HAL's private island

[florida cruzer]

I have never cruised with Holland America before and I am giving it a try on April 4th. Could someone please tell me a little about their private island. Do you have to rent a clamshell or is there shade under palm trees? Can you snorkel off the beach, like you can at Princess Cay or should I leave my snorkel gear at home?:) Thanks for the tips.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

There are not a lot of palm trees -- but if you tender over to the island early, you will find plenty of shady areas.

This section has a lot of information:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=406

[florida cruzer]

Thanks so much Krazy Kruizers. That link was really helpful!

[DFD1]

Half Moon Cay is one of the most beautiful beaches. The facilities are superb. We often rent a clam shell. They are not expensive and they give you some shade.

Snorkling off the beach is available and a lot of passengers do it. I believe there may be gear available at the beach center.

You will not be disappointed.

[Cruiz'nBaers]

Half Moon Cay is probably my favorite port. The beach is beautiful and the water is calm. Snorkeling is OK, but not a lot of fish to see right off the beach. Clam shell rentals are available and inexpensive, maybe $15. We never rent one as we are usually one of the first tenders over and find a good spot. We walk down the beach away from the big crowd and have always found a good place to camp out for the day.

I have often said that HAL could drop me off the first day and pick me up the last day of the cruise, HMC would be a great place to spend a few days to relax and unwind.

You will enjoy it immensely.:cool::cool::cool:

[mafig]

Princess Cay is nice. However, since we live in Florida and can go to a beach anytime, I probably would stay on the ship if we visit Princess Cay again.

However, Half Moon Cay, oh my! I would certainly get off there, again and again. You will love it, it's beautiful!

[noblepa]

I've only been to HMC once, and I'm not a snorkeler, but I remember the beach as being a very sandy, smooth bottom, at least as far out into the water as I went. That doesn't make for very interesting snorkeling, does it?

Are there more interesting underwater features farther down the beach?

I agree, though, that HMC is gorgeous.

We did get a clamshell, but they are not absolutely necessary. If you want shade, you will probably have to go quite a way down the beach to find a spot that doesn't already have a cabana built there.

The buffet lunch that they bring over from the ship is unbelievable, considering that it is all brough over on tenders. Its a lot more than just hot dogs and hamburgers, although those are certainly available.

Paul

[AlbertaCruisers]

I try to snorkel at every stop. We were at HMC last October. From the beach if you are facing the water you have to go as far left as you can and along the rocks you will find some coral and some fish (farther out past the kids play area). Right out at the rope for the roped off swim area was the best, but still not much to see. Some people went under the rope but they were quickly ushered back in as they were then too close to where the tenders come in.

There are snorkel excursions you can take where they take you out in a boat and it is suppose to be good snorkeling (I had booked the snorkel tour, but it was canceled so I can't tell you anything specific about it).

[cardbucfan]

The only thing I can add is I too live in Florida and have become quite the princess when it comes to water temperature. When I was growing up, there was never water too cold for me to swim in. Now?!? The water at Half Moon Cay was too cold for me! But again, I am a freely admitted princess. (it is beautiful and peaceful though)

[geoherb]

We were at Half Moon Cay last week. I thought the water was refreshing. My DH thought it was too cold. He did not get all the way in. January through March are probably the coolest months for the water. I don't remember it being as cool when we took a December cruise on HAL a few years ago.

[jtl513]

If you want shade, you will probably have to go quite a way down the beach to find a spot that doesn't already have a cabana built there.There is shade between many of the cabanas that, IMO, does not "belong" to the cabanas.
The buffet lunch that they bring over from the ship is unbelievable, considering that it is all brough over on tenders. Its a lot more than just hot dogs and hamburgers, although those are certainly available.The last time we were there most of the hot food was barely-warm to cold, and we were among the first people in line about 11:20a. :(

[dchip]

Not much snorkeling from the beach but the excursion by boat is wonderful!!! I have gone twice and plan on going two more times on our B2B in October.

Here are links to HMC photos, there are some from the snorkel boat:

http://www.pbase.com/dchip/half_moon_cay

http://www.pbase.com/dchip/halfmooncaymarch

Cheers, Denise

[basiaZ03]

I'm not sure about the snorkeling. My husband and I have been to Half Moon Cay 3 times and always rent a clam shell( I try and stay out of the sun) Make sure you bring some bread with you and the fish will eat right out of your hand. Enjoy

[Krazy Kruizers]

The last time we were there most of the hot food was barely-warm to cold, and we were among the first people in line about 11:20a. :(

That's not good!!!

[Krazy Kruizers]

I'm not sure about the snorkeling. My husband and I have been to Half Moon Cay 3 times and always rent a clam shell( I try and stay out of the sun) Make sure you bring some bread with you and the fish will eat right out of your hand. Enjoy

Welcome to Cruise Critic!!

[florida cruzer]

I very much enjoyed reading your thoughts on HMC. Now I know - the water is going to be cold for this Florida Girls, but if I really want to snorkel, I will tough it out and go on their excursion. I also know exactly where to find the shade and thanks to some great pics sent, I know how gorgeous this island is. I cannot wait to soak in all up. Thanks again. :)

[kyriecat]

Has anyone taken the Historic Nature Walk tour that is offered for HMC? I was wondering what the historic ruins are. Was there a fort or other structure on an overlook? I know on most islands, the old forts are some of the best places to get photos because they tend to be on hills overlooking the harbor. The tour is only $20 so if there are some good locations for photos along the way, it would be worth it.

[crule]

You can walk that same tour on your own.

On my first and only trip to HMC last October, my wife stayed at the beach and went off on a self-guided tour (read, FREE). I followed their nature trail all the way back to where it it popped out of the scrub and met up at a paved road - I walked down the paved road just slightly - there happened to be a cooler full of drinks there (presumably for the guided nature trail folks) - I hoarked one and continued. Then, I heard some noises coming out of the woods right near me - that was the guided trail continuuing up the path.

So, I went and looked to see where they were.

It's not much to see - you go up a small hill, and at the top of it there are some ruins of a small square building - and what looks to be some other side structures. Since there's no placards or guide, you don't quite know what it is - perhaps it was a light house or something long time ago.

I wandered around on some paths up in there - even found a snake - and then I made my way back to main road and walked the road back up to the beach area.

Save your $20 and go wander around the place yourself - it's a lot more fun and exciting. From some of the high vantage points you can see the "hidden" stuff on the island too - such as the dormitory where the employees stay, what looks like a trash incinerator or diesel generator - they also have a 50 foot radio tower with a parabolic dish on it - providing a microwave shot across the bay over to the next developed island so they have phone/data to the area. (When the ships are in at Princess Cay, you can see them off to your left - their "island" probably 10-15 miles away to the west)

[RD64]

I too was at Half Moon last week. I loved the water, and didn't want to get out. I found the temperature fine, mind you I am used to swimming in Lake Superior in the summer.

HMC is definitely one of my favourite ports, and I would love to have a cruise that stops there at the beginning and the end of the week.

[Boytjie]

I very much enjoyed reading your thoughts on HMC. Now I know - the water is going to be cold for this Florida Girls, but if I really want to snorkel, I will tough it out and go on their excursion.

You can always get a 3mm shorty wet suit. :)

I bought one online last year for scuba diving - I have'n't needed a longjohn wetsuit in the Caribbean yet and the shorty works for that so it would be good for snorkeling.

[wilsonqbc]

I found the water temp quite ok once you are in its fine prob around 76-78 degrees,
I snorkled a tad for the fun of it right off the beach managed to see 3 large fish 18 - 20 inchs hanging around together, and a couple others but nothing else much except sand. Our food was great & proper temp.
if anyones interested her is a little clip I put up on You Tube of Half Moon Cay.
Nothing spectacular just practicing the tender out from the ship, a bit of the island and the tender back to the vessel, gonna try a make a better one of a mini tour of the Eurodam. any comments much appreciated, lol

Half Moon Cay link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2l1ci9oAv0