Just 120 miles off Florida’s coast, Great Stirrup Cay is a 268-acre private Bahamian retreat that packs in reef dives, zip-line rides, swim-up bars, and sand so soft it earns a standing ovation.

Anchors down, you’ll spot the 1863 lighthouse first — a relic of the British Imperial Lighthouse Service that still guards the Northwest Providence Channel. Past the tender pier, palm paths lead toward the Seahawk Zip Line, where 2,975 feet of cable deliver an aerial tour over turquoise water and white sand. Below, snorkelers follow the Sir Nicholas Nuttall Coral Reef Sculpture Garden — a marine sanctuary created in partnership with the Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation — where parrotfish weave through coral-coated statues.

While families will gravitate to the island-wide pool complex, those chasing sophisticated quiet slip into Silver Cove — an upscale enclave with private cabanas, air-conditioned lounges, and a calm lagoon perfect for paddleboards. Horizon Park brings lawn games and open-air bars, and the new pier makes tender lines a thing of the past.

When appetite strikes, Abaco Taco turns build-your-own into an art form, while Jumbey Beach Grill, Tropic Like It’s Hot, and Bacardi Bar keep the local flavor flowing. There’s even a swim-up bar if you prefer your piña colada without leaving the pool.

Late in the day, drift back toward Bertram’s Cove, where the light fades behind anchored ships and the soundtrack shifts to sea and laughter. Great Stirrup Cay is the part of your Escape with Effy charter cruise that feels entirely off the clock — a perfect mix of Bahamian sun and salt water that reminds everyone on board what a private island was meant to be.