Things To Do At Half Moon Cay
If you’re planning a cruise that stops in the Bahamas, then you’re in for a treat. One of the best places to visit on a cruise is Half Moon Cay, Bahamas.
This private island is owned by Carnival Corporation and is absolutely gorgeous. With its soft, powdery white sand and crystal clear warm water, Half Moon Cay is the perfect place to relax and enjoy some time in the sun.
Carnival offers plenty of Half Moon Cay excursions, but you can also just use it as a free beach day. There are plenty of activities to keep you busy, or you can just lounge on the beach and soak up the sun.
Getting to Half Moon Cay, Bahamas
Half Moon Cay is located just off the coast of Eleuthera in the Bahamas. The original name of the island is Little San Salvador. The island is relatively small, measuring less than 4 square miles.
Half Moon Cay is uninhabited, and people who work on the island ferry to work each day.
The only way to visit Half Moon Cay is by taking a cruise through Holland America or Carnival Cruises.
When you get to Half Moon Cay, you’ll be able to take a water taxi (it’s called a tender) from the cruise ship to the island. The shuttle ride takes just a few minutes and drops you off right at the beach. From there, it’s up to you how you want to spend your time.
Half Moon Day Excursions
There are plenty of things to keep you busy on Half Moon Cay Bahamas. If you want to stay active, there are a number of excursions offered by Carnival.
You can also rent time on kayaks, water trunks, paddle boards, and beach floats. These can be rented at cabanas on the day you arrive with your sail and sign card.
You won’t find 3rd party excursions here since it is a Carnival-owned Island.
- Stingray excursion- Ride the tram to Stingray Cove, learn about the stingrays, and snorkel with them.
- Snorkel trip– this excursion takes you by boat away from the island to snorkel. All gear is provided.
- Horseback riding– Ride on the beach and into the ocean with this horseback riding excursion, good for all skill levels
- AquaTrax– Jet ski excursion. You are on a guided “tour”, not self-exploration on this tour.
- Eco Lagoon Tour– Glass bottom boat where you can observe the reef and marine life below you.
- Bike tour– Take a guided bike ride through the island
- Bike/Hike Tour– Guided
- Tram Tour– There is a free tram that takes you to different parts of the island, this is different. This tour is for excursion guests only and takes you to “behind the scenes” areas of Half Moon Cay.
- Rent a Villa– This is a pricey excursion but would be so much fun if you were with a group of people to help split the cost. There is room for 8 people. You need to book this early, they always sell out. The villa has air-conditioning, fully functioning kitchens, a private sundeck, and even hot tubs. You will have a waiter that will bring you buffet food, and make sure you have everything you need. The villa is pre-stocked with water, the soda of your choice, and a few snacks (chips and veggie tray.)
- Rent a Cabana– This is great if you want a place to be able to get out of the sun and relax. The cabanas are located further down the beach and each comes with pool floats, water, soda, snacks, misting showers, an air conditioner, a private patio, chairs, and a table. You’ll also have a waiter check on you and bring you food from the buffet. There is space for 4 people in the Cabanas. As with the villas, book early, they will sell out.
- Rent a clamshell. A clamshell is an umbrella that goes from the ground, up and over the top of you. You can fit 2 lounge chairs under one clamshell. There is the staff there to help you set it up. You can leave your bags and water in the clamshell while you enjoy the water. If you are looking for a budget-friendly option to be guaranteed some shade, this is the way to go. We get one every time we don’t have a cabana.
Half Moon Cay Bahamas Free Things To Do
As you can see there are plenty of excursions to do on Half Moon Cay.
If you’d rather just relax on the beach, that’s perfectly understandable. After all, with its soft white sand and crystal clear water, who could blame you? There are plenty of beach chairs and umbrellas available for use, so all you have to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy the view.
I personally think the beach is so nice, the water is so great, and there are plenty of free activities to do on Half Moon Cay that we like to make this day a “free beach day”.
I do always rent a clamshell for shade, I have never done an excursion at Half Moon Cay and it has always been one of our favorite ports.
- Chill on the beach with a good book
- Bring your own snorkel gear and snorkel
- Participate in the beach activities put on by the Fun Squad. There are different contests and games throughout the day
- Play volleyball or basketball
- Walk the beach and island to explore on your own
- Visit the chapel
- Listen to music and dance at the Pirate Ship Bar
- Take a photo by the “I could stay here forever sign.”
- Play at the splash pad area for kids
Half Moon Cay Weather
The weather in the Bahamas is generally nice and warm year-round. The water stays nice and warm throughout the year.
Keep in mind that hurricane season runs from June 1-November 30, with peak season in September and October.
Another thing to know about Half Moon Cay is that if it is too windy, you won’t be able to port there and may get rerouted or have an extra sea day. If you suddenly get rerouted to Nassau, read this post on what to do in Nassau.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | April | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| High Temp •F | 77 | 77 | 79 | 84 | 86 | 90 | 91 | 91 | 88 | 86 | 82 | 81 |
| Low Temp • F | 63 | 63 | 64 | 68 | 72 | 75 | 77 | 77 | 75 | 72 | 82 | 81 |
| Sea Temp •F | 77 | 77 | 77 | 77 | 81 | 82 | 84 | 84 | 84 | 84 | 81 | 79 |
| Days of Rain | 10 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 15 | 11 | 9 |
Half Moon Cay Tips
⭐️ You can get beach towels after you get off the ship, but it’s quicker and easier to bring yours from your cabin.
⭐️ If you rent a clamshell, try and get to the beach as early as you can so you can get the location you want for the day. It can be a long walk down the beach later in the day.
⭐️ If you prop the back of your clamshell up in the back with your beach bag or a rock, it will help circulate the air and keep you a bit cooler.
⭐️ You can bring your own floats and snorkel gear to Half Moon Cay. I found these awesome floats, and love them so much! They are small to pack, don’t have a lot of air to blow up, and are perfect in the water.
⭐️ Bring a bottle of water from the ship to stay hydrated while on Half Moon Cay, it is HOT! The ship’s crew will be selling water as you get off the ship. If you have the Cheers! package you can grab a bottle of water from any bar.
⭐️ Always wear reef-safe sunscreen and/or a rash guard to help protect the delicate ecosystem around Half Moon Cay.
⭐️ Don’t forget to bring SPF Chapstick
⭐️ Bring a spray detangler and comb for your hair after you get out of the water, and pack a hat.
⭐️ Be sure and take your Go-Pro for Snorkeling!
⭐️⭐️Click Here to Shop for Everything you need for the Half Moon Cay Perfect Beach Day!
Half Moon Cay Frequently Asked Questions
➡️ Since this is Carnival’s Island is the food free?
Yes! You can eat the BBQ buffet on the island for free
➡️ Can we use our Drink Package (Cheers!) on Half Moon Cay?
Nope. This is one of the biggest complaints we hear, but your drink package doesn’t work on Half Moon Cay. You can order drinks from waiters that walk by and also from the bars. The drinks will be billed to your sail and sign card.
➡️ Can I drink at Half Moon Cay if I am 18?
No, even though Bahamian Law allows you to drink alcohol at 18, the legal age for drinking on cruises departing from the US is 21, and that carries over to private islands owned by the cruise lines.
Half Moon Cay Review
I love Half Moon Cay. I have been to Carnivals Island, Princess Cay as well as Castaway Cay on Disney Cruise Line, and I loved Half Moon Cay the most.
The sand is baby powder soft. The water is calm and clear and so pretty. I find it to be a perfect day to relax and just enjoy the beach.
The BBQ buffet is decent, with good choices, and the carnival staff works hard to make sure you are taken care of and happy.
Initially, I thought I would hate Half Moon Cay because it was a private island and there was no opportunity to interact with other cultures or learn anything historical, but it quickly became one of my favorite cruise stops.
Conclusion: Half Moon Cay
Half Moon Cay, Bahamas, is an absolutely beautiful place that should not be missed if you’re taking a cruise through the Bahamas. With its soft powdery sand and crystal clear water, it’s easy to see why this private island owned by Carnival Corporation is such a popular stop for cruisers.
As I mentioned above, I don’t feel the need to book an active excursion in Half Moon Cay. I truly think you can have an enjoyable day enjoying the beach without spending extra money.
Whether you choose to take advantage of one of Carnival’s many excursions or just spend some time relaxing on the beach, you’re sure to have an amazing time when visiting Half Moon Cay Bahamas.
