If you’re traveling on a Norwegian Cruise Line ship in the Caribbean Sea, there’s a good chance you will visit Harvest Caye, which is a private island owned by the cruise line. Located just off the coast of Southern Belize, the island paradise offers NCL guests stunning natural beauty, relaxation, and plenty of opportunities for adventure.
In This Article:
Where Is Harvest Caye?
Harvest Caye is located just 1.5 miles south of the Placencia Peninsula along the southeast coast of Belize. As mentioned, Harvest Caye is only accessible to ships belonging to Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL).
Thanks to a single pier that stretches out from the northern tip of the island, NCL cruise ships can dock directly at this 75-acre oasis rather than using tender boats.
While the pier can only accommodate one cruise ship at a time, it allows guests to disembark much more easily and get the most out of their time there.
Thanks in part to its convenient location along the Caribbean Sea, twelve ships from Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet regularly list a port of call visit to Harvest Caye in their itineraries.
Beach, Pool & Relaxation
While the island of Harvest Caye is stunning, it has much more to offer than just gorgeous scenery. The first time I visited, I assumed it would look like any other cruise port in the Caribbean, but there are actually so many unique things to do and see.
In fact, I almost felt like I didn’t have enough time to do everything I wanted, which is why knowing what to expect is so useful for first-time visitors.
To make it easier for you to get the most out of your visit, I will break down Harvest Caye’s main highlights, starting with its picture-perfect beach.
The Beach
The well-maintained white-sand beach spans a full 7 acres, making it the perfect location if you’re hoping to soak up the sun.
I absolutely loved the beachside cabanas, which can accommodate up to six guests at a time. And if lounging on a comfy cabana and listening to the waves isn’t enough, optional concierge food and beverage services are available.
Do yourself a favor and order a round of your favorite rum cocktails right to your cabana—it’s the ultimate way to indulge and unwind.
For those looking to keep costs down, plenty of complimentary beach loungers are available. The beach is also lined with ample private, air-conditioned bathrooms.
Like any good Caribbean beach, it is fully lined with shady palm trees, and the water is a beautiful turquoise. Whether you want to take a quick nap or splash around in the water, Harvest Caye’s beach is something you won’t want to miss.
The Lagoon and Marina
A partially enclosed saltwater lagoon is also the perfect venue for trying out watersports. I tried paddle boarding for the first time, but you can also rent electric float boats, sea kayaks, and snorkeling gear.
Just beyond the lagoon, you’ll also find a large marina hosting a food and bar area. This is also where you can book some of the many shore excursions on offer at Harvest Caye, like the above-mentioned watersports experiences, fishing trips, and parasailing.
The Resort-Style Swimming Pool
One of the island’s other major attractions is a 15,000-square-foot pool, which features a swim-up bar, a man-made waterfall, and complimentary access for all visitors. The swim-up bar was the main highlight for me, as it gave me the full resort experience that is sometimes missing from a cruise vacation.
Read Also: Cruise vs All-Inclusive Resort: Choosing Your Dream Getaway
If swimming isn’t your thing, there are plenty of shaded areas surrounding the pool and plenty of lounge chairs. If you’re traveling with children, the pool area is perfect.
Relaxation Vibes
I know I just said the beach is one of my favorite things about visiting Harvest Caye, but what really has me wanting to go back is how relaxing the entire experience is.
For starters, I found navigating the entire island really easy. With clear signage and a well-planned layout, exploring is a stress-free experience. It’s also well-staffed, which might explain why the entire island feels so clean and organized.
From strolling through the shopping village to finding bathroom facilities, everything just seemed straightforward, giving the island a really relaxing and inviting atmosphere.
While I definitely love experiencing different cultures and the more authentic experience I get when visiting Caribbean towns, visiting Harvest Caye is just easy. Plus, it’s totally safe, which isn’t something that can be taken for granted in that part of the world.
Things to Do in Harvest Caye
While relaxation is certainly a theme at Harvest Caye, that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to do on the island. Again, to help you properly plan your visit, here are the main highlights:
Adventure Activities
If you’re looking for excitement, the zip line experience offered at the 136-foot-high Flighthouse isn’t something you’ll want to miss. With 3,000 feet of zip line ropes available, it’s an amazing experience and a great way to see everything the island has to offer from above.
If you’re not feeling quite up to the full zip-lining experience, or you just want to save a few bucks, I’d still highly recommend climbing the Flighthouse, as there’s a free observation deck that’s definitely worth checking out. You can even see the mainland from there on a clear day!
Wildlife Experiences
While Harvest Caye definitely has a well-manicured look and feel, the island still offers plenty for nature lovers hoping to enjoy the natural ecosystem and wildlife.
The lagoon is home to a huge variety of tropical fish and turtle species, as well as plenty of sea birds in the trees that surround it.
Visiting the aviary allows you to view toucans and parrots, which are both native to the island. You can also explore the Blue Morpho Butterfly Garden, a sanctuary facility housing numerous species of butterflies, including the enormous Blue Morpho, for which the building is named.
Water Sports
The island’s natural saltwater lagoon is the perfect spot to try a variety of water sports. There are marked off areas where visitors can snorkel and scuba dive in the clear waters.
As well as calm waters for paddleboarding and kayaking. For adrenaline junkies, the jet ski rentals can also be found on the north side of the lagoon, but there are speed limits in the lagoon itself, so visitors will do most of their jet skiing beyond the lagoon.
Personally, I found paddleboarding to be one of the highlights of my entire vacation. It was a new experience for me and a truly peaceful way to experience the island’s natural beauty.
Plus, it was a bit of a workout, which made me feel less guilty about eating an enormous burger on the rooftop patio at LandShark Bar & Grill afterwards.
Excursions Beyond the Island
If you’re interested in exploring the mainland, Harvest Caye almost serves as a sort of gateway to the culture and natural beauty Belize has to offer.
In fact, NCL even offers a ferry from Harvest Caye to Placencia. A round-trip journey costs $25, which was a bit of a disappointment, given that I assumed it would be complimentary, but it’s definitely worth it if you want a more authentic island experience.
Worth Reading: Great Stirrup Cay – A Full Overview of NCL’s Private Island
Like any excursions offered at Harvest Caye, you can purchase your ferry tickets before you arrive by visiting the excursion desk on your cruise ship. With a hard limit of only 400 tickets available per day, booking ahead of time is definitely a good idea if you want to explore beyond the island.
While the ferry is the most budget-friendly way to venture off the island, there are numerous excursions offered through NCL that will take you beyond Harvest Caye, including guided trips to Mayan ruins, river tubing adventures, and ATV tours to Cayo’s many waterfalls.
Tips for Making the Most of Your Visit
It may be a relatively small island, but you’ll enjoy your visit to Harvest Caye so much more if you plan ahead. Here are a few tips I wish I knew the first time I visited the island:
Bring Cash
Although NCL operates Harvest Caye as a cashless port, meaning you can make most purchases using your cruise card, having some cash available for the local vendors in the shopping village is a great idea.
With locals from the mainland selling authentic, hand-made Belizean goods, you won’t want to find yourself without cash if you spot a souvenir you want.
Plan Your Meals
Unfortunately, NCL’s onboard dining and beverage packages do not extend to the island. If you want to eat or drink at venues like the LandShark Bar & Grill, plan for additional costs.
Book Excursions Ahead of Time
You’ll want to book your excursions before you get to the island, especially if you plan on going to the mainland. Spots are limited, and they tend to fill up quickly.
I’d even recommend booking your excursions as soon as you board your cruise ship if you want to ensure you have the experience you envision.
Arrive at the Beach and Pool Early
While the beach and the pool have plenty of loungers, shaded areas are somewhat limited. Knowing this, you’ll also want to bring sunscreen with you, especially if you are visiting with small children.
Speaking of kids, all the paths and walkways are paved, so you can bring strollers or scooters. In fact, you can even rent a golf cart if you want to explore the island in the most convenient way possible.
See You at Harvest Caye!
Harvest Caye offers a unique blend of relaxation and adventure. While it lacks some of the more authentic cultural experiences you’ll find elsewhere in the Caribbean, the pristine beach, natural lagoon, huge swimming pool, and simplified layout make it an amazing place to visit.
