Forward this page to a friend
Half Moon Cay (pronounced 'Key') is situated in a protective bay making conditions ideal for swimming in the calm waters. Holland America has one of the most comprehensive water sports programs of the private islands. You can rent a Hobie Catamaran, Sunfish Sailboat, View Boards, Windsurfer Sailboards, kayaks, aqua cycles and float mats. There is even a separate area designated for these activities. There are volleyball and basketball courts, horseshoes and shuffleboard, a fitness trail with exercise stations and nature trails for hiking. On Half Moon Cay you can snorkel,SCUBA dive, jet-ski or even do some bone fishing. Of course, you can always just kick back and relax or have a beachside massage.
Half Moon Cay is consistently described by our guests as "the quintessential Caribbean" and is the highest-rated port of call on Holland America Lines Caribbean cruise itineraries. Located on 65 acres of the 2,400-acre Little San Salvador Island in the Bahamas, the island is so unspoiled that the Bahamian National Trust designated Half Moon Cay an international wild bird preserve. As our special guests, we invite you and your family to enjoy a day in our private paradise.
Come discover for yourself why Half Moon Bay has received Porthole Cruise Magazine's Editor-in-Chief Award for "Best Private Island" five years in a row.
Waterfront Amenities
It's hard to improve a perfect 2-mile crescent of powder-soft white sand and warm turquoise waters, but Holland America Line has added fun and luxurious amenities to ensure the ultimate Caribbean experience.
- Private beachside cabanas with everything you need for an indulgent day in paradise, even optional butler service
- Beachside massages
- Bahamian Chapel, perfect for saying "I do" or "I still do"
- Three Water Sports Centers
New Adventures
As part of its $225 million Signature of Excellence initiative, Holland America Line recently added exciting new activities at Half Moon Cay.
- Horseback Riding by Land and Sea (est $69) takes you from the stables to the island’s highest point, a spot of ‘refreshment’ then back to the beach for a ride through the surf.
- Stingray Adventure (est. $19)
- AquaTrax® Watercraft Adventure (est $39) has you driving your own personal watercraft on a guided tour of a lagoon, along the shoreline and out to the reef.
- Half Moon Lagoon Aqua Park
- Excursions iike Deep Sea Fishing (est $120),
Something for Everyone
Whether you want to parasail, snorkel, stroll barefoot on the beach, lie in a hammock beneath a palm tree or gain insight into Bahamian history and culture, you'll find it at Half Moon Cay.
- A fully-equipped Club HAL children's playground and supervised swimming area
- Interpretive nature trails and birding walks
- Facilities that meet or exceed ADA requirements including trams and special wheelchairs designed for use on the sand
- Bridges across dunes for beach access as well as hard-surfaced and sand pathways connecting venues
- Windsurfing and sailing, snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking
- A scenic bicycle tour discovering locations of historic significance
Horizon Travel NOTES
- There's no dock, so passengers must get ashore on the ship's own boats ("tenders"), with resultant line-ups -- unless you're patient. We are visiting HMC from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Those who have signed up for early shore excursions will be taken ashore first. OIf you are in a hurry to get ashore you will need to get a tender "ticket" at a designated lounge on board. HT suggests that you plan an excursion is you want go early.
- HAL serves a barbcue lunch (burgers, hot dogs and barbecue chicken) on the island till 2:00pm, so if you're planning an excursion, you may want to pack a lunch or plan to eat at the main dining room in the pavilion.
- Avoid the last return tender (boat to ship) if you can, because stragglers can delay it, and you make have to wait for a while. We suggest leaving around 2pm. The ship is anchored about .5 mile off shore.
- Despite factor 45sunblock, you may manage to get a sunburn on this first day of the cruise, so be careful!
- Bring your own snorkeling gear or pay the est $16 per person.
- There can be problems with biting insects, mostly mosquitoes and sand fleas, so take insect repellent.
- Here is a helpful page that shows all the excursions at Half Moon Cay.
Dining Pavilion in background
