortillas were freshly pressed, and the rice and meats were replaced with warm, fresh batches regularly. There were also many toppings to choose from, allowing everyone to enjoy their own customized taco.

I also got a soft serve ice cream cone which was the perfect treat for a beach day. There were several machines with attendants making cones around the food area, so it was easy to grab and go if you didn’t want to sit and eat at the picnic tables scattered around.

After getting some food, I stopped at the harbor and got a Miami Vice from the bar. Again, because this is Royal Caribbean’s private island, all you had to do was show your room key for your drink, which is especially handy if you purchased an unlimited drink package for the duration of your trip. I will note that the island had plenty of bar servers walking around and taking sunbathers’ drink orders, but sadly, I never saw any in the area we chose to relax in.

With my drink in hand, I went back to our lounge chairs for some more time in the sun and really enjoyed the peace and quiet.

Exploring More of CocoCay: Daybeds, Adult Sections, and Activities

Before leaving, I decided to go for a wander and see what I might have missed, at least in the area of the island I was on. Walking around, I found some really lovely daybeds under canopies and closer to where the sand met the water, which could be rented nearby. This section was definitely more crowded with many families and their children. 

As I did not get to see the whole island, I am eager to go back and explore more, especially the adult-only section opposite the entrance. This section features a swim-up bar, infinity-edge pools, and more. My boyfriend, who has never been on a cruise, definitely seemed interested in visiting what he accidentally referred to as “Coo Coo Coo,” so I’m hoping to get back soon enough with him to see what else the island can offer.

What To Wear:

Bikini to Wear While Cruising with Royal Carribean

One Piece to Wear to the Carribean

Sarong to Wear Around CoCo Cay

Sandals to Wear on Your Cruise

The Perfect Chic Beach Bag

Elevate these looks with a scarf from Hermes, a beach inspired Chloe bag, or Prada sandals!