Making the most of Half Moon Cay
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Because ships moor or anchor at this port, passengers travel ashore by tender.
A pier is currently under construction (2024), which should remove the need for tendering in future.
Created for cruise guests, Half Moon Cay offers a secluded, luxurious beach-day setting and is a Caribbean-itinerary highlight for many. Holland America Line owns the private island in full.
Little San Salvador Island, Bahamas, is another name for Half Moon Cay. It is one of the roughly 700 islands in the Bahamian archipelago, lying approximately between Eleuthera and Cat Island. Holland America Line wholly owns this private island, which is usually a one day Cruise Port call on its Caribbean itineraries.
Little San Salvador Island lies about a hundred miles south-east of Nassau. Holland America bought it in 1997 and has developed only 45 acres of its 2,400-acre (9.7 km²) area, aiming to retain as much wildlife habitat as possible. It is also an important waterfowl nesting site.
Available activities include swimming, sunbathing, scuba diving, jet-skiing and snorkelling. You can also choose deep-sea fishing, parasailing, glass-bottom boat trips and nature walks. Water toys for hire include Hobie catamarans, Sunfish sailboats, windsurfing sail boards and kayaks. The island also has volleyball and basketball courts, horseshoes and shuffleboard, plus a fitness trail with exercise stations and hiking nature trails.
Money
The Bahamian dollar (B$) is the local currency. It has the same value as the US dollar, and both are accepted across the country.
Staying connected
English is spoken.
Opening Hours and
Although Bahamian shops may open on Sunday, almost none do, leaving the day very quiet commercially. At other times, morning shopping is best for lighter crowds and milder temperatures.