Guide to Half Moon Cay– Half Moon Cay (HMC) is also known as Little San Salvador Island. It is one of 700 islands that make up The Bahamas. This private island, owned by Carnival Cruise Line/Holland America, is located about 100 miles southeast of Nassau. The beach is famous for having crystal clear turquoise water, a 2-mile long horseshoe-shaped white sandy beach, and a massive pirate ship bar.

We hope this Guide to Half Moon Cay will help you plan out your trip and get your excited for all of the adventures that are to come!

Things to Know Before You Go…

HMC is a tender port.

This means that the water surrounding the island is too shallow for the ship to dock. In order to access the island, you’ll have to take a water taxi from ship to shore. Guests staying in suites, as well as Platinum and Diamond cruisers, those with an excursion, and those that have purchased the Faster to the Fun pass, will have priority on the tenders.

If you aren’t one of those with priority on the tenders it can take awhile to get back and forth between the island and the ship. There are only four tenders (on a good day) and it can take upwards of 30 minutes.

Once you’re on board the tender, it is a quick 10-minute ride to and from the ship.

Pro-Tip: Pack a Seaband JUST in case you get motion sickness on the tender.

Things you should take ashore with you…

• Towels (unless you’ve booked a cabana, beach villa, or private oasis).
• Sunscreen (the sun is HOT) and Chapstick with SPF.
• Insect repellant (yes…there are mosquitos)
• Sail & Sign Card (for you Carnival cruisers) or you’re Stateroom Key Card (for the Holland America folks)
• Waterproof camera or a waterproof phone case
• Snorkel gear

Guide to Half Moon Cay: Food & Drink

There’s a free buffet.

You can enjoy a buffet for free at the Tropics Restaurant. Since this is a private island, you get to have a free buffet-style lunch, just like you would on the ship.

It is important to know that the “tropical buffet” often runs out of food. If you want to take advantage of the free lunch, get in line as soon as it opens at 11:30. The buffet will close at 1:30.

Menu:

Entrees

• Hamburger
• Cheeseburger
• Garden Burger
• Hot Dogs
• Jerked Chicken
• Cous Cous with Roasted Zucchini
• Titi Shrimp and Beans with Tapenade

Sides

• German Potato Salad
• Coleslaw
• Medley of Mixed Greens
• Roasted Yellow Squash
• Chips n’ Salsa
• Roasted Broccoli Salad

Desserts

• Banana Rum Cake
• Linzer Torte
• Cookies
• Brownies

If you don’t mind paying for lunch (and the convenience of not having to stand in a long line), consider buying lunch at the Lobster Shack, located next to the “I Wish I Could Stay Here Forever” bar.

There is free water at the BBQ lunch, make sure you stay hydrated.

The drink package doesn’t work on the island.

You would think that since this is a private island owned by Carnival that you could use your drink package here…but you can’t.

If you want to sip on a run runner while looking out on the water, bring your Sail & Sign Card (for you Carnival cruisers) or you’re Stateroom Key Card (for the Holland America folks).

There are 4 Bars on the Island

• Captain Morgan’s Bar- The giant pirate ship themed bar is a popular spot with cruisers. Head up to the top for jaw-dropping views.
• I Wish I Could Stay Here Forever Bar- This is the largest bar on the island and probably the most photographed. It is located halfway between the Welcome Center and Tropics Restaurant (the free buffet).
• Rum Runners Bar– This bar is located right next to the Fort San Salvador Welcome Center.
• Lookout Bar-This is by far the least crowded bar. It overlooks Bonefish Lagoon. Head here if you want to avoid the annoying drunk guy from Captain Morgan’s Bar.

The Beach Chairs

There are hundreds of free beach chairs lined up on the beach. Most beachgoers are inclined to grab the beach chairs closest to the water. Sure, you’re close to the water…but this also puts you further away from the shade. Consider grabbing a chair on the last row. There are more trees the farther down the beach you go.

Options Way Better Than Free Chairs!

There are other options, aside from the free chairs, that we feel are totally worth the cost! There are cabanas, beach villas, and private oases available. These will guarantee you a comfortable lounge chair, shade, and other perks.

 Cabana

• Priority access to tender ashore
• Refrigerator
• Ceiling fan
• Air conditioner table and chairs inside
• Deck chairs
• Misting shower
• An assortment of soft drinks and bottled water
• Fresh fruit, vegetables, chips, dip and salsa to snack on throughout the day.
• Floating mats and snorkel gear are also included to use throughout your stay.
• Applicable for up to 4 guests.

Two-Story Beach Villa 

• Priority access to tender ashore
• Refrigerator
• Ceiling fan
• Air conditioner table and chairs inside
• Deck chairs
• Misting shower
• An assortment of soft drinks and bottled water
• Fresh fruit, vegetables, chips, dip and salsa to snack on throughout the day.
• Floating mats and snorkel gear are also included to use throughout your stay.
• Five person hot tub
• Applicable for up to 8 guests.

Private Oasis

• Priority access to tender ashore
• Refrigerator
• Ceiling fan
• Air conditioner table and chairs inside
• Deck chairs
• Misting shower
• An assortment of soft drinks and bottled water
• Fresh fruit, vegetables, chips, dip and salsa to snack on throughout the day.
• Floating mats and snorkel gear are also included to use throughout your stay.
• eight person hot tub
• Butler
• Bartender
• Personal Chef
• Steward
• Lifeguard
• Unlimited food and alcoholic beverage
• Private bathroom with shower
• Applicable for up to 12 guests.