Half Moon Cay Review: Tips for the Best Beach Day
I’ll be honest. I didn’t think Half Moon Cay would be the highlight of my first Caribbean cruise when other ports included St. Thomas and Grand Turks. But, you see, my Half Moon Cay review starts with a surprise.
The night before we were set to leave for Fort Lauderdale, Holland America dropped a bombshell: our departure was delayed by two days. It’s a whole story in itself, but let’s fast forward. When the dust settled, our new itinerary included only two stops: Key West and Half Moon Cay.
At first, I was bummed. I had envisioned hopping around the Caribbean, visiting multiple islands, and packing in as much adventure as possible. But as soon as I stepped onto the powdery white sand of Half Moon Cay, I realized something important: sometimes, less is more.
This private island turned out to be the unexpected highlight of the trip.
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Half Moon Cay’s New Name & Future Developments
Before I begin my review, let me preface it by saying that Half Moon Cay recently underwent a name change and is now officially called Relax Away, Half Moon Cay.
Holland America and Carnival have plans to develop the island’s north side further, including adding a ship dock.
This means that tender boats may no longer be necessary in the future.
Accessing the island will be even easier for passengers.
Additionally, plans are being made for additional dining space, bars, and recreational areas.
First Impressions: The Boat Ride In
Half Moon Cay, officially known as Little San Salvador Island, is a private island in the Bahamas owned by Holland America, meaning only Holland America (and occasionally Carnival) ships stop here.
No one actually lives on the island. Workers commute from nearby when cruise ships are in port. And unless you’re on a cruise, there’s no way to visit.
You have to take a tender boat from the ship to shore. Tendering means you board a smaller boat that ferries you from the ship to the island.
While some might find this a hassle, I actually loved it.
The ride over feels like an adventure, with crystal-clear turquoise water stretching out in every direction. You could feel the excitement in the air as everyone snapped pictures, eager to see what awaited us.
The Island
As soon as you step onto Half Moon Cay, you’re met with a postcard-perfect scene.
Paved pathways lead you to an open-air courtyard with a bar, an excursion desk, shops, and restrooms.
From here, you are free to explore and roam the island. You can take a tram around the island or simply begin walking down the trails.
Half Moon Cay Beach: Exactly What You Dream About
As you would expect, the beach is the highlight of the day.
The white sand is so soft it feels like flour, water so clear you can see your toes and rows of lounge chairs waiting for you.
While those chairs are free, they are first-come, first-served. We had no trouble finding open ones within a short walk of our drop-off point. The beach opens up even more the further you walk.
There are some trees offering shade, but you can rent a clamshell sunshade that is big enough for two chairs or do like we did and rent an umbrella for the day.
If you feel extra fancy, you can also book one of the island’s private cabanas. They come stocked with drinks, snacks, and even air conditioning. You need to book these quickly since they will sell out. But heads up, the price tag is steep.
There are also five two-story villas available for rent, and while they look amazing, they cost a small fortune. If you’re traveling with a group, though, splitting the cost could be worth it.
Food & Drinks: What’s Included?
One of the best perks of Half Moon Cay is that lunch is included in your cruise fare.
Lunch is served buffet-style at the island’s BBQ area. It’s nothing fancy; it’s a simple covered pavilion with many lines serving everything you’d want for a beach picnic.
The buffet is only open for a limited time, so check the times and set an alarm before heading to the beach so you don’t miss it.
Choose from burgers, hot dogs, jerk chicken, fresh fruit, salads, and many choices for dessert. Complimentary drinks with lunch include water, lemonade, and iced tea.
Simple, but delicious.
There are many covered picnic pavilions with picnic tables located throughout.
If you want something a little more upscale, the Lobster Shack serves—you guessed it—lobster, but for an extra charge.
Drinks, however, are a bit tricky. Your ship’s beverage package does not work on the island. Instead, you can buy a day-long drink package or just pay as you go.
The bars serve up tropical cocktails, ice-cold beer, and other drinks, and there’s usually music playing nearby, adding to the island vibe. They even have a giant pirate ship bar in the middle of the beach.
Activities: More Than Just a Beach Day
While you could easily spend the whole day lounging on the beach, Half Moon Cay offers plenty of activities.
There are paved paths for a leisurely stroll, a basketball court, and even horseback riding.
At the rental hut on the beach, you can rent snorkeling gear, kayaks, or paddleboards.
We decided to rent a Hobie Cat sailboat, which was the highlight of our day.
Neither my husband nor I had experience sailing, but we lucked out and met a woman with a boat captain’s license who offered to steer for us.
Best $40 we spent!
As we glided across the water, we found a secluded spot near the end of the island where we docked our sailboat.
Snorkeling in the clear, unaltered area felt like we were on our own piece of paradise.
When a curious stingray swam right up to us as we snorkeled, it was one of those moments you don’t forget. Our new friend informed us the stingray wouldn’t hurt us as long as we didn’t make any sudden moves, and she was right!
For those who love marine life, you too can swim with stingrays at Stingray Cove, an area roped off for this unique interaction.
There are plenty of other ways to explore more of the island beyond the water.
You can book a guided nature walk, visit the island chapel, or hop on a bike tour. But honestly? You don’t have to spend extra money to have an incredible time.
You can walk off the tender boat, plop down on a lounge chair, and just enjoy the island’s beauty—for free.
What to Bring for a Day on Half Moon Cay
There are some things you should bring with you for a day on Half Moon Cay to save money and to have a more enjoyable time on the island.
We didn’t bring our passports with us, but we did bring our IDs and cruise cards. You can charge rental items to your room using your cruise card, so you don’t really need to carry cash. However, we brought a couple of dollars with us just in case.
While there are shops on the island where you can buy forgotten items, prices are pretty steep.
You’ll want to pack a beach bag with towels, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a refillable water bottle. I have a whole post on the cruise accessories I always pack that you can check out next.
We brought our own hammock floats and snorkel gear we purchased from Amazon before our cruise. You can also rent them for around $20 for the day.
Things to Do in Half Moon Cay
Mail a Postcard Home
Near the island’s entrance, you’ll find several resort stores and shops where you can buy a postcard and mail it with a Bahamian stamp.
It’s a fun souvenir and a great way to surprise someone back home.
Take a Photo at the “I Wish I Could Stay Here Forever” Sign
The iconic “I Wish I Could Stay Here Forever” spot is one of the most photographed places on the island.
To take a picture without a crowd in the background, head there before most people get off the ship or wait until later in the afternoon when some cruisers start heading back.
WiFi and Cell Service
We left our phones on airplane mode while at Half Moon Cay, but from what I’ve heard, service is hit or miss. If you need to be connected, check with your cell phone provider before you go.
Wheelchair Accessibility
After sailing on a Holland America Alaskan cruise with my mom, who was in a wheelchair, I’ve become more aware of accessibility for others.
From the tender boat ramp to the ramps throughout the island, I would not hesitate for my mom to come to Half Moon Cay with her wheelchair.
While she would have difficulty on the beach, ramps lead to the sand and throughout the public areas.
Shade on Half Moon Cay
There are many shaded spots on the island. However, if you will be at the beach all day, I recommend purchasing some shade. You can also try to get off the ship early and find a shaded spot between the cabanas.
We rented an umbrella for the day directly from the rental hut on the beach. The cabana boys set it up for us between our two lounge chairs, which we found empty near the pirate ship bar.
The Bahamian sun is no joke, so you should have a plan for the day.
Plus, I’ve heard that renting a cabana or villa counts as an excursion and qualifies you to be one of the first people tendered off the ship.
Is Half Moon Cay Safe?
One concern I had about spending the entire day at the beach was what I would do with our stuff while we were enjoying the water.
There are lockers available for rent for around $10. However, we felt extremely safe among our fellow cruise ship passengers and left our stuff on our chairs.
Nobody bothered it, and it was fine.
Holland America Half Moon Cay Review
Despite my initial disappointment about our Holland America itinerary change, Half Moon Cay ultimately won me over.
It’s the kind of place that looks like a screensaver but feels even better in real life.
The sand is soft, the water is warm, even in December, and the atmosphere is pure relaxation.
You can go all out with excursions or just unwind on the beach. Either way, this private island has something for everyone to enjoy.
So, when you cruise with Holland America and see Half Moon Cay on your itinerary, get excited.
It’s going to be a good day!
