Royal Caribbean's Private Island CocoCay

In the middle of the Bahamas' bright blue water lies the secluded island of CocoCay. With its white-sand beaches and spectacular surroundings, CocoCay is a wonderland of adventure. Reserved exclusively for Royal Caribbean guests, this tropical paradise has recently been updated with new aquatic facilities, nature trails and a ton of great places to just sit back, relax and enjoy a tropical drink.

Located in Bahamas' Berry Islands chain, CocoCay is an exclusive 140-acre private island playground for Royal Caribbean guests. Royal Caribbean just invested over $20 million into renovations and additions. From new snorkeling and scuba-diving facilities and expanded docks to additional restaurants, bars, and shops, the renovations touched all areas of the island.

Renovations to the island were designed with guests' comfort and safety in mind. These include new dining shelters, specialty seating areas, and trellises to offer shady sanctuaries; new and renovated restrooms; and a new building for the first aid station staffed by a full-time nurse.

A hard surfaced pathway has been completed on CocoCay, which permits access to selected parts of the island by guests who utilize wheelchairs. Beginning at the tender dock, the path joins the straw market to restrooms, the Sea View Cafe, a covered dining shelter, and a new patio on the beaches.

Caylana's Castle Cove

Royal Caribbean recently added a new 20,000-square-foot aqua adventure park. Caylana's Castle Cove gives both adults and kids a chance to play and test their skills on a series of challenges from floating rock-climbing walls to aquatic trampolines.

Situated just offshore in the crystal-blue waters around CocoCay, the park features fun, floating activities to appeal to visitors of all ages. These include two 14-foot castles with one side for climbing and the other for sliding; two 25-foot floating trampolines; several "slidewalks" and aqua logs; and two water teeter-totters. The separate children's section consists of similar equipment on a smaller scale.

Cococay Snorkel Shack

The new Snorkel Shack makes signing up -- and gearing up -- for one of CocoCay's underwater adventures easier and more convenient. With equipment from the Snorkel Shack, guests can check out the sunken plane wreck, explore the coral reef or attend a fish-feeding frenzy. For deeper explorations, the Diver's Den offers certified divers an opportunity to experience the crystal- clear waters of the Bahamas on a one-tank, shallow-water beach dive that takes them to 40 feet below, where a PADI scuba instructor will help identify the varied marine life and coral formations.

CocoCay Wave Runner Adventure

Guests looking to pick up the pace can stop by the new Wave Hut to get outfitted with their own WaveRunner(R) and head out on a guided, 50-minute, wet and wild adventure. Highlights include Great Stirrup Cay Lighthouse, Slaughter Harbor, Star Fish Alley and the abandoned island community of Cistern Cay. And to be sure not to miss out on these exciting snorkel, scuba and WaveRunner adventures, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity guests can sign up for shore excursions before they leave home on the lines' Web sites, www.royalcaribbean.com and www.celebrity.com.

CocoCay Nature Trail

Back on land, guests can explore the island's attractions on the new three-mile-long Nature Trail. The trail cuts through lush areas along the north and south shorelines of the island. Guests who prefer to combine their strolling with shopping can get back to civilization Caribbean-style at the Straw Market, a re-creation of a Bahamian village complete with cottages and artisan huts. Local artists showcase a bounty of crafts and memorabilia, while hair braiders offer new "dos" in six new, hair-braiding tiki huts.

Black Beard's Grille

No island paradise would be complete without abundant food and drink. Black Beard's Grille, the island's central food facility, offers a beach barbecue at no extra costs to guests. For liquid refreshments, Junkanoo Jacks, Stir-it-up and On the Rocks are three new bars serving a wide array of drinks perfect for sipping in the Caribbean sun.

Additional renovations to the island were designed with guests' comfort and safety in mind. These include new dining shelters, specialty seating areas and trellises to offer shady sanctuaries; new and renovated restrooms; and a new building for the First Aid station and full-time nurse.

CocoCay Shore Optional Shore Excursions and Activities

There are a number of optional excursions for you and your family while you're in CocoCay. These are just some of the many optional activities to consider.

SeaTrek Floating Beach Mat

This is a great way to just relax and catch some sun in the water or on the beach. This super soft foam mattress is ideal for the beach or water. The floating beach mat is available all day at your leisure.

SeaTrek Waverunner Experience

This guided 50-minute adventure will take you around the Berry Islands, neighboring CocoCay. You will watch a safety video and receive an orientation, before boarding your Waverunner for an informative and exciting guided tour. Some of the sights you may see include the Great Stirrup Cay Lighthouse, Slaughter Harbor, Star Fish Alley and the abandoned island community of Cistern Cay. Minimum age to drive is 16 years with a valid drivers license. A passenger between the ages of 10-15 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Minimum age to ride is 10 years old. This is the adventure of a lifetime!

SeaTrek Parasailing

Come fly the skies of CocoCay. This tour will take you up 400 feet above CocoCay for a breathtaking and memorable flight. Enjoy the panoramic scenery of the crystal blue water below and the surrounding islands from a birds eye view. Guests between the ages of 12-15 must fly with parent or guardian. Minimum age 12 years. Everyone flies tandem.

SeaTrek Scuba Dive

Experience the crystal-clear water of the Bahamas on a one-tank shallow water beach dive. This tour is for certified divers and proof of certification is required. You begin your dive in waist-deep water and continue to explore the reef up to a maximum depth of 40 feet. Your SeaTrek instructor will help you identify the various marine life and coral formations this reef has to offer. The tank and weights are included for all divers. Equipment package includes regulator, B.C., mask, fins and snorkel. This is limited to certified divers who have been on a dive within the last two years.

SeaTrek Snorkeling

Discover the underwater world, even if you've never snorkeled before! Professional SeaTrek instructors will guide you every step of the way, with equipment instruction and a marine life area orientation. An abundance of beautiful coral reef and tropical fish to see, this package includes all the snorkeling equipment and all day use. Be sure to see the fish-feeding extravaganza at our sunken plane wreck. A must see at CocoCay! The snorkeling equipment is available at your leisure all day.

SeaTrek Kayak Adventure

Come enjoy a very informative and interactive kayak tour in the beautiful turquoise waters around CocoCay. You will receive an orientation on how to use your safe, stable 2-person kayak. Then it's time for your leisurely guided tour through the shallow clear waters where you will encounter a variety of beautiful marine life. Touch and learn about Starfish and Conch. Encounter Stingrays and possibly Eagle Rays on this unique eco-adventure!

SeaTrek Aqua Park - Caylana's Castle Cove

Ever think of climbing a giant floating sand castle on CocoCay? Well you can at the largest Aqua Park in the Caribbean. Bounce on our huge in water trampolines. Rock and roll on our floating "Water Totter". Test your balance as you run across the log roll. Climb high and slide down the huge sand castle. Fun for adults and kids. Get out there.