Royal Caribbean’s personal island in The Bahamas, Excellent Day at CocoCay, is thought for its crystal-clear waters, making it the right vacation spot for seaside and water actions.
Among the many hottest on the island is snorkeling. Whether or not you are a talented snorkeler or attempting it for the primary time, CocoCay’s calm waters are excellent for exploring the underwater world.
As some of the widespread actions, it is common to seek out fellow cruisers posting recommendation on-line, so future friends can be taught from their experiences.
Reddit consumer greenbananas1200 did simply that, sharing invaluable snorkeling tricks to the r/royalcaribbean Reddit thread.
They start the put up by saying, “We went to cococay yesterday and went snorkeling! I did plenty of analysis earlier than to be ready and wished to share some recommendation we realized.”
For those who’re planning to snorkel at Excellent Day at CocoCay, taking just a few suggestions from seasoned snorkelers might help you take advantage of your journey, and greenbananas1200’s put up is stuffed with useful recommendation!
Carry your personal gear
Buying your personal snorkel gear is less expensive in the long term.
“The snorkel-at-your-leisure tour is actually simply the gear rental. We purchased snorkel gear at dwelling and introduced it (solely the masks as a result of we could not match the flippers in our carry-ons). It’s worthwhile – I paid solely $30 CAD for my set, whereas leases have been round $40 USD,” says greenbananas1200.
In line with Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner, the “CocoCay All-Day Snorkeling at Your Leisure” tour prices $39.58 for an upcoming cruise on Icon of the Seas, with an onboard worth of $53.90.
As greenbananas1200 defined, the tour is not an precise tour. Slightly, it is simply rental gear for the day. In different phrases, you will not be guided by means of the Bahamian waters by an skilled!
Although you may pay $40 for the snorkel gear, it is simple to seek out gear on Amazon for much less. Plus, you need to use it all through your cruise.
So, as an illustration, if you happen to’re in CocoCay someday and Nassau the subsequent, you possibly can simply take a cab to an area seaside and snorkel without having to hire extra gear or buy an tour. You may even retailer it in your storage on your subsequent tropical getaway.
ZEEPORTE had an reasonably priced gear set for simply $38.99 that features a snorkel masks, fins, silicon respiratory tube with a dry snorkel prime, and a mesh carry bag, making it straightforward to get your gear out of your cruise ship cabin to the seaside.
It additionally is available in numerous colours, together with lavender, darkish blue, gray, crimson, and yellow.
Please notice that we’ve linked an Amazon merchandise above, which comprises an affiliate hyperlink. The affiliate hyperlink doesn’t value you something further, however Royal Caribbean Weblog will make a small fee if you buy the merchandise by means of the hyperlink.
Get up early
“We have been in line to be the primary ones off the ship. I might HIGHLY suggest [it]!” said greenbananas1200, “There are some blended opinions on the snorkelling at cococay so I used to be anticipating to solely see some tan-coloured fish.”
Nonetheless, as a result of they began their day vivid and early, they skilled snorkeling at its finest.
greenbananas1200 continues, “As a substitute we noticed many attention-grabbing fish (together with one with an extended spike on its nostril), a small stingray, a big ~5ft noticed eagle ray, a ~3ft fish/shark-looking factor. We noticed far more in…cococay than the 2-stop snorkel tour in Nassau that we paid $90 USD pp for.”
CocoCay affords loads of different actions to benefit from the island’s magnificence even if you happen to aren’t snorkeling, and getting off the ship early is among the finest methods to maximise your time ashore.
For instance, by mid-afternoon, many complimentary chairs and loungers on the seaside may have been taken, and the island can really feel a bit extra crowded. By arriving early, you possibly can snag your splendid spot and loosen up in peace.
Learn extra: I went to CocoCay for the primary time, and this is what I would do in another way
Declare a locker
Whereas the ship is rarely far, you need to take sure necessities ashore, together with treatment, sunscreen, and flip-flops. Nonetheless, chances are you’ll not need to lug every part round all day. Enter CocoCay’s complimentary lockers.
“Once you get on cococay, declare a locker,” advises greenbananas1200, “They’re free however first-come-first-served so get one first that you need to use all through the day to retailer your gear.”
The lockers are scattered all through the island and will not value you something. To make use of a locker, you’ll set a pin that can help you open and shut it as many instances as you want all through the day. They do replenish early, so do not wait to assert one!
Snorkel at Chill Island
Excellent Day at CocoCay affords a wide range of seashores, together with the adults-only Hideaway Seaside and the family-friendly South Seaside.
For those who’re uncertain which one to decide on, greenbananas1200 suggests heading to Chill Island: “We noticed the cool bigger animals underneath the floating platforms/rafts (there are 3-4 of them), so I might suggest wanting close to these. However watch out, it was really actually scary!”
Chill Island is simple to seek out. After disembarking the ship and strolling onto the island, head straight till you see Captain Jack’s. Then, take a left and proceed over the bridge.
Not solely is Chill Island nice for snorkeling nevertheless it’s additionally conveniently situated close to the Chill Grill, so you will not must enterprise far for lunch. It is also the place you will discover the CocoCay Island Market, excellent for stocking up on last-minute souvenirs.
