Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa is an all-inclusive beachfront resort on Saint Lucia’s exotic south coast. It’s located minutes from Hewanorra International Airport, so guests can be on the resort’s mile-long stretch of beach, drink in hand, within an hour of landing. But is this luxury resort a good fit for families? Read on to discover the amenities Coconut Bay offers kids and decide for yourself!
Disclosure: The writer was hosted for this trip.
Saint Lucia has a warm, tropical climate that draws visitors from around the globe. White sand beaches and turquoise water paired with St. Lucian hospitality and island cuisine make this eastern Caribbean destination desirable for honeymooners and families alike. When I arrived on a lovely 80-degree day in October, I was curious to see how such different types of travelers could coexist in one luxury resort: Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa.
Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa
The airport transfer to Coconut Bay took less than five minutes. I checked in and was off exploring in another ten. Strolling around the 85-acre beachfront property, sipping my welcome drink, I was immediately struck by the festive atmosphere. A live band played “Cotton Eye Joe” by one of the resort pools, where kids danced in bubbles at the weekly Foam Party. Adults watched on, eating jerk chicken and drinking beer in a nearby tree house restaurant. It was all free, of course.
This was my first stay at an all-inclusive resort, and I quickly discovered that Coconut Bay felt like a cruise on land. All of the entertainment, food and drinks, but none of the crowds. Even at 96% occupancy, it didn’t feel like there were many people around. With nine restaurants, seven bars, five pools, a water park with lazy river and slides, a kids club, an oceanfront spa, and a mile of beach, the guests were all spread out.
Family Fun at Splash
Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa is divided into two sides: the adults-only Harmony wing—a serene, landscaped area of outdoor pools and loungers with umbrellas—and the family-friendly wing, Splash. Splash is where the action is. Kids have their own swim-up bar where they can order a “kiddy mocktail” from a menu of sweet drinks, from frozen Coke to smoothies. Then they can float along the lazy river, zip down water slides, visit rescue animals at the Coco Corral, and even play paintball. Outside games from ping pong and corn hole to beach volleyball and tennis courts keep them busy. Billiards, DJ classes, and video games are also available in the teen lounge.
CocoLand Kidz Klub
If you want someone else to keep an eye on your busy kid, childcare at Coconut Bay is included. You can sneak off for some quiet time—or even to the fitness room—by checking your child in to CocoLand Kidz Klub. There they can roam 50,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space. With a wooden pirate ship playground, swings, and splash pad, there is lots to explore. Each age group (3 and under; 4-7; and 8-12) also has a schedule of activities planned every day. From cookie making to coconut painting, there is always something going on.
At check-in, parents are given a cell phone for communication with the staff. This allows staff to take the kids on adventures. I was delighted to come across this group from the Kidz Klub out building sand castles on the beach one morning.
Paradise Beach
Paradise Beach, overlooking the beautiful Maria Islands Nature Reserve, is Coconut Bay’s crown jewel. A quiet stretch of sand dotted with tiki huts, this beach offers warm, clear water that is perfect for water sports. In fact, resort guests can try snorkeling, kayaking, and paddle boarding for free. Seasonal surfing, kite surfing and windsurfing are also popular on the beach, but these activities cost extra.
Be sure to walk the length of the beach, as drinks at Paradise Bar are also included with your stay. Grab a piña colada and let the kids play in the sand while you rest in an ocean hammock.
If you’re visiting Coconut Bay from March to November, ask about the resort’s turtle watching program. Endangered species of turtles return here to nest on the beach each year.
Dining and Entertainment
There are so many restaurants at Coconut Bay, I didn’t get to try them all. From Latin flavors at Calabash to the Asian cuisine at Silk to the more casual à la carte dining, I was spoiled for choice. At breakfast, I stopped by Coconut Walk Marketplace for an omelet and Green Machine smoothie. For lunch, I piled my plate high with fruits and made-to-order Italian pasta. But dinner, that’s where I got in real trouble. At Caribbean Night, the poolside buffet offered endless varieties of Caribbean cuisine. I had several plates, and went back for thirds.
Evenings mean big fun at Coconut Bay, so you may need a nap in the afternoon to prepare. Caribbean Night features dancers, live music, songs, and fire breathing. Other nights offer beach parties, piano bar sing-alongs, karaoke, a chocolate extravaganza buffet, and a DJ. If you’re there during the once-a-month Full Moon Party, don’t miss it! There’s nothing quite like dancing under the moon to a live band on the beach.
Tours & Excursions
As tempting as it would be to never leave Coconut Bay, the resort does offer excursions. From zip-lining to scuba diving, there are plenty of options. You can ask the staff for recommendations on the best things to do in St. Lucia with kids. The eight-hour land and sea excursion I went on would be perfect for older kids and teens.
Catamaran to Sugar Beach
On my excursion, we first explored the west coast of Saint Lucia by catamaran. The water was choppy (thank goodness for Dramamine), but the views of the Pitons were incredible. We made two stops to snorkel, the first at Sugar Beach. Here, we explored a marine preserve right off the beach. The water was shallow and just a few feet off the shore I saw a two-foot long houndfish.
At the second place we stopped, the water was deeper and required flippers for snorkeling. Swimming out in the open ocean made me a little nervous, so if you do this with a child, make sure to put them in a life jacket.
Back on land, we drove to a higher altitude for more stunning views. After lunch in an open-air restaurant, we continued on to swim behind a (freezing) waterfall and soak in a (hot, volcanic) mud bath. It was a day full of adventure!
Children’s Spa Services
Before heading home, I was excited to sneak in a massage at Coconut Bay’s oceanside Kai Mer Spa. Here they have both indoor and outdoor treatment rooms, and there’s a children’s spa menu of services for ages five and up. Kids can choose from a Mermaid Facial, a Princess Mani/Pedi, or a Mommy and Me Massage.
Best of all, you can schedule spa services for the morning of your departure, because you know the airport is only five minutes away. Having it so close means you don’t lose your departure day to travel. You can relax right up to the last minute of vacation.
Coconut Bay Beach Resort Review
When booking at Coconut Bay, families can choose from a variety of guest rooms in the Splash wing, from two-bedroom connecting rooms to a Concierge Premium Oceanview. All include free wifi, free parking, free airport transfers, a mini fridge, a flat-screen TV, and hair dryer. Some offer turn-down service. All offer endless fun. So, is Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa right for families? Absolutely.
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