Great Stirrup Cay (GSC) is Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)'s 270-acre private island in the Bahamas. Owned by NCL since 1977, it was the first-ever private island developed by a cruise line. While nearly every major cruise brand now operates a private island, NCL is reclaiming its crown with massive upgrades that turn Great Stirrup Cay into one of the most action-packed beach destinations in the Caribbean — including the Great Tides Waterpark, which officially opens to guests on Sept. 4, 2026.
I've been to Great Stirrup Cay a handful of times over the years on NCL sailings. My earliest visits were pre-renovation, when there wasn't a ton to do on the island. I remember looking over enviously at Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay (it's so close to GSC that you could practically swim there). I could see its waterpark, wishing NCL had something similar.
Most recently, I went back on Sept. 1, 2026, for a media preview day ahead of the official waterpark opening. The difference from those early trips versus my most recent trip is night and day.
On this page
What’s new: Great Tides Waterpark (debuting Sept. 4, 2026)
Opening officially to all guests on Sept. 4, 2026, the Great Tides Waterpark brings nearly six acres of high-thrill water attractions to the island.
Note that day passes to Great Tides Waterpark require an extra fee, bookable via myNCL.
Key waterpark thrills
- 19 waterslides: Highlights include The Great Slide (a four-person body slide) and Tidal Tower, which launches inner tubes uphill using high-pressure water jets.
- Cliffside Cove: Home to the industry's first (and the Caribbean's tallest) cliff jumps, letting guests leap 10 to 15 feet into the water.
- The Wandering River: This is a lazy river that floats both outside and through a water tunnel.
- Splash Cay: A dedicated family splash zone with mini slides and tipping buckets.
New waterpark dining and bars
- Low Tide Smoke: Serving slow-smoked barbecue staples like St. Louis pork riblets, BBQ pork nachos and crispy buffalo cauliflower.
- Catch of the Cay: Offering crispy shrimp rolls, fried shrimp baskets and chilled seafood rolls with waffle fries.
- Tidal Treats: Handcrafted dessert bowls featuring strawberry red velvet sundaes, chocolate brownie sundaes and tropical fish-shaped waffle cones with soft serve.
- Grotto Bar & Floataway Bar: Sip cocktails directly under the cliff jumps at Cliffside Cove or swim right up to the bar inside The Wandering River.
I've been to a lot of waterparks including Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay, Walt Disney World waterparks and various local parks — and Great Tides is easily one of the best.
It's not as big as the Disney World waterparks, but I never even had the energy to hit all 19 slides within Great Tides anyway (it's a lot of stair climbing, so every slide does feel like a commitment no matter what water park you're at).
In fact, Great Tides' smaller footprint versus Disney water parks made it easy to navigate without ever feeling like I was trekking across a theme park.
The Wandering River's indoor tunnel section was the clear highlight — it's got screens meant to evoke swimming through an underwater cave. The screen quality read a little more "stadium jumbotron" than "Disney-ride-quality projection" (think discount Pandora – World of Avatar), but it was creative and unlike anything else I've experienced at a waterpark, so I'll give it credit for originality even if the technology isn't top-tier.
Cliff diving at Cliffside Cove was the other real standout. It's the kind of thing I'd want to try in a natural setting but don't always feel safe doing. Here, the jump depths were clearly labeled and there were plenty of lifeguards around, which made it feel like a controlled way to get that adrenaline hit.
A few practical notes: the paid food options inside the waterpark weren't meaningfully better than the complimentary burgers, hot dogs and chicken available elsewhere on the island, so I wouldn't pay a premium expecting an elevated menu. And if the only thing your kids want is the splash-zone experience, you can skip the waterpark upcharge entirely, as there's a separate, complimentary splash pad elsewhere on the island that covers that need for free (more on that below).
Subscribe to our free TravelNerd newsletter for inspiration, tips and money-saving strategies, delivered straight to your inbox.
By signing up, you will receive newsletters and promotional content and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
My experience on Great Stirrup Cay
Great Stirrup Cay feels like a massive, family-friendly beach club, and the renovated island has a refreshingly different energy than my earlier visits.
The busiest spot on the entire island by far was the free Great Life Lagoon pool complex, which opened in early 2026 as one of the first updates in the island's multiphase renovation project. Its swim-up bar draws a constant crowd, with a DJ and an emcee keeping the energy up throughout the day (it has more of a Vegas pool-club vibe than a quiet resort pool). As a side effect, the beaches were almost empty during my visit. If you're someone who prefers a quiet stretch of sand over a party atmosphere, that's the place to go.
Also new since early 2026 (and complimentary) is a splash pad for kids, separate from the paid waterpark's splash zone.
Other highlights that continue to hold up since the island's inception:
- It felt safe. I left my camera on a lounge chair, trusting it wouldn’t get stolen (something I wouldn’t do on a truly public beach).
- Lounge chairs and umbrellas were free. That’s generally not the case on public beaches.
- The food was good. I devoured solid picnic staples like chicken drumsticks, included in the cruise fare.
Here’s what I didn’t like:
- There was no Wi-Fi. There are no plans to add it, either.
- There’s nowhere to really stroll or hike. I wanted to get my jog on, but the only real path is not that long (and often busy with people). If you want to get a run in, stick to the treadmill on the ship.
- You're confined to a small space. For travelers who enjoy exploring cities on port days, the island offers limited variety compared to traditional ports.
How to get to Great Stirrup Cay
Ships heading to Great Stirrup Cay now dock at a new multi-ship pier. This $150 million pier accommodates two full-sized cruise ships simultaneously and eliminates the need for tender boats.
You can walk straight off the ship at your own pace, with tram service available for guests needing mobility assistance. This is a massive improvement over the old tender system, which added 30 minutes or more each way.
The waterpark itself is about a mile from the ship, though there's another tram that can take you there if you don't want to walk.
Either way, getting to and from the island is far easier now that NCL added its own pier for the ship to dock at versus the old tender system. I had multiple friends casually go back and forth between the ship and the island throughout the day to nap or escape the midday heat, which simply wasn't practical before the new dock existed.
What you get for free at GSC
It's entirely possible to spend a day at Great Stirrup Cay without spending money beyond your cruise fare.
Beaches and chairs
GSC has three beaches filled with complimentary chairs and umbrellas, available first-come, first-served.
Great Life Lagoon pool complex
The 1.4-acre heated Great Life Lagoon pool features:
- A beach-style entry that gradually deepens.
- Two swim-up bars (drinks not included, but covered by the More At Sea beverage package).
- A splash area with water features for kids.
- Complimentary lounge chairs surrounding the pool.
- 33 cabanas available for rent along the perimeter.
- A DJ and emcee keeping the energy high throughout the day. Expect this to be the liveliest, busiest part of the island.
Splash Harbor
This complimentary 9,000-square-foot splash pad sits steps from the pool and offers water play features designed for young children — a free alternative if you don't want to pay for the waterpark's Splash Cay.
Food at GSC
Food at GSC is all-you-can-eat and included with your cruise fare.
The main restaurant, Jumbey Beach Grill, serves island-style picnic fare like burgers, chicken, corn, rice and fruit.
Abaco Taco was my favorite of the bunch. It serves, well, tacos.
A food truck serves similar picnic fare like pulled pork sandwiches, while hot dog carts roam the island, too.
Drinks at GSC
Multiple bars sprinkled throughout the island serve soda and island-inspired alcoholic drinks like frozen daiquiris and mojitos.
Other than water, juice and coffee served at the restaurants, drinks are not included. However, NCL’s More At Sea package, which offers unlimited open bar access, extends from your ship to GSC.
Without the package, cocktails average about $15. Since the More At Sea package costs $39 per person per day, you easily break even after three cocktails (and that doesn’t account for other More At Sea benefits like specialty dining).
Other GSC activities
Photo opps: There’s a swing near the water that’s a perfect place to snap photos.
Shopping: A small market area sells the usual souvenirs like hats, shirts and trinkets. Browsing is free, but you’ll pay for what you buy.
Snorkeling: Snorkelers typically swim out to an underwater sculpture garden at the main beach. Besides that, GSC’s snorkeling is not great, with few tropical fish due to coral reef decline. Snorkeling gear rentals cost about $35, but you can use your own.
🤓Nerdy Tip
If you intend to snorkel across multiple days, buy your own snorkel gear ahead of time, which can sometimes cost less than the price of a single-day rental.Entertainment: Live music or DJs typically play music by the main beach.
Activities that cost extra
At Great Stirrup Cay, you can pay extra for certain excursions and add-ons. Prices vary by sailing, but here’s a rough estimate.
Vibe Shore Club (adults-only area): The new Vibe Shore Club offers an elevated, adults-only beachfront experience. Access requires an all-day pass and includes private cabanas, a private bar and exclusive beach area away from family zones. Prices vary by sailing, but it may be worth it if you need a break from kids.
Equipment rentals: Rental options include stand-up paddle boards (about $45) and clam shell shade structures (about $50).
Cabanas: Beyond the adults-only Vibe Shore Club, cabanas are available throughout the island. These offer private space, shade and power outlets. Six-person cabanas start at about $450 per day. Larger cabanas accommodate more people at higher prices.
Zipline: A zipline runs from the lighthouse across much of the island. There are a few types of zipline tours, which start at about $110 for adults.
Swim with pigs: Excursions to a neighboring island called Treasure Island allow you to swim with pigs or stingrays. Those start at more than $200 per adult.
🤓Nerdy Tip
The More At Sea package includes a $50 credit for shore excursions, which applies at Great Stirrup Cay. The spa: Spa treatments are available within an exclusive area called Silver Cove (more on that later).
The Great Tides Waterpark: Day passes require an extra fee, bookable via myNCL. Pricing varies by sailing enough that it's hard to predict what you'll pay until you check your specific cruise, but expect to pay roughly $99. NCL itself has said that it is still testing price ranges.
Silver Cove Villas: For an even fancier experience, book a villa. These small homes sit in an exclusive area called Silver Cove, which is a portion of GSC that launched in 2019 with its own beach, restaurant and pool. It's only accessible to people who book a villa or spa treatment.
The smallest, six-person villas start at about $660 per day. Instead of the open-air, hut-style cabana, villas are an entire tiny, air-conditioned house with a living room and restroom. Larger villas have full bedrooms with actual beds.
A buffet exclusive to Silver Cove guests is slightly fancier, with more grilled veggies and desserts like pineapple upside-down cake and coconut rice pudding.
Which NCL ships visit Great Stirrup Cay?
In 2026, 17 of NCL's ships offer Caribbean, Bahamas and weekend cruises that visit Great Stirrup Cay. The company expects to welcome over one million guests to the island across these sailings.
This includes NCL's newest vessels:
Norwegian Aqua: Sailing seven-day Caribbean itineraries from Miami and Port Canaveral, Florida.
Norwegian Luna: Debuted in spring 2026 and hosting the official Sept. 4, 2026 grand opening celebration for Great Tides Waterpark.
Great Stirrup Cay has evolved from a simple beach day into a full-scale destination. The new pier, massive pool complex and waterpark address previous limitations while maintaining the relaxed, all-inclusive vibe that makes private islands appealing.
The island works best for travelers who enjoy resort-style relaxation over cultural exploration. If you prefer wandering city streets on port days, you might find the island limiting. But for families, beach lovers and anyone seeking a low-stress tropical escape without leaving the cruise ecosystem, Great Stirrup Cay delivers — and with the waterpark now open, it finally has an answer to the competition I used to envy on other cruise lines' islands.
With most amenities included in your cruise fare and the ability to easily return to your ship, it's one of the more convenient port experiences available on any cruise line.
(Top photo by Sally French)
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2026:
- Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph® Card
- Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Luxury perks: American Express Platinum Card®
- Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Explore more on
