The original cruise line private island — 268 acres of turquoise Bahamian water, powdery beaches, and a laid-back vibe that feels worlds away from the megaship parks. Norwegian Cruise Line has owned it since 1977, and a major $150M upgrade is underway.
NCL confirms the two-berth pier is open. Follow your ship’s daily program for docking or tendering; berth availability and weather can affect the call. NCL announcement
💡 Pro move: Check your ship’s morning announcements for arrival arrangements and weather-related changes.
Follow the arrival instructions for your sailing. Oceania and Regent guests should confirm docking or tendering with their operator.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Norwegian Cruise Line — only if your sailing is instructed to tender | Assigned tender landing at Great Stirrup Cay; confirm aboard.📍 | Tendered |
| Norwegian Cruise Line — follow your sailing’s docking instructions | New two-berth pier, Great Stirrup Cay; follow NCL’s instructions.📍 | Docked |
| Oceania Cruises / Regent Seven Seas | Assigned landing at Great Stirrup Cay; confirm with your operator.📍 | Tendered |
Everything on the island is NCL-operated — book excursions and rentals on the ship or via the NCL app before arrival to secure spots, especially for zip-lining and cabanas.
NCL’s Flighthouse Zipline offers paid zipline adventures above the island. Confirm current availability, requirements and pricing with NCL.
Explore NCL’s underwater sculpture garden just off the beach. Check equipment rental, conditions and staff instructions before entering the water.
Reserve a beach cabana or an air-conditioned Silver Cove villa through NCL. Silver Cove is exclusive to its reserved guests; amenities and capacity depend on the booking.
NCL offers guided Wave Runner rides around the island waters. Confirm current tour requirements and availability with NCL.
NCL offers kayak and paddle-board activities in the island waters. Check current guided-tour or rental arrangements and conditions with NCL.
The island is compact enough to walk end-to-end, though the free tram makes longer stretches easy.
Follow NCL’s current island map and signs from your assigned pier or tender landing. At the Welcome Plaza, the tram provides access around the island and the panoramic bridge leads toward Great Life Lagoon.
Climate normals for Great Stirrup Cay, Berry Islands, Bahamas (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 74°F / 23°C | 71°F / 22°C | 11 | 7:00 AM | 5:42 PM |
| Feb | 75°F / 24°C | 72°F / 22°C | 7 | 6:46 AM | 6:05 PM |
| Mar | 75°F / 24°C | 72°F / 22°C | 7 | 7:20 AM | 7:20 PM |
| Apr | 77°F / 25°C | 74°F / 23°C | 10 | 6:48 AM | 7:34 PM |
| May | 79°F / 26°C | 76°F / 24°C | 13 | 6:25 AM | 7:50 PM |
| Jun | 82°F / 28°C | 79°F / 26°C | 16 | 6:20 AM | 8:04 PM |
| Jul | 84°F / 29°C | 81°F / 27°C | 16 | 6:29 AM | 8:05 PM |
| Aug | 85°F / 29°C | 81°F / 27°C | 15 | 6:44 AM | 7:46 PM |
| Sep | 84°F / 29°C | 81°F / 27°C | 16 | 6:57 AM | 7:15 PM |
| Oct | 82°F / 28°C | 79°F / 26°C | 17 | 7:10 AM | 6:43 PM |
| Nov | 79°F / 26°C | 76°F / 24°C | 11 | 6:29 AM | 5:22 PM |
| Dec | 76°F / 24°C | 73°F / 23°C | 10 | 6:51 AM | 5:22 PM |
Climate source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Follow your ship’s daily instructions for walking ashore or any tender arrangements. Do not assume every call uses the same arrival method.
NCL’s tram is available from the Welcome Plaza for travel around the island. Follow current stops and staff instructions.
The island is compact and easily walkable. Most beach areas, bars, and dining spots are reachable on foot from the pier or tender landing.
Paid activities booked through NCL include kayak tours (~$65–$85), wave runners (~$185–$220), ziplines (~$110–$155), paddleboards (~$40–$45/hr), and swim-with-pigs excursions (~$205–$220).
Upcoming cruises that call at Great Stirrup Cay, Berry Islands, Bahamas. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.
Other cruise ports within about 250 km.