Innovators of travel, Norwegian Cruise Line have been redefining the cruise industry for over 50 years. Fresh off the plane and want to see a bit of the city before your cruise begins? Were here to share some insider information about Great Stirrup Cay Bahamas including what you can expect from this port of call. British educated with a diploma in journalism she has traveled the world, writing about her experiences with wonderful clarity and eyewitness detail. Those looking to unwind further on the ship will find much to love with a refreshing swimming pool, hot tubs and on-site spa. We have put together a list of things to do on the NCL private island to make your time on Great Stirrup Cay island unforgettable. You can pre-book this exciting experience from the Excursion Desk onboard the ship or at the islands Information Booth. Bertram Beach is is the busiest beach and has complimentary beach loungers and hammocks under the scattered palm trees. and the experience lasts about an hour. As a result, several Nassau and Grand Bahama Island-area operators have created their own, tamer versions of the activity using domesticated pigs. You don't actually swim with pigs. This includes a newly constructed walking path around the length of the island. You can explore its colorful past as you wander the historical streets and the colonial fortresses that line the shores. Cabana rentals start at $249 for 8 guests with additional fees for more guests. Although Great Stirrup Cay now offers their own version of a swimming pigs tour, theres no better way to see pigs in the Bahamas than where they were originally found; Big Major Cay (Pig Island), home of the Exuma pigs! After breakfast and a goodbye to your sailing companions, why not take the day to relax and unwind in Miami before returning home? She uses her personal journals and memories to write about her many cruise experiences around the Caribbean, Mediterranean, trans-Atlantic, Norwegian Fjords, Panama Canal and South America including Cape Horn. After receiving paddling instructions, your guide will assist you to safely board your kayak, and off you go to explore the area! Bertrams Beach is the main beach where tenders arrive and depart. - Jordan Nix, Set sail for golden sands on our idyllic Bahamian island cruise. Refunds for depositsIf you cancel your trip after placing a deposit but before your card on file is charged for the full payment, you can request a full refund of your deposit up to 30 days before the tour departure. Perhaps you might be interested in checking out the unique underwater sculpture garden on Great Stirrup Cay, located in the clear blue waters of Bertram's Cove. And dont forget to start planning your next cruise with us soon! Share with your friends to enjoy greater group discount! Pre-order a cheese board, sushi or tacos and find them waiting for you in the cabana. We tried scratching a stomach or two, but as soon as the pig realizes there's no food, it moves on to the next person. You can go parasailing in tandem, sailing 400 feet high in the air above Stirrup Cay while being towed by a motor boat. The group spent the next 20minutes or so feeding pigs as they swam from person to person. Please don't poke the pigs with the skewers. ), kayaking through a mangrove forest, or snorkeling amongst the colorful tropical fish. With 268 acres to explore, youll find soft, white-sand beaches and a beautiful palm tree paradise wherever you tread. Cruise ships visiting Great Stirrup Cay drop their anchor some distance away from the island as the waters are too shallow for large ships to come ashore. Sink your feet into the warm sand and let out a shriek of joy if you must, but there is much more to Great Stirrup Cay than the norm. - Alonso Reyes, Here's life for the next few days sailing and island hopping in paradise! After all that activity, youll have worked up quite an appetite. Costs are from US$60-85 depending on the number of rides and which zip-lines you choose. But getting to Exuma is not easy, and the feral pigs have been known to bite. You'll need at least five hours in port. Once we leave the shores of Miami, every day will take you to a new Bahamian island, including Great Stirrup Cay, where youll have the entire landscape to yourself and your fellow adventurers. It has barbecue food, salads, ribs, chicken and corn-on-the-cob. Be careful of rocks in the water. It is dry and sunny in the winter season. Ive always been fascinated by islands and finding pieces of land in the middle of the sea, and the Bahamas is such a special place to explore. Tour duration: 3 hours and 30 minutes. Like its sister island, Little Stirrup Cay, Great Stirrup Cay island is a part of a set of islands known as the Berry Islands north of Nassau about fifty miles. Luckily, the folks at Norwegian Cruise Lines have also set up an underwater Sculpture Garden for your snorkel viewing pleasure. - Wikimedia Commons, This idyllic island paradise is exclusively reserved for guests of Norwegian. Take a Catamaran and Snorkel Tour at Great Stirrup Cay, Disneys Castaway Cay, Bahamas: What You Need to Know, Best Beaches in Nassau, Bahamas for Cruise Visitors, Get the big cruise headlines with our weekly cruise video update, https://www.cruisehive.com/author/gillian, Fishing Boat Collides With Norwegian Cruise Ship, Carnival Cruise Ship Rescues 12 People Adrift Near Key West, Inspections Begin on Large Cruise Ships in Glacier Bay. Before we could get our feet wet, we were taken up to a patio with tables and chairs and given a quick lesson on interacting with the animals: Don't tug on their ears or tails. You can enjoy some beach sports activities by engaging in a game of volleyball on the beach or listen to the DJ spinning some island music. You get the chance to feed and interact with these porkers and have a photo op before relaxing with a drink on the observation deck and watching the fun. Youll also enjoy plenty of R & R on Grand Bahama Island, and shopping delights galore on Nassau, the Bahamian capital. None of the pigs seemed interested in being scratched, and the pigs that had enough to eat headed to the beach to lounge and didn't want to be approached. The cost of the guided kayaking tour is US $55 for adults and $40 for children aged 8 and above. It is OK if you have no experience riding a jet ski, there will also be a quick instructional provision for beginners. A momento to remember your trip? Theres the trendy art deco district of South Beach, Calle Ocho in Little Havana, or the glamorous neighborhoods of Coral Gables and Coconut Grove. Prices start from $599 to over $1100 for up to 8 guests (and $49 for each additional guest, up to 10 in total). Jet ski tours around the island are perfect for that adrenaline-seeking traveler. - NASA space center, Disembark from the ship on day two, to tread the stunning white sands of Grand Bahama. Get out and explore the different beaches and you are sure to find a beach which you can enjoy nearly to yourself. - Antonio Cuellar, Why not explore the surrounds of Miami's Little Havana before your cruise? No snorkeling. Below, we have outlined your possibilities for a day on this NCL private island: Just as is popping up more and more around the Bahamas, this Norwegian private island gives you the opportunity to experience swimming with pigs in the Bahamas yourself. Leased from Belcher Oil Company in 1977 and later purchased outright in 1986, Great Stirrup Cay is a private 268-acre island oasis. Take one of our Exuma day trips Bahamas vacation deals to go on one of our swimming pigs tours to Pig Beach on Pig Island (Big Major Cay) to see the Exuma pigs in the Bahamas. - Jorgen Hendriksen, Kick back and relax with a cocktail on Great Stirrup Cay Island! The top destination in the Bahamas is the famous Swimming Pigs at Pig Beach. Snorkel equipment rental (at Great Stirrup Cay). Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. - Royal Caribbean, Live the good life on the beaches of Nassau. If there are two or more people together, consider swapping turns so someone can take photos (and bring a real camera with an actual zoom rather than relying on a cellphone). This reduces unnecessary delays. Located at Bertrams Cove, this garden offers snorkelers something to keep them busy with underwater statues of mermaids, sea creatures, fountains and urns. We know, we know. 12 things that are guaranteed to help you enjoy your day at Great Stirrup Cay Bahamas. Chow down on some local Bahamian cuisine, or try your luck at the islands casino! Your home for the tour will be the luxurious Norwegian Sky Cruise Line Ship, a playground of fun, relaxation and partying. It is one of the best Great Stirrup Cay excursions on this Norwegian cruise private island. Rental duration: All day. Ready to experience another sizzling day of Caribbean charm? Worth Reading: Disneys Castaway Cay, Bahamas: What You Need to Know. Drinks are charged to your stateroom pass unless you have a drinks package in which case, just like onboard ship, your drinks are free. Kayak and beach tour at Lucayan National Park (at Grand Bahama Island). The final zip is 600 feet long and carries you from a height of 75 feet back to ground level. Never feed them with your hand, always use the wooden skewers. There is a bar close to the cabanas, so you are never too far away to quench your thirst with chilled island drinks. Theres plenty more to do on Great Stirrup Cay. Its a fantastic destination and port of call for lucky cruisers with NCL. Norwegian Cruise Line uses very large tendering boats, and the trip only lasts 10 minutes long. Those who have paid to enjoy the Silver Cove experience have their own exclusive Silver Cove Restaurant and Bar with an upscale buffet including lobster tail and jumbo shrimp. The path is paved and suitable for all guests. The second zip-line is 600 feet long, starting 100 feet above the ground. The main attraction at Great Stirrup Cay are three powder-soft white sandy beaches. Snorkeling in Stirrup Cay Island of the Bahamas. It is a typical thing to do and you probably dont need to be told to enjoy the beach on your trip to a Norwegian private island in the Bahamas, anyway. No cameras permitted. What used to be a deserted island is now a paradise of thrills and frills and activities for visitors of all ages so that everyone can have the time of their lives. You'll wake up wondering if youve just dreamt the past few days! The tiny island is a 10-minute speedboat ride away from Norwegian's private island, Great Stirrup Cay. Those in need of a little more adrenaline can consider swimming with the island's resident wild pigs (we kid you not! However, you probably didnt know that this tiny island has over 10 acres of beachfront property to enjoy. Like mentioned before, this Norwegian private island is doing great things in developing the island to cater to the cruise guests. For a more exclusive experience, Silver Cove offers private furnished villa rentals for 10 with one or 2 bedrooms and on-demand movies. Tucked away at the northern end of the Berry Islands is Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. There is no actual swimming with the pigs involved. After a brief orientation your guide will help you into a 2-person kayak. Enjoy a good swim or just float around on a float-pad (available for $16 for the day) from one of the shacks offering equipment rentals. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. Norwegians award-winning fleet offers an unparalleled sailing experience, regularly visiting over 450 destinations around the globe. There was much laughter and squealing (from the younger cruisers, not the pigs), and lots of bacon walking jokes. It's hard not to smile at swimming pigs, but the lack of any interaction beyond the feeding was somewhat disappointing. Just be careful of the hot sun and find some shade along the way! After a night of partying on the cruise ship or simply relaxing with a dip in the pool youll find yourself in the Bahamas. Strolling around the island on a newly constructed walking path, you will be able to see the beauty of this place. The Norwegian Sky is your perfect home-away-from-home, offering supreme luxury, comfort and as much fun as you could wish for! Also Read: IDEAL Things to Do in Bimini, Bahamas. Great Stirrup Cay Bahamas an NCL private island. Hold the skewers to the side and away from your body. Gillian Birch is a full-time travel writer and author of 12 travel books. Tours start at just $79. The waters around Great Stirrup Cay are crystal clear, and there are plenty of opportunities to snorkel right from the beach. Were confident that each of our trips will be both safe and enjoyable, but if we cannot keep to either of those promises, we will defer or cancel the trip if necessary and gladly issue you credit for a future tour to be used towards any tour within 2 years. - Alix Greenman, Wave goodbye to Miami and set off for the Bahamas and an amazing sunset! Staniel Cay Tours Miami to Bahamas Day Trips Nassau to Exuma Day Trips Swimming Pigs Excursions Harbour Island Day Trips. Tour duration: 2 hours and 15 minutes. The first zip-line is 100 feet long, but its also the highest and scariest. Great Stirrup Cay Bahamas was the first private island to be purchased by a cruise line in the 1970s, however, it has come a long way in becoming a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the exclusivity of Norwegian cruise line passengers. Your first port on Grand Bahama Island offers glorious beaches, clear blue sea and some fabulous cafes to sit and watch the world go by. Book snorkel equipment from Susans Rock Snorkel Center for the day ($30 for adults and $15 for children) and snorkel at this beautiful spot as much as you want. It is named after the British naval commander who settled on Great Stirrup Cay in the 18th century. Suitably relaxed and recharged after your day on the island, youll be back on the ship by 5 pm to set sail and dive back into cruise life! Or if you dont have time on your Bahamas Cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line you can take our Miami to Bahamas Day Trip before or after your cruise from our departure location in Miami and Fort Lauderdale. After the hair-whipping ride over to the island on a 15-person speedboat, we arrived at the tiny Treasure Island. Well depart from Miami at 5 pm, giving you plenty of time to discover all the amenities on the Norwegian Sky Cruise Line Ship and enjoy the fabulous sunset as you leave the United States behind. On the drinks end, there are five bars on the island, starting with the very energetic Bacardi Bar where you can hang out and listen to music as well as enjoy a drink. They can represent good value for money and ensure the ultimate beach day experience in the Bahamas on Great Stirrup Cay. Ten minutes later, the group in the water was ushered out, and we made our way onto the small beach and into the ocean with about 10 pigs of varying sizes, though the smallest was still the size of a fat Rottweiler. We'll send you weekly newsletters to your inbox with the latest cruise news and tips. You can also rent a life vest for your safety. Expert cruise tips and news! Berried Treasure Bazaar is the place to do your local artisan and souvenir shopping. This picturesque paradise was once a pirates haven. Miami city tour (from Miami International Airport). Finally, the Tropic Like Its Hot Food Truck has tasty Bahamian-style sandwiches including Mahi Mahi and BBQ pulled Pork as well as ceviche and spicy chicken. Check them out: NCL went the extra mile and created a concrete underwater sculpture garden as part of their upgrades. Great Stirrup Cay Bahamas is a Norwegian private island of the popular cruise line. The most well-known swimming pigs .css-1wvg3nf{transition-property:var(--chakra-transition-property-common);transition-duration:var(--chakra-transition-duration-fast);transition-timing-function:var(--chakra-transition-easing-ease-out);cursor:pointer;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);font-weight:var(--chakra-fontWeights-medium);border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);}.css-1wvg3nf:hover,.css-1wvg3nf[data-hover]{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;}.css-1wvg3nf:focus-visible,.css-1wvg3nf[data-focus-visible]{box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-outline);}Bahamas experience involves getting in the water with feral pigs on Pig Beach, located on an island in the Exuma district. Youll also see local fish and plenty of colorful marine-life. Dont limit yourself to the closest beach from the cruise port which is generally the most crowded. The shallow ocean waters are warmest in the summer season, with temperatures reaching up to 86F in August. There are many species of birds including gulls and sanderlings, lizards, crabs and small island creatures that you are bound to catch a glimpse of, once in a while. Whichever beach you find yourself at, you are sure to have fun soaking in the sun and playing in the water. Set sail and get ready for the cruise of a lifetime in the beautiful Bahamas! Bahamas Air Tours offers Bahamas Day Trips and Swimming Pigs Tours from Nassau. Its a great way to start your visit to Great Stirrup Cay so get a pre-booked timed ticket to board or just wait for Open Tender when you can just turn up and hop aboard! It is located between Great Harbour Cay and Little Stirrup Cay (now renamed CocoCay at Perfect Cay) about 140 miles east of Miami.