Private Island Paradise: Discovering CocoCay & Labadee, Great Stirrup Cay & Harvest Caye
- Esther
- Oct 1
- 6 min read
Updated: Oct 21
NCL vs Royal Caribbean private islands
If you go on a cruise in the Caribbean, there’s a good chance you’ll visit one of the private islands owned by major cruise lines. In this post, I want to show you the private islands of Royal Caribbean (Perfect Day at) CocoCay and Labadee. Norwegian Cruise Line, which offers Harvest Caye and Great Stirrup Cay.
CocoCay and Great Stirrup Cay are the most popular and are located right next to each other in the Bahamas. I’ve had the opportunity to visit all four islands, so I created this comparison to help you better understand what to expect from each one.
A perfect day at CocoCay
Royal Caribbean’s exclusive private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, is located in the Berry Islands of the Bahamas. It’s designed to provide cruise guests with the perfect mix of relaxation, adventure, and luxury.
What to Expect on CocoCay
Thrill Waterpark:
14 waterslides, including Daredevil’s Peak, the tallest waterslide in North America & Dueling Demons drop slides.
Adventure Pool, featuring a rope swing, rock wall, lily pads
Wave Pool, the largest in the Caribbean.
Unlimited use of all attractions during the park's operating hours.
Up, Up and Away: A helium balloon ride that lifts guests about 450 feet (137 meters) above the island.
Oasis Lagoon: The largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean
Chill Island: A more laid-back beach area with white sand beaches, calm waters, and plenty of space to relax on loungers or hammocks.
Coco Beach Club: A premium area (for a fee) featuring overwater cabanas, an infinity pool, private dining, and exclusive amenities for a luxurious escape.
Dining Options
Skipper’s Grill: Casual outdoor dining with burgers, seafood, and salads.
Chill Grill: Quick bites and snacks by the beach.
Snack shacks and bars scattered around the island serve refreshments throughout the day.
For a fee
Private cabanas (especially in premium areas like the Coco Beach Club or Chill Island)
Access to the Thrill Waterpark (the waterpark ticket is between 50 and 140 dollar)
Premium dining options if you choose (like Captain Jack’s or the Coco Beach Club restaurant)
Up, Up and Away Helium Balloon Ride: Soar 450 feet above the island for panoramic views.
Zip Line Adventure: Fly across 1,600 feet of zip lines over the island's attractions.
Shore excursion tours: Swimming Pigs & Stingrays Tour
Jet Ski Tours: rental
Snorkeling Adventures: snorkel gears
Coco Beach Club
is an exclusive, premium area it offers an elevated beach experience with luxurious amenities and services, providing a more relaxed and upscale atmosphere compared to the general island areas.
Gabana rental prices (for 8 persons) are between 1200 and 3000 dollars and includes:
Private Beach Access: Enjoy a private beach, exclusively for Coco Beach Club guests.
Infinity Edge Pool: Relax in a beachfront infinity pool with in-water loungers and daybeds, offering stunning ocean views.
Complimentary Dining: Elevated cuisine at the exclusive restaurant, featuring dishes like filet mignon, lobster.
Premium Amenities: Benefit from beach chairs, umbrellas, premium towels, and private showers.
Bar Service: Order tropical cocktails and other beverages from the poolside bar, with service directly to your seat.
Overwater and Beach Cabanas: for up to eight guests.
At Cococay you have the same privilages as on the ship, your drinkpackage is valid and you can use all the facilities, beach chairs, swimming pool and food.
Labadee
Labadee is Royal Caribbean’s exclusive private beach resort, located on the northern coast of Haiti. While not a private island, Labadee is a fenced-off peninsula reserved solely for cruise guests. It offers lush tropical scenery, stunning mountain backdrops, and access to multiple beaches, blending natural beauty with curated experiences.
What to expect in Labadee (included)
Access to the beaches (like Adrenaline Beach, Columbus Cove, and Nellie’s Beach)
Lounge chairs and beach hammocks
Buffet-style lunch at designated food areas (provided by Royal Caribbean)
Tram service around the resort
Some kid-friendly beach areas and splash zones
For a fee
Dragon’s Breath Zip Line – one of the longest over-water zip lines in the world
Dragon’s Tail Coaster – a scenic alpine coaster with ocean views
Water sports like jet skiing, kayaking, snorkeling, and an inflatable aqua park
Private beach cabanas, relaxing bays, and a local artisan market
Current Status: Not in Use
Due to ongoing unrest and security concerns in Haiti, Royal Caribbean has suspended all visits to Labadee until at least May 2026.
Great Stirrup Cay
Is located next to CocoCay at Berry Islands the Bahamas.
What to expect
Beautiful white-sand beaches, swimming, snorkeling, general beach relaxation.
Private villa option in Silver Cove, for more luxury: air‑conditioned tiny homes with living rooms/restrooms, own pool, restaurant, more exclusive atmosphere.
Cabana rentals, beach loungers, food & drink service, beach bars etc.
Activities like snorkeling, other water sports; swimming-pool, relaxing in hammocks.
For a fee
Gabana's
Classic Cabana: starting at $399, accommodate up to 6 guests.
Premier Cabana: starting at $499, accommodate up to 8 guests.
Ocean Villas at Silver Cove: starting at $899 for 6 guests.
Ziplining
Water sports: paddleboarding and kayaking
shore excursions: swimming with pigs
Silver Cove
is an exclusive, oceanfront resort-style area on the island. Access is available to guests who book a villa or reserve a spa treatment at the Mandara Spa. This area features:
Private Beach Access: A secluded beach area for relaxation.
Silver Cove Restaurant and Bar: An upscale dining option offering a buffet with selections like grilled lobster tail and jumbo shrimp ceviche.
Mandara Spa: A full-service spa providing various treatments.
Moët & Chandon Bar: A premium bar serving Moët & Chandon champagne.
Basic food and non-alcoholic drinks are free. Your More at Sea package is also valid on the island.
What’s Coming / Upgrades (2025‑2026)
NCL is heavily investing in Great Stirrup Cay to elevate the island with new attractions, amenities, and infrastructure. Here are the key upcoming things:
Great Tides Waterpark: A nearly 6‑acre waterpark (opening summer 2026) featuring 19 waterslides, an 800‑foot “dynamic river”(faster than a lazy river), a 9,000 sq ft splash zone for kids, cliff jumps (10‑ and 15‑foot), family multi‑rider slide.
New Multi‑Ship Pier: Ships will be able to dock directly instead of tendering. Simultaneous docking for two large vessels.
Great Life Lagoon & Pool Complex: Heated pool area with two swim‑up bars, cabanas and villas, kid‑friendly splash zones
Recreation & Relaxation Zones: Horizon Park (lawn games, pickleball, mini golf, sports court), Hammock Bay (hammocks + bar), Vibe Shore Club (adults-only premium lounge area)
Harvest Caye
Harvest Caye is Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island in Belize, offering a mix of beach relaxation, adventure activities like ziplining, and unique nature experiences such as a butterfly garden and wildlife conservation areas. It features a large freshwater pool, dining options, and shopping. Unlike Stirrup Cay, Harvest Caye’s drink packages are not valid on the island, and food and drinks must be purchased separately. It’s a great option for travelers looking for a more eco-focused and culturally rich experience in the Caribbean.
What to expect in Harvest Caye
Ziplining through tropical forest canopy
A butterfly garden and wildlife conservation areas
Large freshwater pool
Kayaking and paddleboarding
Cultural and eco-friendly experiences
For a fee
Cabanas and Premium Seating: Private cabanas and premium beach loungers with extra services usually come at an additional cost.
Ziplining: The zipline adventure through the canopy is a popular activity that requires an extra fee.
Water Sports Rentals: Paddleboards, kayaks, and snorkeling gear rentals are not included and must be paid for separately.
Food and Drinks: Unlike some other cruise private islands, onboard drink packages do not cover purchases on Harvest Caye. All food and beverages need to be bought separately.
Shore Excursions
My opinion
It’s amazing to extend your cruise with a relaxing day on a private island. Among them, CocoCay and Great Stirrup Cay stand out as the nicest. I had the special opportunity to join the NCL Prima inauguration cruise, where we stayed in a private villa at Silver Cove, it was incredibly peaceful and luxurious, the perfect way to unwind.
For families, these islands offer plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained. However, one downside is that CocoCay, Great Stirrup Cay, and Harvest Caye have very limited marine life due to extensive reconstruction and development, which has impacted the natural underwater environment. In contrast, Labadee still offers opportunities for snorkeling and spotting marine life, making it a great option if you’re interested in exploring the ocean.
Overall, I would definitely recommend visiting these islands for their unique experiences, especially Labadee if marine life is a priority.
Read more blogs? Check out: Icon of the Seas - the Ultimate family cruise destination
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