🇧🇸 Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas — Cruise Port Guide
Norwegian's private island in the Berry Islands and the original of the type — the first private island any cruise line bought, back in 1977. A curve of sand, a lagoon, and a lighthouse from 1863.
Updated September 2026
Quick facts
Getting ashore
When to visit Great Stirrup Cay
Ships call year-round, though November to April is drier and less humid. Hurricane season runs June to November.
Getting back to the ship on time
Tender queues are the whole game here: go early and come back before the last hour. Rough water occasionally cancels the call outright, since there is no alternative berth.
All-aboard is ship's time — check it in the daily programme, and set your watch to it.
Things to do in Great Stirrup Cay
The main beach
A long curve of white sand with free loungers, shade and calm shallow water. Get on an early tender to claim a spot near the water.
Snorkel the reef
Gear hire on the beach, with coral and reef fish close in. Visibility is best in the morning before the water gets stirred up.
Silver Cove
The paid area with private cabanas, a separate beach and table service. Book on board — it sells out on full ships.
Walk to the lighthouse
The 1863 light stands at the eastern end. The walk is hot and unshaded but the view along the cay is worth it.
Water toys & floating mats
Kayaks, paddleboards, wave runners and an inflatable aqua park, hired by the hour.
Straw market
Bahamian vendors selling straw work, jewellery and carvings near the tender pier — the one place local money changes hands.
What to eat
- Jerk chicken
- Conch fritters
- Burgers and barbecue
- Bahama Mama
- Key lime pie
Weather by month
Best time to visit: Nov–Apr (dry season)
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 77° | 64° | 1.9" |
| Feb | 78° | 64° | 1.7" |
| Mar | 80° | 66° | 2" |
| Apr | 83° | 69° | 2.2" |
| May | 86° | 73° | 4.4" |
| Jun | 88° | 76° | 7.2" |
| Jul | 90° | 78° | 6.3" |
| Aug | 90° | 78° | 6.8" |
| Sep | 88° | 77° | 7.2" |
| Oct | 85° | 74° | 6.2" |
| Nov | 81° | 70° | 2.9" |
| Dec | 78° | 66° | 2.1" |
A little history
Norwegian bought Great Stirrup Cay in 1977, making it the first private island in the cruise industry — every other line's version came afterwards.
The lighthouse dates from 1863 and was built by the Imperial Lighthouse Service to warn ships off the Berry Islands reefs.
The island is one of about 30 in the Berry Islands chain, most of them uninhabited, roughly 120 miles east of Miami.
Everything is tendered ashore, so getting off early matters more here than at berthed destinations — the last tenders back are always the busiest.
Norwegian's neighbouring Harvest Caye in Belize was built later and berths ships; Great Stirrup stayed a tender port.