Harvest Caye: A Private Paradise In Belize

Harvest Caye in Belize is a private island owned by Norwegian Cruise Line. It is a popular destination for cruise ship passengers, offering a range of activities and facilities, including a large swimming pool, a beach, a zip line, and nature and wildlife experiences. The island was designed to provide an authentic Caribbean experience, with all staff and vendors being locals, and all restaurants, amenities and shops locally owned.

Harvest Caye is a private island owned by Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line partnered with the Belizean government to create an authentic Caribbean cruise port experience. The port features locally owned restaurants, amenities, and shopping stores, and all 400 staff members are locals. Even the materials used to construct the port were sourced locally.

The island offers a range of activities for guests, including zip-lining, swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, and paddleboarding. There is also a nature park with macaws, toucans, butterflies, snakes, and other animals. The island also has several bars and restaurants, including the Landshark Bar and Grill.

Harvest Caye has received mixed reviews, with some praising the beauty and cleanliness of the island and others criticising the high prices and limited opportunities for authentic local experiences. However, overall, it seems that Harvest Caye is a popular destination for cruise passengers looking for a Caribbean island experience.

The island features a 15,000 sq. ft. swimming pool, a beach, a nature park, and a zip line

Harvest Caye in Belize is a 75-acre island that offers a variety of attractions and activities for visitors. One of its standout features is the 15,000-square-foot swimming pool, which is one of the largest and most impressive pools found on any cruise port. The pool area is beautifully designed with an under-the-bridge section, a swim-up bar, and in-water seating that gives it the feel of an open-air restaurant. The pool is surrounded by lounge chairs and palm trees, providing a relaxing atmosphere for guests. For those seeking more privacy, pool-facing cabanas are available for rent, offering amenities such as air conditioning, lounge chairs, and a private shower.

In addition to the pool, Harvest Caye also boasts a stunning beach. The 7-acre beach features white sand made from crushed seashells and warm turquoise blue waters typical of the Caribbean. The beach is lined with lounge chairs and palm trees, providing ample shade for guests. For those seeking more comfort, clamshells are available for rent, and there are also hammocks for those who arrive early. The beach offers activities such as beach volleyball and jumbo-sized chess, as well as a kid's splash zone with slides and water toys.

For nature lovers, Harvest Caye has a free nature park where guests can learn about the local flora and fauna. The park is home to macaws, toucans, butterflies, snakes, and other small animals. It also features a Blue Morpho Butterfly Sanctuary, where visitors can admire hundreds of beautiful butterfly species. The entire island is filled with colourful flowers and plants, giving it a tropical Caribbean scent.

One of the most thrilling activities on Harvest Caye is the zip line. The 1,300-foot-long zip line starts from the top of the lighthouse, known as the Flight House, and takes guests on a crisscross journey over the island. At a height of 100 feet above the port, guests can enjoy breathtaking views of the pool, the port area, the ocean, coral reefs, and the Mayan mountainsides of Belize. The zip line offers an unforgettable adrenaline-filled experience and is suitable for anyone who does not have any physical conditions that may prevent them from participating safely.

All staff working on the island are locals, and all restaurants, amenities, and shops are locally owned

Harvest Caye is a private island in Belize owned by Norwegian Cruise Line. The island is a floating oasis, with a focus on eco-friendliness and local culture.

Norwegian Cruise Line partnered with the Belizean government to ensure that the island benefits the local economy. All staff working on the island are locals, and all restaurants, amenities, and shops are locally owned. Norwegian also sourced materials locally during the construction of the island.

The island features a nature centre, with a focus on educating visitors about the local wildlife. This includes a butterfly sanctuary, home to dozens of iguanas and butterflies, as well as toucans and scarlet macaws.

The island also offers various activities, such as ziplining, paddleboarding, and kayaking. There is also a large swimming pool, a beach, and several restaurants and bars.

Harvest Caye is an example of a cruise line company working together with a local government to create a private island that benefits the local community and economy, while also providing an authentic cultural experience for visitors.

The island offers various excursions, including a tour of the lagoon and mangrove estuaries, and a visit to the Mayan Temple at Nim Li Punit

Harvest Caye in Belize is a private island owned exclusively by Norwegian Cruise Line. The island offers a range of excursions and activities for visitors to enjoy. One such excursion is a tour of the lagoon and mangrove estuaries. Visitors can board a motor launch from the Harvest Caye Marina and explore the saltwater mangrove estuaries and their inhabitants. The tour offers the chance to spot manatees and learn about their life cycle in the tropical waters of Belize. The tour also takes visitors through narrow mangrove estuaries, providing an opportunity to learn about the diverse flora and fauna of the region.

Another excursion option is a visit to the Mayan Temple at Nim Li Punit, a Mayan ruin site located in the Toledo District of Belize. Nim Li Punit, also known as "Big Hat" or "Top Hat", is a medium-sized site from the Maya Classic Period, flourishing from the 5th to the 8th century AD. The site consists of structures surrounding three plazas, including several step-pyramids, with the tallest reaching 11 meters in height. At its peak, Nim Li Punit is estimated to have had a population of around 5,000 to 7,000 people. The ruins feature a ball court and an observatory, as well as a museum that houses artefacts and Mayan drawings and writings.

Harvest Caye also offers other activities such as ziplining, kayaking, paddle boarding, and beach activities. The island has a large pool area, a 7-acre beach, and a nature park where visitors can learn about the local flora and fauna.

Norwegian Cruise Line passengers must pay for food and drinks on the island, even if they have an onboard beverage package

Harvest Caye is a private island owned by Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) off the southern coast of Belize. It is part of The Norwegian Edge initiative, which aims to bring higher standards to the high seas. The island was developed in partnership with the Belizean government, and local inhabitants own the businesses and work onsite, contributing to the local economy.

When it comes to food and drinks on Harvest Caye, it is important to note that these are not included in the private island experience. Norwegian Cruise Line passengers must pay for their food and drinks on the island, even if they have an onboard beverage package. This is because the island's businesses are owned by local people, and the ship cards are not accepted as a form of payment. Therefore, it is recommended to bring cash and credit cards when visiting Harvest Caye.

The prices of food and drinks on Harvest Caye can vary, but you can expect to pay around $12-$18 per entree, $9-$12 for a cocktail, and $5-$7 for a beer. If you want to save money, it is suggested to return to the ship for lunch.

There are eight venues for meals, snacks, and drinks on the island, offering a variety of options, including typical bar food with some Caribbean touches, such as fried plantains and ceviche. For those looking for a quiet spot, the Manatee Bar & Grill is located on the other side of the island by the marina, or you can walk to the far end of the beach to Horse-Eye Jack’s Villa Bar & Bistro.

In addition to the food and drink options, Harvest Caye offers a range of activities such as a 7-acre beach area, a 15,000-square-foot pool with a swim-up bar, access to the Belize Barrier Reef for snorkelling, a saltwater lagoon for water sports, and various shore excursions.

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