Cococay Travel Guide

A day to play in the sun and the sea is what Cococay, a small, private tropical island in the Bahamas, offers passengers, who are tendered ashore in fairly large vessels seating a couple of hundred at a time, from visiting Royal Caribbean cruise liners. The cruise company has developed this once deserted island (formerly known as Little Stirrup Cay) that lies in the Berry Island chain of about 130 islets about 50 miles (80km) from the Bahamian capital, Nassau. Cococay is completely flat, only about two miles (3km) long and one (2km) wide, covering about 140 acres, but even with hundreds of people ashore for the day it is possible to seek out secluded spots along the coast, which features a long, white sandy crescent of beach on the west, and a lagoon on the east. There is not much to see besides the sea on Cococay (although you can take a nature walk), but there is plenty to do. Most visitors, though, come here to soak up the sun on a lounger or hammock sipping tropical cocktails.

Shopping: Shopping on Cococay is limited to the Straw Market, which is a re-created Bahamian village where local arts, crafts and souvenirs are showcased in cottages and huts. The most popular thing to spend money on here is on hair braiding, which is offered in at least half a dozen venues.

Restaurants: The cruise company provides a generous barbecue luncheon for island visitors, served up under a purpose-built shelter, known as Blackbeard's Grille. There are several bars dotted around the resort complex for liquid refreshments, but these must be paid for (except for water, which is served free).

Nightlife: Before the sun goes down all visitors are tendered back to their cruise liner, so there is no nightlife on Cococay.

Activities: Only one day to play, and so much to choose from. Extremely popular with adults and children is the island's floating aqua adventure park, called Caylana's Castle Grove, which offers unique challenges like climbing a floating rock wall, two large floating trampolines, water slides and numerous other diversions. Snorkelling is another exciting activity offered (equipment and advice available at the Snorkel Shack) and visitors can enjoy exploring the coral reef and a sunken plane wreck. Certified divers can hire scuba equipment. On top of the water there are numerous ways to have fun, the most popular being a 'wet and wild' guided adventure tour of the coast aboard a Wave Runner. Other alternatives are para-sailing, banana boat rides and kayaking, or just hire a floating beach mat and indulge in the pleasure of wallowing in the aquamarine sea.

Negatives: The pleasures of Cococay are reserved for cruise passengers, who only have a limited time to enjoy the island.