CocoCay or Little Stirrup Cay is one of the Berry Islands, a collection of Bahamian cays and small islands located approximately 55 miles (89 km) north of Nassau.[1] It is used for tourism by Royal Caribbean Group exclusively. Little Stirrup Cay is adjacent to Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian Cruises' private island since 1977.

Perfect Day at CocoCay
Little Stirrup Cay
Island
CocoCay
CocoCay
Perfect Day at CocoCay is located in Bahamas
Perfect Day at CocoCay
Perfect Day at CocoCay
Coordinates: 25°49′N 77°56′W / 25.817°N 77.933°W / 25.817; -77.933
Country Bahamas
IslandLittle Stirrup Cay
DistrictBerry Islands
Population
 (2010)
 • Total38
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern Time Zone)
Area code242

Geography edit

The island is less than a mile (1.57 kilometer) long from east to west and less than 480 yards (0.43 kilometer) from north to south. It has a population of 38 (2010 census).[2]

Tourism edit

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., which owns Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises, assumed the lease of the island upon acquisition of Admiral Cruises in 1988. In 2019, the island was extensively renovated by Royal Caribbean at the cost of $250 million and renamed Perfect Day at CocoCay.[3] Upon being announced in 2018, the renovation plans were criticised by activists, who raised concerns about harm to the environment and "natural beauty", drawing Disneyland comparisons, and to small local businesses.[4][5][6]

A pier was constructed on the north side of the island, which allows cruise ships to dock directly instead of using tenders.[7] A waterpark was constructed on the "thrill" side of the island, with two towers containing waterslides, including North America's tallest Daredevil's Peak, and two pools. On the "chill" side is the beach with cabanas.[8]

The east end is the centre of recreational activities with beaches fronting a coral basin where manatees, rays, and numerous fish can be seen.[citation needed] Nature trails run the entire length and width of the island.[citation needed]

Climate edit

Climate data for CocoCay, Bahamas
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 90
(32)
91
(33)
91
(33)
91
(33)
96
(36)
98
(37)
97
(36)
99
(37)
97
(36)
95
(35)
91
(33)
89
(32)
99
(37)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 77
(25)
77
(25)
81
(27)
82
(28)
84
(29)
88
(31)
90
(32)
90
(32)
88
(31)
86
(30)
82
(28)
79
(26)
84
(29)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 63
(17)
63
(17)
64
(18)
66
(19)
70
(21)
73
(23)
75
(24)
75
(24)
75
(24)
72
(22)
68
(20)
64
(18)
69
(21)
Record low °F (°C) 46
(8)
45
(7)
50
(10)
54
(12)
59
(15)
61
(16)
63
(17)
67
(19)
67
(19)
59
(15)
54
(12)
48
(9)
45
(7)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 1.5
(38)
1.7
(43)
1.2
(30)
1.8
(46)
4.6
(120)
8.5
(220)
5.9
(150)
6.6
(170)
7.0
(180)
7.2
(180)
2.4
(61)
1.7
(43)
50.1
(1,270)
Average relative humidity (%) 75 73 72 71 73 76 74 75 77 76 74 75 74
Source 1: [9]
Source 2: [10]

References edit

  1. ^ "Coco Cay". Washington Post. January 21, 2007. pp. P10. Retrieved 2009-01-17.
  2. ^ "Berry Islands Population by Settlement and Total Number of Occupied Dwellings 2010 Census" (PDF). Bahamas Department of Statistics.
  3. ^ "This Is Your Perfect Day: Royal Caribbean Opens $450 Million Private Island in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay". www.royalcaribbeanpresscenter.com. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
  4. ^ Keller, Kaitlynn (17 April 2018). "Activists Slam Royal Caribbean's $200 Million Expansion at CocoCay". Observer. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  5. ^ Adderley, Morgan (16 March 2018). "Activist slams Royal Caribbean's $200m Coco Cay plans". The Tribune. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  6. ^ Davies, Ross (5 September 2018). "Private cruise islands: drawing ethical lines in the sand?". Future Cruise. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  7. ^ "First look at first new venues at Perfect Day at CocoCay". Royal Caribbean Blog. 2019-03-16. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
  8. ^ "Cruise Ship Evacuated In Bahamas After Blast". Miami Herald. July 31, 1986. Retrieved 2020-08-10.
  9. ^ "CocoCay, Bahamas Climate History". www.myweather2.com. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  10. ^ "Coco Cay, The Bahamas Travel Weather Averages (Weatherbase)". Weatherbase. Retrieved April 26, 2021.

External links edit