THE NIŅA, PINTA AND SANTA MARIA had been at sea for over two months the October night the curlews and plovers landed on deck to rest from their migration. Frightened by the sailors the next morning, they took off to the southwest to rejoin their flock, and the captain changed course to follow them, assuming they were heading for nearby land. Four days later, thanks to those tired little birds, the fleet landed in the Bahamas and discovered the New World, changing the course of history.
As Columbus wrote about the Bahamas, "The beauty of these islands surpasses that of any other and as much as the day surpasses the night in splendour." You'll also discover a paradise of bird life and natural wonders when you visit Holland America's private Bahamian island, Half Moon Cay.
The birds of paradise.
The Bahamian National Trust has designated part of Half Moon Cay a wild bird preserve, and when you visit the island you'll be amazed both at its beauty and at the bird life. The island is nine and a half miles in circumference with nine miles of beach (including an exquisite two-mile crescent-shaped beach), an exterior lagoon and an interior lagoon. All but 55 of the island's 2,400 acres are still untouched and unspoiled, leaving plenty of habitat for land and sea birds.
The island is a nesting area for waterfowl including 10,000 sooty terns, noddy terns, 200 pairs of roseate terns, shearwaters and Bahamian pintails. Resident land birds include ospreys, burrowing owls, white-crowned pigeons, Bahama mockingbirds, thick-billed vireos, bananaquits and black-faced grassquits. Even if you're not an avid birder, you'll be captivated by the aerial antics and varied songs of this avian orchestra.
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Where birds of a feather flock together.
Good birding areas on the island include the interior lagoon, the ruins and old sisal fields near West Bay, and the two saline ponds near the north shore. White-tailed tropicbirds nest along the southeast shore.
The area around the lagoon is a common site for several species of waterfowl and wading birds, including egrets, herons, ruddy ducks and Caribbean coots. Take the WaveRunner tour along the island's picturesque shoreline and you're likely to see many of these, as you will if you go flats fishing or on a kayak adventure in Bone Fish Lagoon.
Horseback ride or hike the island's nature trails through the lush broadleaf forest and you're likely to hear the lyrical song of Bahamas mockingbirds and glimpse yellow nectar-loving bananaquits. (You may also see "banana birds" hanging around the island's food pavilion, attempting to live up to their alias, "sugar thief.")
In the hills west of the lagoon, white-crowned pigeons are common. And the rocky southern coast, east of the inlet to the lagoon, is home to burrowing sea birds such as the white-tailed tropicbird, petrel and shearwater, as well as the occasional osprey or belted kingfisher. Other birds common to the area include the thick-billed vireo, stripe-headed tanager, black-faced grassquit and greater Antillean bullfinch.
Some of these birds, like the shearwaters and sooty and brown noddy terns, spend the vast majority of their lives at sea, coming in to land only during the breeding season. Others migrate through, and some make their home here year-round, like the bananaquit.
Above and beyond.
Next time you're snorkeling on Half Moon Cay, take a moment to look up. You may be lucky enough to see a West Indian or North American osprey hovering like a helicopter above the waters, preparing to dive. And if you're parasailing above the island, look alongside you as well as down below - you might discover that you're just one of a number of colorful visitors enjoying the sights, sounds and pleasures of Half Moon Cay.
Half Moon Cay is yours to enjoy on a variety of cruises.
Half Moon Cay was acquired by Holland America Line in 1996. Here guests can experience both natural wonders and enjoy the extensive activities and facilities offered in the 45-acre resort portion of 2,400-acre Little San Salvador Island. Half Moon Cay has received the "Best Private Island" Readers' Choice Award from Porthole Cruise Magazine for four years in a row.
Half Moon Cay is featured on most Holland America Caribbean itineraries and on Panama Canal cruises sailing roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale.
Thanks Ziggy for the information!!!
Have been lucky enough to have visited there 3 or 4 times, but I have never bothered to explore the island, I always head to that fantastic half moon beach and it's powder-like sand that I can sink my tooties into!!!
Last time we were at HMC we did the Eco Tour in a glass bottom boat. I was extremely impressed with the tour and what we got to see. They actually saw all things things from the little boat. We were near the horses,, the stingrays and the aqua trax. It was very beautiful and a great way to see everything that is offered
Hello all. HMC is a stop on our cruise in Oct. and I was thinking of renting a cabana. I've read some reports about a cart or something that will take people to the cabana. Can anyone confirm this? Also, since Mom doesn't walk the greatest and sand would be a challenge, how far are the food and restrooms from the cabanas? One last question. I KNOW she would love the glass bottom boat, but how far is that from the cabanas? If I could get her to the cabana, have a place for her to get to a RR and we could get her food, and MAYBE work in the glass bottom boat, I would be thrilled. Otherwise, she may just stay on the ship. We're on Carnival Fascination, so can't reserve the cabana ahead of time, if I understand correctly. At least they don't come up on my excursions, yet. Any info would be most appreciated. Thanks.
Hello all. HMC is a stop on our cruise in Oct. and I was thinking of renting a cabana. I've read some reports about a cart or something that will take people to the cabana. Can anyone confirm this? Also, since Mom doesn't walk the greatest and sand would be a challenge, how far are the food and restrooms from the cabanas? One last question. I KNOW she would love the glass bottom boat, but how far is that from the cabanas? If I could get her to the cabana, have a place for her to get to a RR and we could get her food, and MAYBE work in the glass bottom boat, I would be thrilled. Otherwise, she may just stay on the ship. We're on Carnival Fascination, so can't reserve the cabana ahead of time, if I understand correctly. At least they don't come up on my excursions, yet. Any info would be most appreciated. Thanks.
Hi Cindy,
There has been many changes since I was there last in Oct. 2006, but from what I have gleaned from others, once your excursions open up online (120 to 90 days before) and you book the cabana, once you get on the ship, speak with the excursions desk, let them know your mothers limitations. The closest cabana was the tan one, it was closest to the bathrooms and food, but you might be able to get food delivered (some ships do this for tips only). They have a golf cart type vehicle that pulls a trailer type section with seats. They will drop you off and then pick you up for the return. Excursions for boats will be back at the tender dock, so will be a walk for her unless they provide a ride on the cart (which they may do as it runs back and forth all day). My best advice is to speak with the excursions desk as soon as you can once on the ship
Others who have been there more recently might be more helpful
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Half Moon Cay
THE NIŅA, PINTA AND SANTA MARIA had been at sea for over two months the October night the curlews and plovers landed on deck to rest from their migration. Frightened by the sailors the next morning, they took off to the southwest to rejoin their flock, and the captain changed course to follow them, assuming they were heading for nearby land. Four days later, thanks to those tired little birds, the fleet landed in the Bahamas and discovered the New World, changing the course of history.
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