Do you have an upcoming cruise heading to Half Moon Cay? If so, then this guide to everything you need to know about Half Moon Cay Bahamas is for you.

Everything You Need to Know About Half Moon Cay Bahamas

What Is Half Moon Cay Bahamas

Half Moon Cay is one of the 700 islands that make up the archipelago of The Bahamas. This small island is located approximately 100 miles southeast of Nassau and covers 2,400 acres. Though, only 50 acres have been developed into an exclusive beach resort for cruise passengers. The rest of the area remains as a wildlife habitat.

Also known as Little San Salvador Island, the island is referred to as Half Moon Cay to reflect its crescent-shaped beach.

Half Moon Cay is privately owned by Carnival Corporation. Holland America Line purchased this island back in 1996 from Norwegian Cruise Line. Today, Holland America cruise ships and some Carnival cruise ships visit Half Moon Cay.

Further, Half Moon Cay is frequently rated as one of the best cruise line private islands. In fact, it won “Best Private Island” in Porthole Cruise Magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards for 20 years in a row.

Getting to Half Moon Cay Bahamas

As mentioned above, Half Moon Cay Bahamas is a cruise line private island. So, the only way to visit the island is to book a cruise that calls in this exclusive Bahamian port. Much like Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay or Norwegian Cruise Line’s Great Stirrup Cay, Half Moon Cay is only for Carnival Corp. guests.

The water around Half Moon Cay is quite shallow, which prevents ships from being able to dock there. Thus, you currently need to tender to head ashore. Cruisers need to take tender boats to Half Moon Cay, which takes about 20 minutes.

However, plans are currently in development to add a “pierside berth” to the island, according to Carnival Corp. CEO Josh Weinstein, so eventually tendering won’t be necessary.

Once on the island, walking is the easiest way to get around. If you are tired of walking or are unable to walk long distances, there are complimentary trams that run from the Welcome Center to the Food Pavilion.

What’s Included on Half Moon Cay Bahamas

When you think of a cruise line private island, you probably envision stretches of beautifully manicured beaches. Half Moon Cay is exactly that!

Half Moon Beach is a stretch of approximately 2.5 miles of soft, sandy beachfront. Perhaps the best private island beach, Half Moon Cay Bahamas makes for the perfect beach day.

Access to this prime beachfront is included during your stop at this private island. The beach loungers are also complimentary. Be sure to bring beach towels from the ship though.

If you are looking for a quieter spot or some tree-shaded areas, you will need to head further down the beach. So, we suggest getting off the ship early to secure the best beach real estate. You could also rent a clamshell for some coverage from the sun.

Unlike on some other private islands from competitor brands, there is no pool on Half Moon Cay, Bahamas.

If you want to get some cardio in during your visit to this private island, there are walking/jogging trails and sports courts.

Like most cruise line private islands, there is also complimentary food at Half Moon Cay. The tropical island buffet is usually open from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. It includes burgers, hot dogs, jerk chicken, and more. There is also a salad station including garden salad, tropical fruit salad, and potato salad, as well as desserts such as brownies, cookies, and banana rum cake.

While there are four bars on Half Moon Cay Bahamas, your ship drink package will NOT work on the island. You will need to pay a la carte for drinks using your ship card or purchase an island drink package.

The island drink package is available to Holland America guests only (Carnival guests can’t buy the island drink package) and must pay for drinks a la carte. This package entitles cruisers to 15 drinks ashore, including both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options. Guests can purchase this package pre-cruise using the online cruise planner or once onboard the ship.

Your ship WiFi package will not work on the island either. In fact, there is no wifi on Half Moon Cay at all. If you have international cell phone coverage Bahamas rates will apply, though coverage may be spotty.

Food and Drinks on Half Moon Cay Bahamas

As mentioned previously, complimentary lunch is available at the Food Pavilion on Half Moon Cay Bahamas. This open-air buffet provides all your beach BBQ favorites like hamburgers, hot dogs, jerk chicken, tropical salads, basic non-alcoholic drinks (not including soda), and desserts. You could also grab a plate and head back to your spot on the beach.

If you are looking for an upgraded lunch, you might want to try the Lobster Shack. This menu is available for a la carte pricing. The menu includes items like chowder, lobster, and lobster rolls. This whole lobster with Caribbean beans and rice is $20, while the lobster roll is $13.

While not included in your ship drink package, what’s a beach day without some frozen cocktails? Luckily, Half Moon Cay Bahamas has plenty of bars to quench your thirst.

Perhaps the most visible bar on the island is the Captain Morgan “On the Rocks” Bar about halfway down the beach and shaped like a pirate ship. This open-air bar provides some shade and a tropical drink menu.

Additionally, the Bell Bar is located near the Food Pavilion. The I Wish I Could Stay Here Forever Bar is located on the beach near the Instagram-worthy sign. The Rum Runners Bar is located within the Welcome Center. Each of these bars offers the same drink menu with the signature Blue Lagoon cocktail.

Things to Do at Half Moon Cay Bahamas

If you are looking for other activities besides the complimentary offerings at Half Moon Cay Bahamas, the cruise line offers plenty of shore excursions for additional costs.

The Aqua Trax Adventure is a guided jet-ski tour, and the Eco Lagoon Kayak Adventure takes you on a guided kayak tour in Bone Fish Lagoon. There is also a Stingray Adventure where you can learn about and interact with these southern rays.

Then, there is a glass bottom boat tour, a guided bike tour, a guided nature walk, and a snorkel tour that lets you explore more of the island. Half Moon Cay is also a great place for bird watching.

Horseback riding is one of the most popular shore excursions on Half Moon Cay Bahamas. This fun and unique tour includes both a land and a sea ride with these majestic animals.

If you would prefer to venture out on your own rather than take part in an organized shore excursion, there are three water sport rental stations on the island. Here, you can rent equipment like a Hobie Catamaran, water trikes, kayaks, and more.

In the Welcome Center, there is also a small Straw Market where you can shop for local goods and Half Moon Cay logo merchandise.

Finally, if you are traveling with the little ones, they can enjoy the Half Moon Lagoon Aquapark and playground for no additional cost. The pirate-themed splash area provides plenty of wet and wild fun, while the somewhat hidden playground has swings, slides, and other climbing activities.

Cabanas and Beach Villas on Half Moon Cay Bahamas

If you are looking to upgrade your beach day on Half Moon Cay Bahamas, you can rent a cabana or a two-story Beach Villa.

The cabanas include a refrigerator, ceiling fan, air conditioner, table and chairs, as well as deck chairs and a misting shower on the private terrace. Fresh fruit and chips and dip are also provided, as well as an assortment of soft drinks and bottled water. Cabana guests also get floating mats and snorkel gear for no additional charge.

The private cabana is an all-day rental and is priced for four guests. If there are more than four guests, the additional guests must pay an additional per-person fee.

The beach villas include a five-person hot tub, refrigerator, ceiling fan, dining area with table and chairs, misting shower, and a private sun deck. Like the cabanas, light snacks, non-alcoholic drinks, floating mats, and snorkel gear are also provided.

The Beach Villa Package rate includes up to eight guests. If there are more than eight guests, the additional guests must pay an additional per-person fee.

For the ultimate in luxury, there is the Private Oasis. The Private Oasis offers a total of 1,620 square feet perched partially overwater for up to 12 guests. It includes a large covered deck and sun deck with an eight-person hot tub. It also includes an indoor teak dining table, outdoor loungers and bar stools, a barbecue area, a full wet bar and refrigerator, changing rooms, indoor and outdoor showers with heated fresh water, and a privacy gate.

A full barbecue lunch and snacks are also included, as well as the services of a butler, personal chef, bartender, cabana steward, and lifeguard. In addition to bottled water, juices, and soft drinks, the Private Oasis also includes domestic and imported beers, house wine by the glass, and various tropical cocktails.

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