Its not a real lighthouse, instead, its a staging point for the zipline that criss-cross Great Stirrup Cay. Beach wheelchairs are available on Great Stirrup Cay, free of charge. Great Stirrup Cay is not Coco Cay. Paddle your way in a kayak through a protected mangrove forest. Youll find just the thing here. We actually just booked a cruise with NCL with a stop in GSC. You'll need at least five hours in port. The Swimming Pigs of Treasure Island. Dont worry, its not accessible to other cruise lines not owned by Norwegian! There are limited loungers in a shady area under the trees, but they go fast! The pigs are friendly and eager to get a piece of fruit. Beach views: Chill out on a beachfront observation deck. There is no actual swimming with the pigs involved. I had to look up this tour for kicks "World Famous Swimming Pigs Tour" - they seriously shouldn't be allowed to market it this way. Theres plenty of room to dance on the sand, away from the crowds sunning on the beach. Thanks to recent TV-shows and growing popularity on social media, swimming with the pigs is quickly becoming the coolest thing you can do while cruising to The Bahamas. Tortola is the largest of more than 50 British Virgin Islands . Unfortunately, the distance between the two was great enough that a cellphone camera was going to be hard-pressed to take good photos. This is the island that started it all. Souvenirs are available at the Berried Treasures Bazaar, a straw market run by local Bahamians. It has been updated to show related itineraries. Read on to discover everything you need to know about Great Stirrup Cay. The Berry Islands are warm enough for swimming year-round, making Great Stirrup Cay a wonderful place to visit any time of year. If you have an international plan on your phone, you should be able to access cellular data. Stand-up paddle boarding (or SUP) is a trend that doesnt show signs of stopping and for good reason. This way, you'll be able to easily access your saved items anytime by clicking on the floating heart icon located on the bottom right of the page. Have a look on our Map here of where is the island with pigs. These grant you access to a private beach, bars, and restaurant, and come with fresh fruit, snacks, chilled drinks, and food and beverage service. Its neighbors with Royal Caribbeans private island, Perfect Day at Cococay you can see that island from your ship and the largest Berry Island, Great Harbour Cay. EDITOR'S NOTE: This article was originally published on Dec. 14, 2018. What did you think of the island? Additionally, shouldbecruising.com participates in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes receive a commission from purchases made through our links. Bars on GSC that are open to all guests include the Patrn Bar, Bertrams Bar, Bacardi Bar, and the Lighthouse Beach Bar. Spa therapists will work their magic while you relax to the song of the oceans waves. Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian Cruise Lines private island in the Bahamas, offers gorgeous white sand beaches, water sports and activities, and a variety of restaurants and bars. Cruisers heading to the Bahamas can go hog wild by getting in the water with swimming pigs on a ship-sponsored shore excursion from a private island or an independent tour from Freeport. Non-meat options including nachos, mixed veggies, and french fries were also available. The newest section of Great Stirrup Cay is the exclusive Silver Cove. We chose to "Swim With The Pigs" during our . This 1.5-hour adventure brings you up-close with swimming pigs as you watch them swim at a private island. I love visiting the ports and spending long days exploring, but private islands are a nice break from the busier days. These boats give you a great unobstructed view of the ship for photos, but there are also photo opportunities on the island. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'shouldbecruising_com-leader-4','ezslot_18',606,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-shouldbecruising_com-leader-4-0');If youd prefer to relax ON the water, you can rent a floating mat for $16 a day. While venturing around the Caribbean, Lisa Conant, her husband and their 15-year-old son and 12-year-old-daughter stopped at Big Major Cay in the Bahamas to see the swimming pigs for themselves. Im seeing 10 to 15% jumps in pricing for shore excursions in just the past six monthsand thats after the usual annual increases. Explore the waters of Great Stirrup Cay by stand-up paddle board (SUP) or kayak. Swimming with the pigs excursion through Norwegian Cruise Line. Great Stirrup Cay happens to be located adjacent toLittle Stirrup Cay,home to RCCs private island CocoCay. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'shouldbecruising_com-leader-3','ezslot_16',605,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-shouldbecruising_com-leader-3-0');Cruisers visiting Great Stirrup Cay for the day have a range of activities to choose from, and the island offers something for every activity level and budget. Here, you can swim with pigs or stingrays, nap on the beach, or sip on a mojito at the Bacardi Bar. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2679713. Theyll encourage guests to come up and dance with them. Great Stirrup Cay is one of the ports of call on your Norwegian Cruise Line, but you can't find the island on a map. Posted September 19, 2018. Theres a spot to rent beach basics on the island, including snorkel gear. There's a plethora of watersports as well, and the newest shore excursion will take you on a short boat ride to swim with the famous Bahamian pigs. Yes, all of the food service on the private island is included in your cruise fare, so you can fill your tummy care free. Where is Pig Beach Bahamas. Hidden beneath the calm ocean is an underwater snorkel garden. Home / Norwegian Cruise Line (Great Stirrup Cay) / 2023 / 4. Or take a turn parasailing high above the islands shores. When you're ready to come up for air, soak up the local flavour at one of the . Beach access is free, and complimentary loungers are available. GSC was a pirate hideout (!) No such thing as Treasure Island - it just sounds nice for the tourists as they take your money with the fake pigs excursion. *Terms & Conditions Package not available on sailings less than 5 days or charter sailings. fvalanzola@gmail.com, September 18, 2018 in Norwegian Cruise Line. Returning to the ship and tendering back to the island likely wont be practical. If you have your heart set on a day on this private island, you might want to consider booking your cruise outside of this season. January is the coldest month, with highs of 79F (26C). Due to its distance from large Bahamian ports, its not the easiest or fastest place to get to. Abaco Taco is a make-your-own taco bar with a variety of toppings available. It was an amazing experience to see this sort of wildlife up close and completely unexpected. Prices vary depending on which cabana you choose: Pamper Yourself with a Villa at Silver Cove The Great Stirrup Cay Island is gorgeous, we love it. It quickly became apparent that the pigs are most interested in the apples. Great Stirrup Cay (pronounced "key") is Norwegian Cruise Lines private island in the Bahamas. Norwegian offers a 90-minute tour that takes you to the pigs so you can enjoy swimming with the cute creatures and take some memorable photos. until the early 19th century. These are at Pig Beach (Big Major Cay) on Exuma Island or at Piggyville (No-Name Cay) on Abaco Island. There were also hot dog carts around the island when we visited. 2023 Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. 11-Reasons to Cruise to Alaska this Summer | NCL Travel Blog, 14-Day Authentic Alaska - Northbound Cruisetour | Norwegian Cruise Line, 14-Day Authentic Alaska - Southbound Cruisetour | Deck Plans | Norwegian Cruise Line, 20-Day Transpacific from Tokyo (Yokohama) & Alaska | Norwegian Cruise Line, 11 Reasons to Cruise to Alaska this Summer | NCL Travel Blog, The Former Canal Zone History & Miraflores Locks, Convenience of one-stop shopping for all of the ports youll be visiting, No hidden costs for transfers or entrance fees - the price you see is what you pay, Dedicated pre-cruise and onboard specialists are available to assist you, Leverage the knowledge and experience of onboard consultants during your cruise, Be one of the first off the ship in every port of call, Never get left behind. Hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs, and jerk chicken are popular, along with pizza, salads, and corn-on-the-cob. At the far end of the developed area is Silver Cove, a restricted-access area for those who rent the islands swanky villas. As of 2023, there are 14 ships featuring itineraries that include Great Stirrup Cay: When I first published this post about Great Stirrup Cay in 2020 (yup, I actually cruised to GSC in mid-February 2020 right before the world shut down) I planned to update the info about Great Stirrup Cay I had gathered for my readers about once a year. The second zip-line was longer at 600 feet and the final zip at 600 feet long took you back to ground . Youll need to pick up a complimentary ticket with a specific time to board the tender, or you can wait until Open Tender is called. Norwegian Cruise Line has a shore excursion that visits Treasure Island, which is just a 10 minute speedboat ride from their private island, Great Stirrup Cay. Norwegian Cruise Lines bought Great Stirrup Cay from an oil company in 1977, becoming the first cruise line to offer passengers a private island getaway. Stingray City Bahamas ($99/$79 kids): Not to be confused with the famous Stingray City off of Grand Cayman where you can feed wild rays, this excursion takes you on a speedboat ride to Stingray City Bahamas. And because of the islands shape, the shore is naturally protected, meaning that the water is almost always calm. Swim With the Pigs ($149/$109 kids): Yes, you can swim with pigs during your visit to Great Stirrup Cay! Each fully-furnished villa features air conditioning, private bathrooms, and a patio. Just watch out for rocks and coral on the oceans floor when you go into the water. Ships sailing to the private island include: Ships from Norwegians sister cruise lines, Oceania and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, make the occasional stop at Great Stirrup Cay, as well. Water Gear: For swimming in The Bahamas in general, bring along 2 - 3 swimsuits, water shoes, a quick-dry towel, a rash guard/sun shirt, and a sun hat. Up until recently, youd have to endure an hours-long journey by tiny boat from Nassau or George Town for a chance to play with some piggies in the waves. You're even able to purchase photos to remember your time with them. It appears that they acquired a few pigs, not feral pigs found on Exuma. There were a series of three flights starting 130 feet above ground from a replica lighthouse and the experience lasted about an hour. You can rent an open-air cabana on the island, starting at $449 for a Classic Cabana that will accommodate six people. Most bars and restaurants are in this area, and restrooms are just a quick walk from the beach. Live music with a Caribbean flair is played by local musicians at the bandstand directly across from the main beach at Bertrams Cove. They love their stomachs to be scratched. Fun fact: The island used to be a pirate hideout; however, weve heard no rumors of buried treasure or pirates curses. The only people allowed on the island are Norwegian passengers and staff. One exception is transportation to Silver Cove, since its a bit of a hike from where youll exit your tender. 12 Amazing Cruise Line Private Islands to Visit in 2023 and Beyond, 7 Best Beaches in Nassau Bahamas for Cruisers, Carnival Firenze Inaugural Season Opens For Bookings, Princess Cruises Announces Lavazza as Official Coffee Partner, Disney Cruise Line Announces Inaugural Sailings to Lighthouse Point, Norwegian Cruise Line Will Debut Beetlejuice The Musical Aboard Norwegian Viva, Cunard Sea Views Photo Exhibition Captures 100 Years of Cruising, Everything You Need to Know About Tender Ports on a Cruise, Why You Need a Full Face Snorkel Mask for Your Next Cruise, Great Stirrup Cay Two Bedroom Family Suite Villa (https://youtu.be/PUDp-RaXOO0), 25 Norwegian Cruise Tips You Need to Know, Norwegians Free at Sea: The Ultimate Guide, 2020 Guide to Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Packages, A photo ID (needs to be a valid drivers license if youre doing the wave runner tour), Tennis shoes for visiting the lighthouse or ziplining. Travel to a private isle nestled among the northern Berry Islands. Spend a day on Great Stirrup Cay, one of Norwegian Cruise Line's private islands. ), Pam, I completely agree. When it comes to cruising, it's hard to beat a port-of-call that's a private island. Explore the Eastern Caribbean for seven days, roundtrip from Miami and experience the picturesque island of St. Thomas. From what I can tell from what Ive seen posted it is s very new excursion. Looks like a wonderful place to relax, Yes, the food on Great Stirrup Cay is included with your cruise fare! The menu at Abaco Taco is obviously taco-centric. Definitely take some closed-toe walking shoes if you want to do this short hike. The tiny island is a 10-minute speedboat ride away from Norwegian's private island, Great Stirrup Cay. Here are the Great Stirrup Cay shore excursions for 2023: Wave Runner Tour (from $139): This 45-minute personal watercraft tour through the Berry Islands will let you see area highlights like the Lighthouse at Great Stirrup Cay, Slaughter Harbor, and the abandoned island community of Cistern Cay. A staff member handed us a skewer and two apple pieces, and even as we put an apple onto the skewer a pig spotted the juicy morsel and quickly swam over. You pay for drinks with your cruise card as you would onboard. I never knew cruise lines could own private islands. . Swimming with pigs; Swimming with stingrays The island has a good selection of cabanas including super luxurious ocean and lagoon villas which are furnished with beds to fully relax. Be sure to bring some cash with you. These villas have a separate bedroom with king-size bed in addition to the living area, with a dining table on the patio. Prices have been skyrocked. Lagoon Villas start at $799 and accommodate eight guests, with up to two additional guests charged at $49 each. Treatment rooms open onto the lagoon, so the island breezes can waft in while you zone out. You can read more about me and about Should Be Cruising here. Age and weight restrictions do apply, and cruisers need to wear closed-toe shoes to participate. The island has no pier, so you must take a tender boat from the ship to the island. Really interesting. Do you have a specific ship you love or would like to try? The warmest months are July and August, where highs average 91F (33C). The swimming area is the most protected of all the coves, and the beach is stunning, with overwater swings for a photo op and a gazebo overlooking the sea. This 1 hour course includes a series of six ziplines, net bridges, and other challenge obstacles. Cabana and villa guests have a food truck option close to them called Tropic Like Its Hot. Si crees que nadar entre la fauna de las Bahamas implica la presencia de rayas y delfines, pinsalo otra vez! The rainiest time of year in the Berry Islands is June through September, with the islands seeing 4-6 inches (10-16 cm) of rain per month. Highlights at Great Stirrup Cay include two lighthouses - a working lighthouse built in 1863 and a new lighthouse . Get ready to have a blast. She was buried next to Captain Bertram. Paolo, I hope you're able to visit GSC - it's so nice to just relax there and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Foot Viewing Deck and also enjoy a refreshing swim in the beautiful blue Bahamian waters. About $50 should easily cover you for the day. Carrie Ann is the founder of Should Be Cruising and a lifelong travel fanatic. I love sharing my best cruise tips with you, along with reviews of cruise destinations, shore excursions, cruise ships and cruise lines. Erica Silverstein is a cruise and family travel expert, who has been covering the industry for more than 15 years. And theyre usually a lot less crowded! I think I'd volunteer for that job if I worked for the cruise line :D Next time I go I'll see if I can get the scoop. Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features. Most chairs arent shaded, so you might consider renting a clamshell to keep out of the sun. Access to Silver Cove is limited to those who book one of the villas for the day, and you might find it worth the money. 6. Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian Cruise Line's resort-style destination and 270-acre / 1.1 km 2 private island, features white-sand beaches, crystal-blue waters and a wide array of recreational activities and dining options. COMBS and LAS VEGAS LIVESTOCK working together to meet the needs of our clients and the community. Heres everything you need to know before your GSC visit. In addition to upgrading and enhancing the experience at the dining venues, and improving walkways and landscaping, theyve also added more sports and adventure activities. Youll be able to reach speeds of up to 30 mph (48 kph) while enjoying a birds-eye view of the island and the sparkling waters surrounding it. Never feed them with your hand, always use the wooden skewers. Lagoon Two-Bedroom Villas start at $1,100 and accommodate 16 guests, with up to four additional guests charged at $49 each. 2023 Cruzely.com | Laisman Publishing, LLC, 17 Tips, Answers, and Things to Know About Great Stirrup Cay, Complete Guide to Sailing Norwegian Cruise Line (What Its Like), Royal Caribbean vs. Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL): 10 Major Differences Between The Lines, 17 tips and things to know for the island, 39 Useful Things to Pack (17 You Wouldn't Think Of), Park & Cruise Hotels for Every Port in America, 107 Best Cruise Tips, Secrets, Tricks, and Freebies, Worth It? Photographer will be on site and photos will be available for purchase! Available for purchase through Norwegian, this shore excursion starts at the small marina at Great Stirrup Cay. With that in mind, Ive been updating this Ultimate Guide to Great Stirrup Cay about every six months. Much of the island is undeveloped, but Norwegian has carved out a beachy paradise on the northern shore, with plenty of fun-in-the-sun options for cruisers. Al seguir navegando en el sitio aceptas nuestro uso de cookies. Bring a swimsuit and towel. There is no way NCL is sending guests to Rose Island from GSC for a pigs excursion. In 1979, Norwegian Cruise Line installed a stone marker and plaque on the location of his grave. To save your favorites, you'll need to either create a new account or login. The list of ships cruising to Great Stirrup Cay continues to grow. Many visitors choose to just relax on the beach during their visit to the private island, and theres plenty of beautiful sand for everyone! The main attraction at Great Stirrup Cay is the beach, with plentiful lounge chairs and protected coves for swimming and snorkeling. If you have a WiFi package on board the ship, you wont be able to use it on Great Stirrup Cay. Please don't poke the pigs with the skewers. Its not an NCL beach, its Rose Island, a Sandy Toes excursion that can be booked privately from Nassau. I sailed on my first Norwegian Cruise Line Breakaway Plus class ship: Norwegian Bliss review, Life working on a cruise ship: Day in a life of a cruise ship crew member. You will not be permitted to bring a camera onto the beach or into the water with you. Flexibility to modify or cancel excursions without penalty up to 48 hours prior to arrival into port. In several spots around the island there are double swings (usually out in the water). If you love pigs, then this excursion is worth it; just don't hope for something more than simply feeding them. Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Escape will also visit the island this year. There arent any lockers available on the island for passengers to secure their valuables. Whilst the duty-free shopping is perhaps the best in the Caribbean, its striking blue water and beaches, like Magen's Bay, are indescribably beautiful. Day 3 - Great Stirrup Cay. The ships dining venues are open while the ship is anchored off the island, so if youre highly allergic or concerned about dietary restrictions, youll have better luck eating on the ship. Great Stirrup Cay is located in the BahamasBerry Islands chain. Inside you have a couch, chairs, a ceiling fan, plus a mini-fridge. Want more on visiting Great Stirrup Cay? What about a jet ski tour? Your journey begins on the turquoise sea, sailing past uninhabited islands and cays. This spot has its own private cove with electric blue water and a gorgeous beach, along with its own restaurant, bars, and even a spa. If youre simply trying to avoid bread or dairy because its your preference (rather than a medical condition), youll find plenty of meat, fruit, and vegetable dishes that should meet your needs. Once you're at the island, you'll go through safety talks before being able to join the pigs in a cove. The islands rental center can hook you up with snorkel gear to explore the underwater sculpture garden in Bertrams Cove off the main beach. It has air conditioning, a TV, and an upgraded buffet. GREAT STIRRUP CAY & COZUMEL 7 NIGHT CARIBBEAN. Prep tips: Pack plenty of sunscreen and a towel, and bring cash for the shark encounter, lunch and tips. Starting about an hour before the buffet opens, youll see open grills where the staff cooks up the jerk chicken fresh. And because of the island's shape, the shore is naturally protected, meaning that the water is almost . The ocean swing sets provide a fantastic photo-op if you've been waiting for that picture perfect moment to share on Instagram. Ver a un cerdo mostrarte una gran sonrisa cuando le masajeas la pancita es una experiencia sorprendentemente reconfortante! The journey is about a mile each way, and you might even spot some local wildlife, including iguanas and hummingbirds on your walk. . Hi Ronald, if you're on the fence about cabana vs. villa (and don't mind spending a bit more), I'd say go with the villa. Have Questions About Your Shore Excursions? here in Kentucky, we can swim with the pigs and get a mud bath at the same time! For something different, belly up to the Abaco Taco bar for Mexican food made to order. Great Stirrup Cay is also home . You can do exactly that. Today, it's a regular stop for 13 Norwegian ships, offering guests a straw market, snorkeling, kayaking, parasailing, and plenty . Speaking only for the "original" swimming pigs at Big Majors Cay in the Exumas, it is not an "organized" pig swim. Dont miss our 17 tips and things to know for the island. (The water wasn't more than stomach-high on most adult cruisers, but deep enough that the pigs often need to swim.). It appears that they acquired a few pigs, not feral pigs found on Exuma. This 268-acre cay has been privately owned by Norwegian Cruise Line since 1977 and is the site of the Great Stirrup Cay Lighthouse. Dont forget to check out these resources before your Caribbean cruise on Norwegian Cruise Line: Have you visited Great Stirrup Cay on a Norwegian cruise? Travel to a private isle nestled among the northern Berry Islands. Hold the skewers to the side and away from your body. That means you can enjoy a relaxing day with no worriesabout aggressive vendors or sharing the sand with a bunch of strangers. They made a . Los trocitos de manzana, distribuidos por el personal, son abundantes yestn siempre a mano. Lagoon One-Bedroom Villas start at $899 and accommodate 10 guests, with up to two additional guests charged at $49 each. And because its run by the cruise line, Norwegian has developed it with tons of things to do for guests. The tiny cemetery is located in a grassy area across from the main beach. Located just a short 10-minute boat ride from Norwegian's private island, Great Stirrup Cay, are the Swimming Pigs of Treasure Island!Available for purchase through Norwegian, this shore excursion starts at the small marina at Great Stirrup Cay. Its an open-air shelter with comfortable indoor/outdoor seating and comes with four complimentary floating mats. You can rent snorkel equipment for the day ($37/adult, $22/child) but we prefer to pack our own full-face snorkel masks.
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