Meet the best beach among all private islands
Say hi to Carnival Cruise Line and Holland America’s private island in the Bahamas, a beautiful destination for those who love a great beach and sand as white as the purest snow. If you're looking to enjoy a peaceful escape and care more about a perfect beach than anything else, you’ve come to the right place. Wait a minute… is that right? We’re talking about a private island owned by Carnival’s parent company, and we don’t have big parties, lots of drinks, and wild fun in the same paragraph? What madness is this?
Relax, friend, there is great fun to be had at Half Moon Cay. They’ve got games, excursions, and plenty of good food for you to try. But the beach? That’s the real star of the show.
If you care more about crystal-clear water and soft white sand than anything else, there's a good chance this will be your favorite private island… ever. Sure, there are some minor drawbacks, like no Wi-Fi and having to take a tender boat to get there, but nothing beats the stunning natural beauty of this little slice of paradise.
What we like about Half Moon Cay
Half Moon Cay is beautiful, and one of the best private islands if all you care about is a perfect day at the beach. Period. In fact, the developed part of the island only makes up about 4% of its total area, as the rest is untouched wilderness. That means you’ll hear birds and all kinds of animals calling in the distance, adding to the peaceful vibe.
The beach is absolutely gorgeous, with shallow, crystal-clear water that stretches out forever. The sand is white and soft. All you really need to enjoy your day here is a lounge chair (they’ve got tons of them for free), a cold beer, and boom, you’re in heaven. Oh, and sunscreen. Can’t forget the sunscreen.
Half Moon Cay is 90% beach, 10% everything else. Remember to bring your towels from the ship, as they’re not complimentary. There are also cabanas available to rent right by the beach, but heads up, they tend to sell out quickly.
The food is generally good, with a free buffet offered at The Food Pavilion during specific hours. There are also some spots that cost extra, like The Lobster Shack, which serves up seafood.
Oh, did I mention how good the beach is? No? Well, the beach is the reason to visit this place.
What we don’t like about Half Moon Cay
Half Moon Cay isn’t a mega-resort like Perfect Day at CocoCay. As we’ve said before, you come here for the beach, to enjoy a nice drink, grab the buffet, and maybe try an excursion like snorkeling or even horseback riding. There aren’t any waterparks or even a swimming pool on the island. There are splash areas and a small playground, but honestly, they’re not that impressive, and most of the time you won’t see anyone using them.
One of the main drawbacks of Half Moon Cay is that there’s no direct dock for cruise ships. Yep, you’ll need to hop on a tender (ferry), and the ride itself takes about 15 minutes. But when you add in the wait time, the boarding process, and the queue, you’re looking at around 25 to 30 minutes just to get to the island. That’s kind of a bummer if you want to hit the beach early, or if you forget something on the ship and want to go back later.
Another issue? No Wi-Fi on the island. Sure, most of your time will be spent relaxing on the beach, and it is nice to disconnect once in a while. But sometimes you really do need to contact someone, whether they’re still on the ship or elsewhere on the island, and no Wi-Fi can be a bit of a letdown.
Your Drink Package also doesn’t work on Half Moon Cay, a weird decision considering that a lot of other companies let you use your drink package while on their private islands.
With all that said, this is still a 10/10 island if all you care about is a great beach and nothing else. The beach is truly fantastic, and the water is absolutely amazing - not just crystal clear, but also pleasantly warm. Sure, it might be a bit of a letdown that there aren’t tons of free activities beyond that, but it’s still a perfect destination for anyone looking to soak up the sun and connect with Mother Nature.
Half Moon Cay FAQ
Is Half Moon Cay free for Carnival guests?
Yes, Half Moon Cay is free to visit if it’s included in your Carnival (or Holland America) itinerary.
Is there free food at Half Moon Cay?
Yes, a free buffet is offered on the island during specific times.
Does my drink package work at Half Moon Cay?
No, drink packages do not work at Half Moon Cay.
Is there Wi-Fi at Half Moon Cay?
No, there is no Wi-Fi available on the island.
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