NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line has marked the opening of Great Tides Waterpark on its private island destination of Great Stirrup Cay in The Bahamas. The ~6-acre attraction is scheduled for its official grand opening on September 4th, 2026, following a preview event attended by members of the media.
The waterpark is divided into 4 main areas, combining water slides, family attractions and recreational facilities.
The centerpiece is the 170-foot Tidal Tower, which features 8 slides. Among them is Tropic Spiral, described as the world’s first Nautilus slide, with large spiraling sections that send riders through multiple directional turns. The tower also includes Breakwater Blasters, a pair of dueling Master Blaster slides that use high-pressure water jets to propel inner tubes uphill before taking riders through drops and twists.
Cliffside Cove includes Cliffside Leap, featuring 10- and 15-foot jumps described by the operator as the first of their kind in the industry and the tallest cliff jumps in the Caribbean. The area also features The Great Slide, a family attraction that accommodates 4 riders at the same time, along with the Fearless Falls slides, which drop riders into the water from a height of five feet.
Wandering River extends for 800+ feet and includes an immersive tunnel as well as the Floataway Bar, a swim-up bar positioned alongside the river.
Splash Cay is designed primarily for families and covers 9,000+ square feet. Its attractions include a 300-gallon tipping bucket, 8 mini-slides and a range of interactive water features.
Passengers booked on Norwegian Cruise Line itineraries that include a call at Great Stirrup Cay can purchase access to the waterpark through their my NCL account.
Norwegian Cruise Line president Marc Kazlauskas said the new facility represents a significant addition to Great Stirrup Cay and forms part of the cruise line’s development of the destination. He noted that the preview event provided an opportunity to showcase the range of activities that will be available following the September 4 opening.
According to Kazlauskas, the waterpark has been designed to offer a combination of large-scale slides, family attractions, cliff jumps, splash areas and the Wandering River, allowing visitors to choose between more active pursuits and leisure activities during their time ashore.