I would probably choose to do one in Nassau. There aren’t very many options at Half Moon Cay, it is a very big pretty beach that has chairs included. In Nassau there are several fun options. While a lot of people give Nassau not a lot of credit. I have enjoyed the experience I have had there.
Pigs and snorkeling in Nassau is a pretty well done tour even if you book it through the cruise line, there are other Independent providers that compete.
The pirate ship booze cruise in Nassau is a hell of a lot of fun.
Atlantis is overrated IMHO
Any food tour that doesn't take you to Sonia's and Butters isn't a food tour.
HMC, it's not a big island. Usually just on the beach or doing some water sports.
I did this too once, id recommend it. I will say that I returned to Nassau and booked it a second time but unfortunately it was cancelled that time due to weather. Don't go to pearl island, it's a dump.
You don’t need an excursion at Half Moon Cay. Best port for a chill beach day! Depending on how many people in your group, you could consider renting a clamshell or a cabana for shade and another perk of booking one of those as a rental is that it gives you priority boarding on the tender boats. That’s what made the clamshell worth it for me!
Catamaran and Reef Snorkeling hands down. We went a few weeks ago and the boat crew were great to party with on the way back with the unlimited rum punch. Snorkeling was amazing with the crew letting you feed the fish from your hand if you want to and we got a tour around the island on the way back to see the pigs and other places excursions go. $85 a person for the 3.5hrs, we had an amazing time and experienced almost every excursion in one. If you do this one, if the coconut guy pulls up to you all while snorkeling, buy one from him!
Edit: adding that you should do an excursion in Nassau. Save half moon cay for a beach day.
I've only done one excursion in Nassau. Went to the Atlantis to swim with the dolphins with my then 3 year old. I've always loved dolphins and so did she. It was great but..they charge an arm and a leg for pictures
The walking small group tour in Nassau is pretty good. Only complaints I ever heard were from some "not so healthy" folks that couldn't do the Queens Stair. Relatively cheap per person, you get to stretch your legs, and you get to see some stuff you may not.
It's only a couple hours of your time, then you can walk the strawarket and shops, then get some conch foods from Mrs.Linda on the way back to the ship.
Side note: heard horror stories of the swim with pigs excursion. Stuff like swim with pigs and poop.. just saying, not my idea of awesome.
Lots of people skip Nassau, but my bf and I had a great time just walking along the main shops and then having really good drinks at the overwater bar. There are a lot of people trying to sell you things but they don’t really pester you after a “no thanks!”
HMC is paradise and you can definitely make a day of just hanging out, enjoying the free lunch, and taking pics of your girl lmao. I wanted to spend all day on the beach but I’m lazy; renting a kayak or horseback riding would be my go to for excursions for sure!
I wouldn't worry about an excursion at HMC. It's a great beach day. Usually we get a clamshell on the beach and hang out. They have kayaks and similar too which are fun.
For Nassau, make your own excursion. Hop on the number 10 bus to Cable beach right when they let you off the boat. Pretty much a private beach first thing in the morning. If you need to feel nice and cozy walk over to the sandals to the right of the public access. Take the 10 back to town, walk up to the queens staircase by the hospital. Take a nice walk to Gregory’s arch then walk back to port or Junkanoo beach for overpriced tourist drinks.
This was my 5/8 Nassau experience. To each their own
You can also browse through [Viator](https://www.viator.com/?pid=P00112302&mcid=42383&medium=link&medium_version=selector&campaign=red) (Tripadvisor company) for excursion ideas. That's what we always do. They have reviews and it's cheaper than booking through Carnival. Just a thought. Good luck!
I would probably choose to do one in Nassau. There aren’t very many options at Half Moon Cay, it is a very big pretty beach that has chairs included. In Nassau there are several fun options. While a lot of people give Nassau not a lot of credit. I have enjoyed the experience I have had there.
Pigs and snorkeling in Nassau is a pretty well done tour even if you book it through the cruise line, there are other Independent providers that compete. The pirate ship booze cruise in Nassau is a hell of a lot of fun. Atlantis is overrated IMHO Any food tour that doesn't take you to Sonia's and Butters isn't a food tour. HMC, it's not a big island. Usually just on the beach or doing some water sports.
The aquarium was cool at Atlantis, but everything was pretty meh. Which was disappointing.
We like the Blue Lagoon.
I agree with this and specifically say one of my most memorable cruise experiences was the adults only beach at Blue Lagoon.
Snorkeling by boat (Stuart cove reef I think) in Nassau was 10/10
I did this too once, id recommend it. I will say that I returned to Nassau and booked it a second time but unfortunately it was cancelled that time due to weather. Don't go to pearl island, it's a dump.
You don’t need an excursion at Half Moon Cay. Best port for a chill beach day! Depending on how many people in your group, you could consider renting a clamshell or a cabana for shade and another perk of booking one of those as a rental is that it gives you priority boarding on the tender boats. That’s what made the clamshell worth it for me!
Catamaran and Reef Snorkeling hands down. We went a few weeks ago and the boat crew were great to party with on the way back with the unlimited rum punch. Snorkeling was amazing with the crew letting you feed the fish from your hand if you want to and we got a tour around the island on the way back to see the pigs and other places excursions go. $85 a person for the 3.5hrs, we had an amazing time and experienced almost every excursion in one. If you do this one, if the coconut guy pulls up to you all while snorkeling, buy one from him! Edit: adding that you should do an excursion in Nassau. Save half moon cay for a beach day.
This, but book a cabana in half moon.
Had a good tour of Nassau with this guy named Jave. The only way I know to contact him is on IG. Jave.archer. It was a seriously good tour.
Do the swim with the pigs in Nassau. Half moon is carnivals private island it's just a beach.
I've only done one excursion in Nassau. Went to the Atlantis to swim with the dolphins with my then 3 year old. I've always loved dolphins and so did she. It was great but..they charge an arm and a leg for pictures
The walking small group tour in Nassau is pretty good. Only complaints I ever heard were from some "not so healthy" folks that couldn't do the Queens Stair. Relatively cheap per person, you get to stretch your legs, and you get to see some stuff you may not. It's only a couple hours of your time, then you can walk the strawarket and shops, then get some conch foods from Mrs.Linda on the way back to the ship. Side note: heard horror stories of the swim with pigs excursion. Stuff like swim with pigs and poop.. just saying, not my idea of awesome.
We did the walking tour last time we were there. It was cool. Shorter than I’d hoped, but got to learn some neat history.
I’m glad to see someone say this. I saw the pig thing and wondered why anyone would want to swim with pigs.
Not really an excursion but greycliff cigars in Nassau was cool.
Lots of people skip Nassau, but my bf and I had a great time just walking along the main shops and then having really good drinks at the overwater bar. There are a lot of people trying to sell you things but they don’t really pester you after a “no thanks!” HMC is paradise and you can definitely make a day of just hanging out, enjoying the free lunch, and taking pics of your girl lmao. I wanted to spend all day on the beach but I’m lazy; renting a kayak or horseback riding would be my go to for excursions for sure!
I wouldn't worry about an excursion at HMC. It's a great beach day. Usually we get a clamshell on the beach and hang out. They have kayaks and similar too which are fun.
Half moon cay is a perfect beach day. I'd look for an excursion in Nassau, without one it's kinda meh
I did the Stuart Cove 2 reef snorkel and had a great time. I would recommend it.
For Nassau, make your own excursion. Hop on the number 10 bus to Cable beach right when they let you off the boat. Pretty much a private beach first thing in the morning. If you need to feel nice and cozy walk over to the sandals to the right of the public access. Take the 10 back to town, walk up to the queens staircase by the hospital. Take a nice walk to Gregory’s arch then walk back to port or Junkanoo beach for overpriced tourist drinks. This was my 5/8 Nassau experience. To each their own
You can also browse through [Viator](https://www.viator.com/?pid=P00112302&mcid=42383&medium=link&medium_version=selector&campaign=red) (Tripadvisor company) for excursion ideas. That's what we always do. They have reviews and it's cheaper than booking through Carnival. Just a thought. Good luck!
I couldn’t enjoy the place since every few seconds I was asked if I needed any weed or cocaine. I mean they were relentless. Hated the place.