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HALF MOON CAY

Voted Most Beautiful of Cruise Ship Islands

Like Castaway Cay, and Coco Cay, Half Moon Cay is a cruise ship island, owned by cruiseline Holland America. Seventeen miles from the nearest neighbor, about 100 miles south of Nassau, in the Bahamas, Half Moon Cay is considered by many to be the most beautiful of the cruise lines? private islands. Nine miles of beach stretch along the vibrant blue waters in a crescent shape. Coconut palms dot the landscape. This is truly a nature preserve as Holland America takes great strides to maintain the ecosystem of this pristine island. In fact, only 45 acres of the 2,500 acre island have been developed. All parts of the island are accessible by a tram and hard-surfaced walkways connect each area. An international bird sanctuary in the Bahamas (only two percent of the island is developed), the beauty and serenity of Half Moon Cay is second-to-none.

Owned by Holland America

Little San Salvador Island, Bahamas (also known as Half Moon Cay), is one of about 700 islands that make up the archipelago of the Bahamas. It is located roughly between Eleuthera and Cat Island. It is a private island, owned wholly by Holland America Line, a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation & PLC. Holland changed the name of the island from Little San Salvador to Half-Moon Cay, in honor of one of Henry Hudson's ships. It is usually a one-day stop (port of call) on most Holland America Caribbean cruises, and requires a tender ride from the ship to land, and vice versa.

A view from the beach at Half Moon CayLittle San Salvador Island is about a hundred miles southeast of Nassau, and between the southern end of Eleuthera, and the northern shores of Cat Island. Holland America purchased the island in 1997, and has developed only 45 acres (180,000 m2) of the 2,400-acre (9.7 km2) island, with the goal of maintaining as much habitat as possible for wildlife. The island is also a significant nesting area for waterfowl.

Activities include swimming, sunning, scuba diving, jet-skiing, and snorkeling. Deep-sea fishing, parasailing, glass-bottom boat rides, and nature walks also are available. A variety of water toys are available for rent, including Hobie catamarans, Sunfish sailboats, windsurfing sailboards and kayaks. There are also volleyball and basketball courts, horseshoes and shuffleboard, a fitness trail with exercise stations, horseback riding, and nature trails for hiking.

VIDEO of a visit to Half-Moon Cay