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If you’re more advanced, have fun observing the coral reefs and marine life in the open ocean. One of the great things about Half Moon Cay is that they have a beginner’s snorkel area near the welcome center. This means you can walk down the beach, find the perfect place, and lay your beach towels on your chair. Some trails are sandy, and others are on hard pavement, so if you plan on exploring the trails, you should bring shoes. If you’re a birdwatching fan, then you are going to love Half Moon Cay.
Rent Snorkel Gear
To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link. The Half Moon Cay Snorkel by boat is a great way to enjoy the crystal-clear Bahamian waters while exploring and observing the sea life in their natural habitat. On this excursion, you will have professional snorkeling guides to assist if needed. The Private Oasis is a 1,620 square foot private cabana that has a walkway that leads right into the pristine turquoise water.
Half Moon Cay Cabanas
I’ve heard some people ask about getting a massage on the island so I wanted to address this as well. This is a private island, so it is operated by the cruise line and any massage appointments will typically go through the cruise line. You can go snorkeling with your own snorkel gear and check out the main beach area, but there isn’t really much to see there, except for crystal clear turquoise water that is.
Snorkeling Tours
This is where you and your closest friends can rest and be catered to all day. If you want to enjoy the beach but also want some respite from the sun, consider renting a clamshell sunshade. There are also servers who roam the beach throughout the day to ensure you stay hydrated. The bummer is that the drink package does not work if you stop here with Carnival Cruise Line.
THE 25 BEST Cruises to Half Moon Cay 2024 (with Prices) - Half Moon Cay Cruise Port Terminal on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
THE 25 BEST Cruises to Half Moon Cay 2024 (with Prices) - Half Moon Cay Cruise Port Terminal on Cruise Critic.
Posted: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 18:45:47 GMT [source]
Other Cruise-Owned Islands
It has won Porthole Cruise Magazine’s Best Private Island award consecutively for 20 years. When you feel the sugar-white sand on your toes or kayak its crystal lagoon, you’ll understand why cruise travelers love Half Moon Cay, a highlight of our Bahamas cruises. There are plenty of fun excursions to do on a Half Moon Cay cruise. You can go horseback riding on the beach, take a kayak tour, or rent a private cabana for the day. Snorkeling, paddleboarding, and jet skiing are also popular activities. One of the most popular activities on Half Moon Cay is water sports.
There’s also a playground nearby that is fully equipped for climbing and scrambling. You might want to buy or bring your own small beach toys such as a sand bucket and spade for children to make sand castles on the beach.
Cruise Lines That Visit Half Moon Cay Cruise Port
However, even during the rainy season, the showers are typically brief and intermittent, and the sun quickly returns. The dry season runs from November to April, with January being the driest month. Half Moon Cay is located in the Bahamas, which means it has a tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round. Carnival and Holland America offer a variety of itineraries from several North American ports that include stops at Half Moon Cay. Half Moon Cay is an exclusive port of call for all HAL and CCL-Carnival Cruise Line ships operating in the Caribbean.
Guide to Visiting Half Moon Cay, Carnival's Private Island in the Bahamas - Travel + Leisure
Guide to Visiting Half Moon Cay, Carnival's Private Island in the Bahamas.
Posted: Thu, 30 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
If you need some beach time on your cruise, this is definitely the place to enjoy it. You will have to take tenders back and forth from your ship, but it’s a short 15 or 20-minute boat ride on some of the most pristine water you will ever see. Part of the fun of cruising is joining in some tours and excursions at ports of call to try something new.
Tips for Visiting Half Moon Cay Cruise Port
Half Moon Cay is approximately 100 miles (150 km) southeast of Nassau, the Bahamian capital. Half Moon Cay offers per-hour rentals of paddleboards and paddles, which you can find at the island rental hut. At Stingray Cove, visitors will learn about the behaviors, habitats, feeding, and breeding of the southern stingrays that call Half Moon Cay home. Even if you don’t get a drink, check out the space and head up to the top deck for great views down the beach. This is also where the DJ is set up on the island, playing beach tunes. Most people visiting Half Moon Cay probably never even realize it has a basketball court.
These trails lead to the Island’s shore excursion starting points like Bonefish Lagoon, Stingray Cove, and Pegasus Ranch. Furthermore, the cay has trails for spotting wildlife and a fitness trail that features exercise stations. The Island Bike Tour is great for nature enthusiasts to explore Half Moon Cay. On this tour, you will bike on an oceanfront path while learning the island’s history from a tour guide.
If you’re visiting Half Moon Cay, don’t forget to take a picture under the iconic sign. One area is enclosed and air-conditioned, while the top deck is open-air so you can soak up the Caribbean sun. It’s important to note that both decks offer a view into the ocean.
Horseback riding is another popular activity on Half Moon Cay, led by a professional. You and your horse will travel to the island’s highest point before returning to the barn. If you want to take cover from the sun, you’ll have to fork over a few dollars. You can rent an umbrella on the beach at the dive shack and use your cruise card to pay for the rental. Located less than 100 miles southeast of Nassau, the island (previously known as Little San Salvador) was purchased in 1996 for $6 million. The line initially invested $16 million to spruce up Half Moon Cay, with island-wide upgrades in 2017 to mark its 20th anniversary.
Overall, Half Moon Cay’s warm and sunny climate makes it an ideal destination for a tropical getaway. Whether you’re looking to relax on the beach, go snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters, or explore the island’s natural beauty, you’re sure to enjoy your time in this idyllic paradise. Surrounded by clear warm waters, the cruise line private island is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving. Close to shore there are not much fish due all the visitors but you can join a boat trip to go snorkeling and diving in these clear warm waters. In a region renowned for tropical wonders, one island rises to the top—ours. We’re not the only ones enamored with our slice of paradise—Half Moon Cay is the highest-rated Bahamas private island.
First, do not forget to bring towels from the ship ashore with you. Second, remember that the earlier you get off the ship, the better chance you’ll have at scoring a seat in a prime beach location. Otherwise, walk a little further down the beach to find more secluded areas. Since reefs and shallow waters surround Half Moon Cay, passengers must be tendered to and from the Cay. Furthermore, there is no deep-water dock, which makes it impossible for cruise ships to dock at Half Moon Cay. At Half Moon Cay, you’ll find a beautiful beach, fun activities and excursions, and an included beach barbecue.
Just 6 percent of Half Moon Cay has been developed, with passenger facilities taking up less than 50 acres. Much of the remaining land serves as a nature preserve and wild bird sanctuary, with the Bonefish Lagoon on the east side of the island. Half Moon Cay has been Holland America’s private island since 1997.
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