The best beach on Great Stirrup Cay will depend on your preferences because they're all beautiful. This excursion actually takes place on a small island off the shore of Great Stirrup Cay, around a 10-minute journey away by speedboat. It appears that they acquired a few pigs, not feral pigs found on Exuma. By If you love pigs, then this excursion is worth it; just don't hope for something more than simply feeding them. 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. If you want to know one of the most popular activities on the island, look to the lighthouse. It also comes with four floating mats and bottled water. And theyre usually a lot less crowded! Lagoon One-Bedroom Villas start at $899 and accommodate 10 guests, with up to two additional guests charged at $49 each. Catamaran & Snorkel ($79/$59 kids): A double-decker, covered snorkel boat will take you to a live coral reef where you can swim with native fish and marine life. Prices ranged from $4 for sides to $15 for a cracked conch entre. Located just a short 10-minute boat ride from Norwegians private island, Great Stirrup Cay, are the Swimming Pigs of Treasure Island! Beach wheelchairs are available on request. Some of the sights you may see include the Lighthouse at Great Stirrup Cay, . They're hooves are quite sharp, one guy in our group got his foot cut up pretty bad. Amenities are the same. There is no way NCL is sending guests to Rose Island from GSC for a pigs excursion. You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. The big draw is the jerk chicken. Carrie Ann is the founder of Should Be Cruising and a lifelong travel fanatic. As a result, several Nassau and Grand Bahama Island-area operators have created their own, tamer versions of the activity using domesticated pigs. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos. 8 Cruise Line Private Islands You Must Escape To 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. Tropic Like Its Hot includes ceviche, pulled-pork sandwiches, and rum cake. Tip: If you dont want to spring for a clamshell, get to the island as early as possible. The same excursion can be booked through Royal Caribbean for cruisers stopping at that line's . Weve mentioned the food trucks. Any exceptions are noted in the tour descriptions. Yes, all of the food service on the private island is included in your cruise fare, so you can fill your tummy care free. COMBS and LAS VEGAS LIVESTOCK working together to meet the needs of our clients and the community. 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. These spots are great for families as they are open, but also have a roof so that you can get some shade (and kids dont spend the entire day in the sun). 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? Things to know before visiting Pig Beach in the Bahamas And the free food definitely caught my attention. They are two different islands. Take a Photo on the Swingsets Although these smaller beaches are generally where cabana guests go, theyre also open to anyone. Algunos de los cerdos ms activos se acercarn a ti en la playa, o nadarn hacia ti en las zonas poco profundas, y te olfatearn con sus hocicos. Note: There are also several shore excursions from 2022 that arent currently offered, but may return in 2023. All the beauty of Great Exuma is brought to life on this fun-filled adventure. Entertainment on the private island focuses on music and dancing, centered around the bars and the bandstand. Dont worry if you dont want chicken, theres something for everyone on the buffet, and its all free. Get ready to have a blast. Board and paddle rentals are $39 per hour, and theres no minimum age requirement, so the whole family can join in. Bahamas: Exumas_Big Majors Cay_Swimming Pigs (anchor) Bahamas: Galliot Cut WP_On Exumas Banks; Bahamas: Conch Cay Cut WP Exit; Thu 8 Mar 10:30 . Los trocitos de manzana, distribuidos por el personal, son abundantes yestn siempre a mano. From there, you can head out into the water and paddle around the beach no matter if you want to stand (paddle boarding) or sit (kayaking). Great Stirrup Cay Bahamas - Cruise Port Advisor Singles Cruise Vacations | Singles Getaways You can do exactly that. 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. Want more on visiting Great Stirrup Cay? Hope to visit it one day. Exuma Tour Boat | The Cays to Exuma | Swimming Pigs The menu still revolves around salads, grilled fare, and tropical fruits and desserts, but the options are fancier than at Jumbey and the presentation more sophisticated. 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. After disembarking, you're taken up to an expansive wooden deck, complete with ample tables & seating, for an introduction and safety briefing. The pigs are friendly and eager to get a piece of fruit. Perhaps the best thing about the cabanas is the view. We were out of the water and back on the patio well before it was time to go. 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. Room service is included if youd prefer to dine in the villa. If you have a WiFi package on board the ship, you wont be able to use it on Great Stirrup Cay. 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). Currently, GSC doesnt have a swimming pool. And because of the islands shape, the shore is naturally protected, meaning that the water is almost always calm. How to Spend a Day on Great Stirrup Cay - cruiseline.com Norwegian runs jet ski tours, giving you the controls as you take a trip around the island and the surrounding area. We know that pigs can't fly, but who knew that pigs swim? On your return, snacks and complimentary adult beverages are available. Los visitantes tambin aprenden un poco sobre los cerdos. You will not be permitted to bring a camera onto the beach or into the water with you. They have everything you need to get started, as well as some advice on getting started if youre a novice. HELPFUL HINTS Look for Turtles in the Landing Cove Swimming Pigs Excursion on a Bahamas Cruise | Cruise Critic If a Silver Cove Villa for your family is in your budget in 2023, jump on it before prices go up again. Most bars and restaurants are in this area, and restrooms are just a quick walk from the beach. Leased from Belcher Oil Company in 1977 and later purchased outright in 1986, Great Stirrup Cay is a private 268-acre island oasis. Our Cash Bar offers Beer, Soft Drinks and More! Thankfully, most of the action on the island is centrally located by the main beach at Bertrams Cove. Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas: What You Need to Know (2023) - Cruise Hive What is this island, which is a staple on the line's Bahamas and Caribbean cruises? Our most popular tours sell out quickly so we recommend that you book early to avoid disappointment. 13 Private Islands and Resorts Owned by Cruise Lines - Cheapism Come swim and interact with the World Famous Swimming Pigs of The Bahamas. Day 3 - Great Stirrup Cay. Aqua shoes are recommended. For more info, please read myDisclosure Policy. 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. Since the island is uninhabited, your only options for shore excursions are those you book through the cruise line. The Swimming Pigs of Treasure Island. Theres a spot to rent beach basics on the island, including snorkel gear. Is there a community of people who lived on the island before it was purchased? Unlike other private islands, Great Stirrup Cay does not have any kid play areas. In 1979, Norwegian Cruise Line installed a stone marker and plaque on the location of his grave. 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. Two lounge chairs with a beach umbrella will be reserved for you at the beach. If you want to visit the swimming pigs, you have two options: you can base yourself on Staniel Cay (from where you can get to the pigs in only ten minutes! Or go for a snorkel beneath the sea and discover tropical fish of every colours. If you want an exclusive hangout with even more amenities, youll want to reserve one of the Silver Cove villas. While tenders run back and forth all day, youll need to wait in line on either end for boats to arrive and disembark passengers before you can board. EDITOR'S NOTE: This article was originally published on Dec. 14, 2018. Ride the Zipline Across the Island Try Your Hand at Stand-Up Paddle Boarding or Kayaking Great Stirrup Cay & Key West Norwegian Pearl departing 19 Feb 2024. Youll take an elevator to the 110-foot platform to zip out 1429 feet to a landing near Silver Cove Lagoon. Tip: Check your Freestyle Daily the day before you arrive at Great Stirrup Cay. Starting from the 110-foot (33.5 m) replica lighthouse, the new course features 2935 feet (895 m) of zipline! Peak hurricane period in the Bahamas lasts from early August until late October. In addition, your drinks package includes beverages purchased on the island (subject to the same limits and restrictions as onboard), so you dont need to shell out extra for a beer or cocktail on the beach. Ive never heard of this place before! It is a region known as the Exuma Cays. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. The island has no pier, so you must take a tender boat from the ship to the island. 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. You're even able to purchase photos to remember your time with them. Norwegian offers a tour lasting about 90 minutes that takes you to the pigs to have the joy of swimming with the cute creatures and be able to grab some memorable photos. This is the island that started it all. Great Stirrup Cay & Key West Cruise | Norwegian Pearl | Mon 19th Travel to a private isle nestled among the northern Berry Islands. Best Things to Do in Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas 2020 - EatSleepCruise.com Swimming with the pigs excursion through Norwegian Cruise Line. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'shouldbecruising_com-leader-2','ezslot_14',603,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-shouldbecruising_com-leader-2-0');Tropic Like Its Hot Food Trucks small menu features sandwiches including Mahi Mahi and BBQ pulled pork, ceviche, and grilled spiced chicken breast. To get to the island you must take a tender boat from the ship to the island. 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. The truck serves a limited menu of sandwiches and Caribbean-themed lunch items, plus dessert. Erica Silverstein is a cruise and family travel expert, who has been covering the industry for more than 15 years. Below weve covered all the things you can do on Great Stirrup Cay, starting with free things to do. After the hair-whipping ride over to the island on a 15-person speedboat, we arrived at the tiny Treasure Island. Most of this has to do with supply and demand. The first zip-line was 100 feet long. NCL, like many other cruise lines, reserves the right to deny boarding of their tenders to guests who cant enter or exit the boat on foot. When I was researching the little cemetery, I learned that when Elizabeth's husband buried her on the island he met two men of African descent, assumed to be former slaves, living on the island. Having food included is one of my favorite parts about cruising :D, Private islands are always the highlight of a cruise for me - they're just so relaxing and a reminder to take things a bit slower. After your lesson, paddle around beautiful Bertram's Cove. 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. Get your photo taken with the swimming pigs and then head to the observation deck for sweeping views of the ocean. They also offer desserts: rum cake and coconut fudge bars. Visit the swimming pigs of Exuma on a luxury tour boat as we see all of the cays along the way. The Berry Islands in The Bahamas - Unparalleled Big Game Fishing These grant you access to a private beach, bars, and restaurant, and come with fresh fruit, snacks, chilled drinks, and food and beverage service. Live music with a Caribbean flair is played by local musicians at the bandstand directly across from the main beach at Bertrams Cove. We offer you convenience, flexibility and peace of mind.
