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There are a few trees that offer shade further down the beach, but they also require that you are further away from the water. The sand is fine and soft, and Half Moon Beach is the first thing you will see as your tender approaches the island. There are usually plenty of loungers to choose from, but the further down the beach you walk the less crowded it will be. Whether you are sailing with Carnival or Holland America there is a free buffet at the dining pavilion that offers a variety of food, including Caribbean barbecue, hot dogs, hamburgers, and more.
Follow one of the Walking and Running Trails on Half Moon Cay
First, let’s learn a little about this private island before we get into all the wonderful things you can do here. This experience takes place at Stingray Cove where you will be given an informative orientation about stingrays from a professional guide. Your cruise entertainment crew will organize some team games and fun activities while ashore so get ready to join an impromptu game.
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You will even learn how the they desalinate the ocean water and generate electricity on the island. You can do this on your own or take a $19 excursion with a tour guide that will walk you through 1.5 miles of the trail. The guide will point out the tropical palm and sea grape trees, curly-tailed lizards, and Bananaquit birds of Half Moon Cay. Some of the coolest cabanas in the Bahamas can be found on this private island. But if you want the ultimate in beach-front luxury you can upgrade to the Beach Villa. This can be a great excursion-free visit, and you don’t have to worry about any pushy vendors trying to sell you souvenirs while you relax.
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Although the Island is relatively small, there is a lot to do. It can be very tempting to just lay on the amazing beach and chill. Only to get back on the ship and find out that something you always wanted to do, was available on another part of the island. You’ll weave between the colorful reef formations scattered throughout the shallow waters while exploring the inlets and sand pits that make Half Moon Cay so memorable and picturesque. The final leg of your ride wades through the clear waters of the bay, providing you a perspective of Half Moon Cay that you’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere else.
Half Moon Cay Beach Villas
Privately owned by the Carnival Corporation, this port of call is exclusively used by cruises that include this heavenly hideaway on their itinerary. Land and Sea – Horseback Riding – Ride a magnificent beast across the white sand beaches, take the horse for a swim in the ocean and explore all the beautiful sights this island has to offer. Unless you go on a separate snorkeling excursion, don’t expect to see too much marine life though. The large number of visitors that arrive each day on the island paradise tends to scare off the fish. If you like kayaking, you can go it alone and rent Kayaks on the beach, or you can do one of the advertised kayak-based shore excursions that are available on the island. Half Moon Cay is an enchanting and breathtaking destination for those searching for Bahamian beauty that has somehow managed to stay a bit under the radar.
Past the last lifeguard stand, you'll find a stand of trees with hammocks and shade -- and far fewer people. Beyond that, you've got the beach mostly to yourself until the horseback riders come through, at least. If you've got little ones in tow, hit the beach and walk toward the tender boats. At the far end, there's a fabulous water play area for kids with water slides, a dump-and-spray area and even a giant shooting fountain.
Rent Waterbikes
Just make sure you check with your cruise line to see if this service is still offered. While there are many places to get a beverage to drink on the island, you will not be able to utilize Carnival’s drink package. Even if you have never ridden a horse before you can try this activity on Half Moon Cay. The horseback experience will tour some of the island and take you to the highest point.
The island is built on 45 acres along the crescent-shaped beach with more than a mile in length that fronts on a protected bay leading west to Exuma Sound. ” says Kari Dillon, travel advisor and owner of Marvelous Mouse Travels. With miles of sandy beaches, clear blue waters, and all-around stunning scenery, this private island offers something for everyone. Best of all, Formby says, “Half Moon Cay can be an expense-free port stop,” thanks to complimentary amenities like lounge chairs plus a splash pad and playground for children. Whether you prefer to hang loose on the beach or embark on an action-packed excursion, here are some of the best things to do on Half Moon Cay.
Shore Excursions
You should factor this into your plans, as you simply cannot walk off whenever you'd like. If you want to spend all day on the beach, you will want to ensure that you wake up a little bit early to grab a tender ticket for one of the first few groups. It has a lot of natural beauty with 2,400 acres of mostly trees and bushes, along with a 2-mile-long beach.
From there you can see 360 degree views of the island as well as some of the other Bahamian islands. As we mentioned, over 95% of Half Moon Cay has not been developed so there are some great nature trails to enjoy the wildlife. Even floating mats and snorkel gear are provided for you while you have this villa to your group all day. You can rent a clam shell so you have some shade at the beach, but you will want to book that in advance to make sure they aren’t all taken.
If you're more of an experience-focused traveler, there are fortunately plenty of things to do in Carnival's Half Moon Cay to satisfy your wanderlust. Book a tour to go snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding or even horseback riding on the beach. We had wondered if excursions on a Carnival private island were worth it, but by all accounts, they are.
Are you so excited to be on a cruise vacation that you just have to get some energy out? You can enjoy activities like basketball, beach volleyball, horseshoes, and shuffleboard. Just check out the necessary gear from the Sports Center located near the Bahamian Church. Even if you don’t book a horseback riding excursion you can follow the path to see the horses and see some beautiful flowers along the way. The cost is $599 and is good for up to 8 people with a surcharge for any extra guests. It might seem like a lot of money, but it averages out to about $75 per person and offers a much more relaxed and convenient time at Half Moon Beach.
The cost of a frozen cocktail in a souvenir cup is roughly $20. Aside from that, the drink prices are the same as those onboard. What's unique is that the seafood is cooked right in front of you, so you know that it's fresh! If you're looking to splurge on a meal during your trip and love seafood, there's no better time than, literally, steps from breathtaking crystal-clear water. Guests seeking something different may be interested in the Lobster Shack, not to be confused with the New England-style Seafood Shack onboard ships, it has a different menu.
There are lots of opportunities to see lots of wildlife on the island. This does need to be organized through the ship and booked prior to your cruise as this is a full legal ceremony. It is held in the delightful small chapel next to the Welcome Centre. You can hire snorkels and floats as well as other sports equipment at the Welcome Center or Dive Shack. This is where you will find useful information on how to get around the island.
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