Is Half Moon Cay a Tender Port?
Walkability: 6/10Bahamas
Direct answer
It depends on your ship: some dock, some still tender.
Carnival says its new north-side pier is open and allows ships to dock. Holland America still publishes priority-tendering guidance for its visits on the south side. Check your ship's daily programme because the arrival method is sailing-specific.
What this changes about your port day
If your ship tenders, allow time for boat queues in both directions and follow the posted last-tender time. If it docks, you can walk ashore from the pier, but the official all-aboard time still controls.
Tender status can change with berth availability, weather, and ship size. Confirm against your ship's daily programme. The programme's ship time and all-aboard instruction are the authority. Read the ship-time and port-time guide.
Hours in Port
~6 hours
Walk to Town
N/A — private island; beach access begins from the pier or tender landing assigned to your ship
Currency
USD (USD accepted)
WiFi
None
Cell Coverage
None
Time Zone
America/Nassau
Time check
Half Moon Cay uses America/Nassau. Your phone may switch to local time automatically, while the ship may keep a different clock. Treat the times on this page as planning aids and follow the ship's official time and all-aboard instructions.
Overview
Direct answer
It depends on your ship: some dock, some still tender.
RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay (officially Little San Salvador Island) is Carnival Corporation's private island in the Bahamas. Carnival opened a north-side pier in June 2026, while Holland America still publishes tendering guidance for its south-side visits, so the arrival method depends on the ship and sailing.
Port-area planning notes
Arrival Style
Varies by ship
Walkability
6/10
Connectivity
none Wi-Fi, none cell
Free Things To Do
Beach
Two miles of white sand beach with free lounge chairs. The main reason to visit.
Nature Trail
Short hiking trail through the island's interior with birdwatching opportunities.
Top Excursions
Horseback Riding on Beach
Stingray Adventure
Private Cabana Rental
Hotels Near Half Moon Cay
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Restaurants Near Terminal
Getting Around
Walk along the beach or use the island tram. Your starting point depends on whether your ship docks at the north-side pier or tenders to the south side, so follow the ship's arrival and return instructions.
Cruise Port FAQ
Is Half Moon Cay a tender port or a docked port?
Carnival says its new north-side pier is open and allows ships to dock. Holland America still publishes priority-tendering guidance for its visits on the south side. Check your ship's daily programme because the arrival method is sailing-specific.
How walkable is Half Moon Cay from the cruise port?
Half Moon Cay has a CruiseKit walkability score of 6/10. The port-area note is: N/A — private island; beach access begins from the pier or tender landing assigned to your ship.
What currency is used in Half Moon Cay?
USD is the local currency for Half Moon Cay. US dollars are commonly accepted in many visitor-facing places.
Does this Half Moon Cay page use a live map provider?
No. This port guide uses a pre-rendered OpenStreetMap-derived image that CruiseKit serves directly. It does not request live map tiles when you visit the page. In the app, route context comes from your saved itinerary and port guides are available under More, then Ports; there is no separate live destination-browsing map surface.
Emergency Information
Police
Ship security
Hospital
Ship's medical center — no hospital on island
What will a cruise to Half Moon Cay really cost?
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