Half Moon Cay

Welcome back! Just a few more posts from my Zuiderdam cruise before I set sail on the Maasdam at the end of January for the Eastern Caribbean! Today I'll show you around one of the most popular ports in the Caribbean with HAL passengers - Half Moon Cay, Holland America's own private island!


Above: The view of Half Moon Cay from my parasailing ride!

The real name of the island is Little San Salvador Island and it is one of about 700 islands that make up the archipelago of the Bahamas.


Above: The beach with the Zuiderdam anchored offshore.

Holland America purchased the island in December, 1996 for a price of $6 million USD. Since then it has developed 50 acres of the 2,400-acre island, with the stated goal of maintaining as much habitat as possible for wildlife.


Above: A panorama of the island. Much of the land is undeveloped.

Activities which guests can enjoy on the island include swimming (obviously), scuba diving, jet-skiing, cycling, snorkelling and horse riding. Deep-sea fishing, parasailing, glass-bottom boat rides, and nature walks also are available.


Above: Guests arrive and leave the island on special tender boats which take them back to the ship anchored offshore.

About 40 people live on the island full time, and the rest of the workers commute by boat from surround populations like Nassau. All the food and drink is brought off the ship by crew - it's a huge operation!


Above: This colourful courtyard is the first sight to greet disembarking guests.

Most of the development is along the shore of the island, with some development out towards the lagoon where jet skiing and stingray encounters take place.


Above: The view from the tender boat of the shore with the new Captain Morgan bar centre.

The pirate ship which sits on the shore is a newly constructed bar, with a stage area for the HAL Cats - a party band that play on the ship.


Above: The Captain Morgan Bar.


Above: HAL Cats entertaining the crowd in the Captain Morgan Bar.

Whilst on the island, I had the opportunity to do horse riding and parasailing - both of which were great fun!


Above: Pegasus Ranch.


Above: We began the horse ride riding through some of the island's sandy paths...


Above: ...before going for a walk along the sand.

Afterwards, we rode the horses into the sea (just like in Jamaica earlier this year) which was fine until the horse in front of me pooped, and everything came floating towards me - up to my waist in sea water!


Above: Parasailing was one of the best experiences on this cruise.

Parasailing was a lot of fun, although it was a more sedate experience than I was expecting. You sat on the back of the boat and were gently 'let out' by the winch on the back of the boat, before being reeled back in about 5 minutes later.


Above: My fellow parasailer got a great picture of me with the Zuiderdam.


Above: Trying not to drop the camera.

I'll leave you with my favourite shot of the parasailing - the feet help to give the picture some perspective! I've saved some of the best trips until last so check back here soon for Panama City, authentic Indian Villages and more!