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!
Table of Contents
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.
If you’re travelling with a large group, it may be difficult to find chairs together. Head down the beach and hopefully you’ll have better luck.
Even if you’re not traveling with a large group…you should consider the fact that although there are hundreds of chairs, there are also thousands of people on the ship. Mentally prepare yourself for the possibility that you may not get a chair.
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.
Guide to Half Moon Cay: Activities
- The island has several water toys available for rent including catamarans, sailboats, sailboards, kayaks, paddleboards, etc.
- You can also rent a clamshell, cabana or beach villa. All of these can be charged to your Sail & Sign card. I strongly suggest booking cabanas and beach villas in advance. See the section above for all of the perks.
- Take a hike! There is a mile-long trail on the island. The cruise line is working to develop more nature trails.
- There is plenty to do on the island, even without booking an excursion. If you do choose to book an excursion, you’ll get priority boarding for the tenders.
- Check out our favorite excursions.
- Shop the Straw Market.
What’s Not to Miss?
- Take your picture in front of the iconic “I Wish I Could Stay Here Forever” sign.
- Grab a drink at the pirate ship. Make sure you head upstairs for remarkable views.
- Walk along the horseshoe-shaped beach. The further you go, the fewer the people. Don’t worry about getting lost….it’s an island… you’ll be able to circle back.
Is Visiting Half Moon Cay Worth the Money?
If you plan appropriately, yes. I think nearly everyone who has been to the island would recommend it. You could get away without spending any money on the island and it could be a very, cheap, fun, relaxing beach day.
If you start adding on things like drinks, the drink package, excursions, clamshell shades, etc. things start to add up.
As long as you stay hydrated, remain patient while waiting for the tenders, and be diligent about applying sunscreen, we think you’ll have a blast.
Suggested Schedule
8:00-9:00 hop on an early morning tender
9:00-11:00 Excursion (totally optional)
11:00 – 12:15 Hydrate, make your way to Tropics Restaurant for the free buffet
12:15-12:45– While your food is digesting, take a walk around the island. There’s even a one-mile-long hiking trail!
12:45-2:00– Snorkel, swim, or play with some of the beach equipment
2:00-3:00– Dry off, check out the bars, or the Straw Market
3:00-4:00– Grab a tender back to the ship
We hope this Guide to Half Moon Cay will help you map out your trip. We can’t wait to hear about it!
FAQ About HMC
Is Half Moon Cay owned by Carnival?
Yes, Half Moon Cay is owned by the Carnival Corporation. They also own Princess Cays, which is just 15 miles away.
Is food on Half Moon Cay free?
Yes, whether you’re sailing with Carnival or with Holland America, there is a free buffet available on the island. See the section above for more information including food options.
Are drinks free at Half Moon Cay?
Unfortunately, the ship’s drink package doesn’t extend to the island…which is weird considering it’s owned by the cruiseline…
Are there sharks at Half Moon Cay?
Well…sharks live in the ocean and you’re kind of hanging out in their domain, so yes, there are sharks at Half Moon Cay. Lemon sharks are known to visit the area.
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2 replies on “The Complete Guide to Half Moon Cay, Bahamas”
So, are people on the cruise the only people on the island? Does that mean they only have one ship there at a time? This blows my mind a bit to think that this normally busy island must be totally empty now there are fewer cruises happening in 2020!
It does look like a fantastic area to relax on the beach (or in the shade!) I can see why your family had a blast here!!
The cruise line owns the island. They have a few employees who reside on the island but other than that, when there isn’t a ship in port it’s pretty much a ghost town. I’ve only ever seen one ship there at a time. The cruise line is putting in a pier so that they can accommodate larger ships.