What is the snorkling like in Half Moon Cay(HAL private island)?
Dec 31st, 2001, 10:57 AM
#1
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What is the snorkling like in Half Moon Cay(HAL private island)?
Will be cruising on a ship that stops at Half Moon Cay, one of Holland America's private islands. They offer a boat snorkle shore excursion. Has anyone taken this and if so, what is the snorkling like? Thanks.
Jan 22nd, 2002, 02:55 PM
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Cruiselady,<BR><BR>We cruised on Holland America in the summer of 2000 and of course stopped at Half Moon Cay. What a beautiful island and white sandy beach. We enjoyed it immensely. My friend and I did a lot of snorkeling on this trip. You might want to take the St. John's island excursion. Trunk Bay is beautiful.<BR>As to the snorkeling on Half Moon Cay...<BR>We took a boat snorkel excursion out in the bay. I don't know if this is the same excursion. It was not worth it. We went out over a reef that was 50 ft. down and couldn't really see much. Some scuba dived which allowed them to get way down.<BR>There was excellent snorkeling right on the beach. When you approach the beach, there is a man-made barrier that saparates the channel for the tenders from the beach. This is on your left as you face seaward. We found excellent snorkeling right there-numerous fish species as well as coral,aquatic life etc. on the barrier.<BR>The ladies loved the beach, but we spent too much time on the snorkeling cruise and I would just stay on the beach.
Jan 22nd, 2002, 03:08 PM
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Cruiselady,<BR><BR>We cruised with Holland America in the summer of 2000 and of course stopped at Half Moon Cay. What a beautiful isalnd and white sand beach!! We loved it.<BR>My friend and I snorkeled throughout the cruise (Trunk Bay at St. John's is nice.)<BR>We signed up for the snorkeling excursion at Half Moon. This was for snorkeling and scuba, so I don't know if it was the same one. They took us to a reef in the bay past the ship and not to shore. This one was not worth it. We were about 50 ft. over the reef and could not see much. Plus, you had to swim around in the choppy water. The only way to get down to the reef was to scuba dive.<BR>There was good snorkeling on the beach, however. There is a barrier to the far left on the beach that separates the tender channel from the beach. This was a very nice place to snorkel. There are numerious species of fish, plus interesting aquatic and coral life and the barrier itself. We enjoyed this more that the excursion. I would just remain at the beach and enjoy that. Hope this helps!
Jan 22nd, 2002, 05:59 PM
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Patience pays off! Thank you Mike for the excellent report! Will be cruising there in the summer as well and have heard that the beach is excellent. Will definitely stay on the beach and enjoy the snorkeling from the beach. Also plan on snorkeling at St. John.<BR><BR>Thanks again. Anyone else who can comment please comment.
Jan 24th, 2002, 05:10 PM
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We snorkled at Half Moom Cay probably in<BR>1999 and loved it, we've snorkled at all the islands, and really loved all the live coral there. We were quite a ways from where the ship is docked. But we saw lots of fish all sizes-but the live coral which you don't see too much of any more was great.
Jan 27th, 2002, 05:30 PM
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Answer to Cruiselady. We snorkeled from<BR>a boat, the water was deep, but when it is that clear it doesn't make any difference. There were some spots though that the coral was grew so high it was kind of a tight squeeze to swim over. Have a great time and enjoy your<BR>HAL cruise.
Jan 31st, 2002, 10:21 PM
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If you are unlucky enough to be on the second ship in , that day ,as we were , forget it!! It was so crowded,(no rentals , no beach chairs , no floats , no fun . They NEVER should have two ships in , on same day. Thousands of people on ONE beach is crazy ! As this was the last port on an 8 day cruise (Westerdam) that was perfect till the mob scene on Half Moon Cay , we were advised by tour person to check with T.A. before booking next time to make shure we are on the only ship there , that day.
Feb 27th, 2004, 07:47 PM
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Just back from Half Moon Cay and we did our snorkeling down at the far end of the island, to the right as you face the sea. It is a bit of a walk but there are some areas of rocks and coral in several little coves. 3 of us found large conch shells (2 living which we tossed back). A gorgeous stretch of beach!
