Cruises from Galveston to Half Moon Cay

When you step foot on the beach at Half Moon Cay for the first time after arriving there on a Carnival cruise, you’ll immediately understand why this is not your normal vacation spot. Half Moon Cay, commonly known as Little San Salvador Island, is one of over 700 islands that make up the Bahamas archipelago, located about 100 miles southeast of Nassau. This picture-perfect private resort is one of the most popular ports of call for cruise ships traveling through the Bahamas; in fact, Carnival makes more than 200 stops here every single year. This is a private island that offers something for everyone thanks to the many different cruise shore excursions that are available to pick from. You can play in the turquoise waters, ride a horse on the powdery white sand, or gently paddle a kayak through acres of protected lagoon, where you might see silky-smooth stingrays and other animals.

Half Moon Cay tourist attractions

Before you even arrive on the island, you can see the renowned Captain Morgan pirate ship. No journey to Half Moon Cay is complete without boarding the Captain Morgan and performing your best pirate impressions. As your ship reaches the island, the first thing you’ll see is Half Moon Beach. Half Moon Shoreline is around 2 miles long, while the island has about 10 miles of beach. However, if you want to experience the best in beachfront luxury, you can upgrade to the Beach Villa. These are two-story cabins that are vividly colored and ideal for a respite from your day at the beach. The Private Oasis is a 1,620-square-foot private cabana with a boardwalk that leads directly into the clear blue ocean. The hot tub, hammock, loungers, full wet bar, and BBQ area together provide an ideal private environment for up to 12 people. A lagoon enclosure known as Stingray Cove is home to a population of stingrays that have been domesticated. You will receive training, then put on some snorkeling gear, witness stingrays in their natural environment, and even have the opportunity to feel how smooth they are. The Half Moon Lagoon Aqua Park can be found directly on the main beach, and it features a few different water slides in addition to a pirate ship that cannons water out of its cannons.