20+ Tips & Things to Know for Harvest Caye — NCL’s Private Island

Is your cruise headed to Harvest Caye? If you’re headed on a Norwegian cruise to the western Caribbean, chances are good your ship will stop here. 

The cruise line’s private destination is one of the nicest in the Caribbean, with a number of of things to see and do… without having to spend a fortune or go very far.

Harvest Caye sits at the southern end of Belize, about 50 miles north of the border between Guatemala and Honduras. And while it is an island, it sits only about a mile from the mainland and roughly five miles from the town of Placencia, Belize.

The island itself measures just about a mile long and only about 400 feet wide at most points. In other words, it’s easy for most people to walk anywhere in just a few minutes (and be prepared to do plenty of walking!). However, if you just want to hang out under a palm tree or take a dip in the pool, then you can do that too.

Here are more details of everything to know about NCL’s Harvest Caye, including things to tips, things to know, and what to do…

Map of Harvest Caye

As you can see, everything on the island is within walking distance. What’s not shown is the ship, which is just off the left side of the map. In fact, there is a considerable walk (about 1,500 feet) from the ship to the actual island. There are carts shuttling people back and forth constantly if you don’t want to walk it. 

The main focal points on Harvest Caye are the areas around the pool and the beginning of the beach (areas 4 & 8 in the map above. Here you’ll find the most people while crowds get thinner the farther away from here you get.

The most distinguishable landmark on the island is the lighthouse, which towers over the landscape. The lighthouse is actually the signature of the zipline course that runs across the island. If you decide to do this adventure, you’ll get to ride from the lighthouse across the beach (see below).

Other points of interest include the city/shopping area, the wildlife reserve, and the marina. More details on those below.

Full List of Things to Do on Harvest Caye

For such a small island, there are a surprising number of things to do. As you might expect, most of the activities revolve around the pool and beach, but there is really something for everybody.

Swimming Pool (Free)
Located just as you walk off the ship’s pier and in the heart of the island, there is the swimming pool. It’s a large resort-style pool with lots of bends and turns, a bridge with waterfall, swim-up bar, a gently-sloping shallow kids area, and hundreds of chairs/umbrellas for you to lounge. The pool is the heartbeat of Harvest Caye, and you’ll find the most cruise passengers spending their time here. Pool cabanas are available for rent for $349 per day, but other than that, it’s free to use.

Beach (Free)
Across from the pool is a scalloped cove of the beach that runs for hundreds of feet. There are ample lounges and umbrellas, as well as shaded “clamshell” covers that you can rent for $45 for the day. Along the beach there are lifeguards posted, and there are a number of beach games like volleyball.

The closer you are to the pool (near the start of the beach), the more people you’ll find. The crowds thin as you walk down the beach. One more thing, the water isn’t the best. Visibility can be iffy, and don’t expect the electric blue color you might find elsewhere in the Caribbean.

Zipline (Paid)
If there’s a signature things to do on Harvest Caye, it has to be the zipline. During our stop people were constantly soaring through the air on the course that zig-zags around the island. The most exciting run goes from the lighthouse, over the beach, and across the water. Person after person flew by on this route… all seeming to have the time of their lives. The zipline costs between $65-$75, depending on the route you want to take.

Paddleboarding/Kayaking (Paid)
On the backside of the island is a calm area of water that features a number of bends and turns for guests to use stand-up paddleboard or kayaks. The area is roped off from the surrounding water (so you don’t have to worry about taking a wrong turn into the open water). It’s also a bit out of the way so you can feel like you’re out on your own without going far. The cost for renting a kayak or paddleboard is $35/$29.

Beach Villa (Paid)
Sometimes you just want to relax… in style. There is a section of Harvest Caye’s beach that is roped off and available only to guests staying in the handful of private beach villas. Here you have everything you could want, including your own cabana with air conditioning, loungers, daybeds, facilities, and more. The cost is steep — $799 for the day. Still, if you want to ensure you have your own comfortable spot away from all the other cruise passengers, this is your ticket.

Shopping
If you’ve never been on a cruise, then you might be surprised at how much shopping is promoted and encouraged on the ship and on shore. Harvest Caye is no different. In the “town” section of the island there are a number of souvenir stands and shops selling everything from small trinkets to bamboo bed sheets. 

Wildlife Experience (Free)
On Harvest Caye is a small “Wildlife Experience” for guests. Inside there is a butterfly exhibit, a boa constrictor, and two aviaries with a toucan and scarlet macaws. The entire area is free but only takes about five minutes to walk through. If you’re looking for a calm shady spot to sit down, it’s a great idea to get away from the buzz of the rest of the island.

Kids Splash Area (Free)
If you have smaller kids, check out the splash area. With tons of contraptions spraying water in every direction, it is one of the most impressive splash pads we’ve seen. Kids are sure to get wet and have a blast without having to worry about the depth of the pool or the ocean’s waves at the beach. Best of all, it’s free to play.

Off-Island Excursions (Paid)
While you could certainly spend your entire day on the island of Harvest Caye, there are a number of excursions that take you to see the other sights in Belize. Some ideas include river tubing, barrier reef snorkeling, fishing, and more. If you plan to go on an excursion, expect to spend between $70-$140 per person.

Places to Eat & Drink in Harvest Caye

Of course, a big part of cruise life is the food. Unlike other private islands run by cruise lines, Norwegian doesn’t supply food on Harvest Caye. That means you’ll need to bring money and purchase anything you want to eat. You can also head back to the ship for lunch if you don’t want to pay.

Harvest Caye Bar & Grill
If you eat on the island, it’s a good chance it will be at Harvest Caye Bar & Grill. Sitting poolside (there is even a bar that serves you in the pool), the multi-story restaurant is right in the heart of everything. It offers all your favorite drinks, and the food is traditional American fare.

As with all food on the island, the prices are a little high (about $12-18 for an entree), and made higher by a 12.5% tax and a 20% service charge that’s tacked onto your bill. So a $13 cheeseburger is actually more than $17.

Flighthouse Bar & Grill
Down the beach a little (and nearer to the lighthouse), the Flighthouse was another popular spot to sit and have a drink and a bite to eat. It features all your favorite beach drinks (pina coladas, margaritas, etc.) As for food, its tropical bar eats with some BBQ options, ceviche, burgers, nachos, and chicken baskets.

Manta Ray’s
The smallest bar and restaurant on the island, Manta Ray’s is also the least busy in our experience. It sits near the end of the island by the private villas. Here you can sit at the bar looking out over the water or even dine with your feet in the sand. The drink menu is as you would expect with everything from soda to beer (including local brews) to rum drinks and more. The food is a mix of burgers and salads, with local snacks like plantains and ceviche.

Mahogany Grill
Away from most of the buzz of the pool and beach, the Manatee Bar is a large complex sitting near the marina on the other side of the island. You can find your favorites here, including Belize’s own Lighthouse Lager if you want to sample the local brew.

Tips On Visiting Harvest Caye, Belize

If it’s your first time to visit the island with Norwegian, then there are some things to know to make your trip more enjoyable.

Bring Cash and/or a Credit Card
We’d suggest bring cash (U.S. dollars are accepted) and leave the credit card on the ship. Either way, just know that your shipboard account doesn’t work at restaurants and bars on Harvest Caye, so you can’t charge things to the room. Instead, you’ll pay for anything you want out of pocket, so be sure to bring some moolah to shop and eat.

The Wildlife Experience is a Great Place to Find Shade
If you want to chill out for a few, there are a number of shady spots to sit for a moment around the island. That said, we found the Wildlife Experience to be the shadiest and there are several benches where you can stop and rest a while. If you are simply wanting to cool off and get out of the sun, there’s no better spot.

Take a Picture With the Belize Sign
Located near the marina, the “Belize” sign was installed for an Instagram-worthy spot to take a vacation photo. It’s one of the best spots on Harvest Caye to grab a souvenir snapshot, and it’s also free. We suggest checking it out after a couple of hours on the island. The line to grab a photo was 20 people deep when we first arrived.

Stake Out a Spot by the Pool Early
If you know you want to hang out by the pool, then we suggest staking out your spot early in the day (when you first arrive). The pool is a popular spot and while there is plenty of seating, the best spots go early. Get there early if you want a good seat.

The Pool Isn’t Heated
The pool is large and inviting, but just know that it’s not heated. If you visit during the winter months, it will still be warm enough to swim, but it might be a little bit of a shock when you first get in. As well, the ocean water can be chilly as well. It’s still better than trying to stay warm back home!

Lockers Are For Rent
Around the island you’ll see several locker stands that have a couple of dozen spots for people to rent. The cost is just a few bucks. For the price you get the use of the locker all day and are given a key to let you access it when you need to do so.

Beach Wheelchairs Are Available
Have someone with mobility issues? There are beach wheelchairs with large inflated wheels that you will find around the island. These make is possible for people who can’t walk through sand to still get a chance to enjoy the beach.

Rides Are Available Up and Down the Pier
To get to Harvest Caye, there’s a lengthy walk from the ship down a long pier. If you have mobility issues, don’t fret. There are carts that run the length of the pier, picking up and dropping off passengers between the ship and the shore. If you walk the pier, just be sure you stay on your side of the walkway to let the carts pass. In fact, the people riding carts can well outnumber the walkers.

There is a 12.5% Tax and 20% Service Charge at Restaurants
As we mentioned above, food and drink on Harvest Caye is pricey. List prices for most beers are $7. A burger and fries can cost $13. On top of that, however, is an additional 12.5% tax and then another 20% for a service charge (in place of a tip). In other words, a $10 cocktail on the menu will actually cost you $13.25 all told.

Go Down the Beach for Smaller Crowds
The area around the pool and the head of the beach can get busy both in people and noise (music by the pool is usually playing). If you want to go somewhere quieter — or just want a beachfront lounger — then just walk down the beach a little bit. Crowds quickly thin and you can find a spot all your own beneath a palm tree. 

Bring Your Towel From the Ship
Like most ports, even though this one is a private destination of NCL, you’re still expected to bring a towel from ship. Don’t go ashore expecting them to be there waiting for you. Just grab one from the pool deck (or they are usually checked out on the gangway just before you leave) and you’ll be good to go. 

Have more questions about Harvest Caye? Let us know in the comments below and we’ll do our best to answer them.

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