Great Tides Waterpark at Great Stirrup Cay: Complete Guide and Review - All Attractions, Dining, Bars, FAQs, and More
Great Tides Waterpark is the newest major attraction at Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island of Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas, bringing a full scale waterpark experience to the island for the first time.
The new NCL waterpark features 19 waterslides, a 170 foot slide tower, cliff jumps, a large kids water play area, an 800 plus foot river attraction, multiple bars, food trucks, complimentary dining, cabanas, lockers, towels and plenty of shaded seating.
We visited Great Tides Waterpark during its soft opening and spent the day exploring the slides, river, kids area, dining options, bars and guest facilities. Overall, we were impressed by how substantial the waterpark feels. It is not simply a small collection of waterslides added to Great Stirrup Cay. It is a dedicated destination within the island with enough attractions to occupy most or all of a port day.
In this guide, we will take you through everything you need to know about Great Tides Waterpark, including the waterslides, Cliffside Cove, Wandering River, Splash Cay, food and drinks, seating, lockers, accessibility, admission prices and what is included with your ticket.
About Great Tides Waterpark
Tidal Tower © Freestyle Travelers
Great Tides Waterpark is part of Norwegian Cruise Line’s larger transformation of Great Stirrup Cay, NCL’s private island in the Bahamas.
The waterpark covers nearly six acres and is divided into three main areas: Tidal Tower, Cliffside Cove, and Splash Cay. Together, these areas provide attractions aimed at different ages and interests, from high speed waterslides and cliff jumps to a large children’s splash zone and a river designed for a more relaxed experience.
There are 19 waterslides in total. Eleven are considered the park’s main attractions, while another eight slides are located within Splash Cay and are designed for younger guests.
One of the things we noticed immediately when visiting Great Tides Waterpark was how much greenery surrounds the attractions. Rather than feeling like a completely open waterpark sitting on a cleared section of the island, the park has been heavily landscaped with mature looking plants and trees throughout the different areas.
Great Tides Waterpark © Freestyle Travlers
There is also a surprising amount of shade. Umbrellas are positioned throughout the seating areas, and there are additional shaded areas near the attractions and dining locations. Cabanas are available in several sections of the park for guests who want a dedicated home base.
Another major difference between Great Tides Waterpark and some of the other attractions on Great Stirrup Cay is that the waterpark is designed to function as an all-day experience. Guests can eat, get drinks, ride attractions, relax in the seating areas and store their belongings without needing to leave the waterpark.
Admission to Great Tides Waterpark is separate from the cruise fare. Access to Great Stirrup Cay itself remains complimentary for Norwegian guests, but the waterpark requires its own day pass that is purchased through the shore excursions desk either in advance of your cruise or onboard, depending on availability.
Arrival & Getting Around
Great Tides Waterpark Entrance Plaza © Freestyle Travelers
Great Tides Waterpark is located on the inland side of Great Stirrup Cay near Great Life Lagoon and the island's new central development area. Once you arrive at the Welcome Center from the pier, guests can either walk to the waterpark or take advantage of the complimentary tram service that is included with waterpark admission. Norwegian Cruise Line specifically lists tram transportation to and from Great Tides Waterpark as part of the day pass.
Great Tides Waterpark Tram © Freestyle Travelers
During our visit, the easiest option was using the tram system. After boarding a tram at the Welcome Center and crossing the bridge into the main island area, guests transferred to a dedicated waterpark tram that dropped passengers off near the entrance. The process was straightforward and well organized, although walking is also a realistic option for guests who prefer to explore the island on foot. Once you arrive, the waterpark entrance is clearly marked and only a short walk from the tram stop.
Great Tides Waterpark Map © Freestyle Travelers
Tidal Tower Slides: The Centerpiece of Great Tides Waterpark
Tidal Tower © Freestyle Travelers
The centerpiece of Great Tides Waterpark is Tidal Tower, a 170 foot tall slide tower that dominates the park.
The tower contains several different types of waterslides, including inner tube rides, body slides and mat racing slides. NCL says the tower is home to some of the tallest waterslides in the Caribbean.
The five main Tidal Tower attractions include Breakwater Blasters, Whitewater Dash, Rapid Mat Racers, Tropic Storm and Tropic Spiral.
Breakwater Blasters are particularly fun because they are water coasters that use high pressure water jets to send riders uphill after downhill drops. Riders use an inner tube for the experience.
Whitewater Dash provides a more traditional body slide experience, while Rapid Mat Racers allows guests to race beside one another on mats.
Tropic Storm and Tropic Spiral are both enclosed tube slides. During our visit, we rode Tropic Spiral and found it to be one of the more unique experiences in the park. Much of the ride takes place in darkness, with several turns and changes in direction before reaching the end.
Tidal Tower © Freestyle Travelers
One thing to know before heading to Tidal Tower is that guests have to walk up the stairs to reach the slides. You do not have to carry an inner tube up the tower, but the mat used for the mat racing slides does need to be taken upstairs.
All Tidal Tower slides have a minimum height requirement of 42 inches. Maximum weight limits vary by attraction, with individual limits ranging from 300 to 400 pounds.
For guests who are visiting Great Tides Waterpark primarily for the thrill rides, Tidal Tower will probably be the main destination. There is enough variety here that even guests who do not normally ride every type of waterslide should find something that appeals to them.
Cliffside Cove: An Industry-First Experience
Cliffside Cove © Freestyle Travelers
Cliffside Cove is one of the most distinctive sections of Great Tides Waterpark and is home to several attractions that are unique among cruise line private islands and resorts.
The headline attraction is Cliffside Leap, which gives guests the opportunity to jump from platforms that are 10 and 15 feet above the water.
NCL describes this as the first cliff jump attraction at a private island. Guests must be at least 48 inches tall to participate.
Cliffside Cove is also home to Fearless Falls, which are dual racing body slides, and The Great Slide, a family slide that can accommodate up to four riders at once.
The Great Slide © Freestyle Travelers
The Great Slide is another interesting attraction. NCL describes it as the Caribbean’s only four person waterslide, making it an option for families or groups who want to experience a ride together rather than taking turns on individual slides. The combined weight limit for four riders is 800 pounds.
This area also has most of the park’s seating and cabanas, making Cliffside Cove a good place to establish a home base if your group wants to spend most of the day riding the slides.
Grotto Bar © Freestyle Travelers
One of the most interesting features is the Grotto Bar, which is tucked beneath the action. The bar has seating where guests can watch people coming down the slides and taking the cliff jumps.
The combination of seating, slides, cliff jumps and the bar makes Cliffside Cove one of the more social sections of Great Tides Waterpark.
Wandering River: An Elevated “Lazy” River Attraction
Wandering River © Freestyle Travelers
The Wandering River is one of the attractions we were most interested in seeing during our visit.
NCL does not call it a traditional lazy river. Instead, the company describes it as a “non-lazy” river because it has a more active current and includes several features along the route. The attraction stretches more than 800 feet around the waterpark.
In practice, we found the river to be a good middle ground between a traditional lazy river and a more active water ride.
The full loop took us approximately five minutes, and the current moved at a decent pace without feeling overly aggressive. There are multiple entry points throughout the route, and tubes are available at several locations.
Wandering River Glow Grotto © Freestyle Travelers
One of the biggest surprises was the tunnel section.
The Glow Grotto is a dark multimedia tunnel that takes riders away from the rest of the waterpark for a short portion of the ride. It is actually dark and relatively quiet inside, with ambient music and lighting effects. From the outside, it is easy to assume that the tunnel will simply be another decorative element, but we found it much more interesting than expected.
Another highlight is the Floataway Bar, located in the pool connected to the Wandering River.
The bar has seating in the water, allowing guests to get a drink without completely leaving the attraction. There is also land based seating with umbrellas and traditional bar seating nearby.
During the middle of the day, the in water seating became somewhat crowded, particularly when people stopped their tubes around the bar. It was not a major problem during our visit, but it is easy to see why this will become one of the more popular gathering spots at Great Tides Waterpark.
Wandering River Seating © Freestyle Travelers
For guests looking for something less intense than the slides, the Wandering River is probably the best place to spend time. It also provides a nice way to cool off between rides.
One thing we would have liked to see is another traditional pool for relaxing. The Wandering River has an attached pool area, but there is not a large standalone swimming pool inside Great Tides Waterpark. Guests looking for a conventional pool experience can instead use the Great Life Lagoon outside of the waterpark.
Splash Cay: Family Friendly Zone
Splash Cay © Freestyle Travelers
Splash Cay is the dedicated kids area at Great Tides Waterpark and is significantly larger than the complimentary Splash Harbor splash area located elsewhere on Great Stirrup Cay.
The area contains eight kid-friendly waterslides along with a large collection of interactive water features designed for younger children. NCL describes Splash Cay as a dedicated kids splash zone for children of different ages.
After seeing it in person, we were particularly impressed with the size of the area.
This does not feel like a small children's splash pad added to the side of a larger waterpark. Splash Cay is a substantial attraction on its own, with plenty for kids to explore and multiple slides and water features spread throughout the area.
Splash Cay Slides & Water Features © Freestyle Travelers
The minimum height requirements vary depending on the attraction. Some experiences start at 36 inches, while select slides require children to be at least 40 inches tall.
For families traveling with younger children, Splash Cay is likely to be one of the biggest reasons to purchase admission to Great Tides Waterpark.
Parents also have seating nearby, including shaded areas and cabanas, so it is possible to stay close to children while still having a place to sit and relax.
Dining & Bars at Great Tides Waterpark
Great Tides Waterpark Swim Up Bar © Freestyle Travelers
One of the biggest advantages of Great Tides Waterpark is that guests do not have to leave the park when they get hungry.
There is a complimentary buffet style dining option inside the waterpark, along with three food trucks offering additional food for purchase. NCL has designed the paid options around barbecue, seafood and desserts.
Low Tide Smoke focuses on barbecue, with options including ribs, pulled pork nachos, chicken wings and other barbecue dishes.
Catch of the Cay focuses on seafood, including fried shrimp and other casual seafood options.
Tidal Treats provides desserts and sweet treats, including ice cream and bubble waffle desserts.
The combination gives guests a choice between using the complimentary food option included with admission or spending extra on some of the upgraded selections.
We also liked the fact that the food options are located within the waterpark rather than requiring guests to walk back toward the main dining areas of Great Stirrup Cay.
There are two bars within Great Tides Waterpark.
The Grotto Bar is located in Cliffside Cove underneath The Great Slide, while the Floataway Bar is located in the pool connected to the Wandering River.
Guests with Norwegian's Free at Sea beverage package can use their beverage package on Great Stirrup Cay, including at the waterpark. Guests without a beverage package can purchase drinks separately.
This is an important distinction when calculating the total cost of a day at the NCL waterpark. Food options are available without an additional charge, but beverages are not automatically included with the waterpark admission unless you have the applicable beverage package.
Seating, Lockers, and Accessibility
Great Tides Waterpark Seating © Freestyle Travelers
Great Tides Waterpark has considerably more guest infrastructure than we expected.
There are lounge chairs and tables throughout the different sections, with particularly large seating areas around Cliffside Cove and Splash Cay. Umbrellas provide a surprising amount of shade, which is important considering how much time guests can spend outdoors in the Bahamian sun.
Great Tides Waterpark Cabanas © Freestyle Travelers
Private cabanas are also available for guests who want a dedicated shaded space.
The cabanas accommodate up to six guests and include waterpark admission for those guests, along with several additional amenities. NCL says cabana reservations include a bottle of sparkling wine, a fruit basket, chips and salsa, bottled water, towels and bar service throughout the day.
Great Tides Waterpark Towel Exchange © Freestyle Travelers
There are also multiple towel exchange stations throughout the park. This is a new convenience for Great Stirrup Cay and means waterpark guests do not need to bring towels from the ship.
Two restroom buildings serve the waterpark, and these facilities also have outdoor showers and lockers.
Great Tides Waterpark Lockers & Restrooms © Freestyle Travelers
Complimentary lockers are included with the waterpark admission, which is another useful feature for anyone who plans to spend most of the day riding slides. Life jackets are also available at no additional cost on a first come, first served basis.
Certified lifeguards are stationed throughout Great Tides Waterpark, and during our visit there were a large number of lifeguards visible throughout the attractions. From a guest perspective, the amount of staff monitoring the water areas was reassuring.
Great Tides Waterpark also has accessibility features. NCL says accessible walkways are available throughout the park and the Wandering River can be accessed using a pool lift. Guests who require additional assistance are encouraged to contact NCL's Shoreside Access Desk before visiting.
Guests should be aware that the waterpark involves a moderate to high level of physical activity, including walking, standing, climbing stairs and navigating wet surfaces.
How Much Does Great Tides Waterpark Cost?
Cliffside Cove © Freestyle Travelers
One of the most common questions about Great Tides Waterpark is how much admission costs.
NCL says that the Great Tides Waterpark admission cost varies by sailing and availability. Guests with a cruise reservation can log into their MyNCL account to see the current price for their specific sailing.
This means the cost of the NCL waterpark can change depending on when and how you are sailing, so the price shown for another cruise would not necessarily be assumed to be the price for your sailing.
The important thing to remember is that Great Stirrup Cay itself is included with the cruise fare, but Great Tides Waterpark is not. It is an optional paid upgrade.
Children ages 3 and younger receive complimentary admission. Children ages 13 and under must be accompanied by a ticketed guest who is at least 18 years old.
Waterpark admission includes access to all three areas and attractions, lounge chairs and umbrellas based on availability, complimentary food options, towels, lockers, life jackets and tram transportation.
Drinks are included for guests who have the Free at Sea beverage package. Otherwise, beverages can be purchased separately.
Private cabanas cost extra, although a cabana reservation includes admission for up to six guests. NCL also allows Free at Sea Shore Excursion Credits to be applied toward a waterpark cabana, but those credits cannot be used toward a standard waterpark admission ticket.
Our personal opinion is that the value will depend heavily on how much you plan to use the park.
If your family loves waterslides and will spend most of the day riding attractions, the number of experiences included with admission makes the price easier to justify.
For someone who is less interested in spending an entire day riding waterslides, the full price is harder to justify.
That will be a very personal calculation, though. The people we spoke with during our visit were overwhelmingly impressed and seemed to be having a great time.
Great Tides Waterpark Frequently Asked Questions
Is Great Tides Waterpark included with a Norwegian Cruise?
No. Great Stirrup Cay is included as a port of call for Norwegian Cruise Line guests, but Great Tides Waterpark requires a separate admission fee. The exact price varies by sailing and availability.
When does Great Tides Waterpark officially open?
Great Tides Waterpark officially opens on September 4, 2026.
How many waterslides are at Great Tides Waterpark?
There are 19 waterslides throughout Great Tides Waterpark. Eleven are main attractions, while eight are located in the dedicated Splash Cay kids area.
What are the different areas of Great Tides Waterpark?
The three main areas are Tidal Tower, Cliffside Cove, and Splash Cay.
How tall is Tidal Tower?
Tidal Tower is 170 feet tall and serves as the centerpiece of Great Tides Waterpark.
Is Great Tides Waterpark good for young children?
Yes. Splash Cay is specifically designed for younger children and includes eight slides and numerous interactive water features. Height requirements vary by attraction, beginning at 36 inches for some experiences.
Does Great Tides Waterpark have a lazy river?
Great Tides Waterpark has the Wandering River, which is similar to a lazy river but has a stronger and more active current. NCL refers to it as a “non-lazy” river rather than a traditional lazy river.
What is the Wandering River?
The Wandering River is an 800 plus foot river attraction that is designed to be more active than a traditional lazy river. It includes multiple entry points, a multimedia tunnel and a connected pool with the Floataway Bar.
Does Great Tides Waterpark have a swim up bar?
Yes. The Floataway Bar is located in the pool connected to the Wandering River. There is also the Grotto Bar in Cliffside Cove.
Is food included at Great Tides Waterpark?
Yes. Complimentary food options are included with admission. There are also three food trucks offering additional food for purchase.
Are drinks included at Great Tides Waterpark?
Drinks are included for guests with Norwegian's Free at Sea beverage package. Guests without the beverage package can purchase drinks separately.
Are towels included at Great Tides Waterpark?
Yes. Towels are provided to waterpark guests, so you do not need to bring a towel from the ship.
Are lockers included at Great Tides Waterpark?
Yes. Complimentary lockers are available for waterpark guests.
Are life jackets available?
Yes. Complimentary life jackets are available throughout the waterpark on a first come, first served basis.
Are there cabanas at Great Tides Waterpark?
Yes. Private cabanas are available for purchase and accommodate up to six guests. Cabana reservations include waterpark admission for up to six guests as well as additional food, beverage and service amenities.
Can I use Free at Sea Shore Excursion Credits for Great Tides Waterpark?
Free at Sea Shore Excursion Credits can be used toward a waterpark cabana, but they cannot be applied toward a standard Great Tides Waterpark admission ticket.
What are the height requirements for Great Tides Waterpark?
Height requirements vary by attraction. Tidal Tower slides require a minimum height of 42 inches, while Cliffside Cove slides and the cliff jumps require 48 inches. Some Splash Cay attractions have minimum heights of 36 or 40 inches.
Are there weight limits for the waterslides?
Yes. Weight limits vary by attraction. NCL lists individual limits ranging from 200 to 400 pounds for various rides, while some multi person attractions have combined weight limits of up to 800 pounds.
Is Great Tides Waterpark accessible?
NCL says accessible walkways are available throughout the park, and the Wandering River can be accessed using a pool lift. Guests requiring additional assistance should contact NCL's Shoreside Access Desk before their visit.
Can I bring my phone on the waterslides?
Certain personal items, including phones, footwear, hats and sunglasses, are restricted on select attractions. Specific rules are posted at each slide entrance.
How do I book Great Tides Waterpark?
Guests with a Norwegian Cruise Line reservation can purchase a waterpark day pass through their MyNCL account. NCL recommends booking in advance because availability onboard is not guaranteed.
How far in advance can I cancel my waterpark reservation?
NCL allows guests to cancel or modify a Great Tides Waterpark reservation up to 48 hours before arrival at Great Stirrup Cay for a full refund, unless a different policy applies to the specific reservation. Cancellations within 48 hours are generally non refundable.
Final Thoughts on Great Tides Waterpark at Great Stirrup Cay
Great Tides Waterpark © Freestyle Travelers
Great Tides Waterpark is a significant addition to Great Stirrup Cay and gives Norwegian Cruise Line a true destination waterpark experience at its private island.
After visiting the park ourselves, we were impressed by how much is packed into the six acre space. The 170 foot Tidal Tower provides the major thrills, Cliffside Cove adds the thrilling cliff jumps and family attractions, the Wandering River provides a more relaxed way to spend time in the water, and Splash Cay gives younger children a large area built specifically around them.
For us, Great Tides Waterpark is a well executed addition to Great Stirrup Cay. Everyone we spoke with during our visit seemed impressed with the park, and after seeing it firsthand, we understand why.
If you are sailing with Norwegian Cruise Line and your itinerary includes Great Stirrup Cay, Great Tides Waterpark is now one of the island's major attractions and one of the most significant new cruise line waterpark experiences in the Bahamas.
