CocoCay Little Stirrup Cay | |
|---|---|
Island | |
) Little Stirrup Cay | |
)  CocoCay | |
| Coordinates: 25°49′N 77°56′W / 25.817°N 77.933°W | |
| Country |  Bahamas |
| Island | Little Stirrup Cay |
| District | ){kind=icon} Berry Islands |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 38 |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern Time Zone) |
| Area code(s) | 242 |
CocoCay or Little Stirrup Cay, Bahamas, is one of the Berry Islands, a collection of cays and small islands, and is located approximately 55 miles north of Nassau.[1] It is used for tourism by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd exclusively.
Description
The island is less than a mile (around one kilometer) wide from east to west and less than 200 yards (183 meters) from north to south. It has a population of 38. (2010 census)[2]
In 2019, the island was extensively renovated by Royal Caribbean at the cost of $250 million USD. A pier was constructed on the north side of the island, which allows cruise ships to dock directly instead of using tenders. The east end is the center of recreational activities with beaches fronting a coral basin where manatee, rays, and numerous fish can be seen. Nature trails run the entire length and width of the island. The renovation also included a water park, with North America’s largest water slide, Daredevil’s Peak.
Tourism
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., which owns Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Azamara Cruises, assumed the lease of the island upon acquisition of Admiral Cruises[3] and renamed it Coco Cay, one of the first cruise lines to lease islands for their exclusive use.[4]
Activities available to guests include swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, parasailing, scuba diving, and WaveRunner piloting. Royal Caribbean extends its children's programs onto the island including a Fisher-Price-sponsored Power Wheels track for young children.
The Dave Matthews Band played there in '09, Brad Paisley played there in '12, and Flogging Molly played there in 2017 at the Island Stage.
References
- ^ "Coco Cay". Washington Post. January 21, 2007. pp. P10. Retrieved 2009-01-17.
- ^ BERRY ISLANDS POPULATION BY SETTLEMENT AND TOTAL NUMBER OF OCCUPIED DWELLINGS: 2010 CENSUS - Bahamas Department of Statistics
- ^ . Miami Herald. July 31, 1986 https://www.nytimes.com/1986/07/31/us/cruise-ship-evacuated-in-bahamas-after-blast.html. Retrieved 2020-08-10.
- ^ "CRUISING CAYS PRIVATE ISLES GIVE VISITORS A BEACH OF THEIR OWN". Miami Herald. February 8, 1998. Retrieved 2009-01-17.