If you've ever dreamed of making the first footprints on the beach of a truly secluded tropical island, you'll have your chance on Half Moon Cay, Holland America's own private island in the Bahamas. Swim, snorkel and sail till the beat of a steel-drum band summons you to the beach party and buffet. Cast off your everyday cares on sunswept beaches as you play the day away.


As part of its $225-million Signature of Excellence initiative, Holland America Line has introduced several new activities on Half Moon Cay, voted “Best Private Island” by Porthole Magazine for four consecutive years. It is also rated “Favorite Port of Call” by HAL guests, and the new features will further enhance its appeal to a broad cross-section of guests.

The new activity choices will include horseback riding/swimming, a stingray lagoon experience, a new Aqua Park and a WaveRunner Park. On the first, guests enjoy a trail ride and along the shore and a bareback ride through the surf on horses trained to swim in the ocean. Or they can opt to learn about stingrays on an educational tour that includes hand-feeding and swimming with these gentle creatures.

In the new Aqua Park “Half Moon Lagoon,” they can explore a mysterious pirate ship, zoom down a water slide, float on sea creatures and play with water cannons. The Aqua Park offers aquatrax action with a slalom course, dual race course and speed course in a secluded part of the island.

The new activities and attractions join Half Moon Cay's aqua-sports center with beach gear and water-sports equipment, a fully-equipped Club HAL® children's playground, beach chairs, volleyball, shuffleboard and horseshoes, a trail and a network of nature trail bridges across dunes for beach access, and a designated wild bird reserve. The island features a crescent-shaped, protected, white sand beach where guests may bask and sail, swim and snorkel in the turquoise waters. They can also have a beachside massage and enjoy an array of traditional barbecue fare and rent a beach-front air-conditioned cabana with private butler service.

Half Moon Cay features a West Indies Village with shops, a Bahamian straw market and a Spanish-style chapel for weddings and vow renewal. Live Caribbean bands play while guests dine in a covered, beachside pavilion. Beach and jitney trams facilitate getting around the island.