When your ship docks at Harvest Caye, Belize, you’re not stepping into mainland Belize. You’re arriving at Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island. It’s their resort-style stop in the Western Caribbean, complete with a massive pool, long beach, and enough activities to fill your day off the ship.
I first visited Harvest Caye not long after it opened, and honestly, I didn’t hate it. It was clean, safe, and easy — a pleasant, if curated, way to spend the day relaxing or engaging in activities. More recently, I returned aboard the NCL Getaway, curious to see what had changed (and maybe to grab a few bars of my favorite MOHO chocolate). This time, we split our day between exploring the island and heading out on a snorkeling excursion booked through the ship.
Here’s what to know about Harvest Caye before you step off the ship.
What is Harvest Caye, Belize?
Harvest Caye is Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island in southern Belize, built to feel like a resort-style beach destination. It’s one of NCL’s private ports, similar to Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas, but with its own setup and rules. The island is also shared with Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas, which are part of the same cruise family. Only one ship docks at Harvest Caye each day, so it never feels overcrowded.
It’s not your typical cruise line private island. Think less “all-inclusive beach day,” more resort stop in Belize. Once you step off the ship, you’re technically outside the NCL bubble. That means your cruise card and NCL drink package are not valid here. Food, drinks, and activities are all pay-as-you-go, and you’ll need cash or a credit card for any purchases. Access to the beach, pool, and basic amenities is still included.
The island has a wide beach, a massive pool with a swim-up bar, a few restaurants and shops, and options for excursions to mainland Belize. It’s clearly designed for cruisers, but it’s staffed by locals from Belize who ferry over daily to work at the bars, restaurants, and activity centers. So your spending still supports the local economy.
It’s also worth mentioning that Harvest Caye is not the same as Little Harvest Caye, a separate private island nearby that’s available for private rentals.
What’s Included at Harvest Caye
Once you step off the ship, you’ll walk a long pier to reach the island. When we visited, the covers were off, and it was a brutally hot walk under the sun. Based on recent cruiser reports, the coverings are back, though the misting fans from our very first visit years ago haven’t returned. It’s still a good idea to bring a hat, sunscreen, and water for the walk.
If you’d rather not walk, golf carts run along the pier throughout the day to take guests to and from the ship. There’s no charge to ride, but tipping the driver is appreciated.
After that short trek, you’ll have full access to the island’s main amenities without paying extra. Here’s what’s included for all NCL guests:
- Use of the beach and loungers
- Access to the large resort-style pool with a swim-up bar
- Restrooms, showers, and changing areas
- Nature center and wildlife exhibits (butterfly garden and aviary)
- Splash park and play areas for kids
What’s not included:
- Lockers: Used to be free, but now cost $5
- Food and drinks: Expect resort-style pricing, with lunch plates ranging from $12 to $18 and cocktails priced from $10 to $12.
- Cabanas or villas: Available for an extra fee and book up early. Clamshell loungers run about $45 a day, while pool cabanas start around $350.
- Excursions and water activities: Options such as kayaking, zip-lining, and snorkeling are available for an additional cost.
Unlike Great Stirrup Cay, where lunch is included as part of the cruise fare, Harvest Caye operates more like a standalone resort. You’ll pay out of pocket for food and drinks, and your onboard drink package doesn’t apply here either.
Things to Do in Harvest Caye
How you spend your day at Harvest Caye depends on what kind of port day you’re after. You can relax at the beach or pool, or spend a little more to join one of NCL’s paid activities and excursions.
The Beach
The beach at Harvest Caye is long, clean, and lined with free loungers and umbrellas. Clam shell loungers are available for rent and can be reserved upon arrival—handy if you want shade without paying cabana prices. The sand’s on the coarse side, so water shoes will keep you comfortable while walking around and getting in the water.
The water stays calm and shallow, making it great for floating or letting kids play, and lifeguards are on duty throughout the day. You’ll also find beach volleyball courts nearby if you want to stay active.
If you bring snorkel gear, you can explore near the shore, though there’s not much to see beyond sand and a few small shells. For proper snorkeling, you’ll need to book a tour that leaves the island.
Rinse stations are conveniently located between the beach and pool areas, making it easy to wash off sand before heading to lunch or the pool.
The Pool
The resort-style pool is one of the island’s main attractions, and it is massive. It’s a 15,000-square-foot pool with a swim-up bar, waterfall features, and plenty of servers taking drink orders. The area fills up quickly, so arrive early to secure a good chair.
There are misting fans set up around the pool, which help a bit on those hot Belize afternoons. Lifeguards are on duty, and the pool features a zero-entry area that makes it easier for children and individuals with mobility issues to enter and exit comfortably. You’ll also find ping-pong tables and shaded seating nearby if you need a break from the sun.
Pool cabanas are available for rent, offering shade and a quieter spot away from the crowds. They start around $350 per day and often book up early.
Paid Activities and Excursions
If you want to do more than lounge, you’ll find several paid options available through NCL or at the activity stands on the island.
Some of the most popular include:
- Zip line course across the beach and lagoon
- Kayak and paddleboard rentals in the lagoon area
- Parasailing for a bird’s-eye view of the island
- Jet ski rentals
- Wildlife encounters and guided nature walks
- Snorkeling tours that take you off the island
- Mainland excursions such as river tubing, Mayan ruins, or cultural tours in Belize
Ferry to Placencia
If you want to visit the mainland, there’s a ferry from Harvest Caye to Placencia Village. Tickets can be purchased onboard at the shore excursions desk or directly at the marina on the island. The ferry runs on a set schedule coordinated with the ship’s port time, so you’ll make it back well before departure.
This isn’t a full-day independent excursion — it’s simply a way to explore Placencia’s small beach town, walk around, grab lunch, or shop before heading back to the island.
Wildlife and Nature Center
For a slower-paced experience, walk through the small wildlife area located near the center of the island. The butterfly garden, aviary, and reptile exhibits are all free to visit and run by locals from Belize. It’s not a stop for the whole day, but it’s worth walking through.
The butterfly exhibit is a short, shaded walkthrough, and staff may remind you to check for any “hitchhiking” butterflies before you leave.
Family Areas
Families will find plenty to do with the splash pad, playground, and shallow beach areas. The splash pad is free and conveniently located near restrooms and lockers, making quick changes easier. The island is easy to navigate, stroller-friendly, and has clean bathrooms and locker areas throughout.
Read more: Best Beach Drinks That Never Fail
Food and Drinks
Food and drinks at Harvest Caye are not included in your cruise fare, and your NCL drink package doesn’t work here. Once you step off the ship, payment is accepted only in cash or by credit card.
You’ll find a few options around the island:
- LandShark Bar & Grill: The main restaurant near the pool, run by Margaritaville. It serves burgers, fried shrimp, nachos, tacos, and frozen drinks. The atmosphere is lively, especially when there’s music playing by the pool.
- LandShark Bar (swim-up): Connected to the main pool area. You can order cocktails, beer, and soft drinks without leaving the water.
- Flight House Bar & Grill: Located closer to the beach and zip line tower. A convenient stop if you’re lounging by the ocean and don’t feel like walking back toward the pool area.
- Beach bars and snack stands: Scattered throughout the island, these sell frozen cocktails, local beer, and light bites (chips, fries, and wraps).
- MOHO Chocolate shop (Shopping Village): MOHO Chocolate shop (Shopping Village) – A small stand featuring Belizean-made chocolate bars. During our visit, we purchased 3 bars for $20. You’ll also find hot chocolate here. Note: Prices are subject to change, so please verify upon arrival.
The first time we stopped for lunch, we ordered fried shrimp and plantains topped with pico de gallo and cotija cheese. It was decent, though I would’ve loved to see more local Belizean dishes on the menu. On our second visit, we stopped by for a quick bite, and while the restaurant wasn’t nearly as busy as before, the food quality didn’t quite match the price. Most of the menu still leans toward what NCL assumes cruisers want—safe, familiar resort-style meals.
Drink prices are about what you’d expect from a resort, usually around $10–$15 USD for cocktails, with beer and sodas costing less. Sometimes they’ll have a 2-for-1 margarita deal, but it’s not guaranteed.
If you’re trying to save money, you can always head back to the ship for lunch. Just remember it’s a long, hot walk down the pier and through security again.
And a quick tip: close out your tab with your server before leaving. On our first visit, we saw a group walk off without paying, and the poor server had to cover it.
Money-saving tip: If you don’t want to spend extra on food, you can head back to the ship for lunch. Apart from the buffet, the onboard restaurants, such as The Local or O’Sheehan’s, are usually open for most of the day.
Tips for Visiting
Here are a few things worth knowing before spending the day at Harvest Caye.
- Bring towels from the ship. NCL doesn’t provide towels on the island. Grab them before you disembark and return them once you’re back on board to avoid being charged.
- Bring cash or a credit card. Your NCL key card won’t work on the island, and the drink package doesn’t apply here.
- Pack sunscreen, a hat, and water. The pier is uncovered, and the Belize sun is intense.
- Arrive early to secure a good spot at the pool or on the beach, as chairs fill up quickly.
- Use the golf cart if the heat gets intense. They only run along the pier between the ship and the island, not throughout Harvest Caye. The ride is free, but bring a few dollars to tip the driver.
- Book excursions in advance. Zip line and snorkeling tours tend to sell out quickly.
- If you rent a cabana or villa, reserve it well in advance. They’re limited and go quickly on full ships.
- Bring your own snorkel gear if you plan to explore near shore. The water is calm, but the marine life near the beach is limited.
- Lockers are available for a small fee. They used to be free, but that’s changed. You’ll find them near the pool and beach areas, and they’re handy if you plan to swim or do water activities.
- Eat on the ship if you’re watching costs. The included restaurants on board, like The Local (or O’Sheehan’s on older ships), are open most of the day. It’s an easy way to skip paying island prices for lunch.
- Check the last all-aboard time. It’s easy to lose track, especially if you’re relaxing at the pool.
- Mail a Postcard from Harvest Caye: There’s a real mailbox on the island, and you can buy postcards and stamps right at one of the souvenir shops. We mailed a few during our visit — it’s a fun little keepsake, even if they take their sweet time getting home.
- Don’t expect authentic Belizean food or culture. Harvest Caye is designed for comfort and convenience, rather than immersion in the local culture.
Is Harvest Caye Worth Getting Off the Ship For?
It depends on the kind of port day you want. Some cruisers stay on board to enjoy a quieter ship, while others head out to relax on the beach or by the pool, which is far larger and more spacious than anything on the ship.
Man-made island or not, it’s still a safe, easy place to unwind for a few hours. You can spend the morning floating in the pool, grab a drink at one of the beach bars, or take an excursion in the afternoon.
Harvest Caye is what you make of it, and it’s worth stepping off the ship to see it for yourself. Personally, I’d get off just to buy my stash of MOHO chocolate — priorities.
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Meet Kathy Ava, a food, travel, and cruise writer based in Los Angeles/Pasadena, and the owner and main writer of Tasty Itinerary. With over 20 years of experience planning trips and logistics at her full-time job and for herself, she’s become a pro at crafting unforgettable tasty itineraries. She’s always on the hunt for delicious, fun travel destinations and cruise itineraries. She firmly believes that life is short and we must make the most of it, so always say yes to dessert.
