Among the many islands of the Bahamas lies Norwegian Cruise Line’s private destination, Great Stirrup Cay. Many Bahamas and Caribbean voyages include a stop at this sunny paradise, where guests can relax on the beach, fly through the sky on a zip line, or head out on a jet skiing adventure. If you’re setting sail on a cruise to this private island, check out our guide on everything you need to know about Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas.
Everything You Need to Know About Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas (2025)
What is Great Stirrup Cay?
Great Stirrup Cay is Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island in the Bahamas. NCL blazed a new trail for cruising when it acquired the island back in the 1970s, as it was the first time a cruise line had owned and operated its own private island. The 250+ acre retreat, of course, has come a long way since then!
Located approximately 60 miles from Nassau, Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay is part of a chain of islands known as the Berry Islands. Interestingly, the island is next-door neighbors with another cruise line private island: Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay. And as with any cruise line private island, the only way to get to Great Stirrup Cay is on a cruise.

Getting to Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas
The list of ships cruising to Great Stirrup Cay is a long one. You can set sail on short three and four-night adventures to the island aboard ships like Norwegian Joy, Getaway, and Gem. Longer sailings that include stops at the island take place aboard Norwegian Escape, Epic, Jewel, Getaway, and Bliss. Two of NCL’s newest vessels, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Aqua, also have sailings on the schedule that include visits to Great Stirrup Cay.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ two other cruise brands, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises, occasionally have sailings that stop at Great Stirrup Cay. Though, the vast majority of itineraries that visit the island take place on Norwegian Cruise Line ships.

Once you arrive at Great Stirrup Cay, you can’t just walk onto the island from the ship. At the time of updating this article (July 2025), Great Stirrup Cay is a tender port, which means you must take a tender boat to go ashore. For those who are unfamiliar, tenders are small boats used by the cruise line for transportation when a ship is unable to dock. This ride over to the island is only a few minutes. Great news though — a pier is currently being built at Great Stirrup Cay, and is scheduled to begin welcoming ships late this year.
How do I get around the island?
Walking is the easiest way to get around the island. But if you’re tired of walking or are unable to walk long distances, there are complimentary trams with designated stops at all of the major points of interest on the island. For individuals with mobility issues, beach wheelchairs are also available near the entrance to help maneuver over the uneven terrain.
What’s Free on Great Stirrup Cay?
For most people visiting Great Stirrup Cay, the island provides a fun and relaxing beach day. Complimentary loungers and umbrellas line the beach, so settle in for a day of enjoying the sand and surf. There are also a variety of included food options at Great Stirrup Cay, which we’ll cover in the dining section below.
In winter 2025, several complimentary amenities will be added to the island for guests to enjoy. In addition to the new pier which will be able to accommodate two vessels at once, a new arrivals center will welcome guests onto the island. A 28,000 square-foot heated, lagoon-style swimming pool will also be added to Great Stirrup Cay, complete with islands, sun shelves, and two swim-up bars. A kids’ splash pad and a new recreation area with lawn games called Horizon Park are also coming to Great Stirrup Cay.
Those who want to spend their island day relaxing as much as possible can find a spot at the new relaxation area complete with hammocks, or indulge a bit with a cabana by the pool that will be available for rent.

Dining on Great Stirrup Cay
Like on the cruise ship, food on the island is included. There are no additional charges for eating while on Great Stirrup Cay. The Jumbey Beach Grill is a buffet featuring barbecue and picnic-style items like hot dogs, hamburgers, jerk chicken, fresh fruit, salad, pizza, and desserts. There are also beverage stations located nearby.
Other dining options at Great Stirrup Cay include the Abaco Taco stand and the Tropic Like It’s Hot food truck. Located on the northern part of the island, Abaco Taco is a casual take-out window that features beef, chicken, and seafood tacos with a toppings bar that allows you to customize your lunch. Abaco Taco gets two thumbs up from us! The Tropic Like It’s Hot food truck is located closer to Silver Cove and offers a select number of sandwiches including pork, chicken, or fish that are cooked to order.

Drinks on Great Stirrup Cay
For a private island, Great Stirrup Cay has plenty of bar options including the Bacardi Bar, Bertram’s Bar, the Patron Bar, and the Lighthouse Beach bar located near the Cabanas on the Cay. The beverage selections are mostly the same at each of these bars. The great thing about Great Stirrup Cay is that your drink package works on the island. If your alcoholic beverages are included on the ship, they are also covered while on the island. For those without a package, you can still enjoy a cocktail with a simple swipe of your room key card.
In winter 2025 when the new lagoon-style pool opens, it will also feature two new swim-up bars for guests to enjoy.

Beaches on Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas
Great Stirrup Cay offers an expansive coastline full of sandy beaches for you to spend your day relaxing and enjoying the water. There are plenty of lounge chairs for everyone on the beach, as well as palm trees for shade. Clamshells are also available for rent. Since the coastline is a bit rocky in certain areas, a pair of water shoes might be helpful if you plan to take a dip in the water. We recommend you head farther away from the tender entrance if you want to find a quieter spot on the beach.
This coming winter, NCL’s popular ship adults-only sundeck Vibe Beach Club is coming to land — as an exclusive beach retreat. The adults-only area will feature its own private cabanas as well as plush loungers and other upgraded amenities.

Things to Do at Great Stirrup Cay That Cost Extra
While the beach is free for guests to enjoy and dining is included on the island, there are some optional excursions and rentals that allow for other experiences during your day at Great Stirrup Cay. And of course, you may want to purchase a souvenir or forgotten essential while you’re ashore, as well!
Shore Excursions and Equipment Rentals
There are a few shore excursions you can choose from during a day at Great Stirrup Cay. Hit up one of the island’s zip lines or head out on a fast-paced wave runner (jet ski) tour with a group of other cruisers and a guide. If you’re an animal lover, you can take a boat ride over to treasure island, where you have the opportunity to interact with stingrays and go swimming with pigs. For a more relaxed adventure, guided kayaking tours are also available at Great Stirrup Cay.
If you’d prefer to set out on your own, equipment rentals including stand-up paddleboards and snorkel gear are also available. We recommend snorkeling, as Great Stirrup Cay features a cool underwater sculpture garden to explore.
Shopping
If you’re looking to purchase a souvenir during your day at Great Stirrup Cay, head over to the Berried Treasures Bazaar, which is a collection of locally-run shops.

Cabana Rentals
There are cabanas available to rent at Great Stirrup Cay. Each cabana includes lounge furniture, a small refrigerator, and its own ramp down towards the beach. Classic cabanas are located on a secluded part of the beach and start at $658. They can accommodate up to six guests, with the ability to add up to two more guests for $35 per person. Premier cabanas can accommodate up to eight guests, with the ability to add up to two more for $39 per person. They start at $493 per person. Cabana rentals come with bottled water and the use of floating mats for the day. Prices can vary depending on the sailing.

Silver Cove at Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas
If you’re looking for something a bit more exclusive and luxurious, you might want to look into spending your day at Silver Cove.
Located at the far end of the island, Silver Cove is a private retreat offering exclusive amenities for The Haven guests, guests who book a villa (different from the cabanas), and guests who book treatments at the Mandara spa located in this area. Silver Cove features its own reception area, a private restaurant, the private Moet Bar, a private infinity pool, and a private lagoon and beach area.
The villas at Silver Cove are for those seeking ultimate luxury and relaxation while on Great Stirrup Cay. There are studio, one bedroom, and two bedroom lagoon villas available for varying prices accommodating up to eight, 10, and 16 guests respectively. Ocean villas accommodate six guests. Each villa comes with air conditioning, a TV with free on-demand movies, a full private bathroom, uninhibited views of the beautiful shoreline, and access to the private restaurant and bar.

Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas: Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to bring cash onto the island?
Money is not needed for food or drinks on Great Stirrup Cay. But, you may want some money to provide tips to the helpful staff on the island. If you plan to purchase souvenirs, you may want to bring some cash (U.S. dollars are fine) — some shops may accept your cruise card or a credit card, but others may only take cash. We usually bring around $50 just in case we want to buy something.
Is there cell service and/or wifi at Great Stirrup Cay?
There is no wifi at Great Stirrup Cay, but the island does have a cell tower for cellular service. So if you have an international cell phone plan, it should work on Great Stirrup Cay.
Is there a swimming pool at Great Stirrup Cay?
As of July 2025, the only swimming pool at Great Stirrup Cay is the infinity pool located in the exclusive Silver Cove area. But in winter 2025, a brand-new lagoon-style pool available to all visitors will be opening.
Will I have fun on Great Stirrup Cay?
Most certainly, YES! Whatever you plan to do, whether it is eat and drink, go snorkeling or kayaking, try out the zip line course, or simply just relax on the beach, a day at Great Stirrup Cay is one of the best stops on any cruise.

Comments
Have you ever been to Great Stirrup Cay? Do you have any tips for anyone planning a visit to Great Stirrup Cay? Drop us an anchor below to share your knowledge with other cruisers.
15 comments
Andrea Lieberman
Please inform cruisers that you have to pay taxes on drinks on Stirrup Cay.
Pat
Is there any horseback riding available on the island
christina
Just wondering is where the Norwegian cruise line port location, in walking distance to the beach, or do you have to take a taxi ?
Karen
Are there lockers available on GSC?
Shawnda
Hi karen,
I havent heard or seen anything about lockers and was wandering the same. When are you going might i ask? Im going next month!!
Shelley
Do you know approx how much the small cabanas run ?
Susan
I can walk about 20′ and do about 10 stairs other than that I use a wheelchair. Will I be able to tender? Booked on the Bliss March 15th cruise.
Kristin
Can 18-20 year olds who have the young adult alcoholic beverage waiver consume alcohol on the island?
DB
The same rules should apply to the ship and Great Stirrup Cay.
Terry
Are drinks and food still free on the island going in Nov 2019
Amy Ross
Can we get “noodles” to use while there? They are so great for just floating in the sea. Don’t really want to pack my own.
James P Moore
Is there going to be a “Haven” area at Great Stirrup Cay? Jim M
Beth
We will be arriving on GSC December 27th and are wondering if the zip line will be open? We heard it would be open by Christmas. Our 7 grandkids, and maybe grandma, are excited to do this.
DB
Hi Beth, sorry we missed this comment. Were the zip lines open on the island?