Page 156 - The British Big Four
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oyal Caribbean International purchased Little Stirrup Cay, re-       set-up a small straw market where visitors can purchase traditional
                                                                           Bahamian goods and have their hair braided.
R named it CocoCay, and built a secluded island paradise for its
                                                                           T he Snorkel Shack rents equipment and offers instruction. Scuba
cruise passengers to enjoy. The construction was completed in ad-               equipment may be rented by certified divers who can show a
herence to strict environmental regulations and Bahamian codes.            dive log with a dive within the last two years. The Scuba trip is no
CocoCay is located on the northern end of the Berry Islands chain          deeper than 40 feet. For snorkelers, a short swim from the beach
near Great Harbour Cay. The 140-acre island offers beautiful, white,       takes you to several well-marked spots. A red buoy marks a rep-
sandy beaches with hundreds of lounge chairs. A large number of            lica of a Spanish galleon shipwreck complete with cannons. A short
hammocks are scattered about the island. And, since this is a cruise       swim away towards the lifeguard platform is the wreckage of a
ship destination, there are several bars as well as waiters walking        small airplane. A cluster of six reef balls have been placed close to
among the chairs taking your drink orders. CocoCay is a private is-        the plane and single reef balls are scattered around the lagoon. The
land owned by Royal Caribbean International. The only way to visit         fish are plentiful at both the shipwreck and plane thanks to a “fish-
CocoCay is by booking a cruise with Royal Caribbean or Celebrity.          feeding” put on by cruise employees. Even if you miss the fish feed-
                                                                           ing, the fish will swim right up to you to check for food. Expect to
I f you prefer action to relaxing and imbibing rum, there are sev-         see schools of yellowtail snapper, mangrove snapper, and sergeant
   eral activities available for fees. Adults and children will enjoy the  majors. flounder, parrotfish, and mackerel hang out near the plane
Aqua Park of floating trampolines, slides, and climbing walls. Wave        wreck.
runners, kayaks, and small sailboats are available to rent. You can
even take a ride on a parasail. Although CocoCay is not an inhab-
ited island, Royal Caribbean and its sister cruise line, Celebrity, have
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