I need help choosing a shore excursion for Cococay, Bahamas. We are booked on the Majesty of the Seas in Feb. Trying to decide between the Kayak adventure and snorkeling. Any thoughts? Thanks

I wouldn't do an excursion there. It's a fun little island with beaches, a little shopping, sand volleyball and a beach barbecue. Kayaking would be okay, but pretty mundane, IMO. The reef for snorkeling is nothing. If you go to the first (and most crowded) beach and swim toward the life guard on the rocks, you'll see some fish and coral. Take a little cheese with you, and you'll attract more fish. You can rent snorkel gear on the island; RCCL makes you wear a life vest- so be prepared to stand in line and pay for it.

Just a beach and BBQ stop by the cruise lines-they own the islands...

thanks for your responses. very helpful

Hi aquafina 1118
My husband and I are going on our first cruise in February also. We are booked on Majesty and cruising to the Bahamas, and to Coco Cay. We are looking forward to relaxing and enjoying the beach.

Snorkling isn't all that great at Cococay. You have to walk in the water over a lot of rough area to get very deep. Cococay is a place to just relax, shop, soak up the sun etc. It is very small but very relaxing. If you want a hammock, you have to be sure to be in the first group off of the ship!

I have to disagree with some of the replies regarding snorkeling on CocoCay. My husband and I took a RCL cruise which spent a day there. We snorkeled and had an absolute blast!!!!!

We saw many different kinds of fish and several stingrays (at least 6 that we counted) ranging in size from 2-5 foot wing spans! In fact, my husband and I were standing only about 30' from shore and he almost backed up and stepped on one! (but don't worry, the stingrays weren't aggressive) We swam out to the small island that's a little ways out (I think it was about 1/2 mile out??) from shore and snorkeled all the way around it. I'm terrified of even the thought of seeing a shark (did not- THANK GOD!) and totally forgot how far out I was because of how much fun we were having! The water was crystal clear!!! We were able to see down about 50'.

I feel wearing the vest gives you some reassurance and makes your work a little easier, since it gives you some buoyancy in the water. We did not wait in line long (maybe 5 minutes)to get our vests (we had brought our own fins, masks, and snorkels). If you plan to snorkel more than once in your life, you might want to invest in your own fins, masks & snorkels, and vests- or at the very least the mask & snorkel. (You'll recoop your investment quicker than you think with the rental fees you'll save!) Plus, you won't be sticking something in your mouth that was in a stranger's mouth (too many diseases out there- herpes, trench mouth, etc.) But if you trust that they've been fully sterilized(???) then go for it. Don't want to scare you- just something for you to think about- you may not always think of these things when your focused on having a good time.

A mask a snorkel set shouldn't put you back more than $35-$50. You can spend more or less depending on the quality you're after. Some good websites to check for these are:
divecity.com and
leisurepro.com

If you enjoy an occassional drink, try one of their "Cocoloco's"- if they still offer it. What a fantastic drink!! Frozen, creamy, coconutty! Mmmmm- delicious!

Hope this info. helps!!

Coco Cay reminds me of somthing out of Disney. It's TOO perfect; not that perfect or Disney are bad.

Anyway, it is an Island for relaxation. There isn't much to do. The snokeling can be fun b/c the life guards throw fish food in the water so they swarm around you. There's also a ship wreck & a plane wreck for you to go "find". They will give you a map.

If you have your own equipment, its about $8 pp person for the vest they require you to rent. You'll be grateful for it if the seas have any kind of a current that day.

Enjoy.

I agree with above about this being very excellent snorkeling...we were there in October and if you head straight out from the crowded beach toward the little rocky looking island, it is great...we loved that day, if you just want to lay on the beach, keep heading to the right and away from the crowds...it is beautiful there...