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CocoCay vs RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay

Two private islands, side by side, from our port guides' data. Data last checked: Oct 2026

The short answer

Both are rated Easy for exploring on your own.
Getting ashore: CocoCay is dock, RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay is dock or tender.

Perfect Day at CocoCay

📍 Bahamas (Berry Islands)

🚢 Royal Caribbean · Celebrity

Easy

RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay

📍 Bahamas (Little San Salvador)

🚢 Carnival · Holland America · Princess (from Nov 2026)

Easy

Side by side

	Perfect Day at CocoCay	RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay
Explore-on-your-own rating	Easy	Easy
Country	Bahamas (Berry Islands)	Bahamas (Little San Salvador)
Dock or tender	Dock	Dock or tender
Where ships dock	CocoCay pier (Royal Caribbean private island; ships dock, no tender)	Half Moon Cay pier (1,005 ft; opened 2026, so most ships now dock) Tenders still possible in some cases
Getting ashore and around	There's no town. You walk off the ship onto the island. A free pier tram runs up and down the pier, and a free island tram links the main areas.	The island formerly called Half Moon Cay is now branded RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay. No town; a free tram links the beach stops and venues.
Cruise line	Royal Caribbean · Celebrity	Carnival · Holland America · Princess (from Nov 2026)
Free	Chill Island, South Beach and Breezy Bay beaches; Oasis Lagoon pool; Splashaway Bay and Captain Jill's Galleon kids' water areas; loungers; several food spots; trams	Beach; standard loungers and umbrellas; buffet lunch; water, lemonade and tea; tram; beach wheelchairs
Costs extra	Thrill Waterpark; Hideaway Beach (18+); Coco Beach Club; cabanas; Up, Up and Away balloon; most alcohol	Cabanas; clamshells and daybeds; lockers; alcohol and sodas; watersports; guided snorkeling
Beaches	Chill Island (included) South Beach (included) Breezy Bay (included) Hideaway Beach (adults; paid day pass)	The island's long crescent beach
Top sights	Thrill Waterpark (extra; day pass) Oasis Lagoon pool and swim-up bar (included) Hideaway Beach (adults 18+; extra) Up, Up and Away tethered balloon (extra) Splashaway Bay and Captain Jill's Galleon (included)	Crescent beach with several tram stops Cabanas and beach club areas (extra) Horseback riding and water sports (excursions)
Currency	U.S. dollar; purchases go on your onboard account.	U.S. dollar; purchases go on your onboard account.
Entry for U.S. citizens	Bahamas: on a closed-loop cruise (starting and ending at the same U.S. port), U.S. citizens can sail with an original or certified birth certificate plus government photo ID, but a valid U.S. passport is strongly recommended in case you have to fly home. You stay inside the cruise line's area, so there's no separate immigration line for you.	Bahamas: on a closed-loop cruise (starting and ending at the same U.S. port), U.S. citizens can sail with an original or certified birth certificate plus government photo ID, but a valid U.S. passport is strongly recommended in case you have to fly home. You stay inside the cruise line's area, so there's no separate immigration line for you.
Back on time	The pier is long; use the pier tram on the way back. Be at the ship 30–45 minutes before all-aboard, and allow extra time when several ships are in.	Trams get busy late in the day. Head back 45 minutes before all-aboard.

Fares and times are as reported by the sources on each port page and change often. Always confirm with your cruise line.

Why the ratings differ

CocoCay: Can you do it on your own? Yes. Everything is on the island and run by Royal Caribbean, so there's nothing to arrange. The only planning is deciding which paid extras, if any, to book before they sell out.

RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay: Can you do it on your own? Yes. Everything is on the island; just pick your beach spot.

Quick answers

Is CocoCay or RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay easier to explore on your own?

Both are rated Easy for exploring on your own. Can you do it on your own? Yes. Can you do it on your own? Yes.

Do you tender or dock in CocoCay and RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay?

CocoCay: Dock (Dock (pier; free pier tram)). RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay: Dock or tender (Dock (new 2026 pier; tender possible)).

What's free at CocoCay vs RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay?

CocoCay: Chill Island, South Beach and Breezy Bay beaches; Oasis Lagoon pool; Splashaway Bay and Captain Jill's Galleon kids' water areas; loungers; several food spots; trams. RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay: Beach; standard loungers and umbrellas; buffet lunch; water, lemonade and tea; tram; beach wheelchairs.

When should I head back to the ship?

CocoCay: The pier is long; use the pier tram on the way back. RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay: Trams get busy late in the day.

CocoCay port guide → RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay port guide → More comparisons