Half Moon Cay Cruise Port: A Guide to the Best Shore Excursions and Activities

half moon cay cruise port

With its pristine white sandy beaches and crystal clear blue waters, it is a must-visit destination for any cruise enthusiast. If you’re looking to explore the island, there are several transportation options available. You can rent a bike or take a guided horseback ride to see the island’s natural beauty. Golf carts are also available for rent, but they must be reserved in advance.

Go Sightseeing at the Private Oasis

The hot tub, hammock, loungers, and full wet bar along with barbecue area all offer a perfect exclusive environment for up to 12 people. The cost is about $1,600 but most groups that have booked it have said that it’s worth the price tag. Although there’s some steep competition from other private cruise-owned islands, Half Moon Cay is frequently listed #1. This is mainly due to the extensive beach with its super-soft white sand and diverse activities such as horse riding.

Excursions and Tours

The guides are fun and make it fun for the whole family so it’s a good family activity to try on the island. Bone Fish Lagoon takes up a massive 1,400 acres of habitat that is protected. You can see some exotic seabirds and appreciate the water’s clarity as your guide will point out all the other wild life around you.

Half Moon Cay (Bahamas Carnival private island)

Animal lovers may have the opportunity to snap a selfie with Ted, the island’s absolutely adorable resident donkey. If you’re looking to relax in the water all day long, then consider renting a floating tube or matt. So you can relax on the beach while your children play at the water park. Whether you’re looking to visit or renew your vows, seeing the church is something many cruisers do. At Half Moon Cay, you can visit the volleyball and basketball courts to play sports under the sun! The volleyball and basketball court is near the welcome center, with balls for all guests.

half moon cay cruise port

Fun Ashore

Besides finding nesting seabirds in the wild, birders can also discover almost 50 different species of birds. Half Moon Lagoon Aqua Park is located right on the main beach and has a couple water slides and a pirate ship that shoots water from its canons. There is also a fountain of water providing a cool mist as it sprays into the air. The island is over 6 square miles in size, but only about 2% has been developed in order to maintain as much wildlife and natural fauna as possible. Many cruisers don’t realize that there is more to Little San Salvador than just the heavenly beaches. Half Moon Cay (Little San Salvador Island) is a crescent-shaped, cruise line private island owned by Carnival Cruise Line and used seasonally by Holland America Line.

half moon cay cruise port

We spent a few hours at the beach on our recent trip to Half Moon Cay, which was lovely. It’s hard to beat the powdery white sand and the calm turquoise waters that you’ll find at Half Moon Cay. If you’re looking for a laid-back excursion, then check out the Island Tram Calypso Tour. On this guided tour, you will see the island highlights while seated in an open-air tram. The Horseback Riding By Land & Sea excursion is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. On this shore excursion, you will ride a horse through a picturesque trail to the island’s highest point for an incredible 360-degree view.

Sailing and Watersports on Half Moon Cay

On the Stingray Adventure tour, you will get the chance to learn, interact with, and gently touch the stingrays. During this excursion, you will snorkel in waist-deep water, and you’ll get the opportunity to feed the stingrays and touch their silky wings. If you’re visiting Half Moon Cay, Bahamas on a cruise, you’re in luck!

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Half Moon Cay is fairly small, covered 2400 acres which is less than 4 square miles. It has a 2.5 mile long crescent beach of white sand which is the main focal point for cruise activities. Getting married as part of your luxury cruise to Half Moon Cay is a great way to have a memorable wedding ceremony without it costing an arm and a leg!

Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas

Other cruise lines also have their own private islands in the Caribbean. Half Moon Cay has a contrasting mix of green vegetation, white sand and blue sea. Out of the 2400 acres of natural beauty, only 2% ( about 50 acres) has been developed, leaving at least 2350 acres of indigenous flora and fauna to explore.

The rest of the island is preserved to protect migratory bird species. Tropical Outdoors Adventures – Whether your thing is cycling around carefully maintained trails or snorkelling in the clear water, you’ll find it all on Half Moon Cay. Rentals are available for water sports; watercraft, kayaks and more. True bucket-list excursions, secluded cabanas and a multi-level play structure for kids make Half Moon Cay ideal for any vacation.

Also owned by Carnival Corporation are the Bahamian island resorts Princess Cays (on Eleuthera Island) and Celebration Key (on Grand Bahama Island/near Freeport's cruise port Lucaya). The Picnic Bana is a floating platform that fits up to six passengers. This is a great way to hangout in the water and have a relaxing day.

There are several food options available, including a beachside BBQ and a full-service bar. Overall, Half Moon Cay is a fantastic destination for anyone looking to enjoy the sun, sand, and sea. With so many attractions and activities to choose from, you’re sure to have a memorable vacation. Also, unbeknownst to many, the island has a small post office where guests can mail postcards to friends and family back home — a fun and low-cost activity for everyone in your group. You can also treat your loved ones to something from the on-site souvenir shop or straw market.

The name was changed to reflect the spectacular crescent-shaped beach at the west end of the island which is used by cruisers. Guests don snorkeling gear and wade into the water along with a guide to see these stingrays in the water. Set out on a guided bicycle tour, which takes participants from the sports rental center along Half Moon Beach to Bone Fish Lagoon. When people think of warm, sunny islands in the Bahamas, snorkeling is one of the first activities that would probably pop into their minds. The white-sand beach is the perfect setting for a day of sunbathing and beach fun. Though you won’t find both brands there at the same time, it is common to have more than one cruise ship docked at the island from the same cruise line.

Best of all, Formby says, “Half Moon Cay can be an expense-free port stop,” thanks to complimentary amenities like lounge chairs plus a splash pad and playground for children. Whether you prefer to hang loose on the beach or embark on an action-packed excursion, here are some of the best things to do on Half Moon Cay. A cruise to Half Moon Cay is the highlight of the voyage for many and offers the perfect beach day to cruise passengers. With a variety of cruise shore excursions to choose from this is a private island with something for everyone. The island has a Welcome Center with information and excursions, a church for weddings, an ice cream parlour, bar, food pavilion, and restrooms.

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