What to Do in Harvest Caye Belize with Little Kids
Cruising to Harvest Caye, Belize? Learn more about this Norwegian Cruise line port and some of the options of what to do in the Harvest Caye Belize cruise port with little kids.
Our family of five just got back from our first family cruise, and had an incredible time. One of our favorite days was spent on Harvest Caye, Belize.
Located off the southern coast of Belize, Harvest Caye is NCL’s private island, meaning it’s only accessible to those who cruise on Norwegian. This 75-acre oasis is incredible!
With a 7-acre beach area, multiple shore excursions, an expansive pool with swim-up bar, as well as a separate splash pad with kid-friendly water slide, this small island is the perfect destination if you love a good beach day.
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What do you do at Harvest Caye?
Unlike some other cruise line private islands, Harvest Caye has its own pier. This means you don’t need to use tenders to go back and forth from the ship.
While the walk from the pier to the main part of the island can be a little bit long, it wasn’t hard for our crew and nearly the entire way is covered. They also offer free shuttles to and from the ship via golf cart, which we took advantage of on the way back as we were wiped out from the sun.
Harvest Caye is a private island beach day! You can choose to enjoy the day on the beach or pool, check out one of the island attractions, or even opt to stay on the ship and have the place to yourself.
Harvest Caye Activities for Families
Our family absolutely loved our time on Harvest Caye, and were firmly in the “do nothing on the island” category. With three kids 6 and under, we played in the splash pad, built sand castles on the beach and swam in the beautiful ocean. Harvest Caye also has a swim up pool bar with waterfall, which we didn’t get to enjoy this time but look forward to when our kids are older.
Beach access is free, unless you want to pay extra for a cabana or a clamshell cover. The private cabanas can accommodate up to 6 people and feature concierge food and beverage service, while the clamshell covers include two loungers.
I recommend disembarking from the ship early to grab the best located loungers, which are first come first served! There are a handful of umbrellas that are positioned among the beach chairs, which go extremely fast.
However, there are hundreds of beach chairs up for grabs. You can grab loungers on the beach by the pool or splash pad, and easily go from the pool to the beach and back again.
If you want to explore more of the island, or sitting at the beach all day drives you nuts, there’s also plenty of activities to choose from (keep in mind that each is an additional cost). Harvest Caye has a nature preserve, butterfly farm and animal rehabilitation center with exotic birds and small animals, as well as the opportunity to snorkel the world’s second largest barrier reef.
Older kids might be interested in trying parasailing, wave runners or the zip line and ropes course with suspension bridges. In the salt water lagoon you can check out stand-up paddle boarding, kayaks available for rent and solar powered 2 person boats. There’s also tons of shopping opportunities (with air conditioning) in Harvest Caye’s shopping village, with popular name-brand retailers as well as local Belizean crafts and souvenir shops.
We also heard from other guests that you can purchase ferry tickets from the Harvest Caye cruise port to the mainland of Belize.
What to Eat and Drink in Harvest Caye
Harvest Caye offers a variety of places to eat and drink in the large marina with food and bar area. However, it’s important to know that the beverage package does not work on the island, and food and drinks can be a bit pricey.
Instead, our family loaded up our insulated water bottles with plenty of ice and cold water, and mom & dad filled our own bottles with some mixed drinks before disembarking. We brought these great reusable snack bags and filled them with nuts and dried fruit, and made sandwiches for a free lunch from the available spread on the morning buffet.
What is Included at Harvest Caye
While Harvest Caye is part of the cruise itinerary for some Norwegian cruises, there are additional expenses associated with many of the options. All food and drinks purchased on Harvest Caye are an extra charge. All excursions are an additional charge as well.
Beach access and pool access are free, as are the majority of the lounge chairs. The splash pad and kids water slide is also free.
Our family had a great time doing only free things!
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Tips for the Best Harvest Caye Experience with Young Kids
Harvest Caye can be an incredible day for your family to explore a little of this Caribbean destination. These tips are based on our family’s own visit and experience there.
Be Prepared for the Harvest Caye Weather
It’s important to know that Harvest Caye will almost always be extremely hot while you’re there, and the sun is incredibly strong. Be sure you and your kiddos regularly reapply sunblock, and keep your UV shirts and hats on to reduce the risk of sunburn.
Keep Hydrated
Again, it’s incredibly hot in Belize, and very easy to become dehydrated. Make sure you and your children are drinking enough water. If you didn’t bring any from the ship, there are multiple places on the island where you can purchase beverages.
I recommend families always travel with at least once insulated water bottle per person on a cruise. My kids use 13 ounce bottles, while my husband and I use 30 ounce ones for water.
I also always bring an insulated tumbler with a handle for mixed drinks. I discovered this cup carrier/purse and it makes it really easy to walk around with it!
Pack a Few Extras
The pier and paths are paved on Harvest Caye. If you have young children, bring a stroller! You don’t need a fancy travel stroller; even a cheap umbrella stroller will come in handy.
If you have the space, a collapsible insulated cooler is a game changer for days like this. You can fill it with plenty of water and snacks from the ship, and fill a few freezer bags with ice before disembarking. It will stay cold, and you can enjoy the island without having to spend any extra money on food and drinks!
Whether you choose to check out the Mayan ruins or another shore excursion, snorkel the coral reefs or wander the wildlife sanctuary and view the diverse ecology, spend time in the shopping area, seek out water sports, or prefer to park your bottom among the white sand and palm trees like our family, the natural beauty of Harvest Caye makes this private island destination one you don’t want to miss.
One thing to note is that southern Belize does have a rainy season. Our family visited in mid-February. Be sure to check departure dates for your own trip or NCL’s website for more information about what is available on the island of Harvest cCaye when you want to visit.
Our family can’t wait to get back and check out more of Harvest Caye on a future Norwegian cruise. If you’ve visited this port as Norwegian cruise line passengers, what do you recommend families check out?
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