Half Moon Key Cruise Ship Destination Port

Cruise Ship Port of Call information like Port News, Weather, Transportation Options, Things to Do and See, Area Events, Medical Care, Crime and Safety Review

More Port Calls

Bahamas

Castaway Cay
Freeport
Coco Cay

Half Moon Cay
Nassau
Princess Cay
Stirrup Cay

Eastern Caribbean

Anguilla
Antigua
Casa de Campo
Catalina Island
Grand Turk
Labadee
La Romana
Samana
San Juan
St. John
St. Croix
St. Thomas
St. Maarten/Dutch
St. Martin/French
Tortola

Half Moon Cay Area Weather

Need to know

Hurricanes

The Islands of the Bahamas are  situated in an area prone to hurricanes.  Rainy season is from May to November, and periodic hurricanes between June and November.

In the event of a tropical storm or hurricane alert, Shipdetective will post NWS updates and information for travelers on our Tropical Storm Update page.

Getting around

Passengers are brought to the island by tender boat.

A handicapped-accessible 25-passenger tram runs continuously on a separate path between the Welcome Center and the Tropics restaurant.

Example Excursions/Tours

Horseback Riding

By Land and Sea Excursion

The Stingray Adventure

At Stingray Cove learn all about these gentle giants, then wade in to touch their silky wings.

Glass Bottom Boat Tour

Explores the coral reefs and marine life.

Personal Watercraft Guided Tours

Using four- stroke watercraft machines (lower emissions and consume 50% less fuel than two-stroke machines).

More

Snorkeling, scuba diving, parasailing, deep sea fishing, wind surfing boards, and kayaks.

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ports > destinations > Half Moon Cay
 

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas

half moon cay bahamas

Holland America's Half Moon Cay (Little San Salvador Island) is a  private island offering the quintessential Caribbean experience, with a 700-acre lagoon, private cabanas, a children’s water park, and a wide variety of shore excursion opportunities.

Map of the Bahama Islands

Little San Salvador Island is about a hundred miles southeast of Nassau. Holland America purchased the island in 1997, and has developed only 45 acres of the 2,400-acre (9.7 km2) island, with the goal of maintaining as much habitat as possible for wildlife.

Good to Know

Visiting Cruise Line: Holland America Line

The Landing and Welcome Center offers an information booth, restrooms, bar, straw market, first aid station, island shop and tram stop.

Port of Entry

Ships anchor and passengers are brought to the island by tender boat.

Time Zone

EST (UTC/GMT - 5)

Map Coordinates

18.25 N, 68.5 W

Average Temperatures

Water: 83°- Summer; 77°- Winter

Air: 85°- Summer; 78°- Winter

Features

Glass Bottom Boat Tour

A new glass-bottom boat that carries 290 guests also was introduced for tours and features underwater viewing of the island’s colorful reefs and sea life.

Bahamian Village

Spanish and Bahamian theme shops and facilities, including a wedding chapel

Tropics Restaurant

Buffet style with six lanes for quick service. Full service bars are located throughout the island.

Captain Morgan on the Rocks

The two-level Captain Morgan on the Rocks features engaging maritime and historic references, including rum casks for seats, cannon barrels for bar stools and palm leaf-styled ceiling fans.  The mid-deck features another bar that is surrounded by cannons that release mists of water to keep guests cool in the Bahamian sun. Outdoor seating is available on two awning-covered, themed decks, with the open upper deck offering sweeping vistas of Half Moon Cay’s turquoise waters, a beautiful white sand beach, and an unspoiled migratory bird sanctuary.

Bahamian Church

 The island’s private chapel is nestled in a garden overlooking the sea and provides the perfect setting for cruise guests to enjoy a unique, romantic wedding ceremony or vow renewal.

Half Moon Lagoon Aqua Park

Water toys, a pirate ship that sprays water from its cannons, floating pads. raindrop fountain, and boardwalk with a large sundeck and bar.

Private Cabanas

half moon cay 2-story villas

For rent are luxurious 1,620-square-foot retreat perched over the beach with hot tub, water slide and all manner of entertainment and amenities from wet bar to barbecue; for receptions and parties up to 25 guests. 15 smaller air-conditioned beach cabanas with showers, sun decks, water
misters and butler service; ideal for parties of four.

Posted February 8, 2013

Guests to the island will notice five new, colorful, two-story Beach Villas - hot tub included- available for rent during each call.

Other beach cabanas were refreshed, and the Grand Cabana received new décor and a slide from the cabana deck straight into the ocean.

 

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