CruisePortInsider Guide to Half Moon Cay--2013

Half Moon Cay Excursions

---

The shop specializes in conch jewelry.

If you're looking for something unique, you can purchase a farmed oyster; each oyster is guaranteed to yield a lustrous cultured pearl. Then buy a ring, and they will mount the pearl on the ring on site. The women don't live on Half Moon Cay, but instead ferry in to the island from nearby Eleuthera Island when ships are due in port. In this large, open air BBQ area you'll find a buffet with 6 stations, each offering identical types of food. Lunch consists of hot dogs, hamburgers, ribs, fish, sausages, various salads, fruit, corn on the cob, chips, brownies and cookies. There are 15 open-air dining shelters, each seating 48 guests, adjacent to the Tropics Restaurant.

In addition, along the patio there are plenty of picnic tables to sit and enjoy your lunch. The Tropics Restaurant is wheelchair and scooter accessible; however, the standard picnic tables are not wheelchair accessible. Half Moon Cay offers four bars for your drinking pleasure.

Half Moon Cay Basics

Here you can get an adult beverage, sodas and water. It is directly adjacent to the Tender Pier. The area is paved, and somewhat sterile looking. The amenities at the Bahamian Village include:. The three Water Sports Centers on Half Moon Cay offer rentals of water sports equipment, including snorkel gear, floating mats, kayaks, Hobie Cats, Sunfish sailboats and aqua bikes. The Water Sports Centers are located:. The non-denominational Bahamian Church accommodates weddings and renewal of vows ceremonies.

It's located a short walk up the beach from the Welcome Center.

The chapel features wonderful views of the Exuma Channel from the front door through to your ship anchored offshore. The facility, constructed in an authentic Bahamian style with a trussed roof ceiling and decorated with exotic wall tapestries, seats 20 guests. A pointed steeple with a bell tower reflects the design of traditional American churches. Champagne is offered following each ceremony, and each couple is photographed with their ship in the background. Make sure to reserve your ceremony prior to your trip. The white sand beach is soft, not gritty. The closer you are to the Welcome Center, the more people you'll find.

For more privacy, head up the beach, past the Private Cabanas. You can rent one of the many clamshells available on Half Moon Cay; while they're not as nice as the Private Cabanas, they do get you out of the sometimes searing Bahamian sun. Half Moon Cay is notable for the number of private cabanas that are offered for rent during your day on the island. They are located at foot intervals as you walk northwest along the beach. The 15 cabanas, each named for a different tropical hue, come complete with a refrigerator, ceiling fan, air conditioner, table and chairs inside, and deck chairs and a misting shower on the private terrace.

Designed to serve 4 guests in each cabana, the cabana rentals also feature food and drinks packages. The Cabanas can be difficult to reserve. If you're a first time cruiser, it's unlikely that you'll be able to reserve a cabana. Each of the five private villas are outfitted with air-conditioning, a 5-person capacity hot tub, refrigerator, ceiling fan, air conditioner, dining area with table and chairs, a misting shower and private sun deck.

On the second floor you'll find chaise lounges and a dining room table and chairs. In addition, both floors feature a high top table and 2 chairs. There are unobstructed views from all locations. Villas D and E are wheelchair accessible throughout the first floor and restroom area.

Villa guests will be provided with fresh fruit, vegetables and dip and chips and salsa to snack on throughout the day. Each villa is stocked with an assortment of soft drinks and bottled water to slake your thirst.

Half Moon Cay On Your Own

For your recreational pleasure, floating mats and snorkel gear are also included in the price for your use throughout your stay. The villas can be difficult to reserve. Minimum age is 10 years old and maximum weight is lbs.

The 10 Top "On Your Own" Things to do in Half Moon Cay

Riding time is approximately 35 minutes. Many of the shore excursions and watersport rentals on Half Moon Cay require that you sign a waiver release form administered by the Tour Operator. Where required, the waivers will be provided prior to tour departure at the meeting point on the island or at the watersports huts prior to rental. Transit to the site: Who should take this tour:.

If they're not, you may want to personally organize a toast to the holiday and create your own festival. Half Moon Cay is a very popular port for cruise ships making 3-, 4- and 7-day cruises to the Bahamas from Florida ports as well as from Charleston, Baltimore and New York. As a general rule, ships arrive at the island's tender anchorage between 8: In , Half Moon Cay is slated to host , passengers sailing on ships.

Local festivals, holidays and events taking place in Half Mon Cay in New Year's Day , Monday, January 1. National holiday celebrated with dances and festivals. Majority Rule Day , Wednesday, January A national holiday celebrating the date when the Bahamas achieved self governance through democracy in Good Friday , Friday, March Easter Monday , Monday, April 2.

Whit Monday , May This holiday is celebrated the day after Pentecost, a movable feast in the Christian calendar.

What You Need to Bring Ashore

Labour Day , Friday, June 1. A public holiday that celebrates the contributions of workers, and in the Bahamas is named after Randol Fawkes. Independence Day , Tuesday, July A national public holiday that commemorates the independence of the Bahamas from the British that took place on July 10, A national public holiday that commemorates the official abolition of slavery in Look for a Junkanoo , a traditional African street parade of music, dance, and art held in Nassau.

A national holiday that commemorates the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus. Christmas , Tuesday, December A public and religious holiday celebrating the birth of Christ. Boxing Day , Wednesday, December Junkanoo , Wednesday, December The Bahamas' Christmas celebration, with party-goers dressed in masquerade costumes parading in the streets in celebration of their West African and slave heritage.

• ¿Qué le pasa a mi cuerpo? Jóvenes (Spanish Edition)
• Death with Style and Grace
• To Have a Likeness To (A Variety of Passion)
• Emasculating Her Husband
• Promessas de Deus para abençoar seu casamento (Portuguese Edition)
• Disguising at Hertford
• The Slovak Language in the Digital Age: 5 (White Paper Series)