Great Stirrup Cay Ultimate Guide: Here’s Everything You Need to Know in 2026

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 2026 guide on everything you need to know about Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas.

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 has, of course, 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 Encore, Joy, Epic, Escape, Getaway, Bliss, Jewel, and Pearl. NCL’s four newest vessels, Norwegian Prima, Viva, Aqua, and Luna, 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.

Great Stirrup Cay was previously a tender-only port, meaning you had to take a tender boat to get to shore. However, in December 2025, the island opened a brand-new pier that can accommodate two cruise ships at once. This means that guests can now walk off the ship straight onto the pier and there’s no more need for tender boats.

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 updates debuted on Great Stirrup Cay including a new arrivals center to welcome guests onto the island. A major addition is the brand-new 1.4-acre Great Life Lagoon pool area. Featuring a 28,000 square-foot heated pool that’s larger than two Olympic-sized pools combined, it features a beach-style entrance, a splash area with water features for kids, islands and sun shelves, and two swim-up bars for the adults. Families who want even more kid-focused fun can head over to the Splash Harbor splash pad, which is located just steps away from the pool.

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 one of the cabanas by the pool that are 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. In the new lagoon-style pool, there are also two swim-up bars. The beverage selections are mostly the same at each of these bars.

New for this year, Norwegian Cruise Line has announced that as of March 2026, its shipboard drink packages will no longer work at Great Stirrup Cay. This includes the beverage package that’s included with Free at Sea (the Unlimited Open Bar Package). However, if you have the upgraded Free at Sea Plus package, that does include drinks on Great Stirrup Cay. If you don’t have Free at Sea Plus, you can still enjoy a cocktail with a simple swipe of your room key card.

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 further away from the welcome center area if you want to find a quieter spot on the beach.

New this winter, NCL’s popular onboard adults-only sundeck Vibe Beach Club has officially opened on land as an exclusive beach retreat called Vibe Shore Club. The adults-only area is accessible via an all-day pass and features plush loungers, upgraded amenities, a private bar, and cabanas for rent. Pricing starts at $79 per person.

Note: Access to Vibe Shore Club is separate from the onboard Vibe Beach Club. Having a pass to Vibe Beach Club on the ship does not grant you access to the Shore Club. It’s treated separately, and can be purchased the way you’d purchase a shore excursion for the island.

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 in multiple areas available to rent at Great Stirrup Cay, including the standard beach cabanas, cabanas at the Great Life Lagoon pool, and Vibe Shore Club cabanas for adults only.

Premier Cabanas

There is one type of standard beach cabana that guests can rent, called Premier Cabanas. Able to accommodate up to eight guests, these open-air cabanas include lounge furniture, a ceiling fan, bottled water, and four floating mats to use in the water. Up to two additional guests can be added to a Premier Cabana for $39 per person. Pricing can vary depending on availability, but Premier Cabanas start at $449 for the day.

Great Life Lagoon Cabanas

There are three cabana types to choose from around the Great Life Lagoon swimming pool. The shaded Great Life Lagoon Couples Cabanas accommodate up to two guests and feature plush daybed-style seating with prime access to nearby bars. They start at $229 for the day.

Standard Great Life Lagoon Cabanas can accommodate up to eight guests and include shaded seating, a ceiling fan, a small fridge with ice and water, bar service, a bottle of sparkling wine, a fruit basket, chips and salsa, and easy access to the pool. They start at $599 for the day. Larger Great Life Lagoon Grand Cabanas are also available, with capacity for up to 12 guests. Those start at $699 for the day.

Vibe Shore Club Cabanas

The adults-only Vibe Shore Club has two types of cabanas to choose from, both of which include day passes to the club. The Vibe Shore Club Couples Cabanas start at $229 for the day and include plush daybed-style seating and easy access to the beach.

For up to four guests, there are standard Vibe Shore Club Cabanas. These open-air, semi-private cabanas include lounge furniture, a cooler stocked with ice and water, a bottle of sparkling wine, a fruit basket, chips and salsa, bar service, a ceiling fan, an outdoor shower, and four floating mats to use in the ocean. These cabanas start at $599 for the day.

The Future Great Tides Waterpark

As Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings continues to expand guest offerings at Great Stirrup Cay, the company has announced that it will be adding a water park set to open this summer. The Great Tides Waterpark will be spread across nearly six acres and be anchored by a whopping 19 waterslides.

The 170-foot Tidal Tower will feature eight waterslides, including tube slides, racing slides, body slides, and more. Cliffside Cove will include both 10-foot and 15-foot cliff jumps — a first for the cruise industry — as well as the Caribbean’s only family slide where four people can slide down together. The hidden cave watering hole, Grotto Bar, will be tucked under the family slide.

A 9,000-square-foot kids’ splash zone will be at the center of the water park, offering eight mini slides, an oversized tipping bucket, and an 800-foot dynamic river with both calm waters and accelerated currents. A highlight of the river will be an illuminated grotto tunnel with bioluminescent elements.

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?

Yes! The brand-new Great Life Lagoon pool is now open on Great Stirrup Cay as of December 2025. This heated pool features a beach-style entrance, sun shelves and islands, a splash area for kids, and two swim-up bars for adults. There’s also an infinity pool in the exclusive Silver Cove area.

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, swim in the pool, 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.

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