Half Moon Cay

Our first stop on the Eastern Caribbean Dinogo Cruise was Half Moon Cay. Also known as Little San Salvador Island, this private island is part of the 700 islands that make up the Bahamas. The only way to reach the island is by taking a tender boat from the ship.

Popular activities include horseback riding on land and in the sea, tropical kayak adventures, aquatrax watercraft experiences, boat snorkeling, and stingray encounters. I’ve always dreamed of swimming with stingrays, so we chose the stingray adventure!

Browse the Fort San Salvador Welcome Center, enjoy the water park, and sip on a cocktail as you relax on the beach.

Lunch is served island-style at the barbecue with options like grilled chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs, German potato salad, chili fried rice, fresh fruit, and dessert. The chili fried rice and banana rum cake were absolutely delicious!

We enjoyed a brief tram ride to Stingray Cove for the stingray adventure, where we learned about the behaviors, habitat, feeding, and breeding of these fascinating creatures. Three southern stingrays call Stingray Cove home. Before entering the water, everyone was fitted with a safety vest, scuba mask, aqua shoes, and snorkel. We snorkeled alongside the stingrays, touched their smooth wings, and swam with the fish in the cove. The instructor even provided each of us with raw squid to feed the stingrays!

You have only half a day at Half Moon Cay, so be sure to experience the beach during your port visit. I loved swimming and jogging along the crystal-clear blue waters and the pristine white sand beach. The island stretches across 45 acres along a crescent-shaped beach that is over a mile long, facing a protected bay that leads west toward Exuma Sound.

That evening's dinner was inspired by Half Moon Cay, featuring a mai tai (a tropical drink made with rum) and fried conch fritters (minced conch mixed with diced vegetables and local spices, served with a tropical fruit salsa). We also indulged in lobster tail, spaghetti carbonara, and steamed bass!