The Residents Of Harvest Caye, Belize: A Vibrant Community

Harvest Caye is a privately-owned island in southern Belize, measuring approximately 75 acres. It is exclusively owned by Norwegian Cruise Line and is a popular destination for cruise ship passengers. The island features a variety of attractions, including a large freshwater pool, a saltwater lagoon, a 7-acre beach, and wildlife exhibitions such as a butterfly house. While the exact number of residents is unclear, it is estimated that around 400 NCL employees work on the island.

Harvest Caye is a private island owned by Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line partnered with the Belizean government to develop Harvest Caye, with a focus on supporting the local economy. All the businesses on the island are locally owned, and the staff are locals. The island was constructed using materials sourced locally from Belize, and it features artwork and performances by local artists.

Harvest Caye is a popular destination for Norwegian Cruise Line ships, with many of their routes to Belize including a port of call at the island. The island has its own lagoon, restaurant facilities, and a beautiful beach. It also offers easy access to popular destinations on the mainland, such as ancient Maya cities, national parks, and animal refuges.

Harvest Caye is known for its commitment to eco-friendliness and education about the local wildlife. The island features a nature center called the Harvest Caye Nature Park, which is home to various animals, including birds, butterflies, and boa constrictors. The island also has a butterfly sanctuary and is surrounded by the lush greenery of Central America.

The island provides a unique and authentic Caribbean experience for guests, with locally owned restaurants, amenities, and shopping stores. It offers a range of activities, such as swimming, ziplining, kayaking, and paddleboarding. The beach features white sand made from crushed seashells and warm turquoise blue ocean waters.

Harvest Caye is the only port with a cruise ship pier in Belize, making it convenient for Norwegian cruisers to access the island. The pier is covered to protect guests from the sun, and it takes about 10 minutes to walk from the ship to the island. Transportation is also available for those who need it.

The island is located in southern Belize

Harvest Caye is a privately-owned island located just a few miles off the coast of Placencia in southern Belize. It is a popular stop for cruise ships, including all of Norwegian Cruise Line's routes to Belize. The island is a 75-acre oasis featuring a range of attractions for visitors, including an expansive pool, a salt-water lagoon, a private beach, and various shore excursions.

Belize is a small country, and cruise ship passengers docking at Harvest Caye have a variety of activity options to choose from. These include climbing ancient Maya pyramids, hiking through the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, home to over 200 jaguars, and boat tours of the Monkey River. Other popular choices include zip-lining through the jungle, cave tubing, and horseback riding.

Harvest Caye itself offers a range of facilities and activities. The island features a 15,000-square-foot swimming pool, a 1300-foot-long zip line, and a 7-acre white sandy beach. Visitors can also explore the Blue Morpho butterfly and wildlife sanctuary, which is free to enter, and learn about the local flora and fauna.

The island is also home to a variety of dining options, including Horse Eye Jack's, Laughing Bird Bar & Grill, Manatee Bar & Grill, and various kiosks. The most anticipated venue is Jimmy Buffett's LandShark Bar & Grill, which offers indoor and outdoor seating and a variety of menu items, including LandShark beer and local Belizean brew.

Harvest Caye is easily accessible by cruise ship, with a long dock that is shaded and protected from inclement weather by a canopy. The island is also accessible by ferry from Placencia, with regular ferry service available.

It features a saltwater lagoon, a large freshwater pool, and wildlife exhibitions

Harvest Caye in Belize is a privately-owned island by the Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL). The island covers 75 acres of land and is home to around 400 employees. It is known for its luxurious amenities and natural beauty, including a saltwater lagoon, a large freshwater pool, and wildlife exhibitions.

The saltwater lagoon is an ideal spot for water sports enthusiasts, offering kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and electric float boats. It is also home to various species of sea animals, making it a popular destination for those interested in marine life. The large freshwater pool on the island is a massive 15,000 square feet and features an innovative design with an under-the-bridge section and a swim-up bar. It is surrounded by lounge chairs and palm trees, creating a relaxing atmosphere for guests.

Harvest Caye also boasts a wildlife sanctuary, the Blue Morpho Butterfly and Wildlife/Nature Sanctuary, which is a free attraction for visitors. Here, guests can observe and learn about the indigenous species of the island, including macaws, toucans, butterflies, snakes, and other small animals. The sanctuary is also home to a secluded butterfly house, where hundreds of beautiful butterfly species create a mesmerising display as they fly around.

In addition to these attractions, the island offers beachside cabanas, a zip line course, and easy access to the Belize Barrier Reef, making it a popular destination for snorkelling and scuba diving. With its array of facilities and activities, Harvest Caye provides an unforgettable experience for visitors seeking both adventure and relaxation.

There are various activities for visitors, including ziplining, kayaking, and paddleboarding

Harvest Caye, a privately-owned island located just a few miles off the shore of Placencia in southern Belize, offers a plethora of activities for visitors, including ziplining, kayaking, and paddleboarding.

Ziplining

The ziplining course at Harvest Caye is one of the most popular attractions. The course starts at the top of the majestic lighthouse, aptly named the Flight House, and stretches 1,300 feet towards the beach. As you soar 100 feet above the ground, you'll be treated to breathtaking bird's-eye views of the pool, the port, the turquoise blue ocean waters, and even the coral reefs and Mayan mountainsides of Belize in the distance. The ziplining course offers two different positions: the Superman position for the daredevils and the upright seated position for those who prefer a more relaxed ride. The activity is suitable for most people, with exceptions for pregnant women and individuals with heart conditions or other physical limitations.

Kayaking and Paddleboarding

The Salt Lagoona, with access to the Mesoamerican coral reef, is the perfect spot for kayaking and paddleboarding. As Belize is one of the fortunate Caribbean islands with access to this vast coral reef system, the waters surrounding Harvest Caye are teeming with colourful sea life. Kayaking or paddleboarding through these waters offers a unique perspective and the opportunity to get up close and personal with the diverse marine life. For those who prefer a more relaxed pace, boat tours of the lagoon are also available, allowing visitors to enjoy the sea breeze while spotting sea creatures.

In addition to these activities, Harvest Caye boasts a 15,000-square-foot swimming pool, a 7-acre white sandy beach, a nature park, and various dining and shopping options. With so much to offer, Harvest Caye truly delivers on providing a diverse range of activities and experiences for its visitors.

The island has its own beach and restaurant facilities

Harvest Caye is a privately-owned island located a few miles off the coast of Placencia in southern Belize. It is exclusively owned by the Norwegian Cruise Line and is a port for all of its routes to Belize. The island is around 75 acres in size and features a 15,000-square-foot swimming pool, a 1300-foot-long zip line, and a 7-acre white sandy beach.

The beach features white man-made sand made from crushed seashells. The ocean provides warm, turquoise blue waters common to the Caribbean. There is plenty of shade available from the many palm trees on the beach. For more comfort, clamshells are available for rent at $30 per unit per day. There are also hammocks, but these are limited, so an early start is required to secure one.

There is a range of food and drink options on the island. The Landshark Bar & Grill is a two-storey restaurant with ample air-conditioned seating. It offers a variety of menu items, including foot-long fish sandwiches, chicken wings, grilled chicken, fried shrimp, salads, and ceviche, a traditional Belizean delicacy. It also has a swim-up bar with in-water seating. There are also several other bars on the island, including the rum coco bar, Cat 5 bar, hurricane bar, and the laughing bird bar.

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