Half Moon Cay cruise port guide

Half Moon Cay — Bahamas.

Half Moon Cay — now branded RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay — is a 2,400-acre private island in the Bahamas, about 100 miles southeast of Nassau, used by Holland America Line and Carnival Cruise Line (both Carnival Corporation brands). It consistently wins 'best private island' awards in the industry — and for good reason. The main beach is genuinely beautiful: a long, sweeping arc of white sand in a protected cay with extraordinarily clear water, no development visible on the horizon, and a more laid-back atmosphere than the theme-park private islands. The food is good, the included zones are generous, and the stingray and horse experiences are legitimately memorable.

Getting ashore

Where do cruise ships dock in Half Moon Cay?

Holland America ships anchor offshore and small boats tender guests to the island pier; Carnival ships now dock at a new pier on the north side (opened June 2026), linked to the rest of the island by tram. The tender ride is 10–15 minutes. On busy ship days or rough conditions, tender wait times can reach 30–45 minutes; go early to beat the queue or wait until after 10am when the initial rush subsides. Once on the island, the beach and facilities are a short walk from the pier.

Getting around

The island is walkable, though it's large enough that the far ends of the beach (about 1.5 miles of accessible shoreline) take 25 minutes on foot. Trams run from the pier to the main beach area and the outer beach chairs — useful if you want to stake out the quieter far end of the beach. Horse stables, the stingray interaction, and some excursion launch points are at the far end of the property.

Don't miss

• The main beach (free) (Half day or more) — The headliner: a long, curved white-sand beach with turquoise Bahamian water and genuinely excellent visibility for swimming and snorkelling. Beach chairs are complimentary (first come, first served); clamshell shades (~$50–70), cabanas and the new Beach Club day pass (opening October 2026) cost extra. The water is calm and the depth gradual — exceptional for families.
• Stingray Adventure (paid) (1.5 hrs) — A guided stingray interaction in a shallow lagoon area — you wade or snorkel with stingrays at Stingray Cove with a guide. Better managed and less crowded than similar experiences elsewhere. Book through the cruise line in advance.
• Horseback riding on the beach & in the sea (paid) (1.5–2 hrs) — Half Moon Cay is one of the few Caribbean destinations where you can ride horses on the beach and into the ocean. A genuine highlight, especially for the sea-ride portion. Books out quickly; reserve before sailing.
• Snorkelling (gear rental extra) (1–2 hrs) — The reef just off the far end of the beach has healthy coral and good fish life. Snorkel gear rents at the watersports centre; guided snorkel tours are also available. The free-swim zone has good snorkelling close to shore.
• Quiet far-end beach walk (free) (Half day) — Walk or tram to the far east end of the beach — fewer guests, more shade from natural vegetation, and the same pristine water. The best free strategy for those who want a relaxed beach day away from the main crowd.

Planning your day

Get on an early tender — the beach chairs at the waterline fill up fast. Tram or walk to the far end if you want a quieter experience; the main beach area near the pier is the most crowded but also has the most shade structures. Stingray and horse excursions are booked in advance and run on fixed times — plan the rest of your day around them. Buffet lunch at 11:30am before the noon rush. Allow 45 minutes minimum for the tender back. Half Moon Cay rewards those who treat it as a pure beach day rather than trying to pack in too many paid activities.

Food & drink

Half Moon Cay's included lunch buffet is consistently rated among the best in the private island category — generous, varied, and with a good Caribbean barbecue component. Drinks and specialty items are paid. The dining pavilion is near the main beach and fills up quickly at noon.

Where to eat

• Half Moon Cay Beach BBQ — The new food pavilion near the beach serves the included lunch, an island-inspired barbecue menu. Arrive before noon for the shortest lines.
• Rum Runners Bar — Bar at the Fort San Salvador welcome centre near the tender pier, serving rum cocktails, beer and non-alcoholic drinks. Check with your cruise line whether your drink package applies on the island.
• Lagoon-side bar — Convenient bar for those spending time at the lagoon activities end of the island. Tropical drinks and cold beer.

Must try

• Complimentary BBQ buffet — Included with your cruise fare — an island-inspired barbecue menu served only at Half Moon Cay, from the new food pavilion. Check the ship's daily programme for serving times; lines are longest at noon.
• Island barbecue plates (complimentary) — The pavilion's free menu is island-style barbecue rather than the usual burger-and-hot-dog lineup. Dishes vary, so see what's on the grill on the day.
• Sky Juice (paid) — The Bahamian classic — gin, sweet coconut water and bitters over ice. One of the more authentic cocktails offered at a private island bar.
• Tropical rum punch (paid) — The signature beach drink — rum with pineapple, mango and lime. Available at the beach bars throughout the day.

Know before you go

• 🗣️ Language — English. The island is run by the cruise lines, so everything works in English.
• 📋 Documents — Your ship card is all you need ashore — it's your ID and charge card. No passport required to go to the island. Keep it dry in a waterproof pouch.
• 🛍️ Shopping & hours — A small selection of shops near the pier sells Half Moon Cay branded merchandise, Bahamian crafts, jewellery and beach gear. Hours follow ship arrival to departure. The selection is more curated than the big cruise line islands.
• 🌤️ Weather — Warm and sunny — 82–88°F in peak season. The southern Bahamas location means it's occasionally cooler than the more northerly islands in winter. The island is exposed; wind can pick up in the afternoon.
• 📶 Connectivity — Very limited cell signal on the island. Don't count on Wi-Fi ashore. Leave the phone at the beach bag and enjoy the disconnection — it's one of the more genuinely remote-feeling private islands.
• ♿ Accessibility — The main beach area is accessible via paved paths and tram. Beach wheelchairs are available. The far beach areas have some soft sand sections that are harder for limited mobility. The stingray and horse experiences have specific accessibility considerations — contact the cruise line before booking.
• ⏱️ Getting back — The tender queue back to the ship can be long, especially in the last hour before all-aboard. Build in a 45-minute buffer from the beach to the pier to the ship. Don't be the last person on the tender.

Sources: hollandamerica.com/ports/half-moon-cay; cruisecritic.com; cruisemapper.com