Half Moon Cay

Half Moon Cay, officially Little San Salvador Island, is one of about 700 islands that make up The Bahamas. It is a private island owned by Carnival Corporation and was purchased by Holland America Line in December 1996 for US$6 million. The island sits about 100 miles (160 kilometres) southeast of Nassau, roughly halfway between Eleuthera and Cat Island.

Half Moon Cay serves as a port of call rather than a turnaround port, a stop on Caribbean cruises run by Holland America Line and Carnival Cruise Line. Only about 50 acres (200,000 square metres) of the 2,400-acre (9.7 square kilometres) island have been developed, with the goal of keeping as much habitat as possible for wildlife. The island is a significant nesting area for waterfowl.

The setting strikes most cruisers as surprisingly undeveloped. The beach stretches for miles with white sand and turquoise water, and despite being a cruise destination, much of the island remains natural and uncrowded compared to other private ports. Visitors can swim, snorkel, kayak and paddleboard in shallow lagoons and protected coves. Horseback riding along the beach is popular, and glass-bottom boats offer views of the reef and its resident stingrays without getting wet. The island has simple beach bars and restaurants serving Caribbean fare, along with shaded lounges and rental cabanas for a quieter day.

A new cruise pier, opened on June 1, 2026, allows passengers to disembark directly, along with expanded beachfront facilities and dining venues. The infrastructure improvements have made it easier to access the island, though the overall character remains one of laid-back island time rather than activity-packed resort energy. You can log the exact route your ship took to reach Half Moon Cay on The Cruise Globe.