| Perfect Day at CocoCay | |
| Settlement Type: | Island |
| Other Name: | Little Stirrup Cay |
| Pushpin Map: | Bahamas |
| Pushpin Label Position: | left |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name1: | Little Stirrup Cay |
| Population As Of: | 2010 |
| Population Total: | 38 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Utc Offset: | -5 |
| Coordinates: | 25.8167°N -133°W |
CocoCay or Little Stirrup Cay, sometimes titled Perfect Day at CoCoCay is one of the Berry Islands, a collection of Bahamian cays and small islands located approximately 55miles 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.
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]
On the night of October 13, 1848, the ship Susan Drew ran aground on the island. To lighten the ship enough to raise it off the sea floor, the captain ordered the masts cut and disposed. Afterwards the ship was able to be towed to Nassau.[3] On April 7, 1855, the ship Oswego took on water and was beached near the island to save it from sinking. The lower cargo hold was one-third full of water when the ship was abandoned.[4] In February 1868, the brig C. B. Allen, Bray was badly damaged and had to beach itself on Little Stirrup Cay.[5] In February 1871, the USS Pawnee got beached and had to be towed off the sandbar by HMS Philomel.[6] In December 1872, the Prestissimo, Dahms got beached and had to throw overboard 3,000 bushels of salt to free itself.[7]
On July 30, 1986, a fire broke out in a storage locker upon the Eastern Steamship Lines' SS Emerald Seas, soon after departing the island. 20 shipboard fire fighters fought the blaze before the arrival of the U.S. Coast Guard. Temporarily, 987 passengers were evacuated to the island and 17 passengers were treated for smoke inhalation.[8]
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.[9] 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 and Disney World comparisons, and to small local businesses.[10] [11] [12]
A pier was constructed on the north side of the island, which allows cruise ships to dock directly instead of using tenders.[13] 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.[14]
The east end is the centre of recreational activities with beaches fronting a coral basin where manatees, rays, and numerous fish can be seen. Nature trails run the entire length and width of the island.