Best Tips and Tricks for Your Day at Half Moon Cay

The popular horseback riding excursion takes you out into the water for a refreshing gallop through the surf.

Holland America Line purchased Little San Salvador Island in the Bahamas in 1996 for about $6 million and used the slice of paradise to create an awesome cruise destination.

Half Moon Cay is a day-long private island experience you can find listed on Caribbean itineraries of many Holland America ships. You might occasionally catch a Carnival Cruise Line ship that also has Half Moon Cay listed as part of its voyage, as well.

Tour of Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas

We really enjoy this private island and look forward to the chance to spend the day there at our own pace whenever we take a cruise that includes Half Moon Cay. As of the writing of this post, we have been three times, all with Holland America — on Noordam, Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam.

We visited Half Moon Cay on Nieuw Statendam.

You take a tender to the island as your ship anchors offshore, and the crescent-shaped beach wraps around the most crystal-clear blue waters you will find anywhere in the Bahamas. Your ship is always within sight and makes a great backdrop for your selfies in paradise.

The barbecue lunch buffet food is just so-so, but the ice cream is good and you can pay for a seafood meal at the Lobster Shack eatery on the beach. Also, you should know that your drinks package is not accepted when you're on Half Moon Cay. (I'll politely regard this gouging as "not cool").

We like all the activities you can do. There is a waterpark, a playground with basketball court, water sports equipment rentals, water skis, paddleboards and a stingray experience.

A Fantastic Snorkeling Spot on Half Moon Cay

You can also use the walking/jogging course or book the horse-riding excursion during which you saddle up for a 40-minute ride that finishes with a thrilling run in the surf of the sea as you hang on. It's a great rush. So, you can enjoy a fairly active day. We always walk to the end of the beach to get away from the crowds and do some snorkeling in a secret place where you can see all kinds of fish and an underground shipwreck, too.

You also can choose to relax by renting a cabana or settling into one of the beachfront loungers.

I hope you get to enjoy this delightful private island soon.

Thanks for reading,

JR