On Location: We took the plunge at NCL’s new Great Tides Waterpark. Here’s what it’s like

What happens when Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) adds 19 waterslides, cliff jumping, a not-so-lazy river and a towering collection of high-speed thrills to its private island in the Bahamas?

You get wet. Very wet.

PAX, as part of a sailing from Miami to the Bahamas on Norwegian Getaway, a Breakaway-class ship that was refurbished in 2024, was among the first to take the plunge at Great Tides Waterpark, NCL’s action-packed new attraction at Great Stirrup Cay, during an exclusive preview Tuesday morning (Sept. 1).

Ahead of its official grand opening on Sept. 4, nearly 1,000 journalists, influencers, content creators and VIPs were given early access to the nearly six-acre waterpark, with select others joining NCL executives and government officials for a ribbon-cutting ceremony before the gates opened.

Then came the screams.

In the sweltering Bahamian heat, there are certainly worse ways to cool off.

Great Tides is divided into four action-packed zones – Tidal Tower, Cliffside Cove, Wandering River and Splash Cay – each offering a different flavour of aquatic adventure.

Splash Cay, geared toward younger guests, spans more than 9,000 square feet and packs in eight mini-slides, interactive water features and a giant tipping bucket.

For the grown-ups – or anyone with a healthy appetite for adrenaline – things get considerably more intense.

A waterslide meets a rollercoaster

The unmistakable centrepiece of Great Tides is Tidal Tower, a 170-foot structure that dominates the skyline and houses eight slides.

Its headline attraction is Breakwater Blasters, a duelling inner-tube ride that uses high-pressure water jets to propel riders uphill before sending them through steep drops, turns and twists.

NCL bills it as an industry-first duelling Master Blaster experience in the Caribbean.

Translation? It’s what would happen if a waterslide and rollercoaster had a very splashy baby.

The experience reminded us of the Aqua Slidecoaster found aboard NCL’s Prima-class ships. There’s that same combination of acceleration, surprise drops and the unmistakable soundtrack of people screaming their heads off as they whip around the course.

There is, however, one important detail guests should know before climbing all the way up: Breakwater Blasters requires two riders, and their combined weight cannot exceed 400 pounds.

That can put a wrinkle in certain rider combinations, particularly two larger grown adults. It also means solo riders need to find a partner.

Travelling alone, PAX found itself in a waterpark version of speed dating: scanning the line for other solo riders willing to pair up. (Thankfully, we weren’t the only ones).

It’s worth knowing before making the climb (staff will also stop and weight each rider combo), especially since this is one of the park’s marquee attractions.

Tropic Spiral: hello, darkness

If Breakwater Blasters is Great Tides’ star, Tropic Spiral ("the yellow slide") may be its scariest.

Also located in Tidal Tower, the tube ride sends guests plunging into a dark funnel, where visibility disappears and your sense of direction quickly follows.

At various points, riders are spun around completely and sent sliding backwards.

Some eventually turn back around. Some don’t. Either way, once you’re in, you’re committed.

The combination of darkness, spinning and not quite knowing which direction you’re travelling makes Tropic Spiral particularly disorienting – and, naturally, extremely popular

NCL describes it as the world’s first Nautilus slide, with large spirals that spin guests in different directions.

Tidal Tower also features Tropic Storm (also a fun zip downward) and rapid mat racers for guests who prefer a little friendly competition with their waterpark thrills.

One thing that stands out, here, is functionality. The slides at Tidal Tower are equipped with conveyor systems that transport the tubes to the top, meaning guests don’t have to haul them up the stairs themselves.

The lineups aren’t too daunting, either. Great Tides Waterpark was designed to accommodate up to 1,800 guests, but capacity is currently capped at 1,200 to keep crowds manageable and guests moving comfortably through the attractions.

Cliff jumping: don’t look down

Over at Cliffside Cove, Great Tides introduces something NCL says is an industry first: cliff jumping at a private-island waterpark.

There are two cliff heights to choose from – 10 feet and 15 feet.

Watching from afar, on the ground, it looks easy enough. Climb up. Walk to the edge. Leap.

But it’s actually not that simple at all. Once you’re standing on top of that cliff and looking at the water below, those 10 or 15 feet suddenly feel considerably higher. 

The water below is so crystal clear that it creates a disorienting illusion, making the drop feel much higher than it actually is, we later learned.

We watched several guests confidently approach the edge, only to slow down once they got there, second guessing their life choices. Some even backed out from the jump completely.

The trick? Don’t look down.

The cliff jumps turned out to be the surprise standout of Great Tides in terms of pure thrill factor. They’re quick, uncomplicated and over within seconds. But those few moments before taking the leap deliver one heck of an adrenaline rush.

Also in Cliffside Cove are Fearless Falls, where slides launch riders from a raised tube, dropping them through the air before they smack the water below.

Then there’s The Great Slide, designed for families and groups who would rather experience their thrills together.

Up to four guests can take on the slide at once, making it a more social alternative to the park’s solo scream machines.

The “lazy” river that isn’t so lazy

After all that climbing, spinning, falling and screaming, the Wandering River offers calm relaxation.

NCL’s 800-plus-foot river winds through lush landscaping and is one of the prettiest areas of Great Tides. The greenery surrounding the attraction gives this corner of the park a more tropical feel.

But calling it a “lazy river” might be overselling the lazy part.

The current moves at a surprisingly brisk pace, carrying guests around the course with a lot of momentum.

The faster current keeps things fun, and the river contains a couple of fun surprises.

One is Floataway Bar, a swim-up bar positioned alongside the river, as well as a cave-like tunnel that takes riders into a darkened cave filled with glowing, fantasy-like visuals.

The effect is beautifully done, giving off serious Pandora-from-Avatar vibes before guests emerge back into the Bahamian sunshine.

Something for every speed

That mix of experiences is ultimately what makes Great Tides work.

You can spend the morning chasing adrenaline on Tidal Tower, work up the nerve to fling yourself off a cliff, race family members down a slide and then recover with a float – and perhaps a cocktail – along Wandering River.

Families with smaller children, meanwhile, can make a beeline for Splash Cay, where eight kid-friendly slides and interactive water features offer pint-sized thrills.

Practical touches help, too. Complimentary lockers are available for guests to stash their belongings, while towels are provided on site.

The park also offers on-site dining, in the form of food trucks.

Low Tide Smoke is a barbecue spot items like BBQ pork riblets, pork nachos, jerk chicken wings, and crispy Buffalo cauliflower (typically $10–$15 per item).

Catch of the Cay is a seafood-focused venue offering crispy shrimp rolls, fried shrimp baskets, and chilled seafood rolls with seasoned waffle fries (also around $10–$15 per item).

Tidal Treats, meanwhile, is a dessert and sweet-snack stand selling Instagram-worthy ice cream cones, sundaes, and waffle cones.

The next chapter 

Speaking at the ribbon cutting ceremony, Marc Kazlauskas, president of Norwegian Cruise Line, called Great Tides the “next chapter” in a story that began nearly 50 years ago.

Great Stirrup Cay, notably, has a history that stretches back to 1977 and holds a special place in cruise history as the industry’s first private island destination.

“For decades, NCL has driven by a simple belief: vacations should be built around freedom, choice, and hospitality. Families vacation together, but everyone enjoys time differently. Some seek relaxation, others seek adventure. Our goal is to create experiences that offer something for everyone so no one has to compromise their perfection vacation,” he said. “Great Tides Waterpark brings that vision to life in an extraordinary way.”

Also on the scene was John W. Chidsey, president and CEO of parent company Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.

“We greatly value our partnership with the Bahamas. Not only will this create a lot of jobs, but it obviously brings a lot of tourists to come and experience the wonderful islands of the Bahamas,” Chidsey added.

After the ribbon-cutting, the waterpark came alive with a traditional Junkanoo parade, as Bahamian dancers in colourful costumes made their way through the park to the lively sounds of drums, clanging cowbells, whistles and brass horns.

Great Stirrup Cay's glow-up

Great Tides is the latest piece of a much larger transformation underway at NCL’s 270-acre Great Stirrup Cay.

The private island with the iconic lighthouse has undergone a substantial glow-up, with several enhancements unveiled earlier this year.

Among them is Great Life Lagoon, an expansive new pool area that is larger than two Olympic-sized pools combined.

The area includes a beach-style entrance, water features, two swim-up bars, private cabanas and plenty of complimentary loungers and umbrellas.

Nearby, Splash Harbour gives families another complimentary splash pad option outside Great Tides.

Adults looking to turn down the volume can head to Vibe Shore Club, an adults-only retreat accessible with a day pass and featuring premium loungers, private cabanas and a dedicated bar.

The island’s wider transformation has also included a new Welcome Centre, pier and tram system, making it easier for guests to arrive and move around the destination.

Beyond the newest additions, Great Stirrup Cay continues to offer white-sand beaches, watersports, excursions and premium experiences at Silver Cove, including air-conditioned villas and spa treatments.

Private island served with adrenaline

Travellers can visit Great Stirrup Cay year-round, with voyages sailing seasonally from convenient homeports including New York and Philadelphia as well as Florida ports in Miami, Tampa, Orlando (Port Canaveral) and Jacksonville.

Great Tides changes the equation for guests who want their private-island day served with a side of adrenaline.

NCL calls the waterpark (where pricing is dynamic and still being finalized, although early reports suggest admission will be around USD$99 per person) one of its most significant investments yet at Great Stirrup Cay, expanding the range of activities available at a time when cruise lines are increasingly turning their private destinations into attractions in their own right.

After spending a morning getting spun backwards in the dark, blasted uphill by water jets and talking ourselves into jumping off a cliff, we can confirm one thing: Great Stirrup Cay certainly isn’t just a beach day anymore.

And, oh, maybe leave the hair styling for after the waterpark.

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