Blue Lagoon Island: A Bucket List Experience I Probably Wouldn’t Repeat
- Paige Evatt
- Apr 7
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 8
When you're planning a Caribbean cruise, especially one with Royal Caribbean, Blue Lagoon Island might pop up as one of the most recommended shore excursions. And honestly? I get the appeal. It's beautiful. It’s got dolphins. It’s a private island. But after experiencing it for myself, I’m here to give you the full scoop—what’s included, what surprised me, and why, despite the fun, it’s not a recommendation I make lightly anymore.
The Dreamy Stuff: Yes, It Is Beautiful
Just four miles from Nassau, Blue Lagoon Island is a slice of postcard-worthy paradise. We’re talking turquoise water, palm trees, and sugary white sand. It's easy to see why so many travelers book it—it’s visually stunning, and you truly feel like you’re somewhere special.
Included in your excursion fee are:
Beach loungers (plenty available!)
Water inflatables (if you can get up them—it's a full-body workout and a half)
A gift shop with super cute and surprisingly affordable souvenirs
Room to roam and explore on foot
An adults-only section (we didn’t get to visit as it required a day pass, but other guests seemed to enjoy it)
The dolphin encounter was definitely a highlight. It’s well-organized and magical for animal lovers, with the chance to pet, kiss, and hug with these sweet, intelligent creatures. And at the end, you’ll be offered a photo + video package of your experience. It’s not required to purchase and costs about $150—but honestly, you’ll want it. We split the cost with friends and shared the files, and it was so worth it.
The Surprises (Not All Good Ones)
Here’s where the experience started to unravel.
🚫 Lunch isn’t included—and it’ll set you back around $50 per person. Some visitors had passes that included food (possibly for the adults-only section?), but it wasn't clear. There were cheaper quick-bite spots (like pizza and burgers), but not all were open during our visit.
And while the buffet lunch was decent, it was not unlimited. We went through a line and had to choose either a hamburger or a hot dog, plus one piece of barbecue chicken and a couple of sides. I really wanted two pieces of chicken and to skip the burger/hot dog altogether—but that wasn’t allowed.
And the worst part? The staff working the buffet weren’t exactly friendly about it. For $50, I feel like there should’ve been at least a little choice or flexibility… but nope. It was very much a “get your hot dog and move” kind of vibe. Not exactly the island hospitality I expected.
⏰ Logistics were messy. The check-in and ferry boarding process felt disorganized, and the ferry ride back was especially rough. And I mean that both literally (those waves were no joke) and figuratively (the crew communication left a lot to be desired).
Keep reading, because what happened after we got home made me rethink the entire experience...
🛟 Safety Concerns? Yep. After we got home, I looked up reviews and found out that a ferry had literally sunk near Blue Lagoon Island just months earlier. Here’s the article I found.
The story talked about zero safety briefings, unprepared crew, and passengers who had to swim for their lives in open water. I can’t lie... that rocked me. I’m a strong swimmer, but not everyone is. And that is not the kind of risk I want my clients taking on vacation.
The worst part? I had just been talking about taking my kids to Blue Lagoon someday - to let them swim with dolphins. But when I imagined them trapped on a sinking ferry in shark-infested waters, with crew members who didn’t even bother to close the windows—oh hell no. That would’ve been absolutely traumatic, and no amount of turquoise water is worth that gamble.
🎢 Our Ferry Ride: A Whole Experience on Its OwnThe entire reason I went searching for safety concerns was because of our experience on the way back from the island. Let me paint you a picture… The ride to Blue Lagoon was bumpy, as expected, but fine.
The ride back? An absolute disaster. We had to sail through a storm, the boat was packed, and the vinyl windows were wide open—so waves started crashing in, literally soaking people and their belongings. What made it worse was the complete lack of direction from the crew. No announcements. No “hey, let’s close the windows.” No reassurance. Just… chaos.
Other passengers and I were standing (on a rocking boat!) trying to latch down the snaps on the windows—with zero help from the crew. Meanwhile, they were just checking names off a clipboard and watching us struggle. I watched parents frantically cover their kids and bags, while not a single crew member lifted a finger.
It felt unsettling and honestly, it made me angry. I could deal because I didn't have my children with me—but after later learning about the ferry that sank just a couple months earlier?? Yeah… the whole vibe? Not it.
The Final Verdict
Our day was a blast - beautiful views, dolphins, and lots of laughs with friends. But between the unexpected costs, the logistical hiccups, and the post-trip safety concerns, Blue Lagoon Island is not something I’d enthusiastically recommend.
If you're a light packer, strong swimmer, and cool with dropping extra cash for food and photos, you might still enjoy it. But if you're traveling with young kids, older relatives, or anyone with mobility or sensory challenges? I’d steer you toward other options in Nassau that are just as beautiful - and a lot safer.
Have questions or want help finding the right fit for your shore day? That’s where I come in. I’ll help you choose excursions that match your vibe and your values—so you can relax and enjoy the moment, not stress over what’s missing.
Want help planning your next cruise or island getaway?📩 Let’s chat!
CRUISE with PIE is here to take the guesswork out of travel.
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