Carnival Magic
Arrive 09:30 AM | Depart 05:30 PM
Itinerary: 8 Nights Eastern Caribbean Cruise (8 nights)
Caribbean
Princess Cays Cruise Port Guide: Beaches, Things to Do & Getting Around
Bahamas
Ships anchor offshore; tenders required to reach the private island beach.
Choose the Right Port Day
Best Overall
Snorkel the reef for 2–3 hours in the morning (gear rental ~$15–25 USD), rest under a rented umbrella or tree shade, swim in the calm lagoon, and tender back with time to spare.
Best Beach
Princess Cays itself. It's the only beach. It's well-maintained, calm, and monitored, but crowded during peak cruise days.
With Kids
Rent a cabana or shaded area near the shallow lagoon, bring sand toys, stay in the shallow water, and let kids play while adults rest. Snorkel only if your kids are confident swimmers.
Only 3-4 Hours
Arrive early, grab a beach chair and snorkel gear rental, spend 2–3 hours snorkeling the near-shore reef, rinse off at the showers, and tender back. Skip lunch on-island; eat on ship.
Cheapest Option
Bring your own snorkel gear, wear reef shoes from ship, skip chair rentals, picnic from ship supplies. Cost: $0–20 USD. Swimming and wading are free.
What To Avoid
Do not expect fine dining or shopping—there are only basic beach bars and a small gift shop. Do not plan activities beyond the beach itself; there is nowhere to explore. Avoid arriving late; tenders fill up, and you'll lose precious beach time waiting.
Top Things To Do
1
Snorkeling the near-shore reef
The reef runs parallel to the beach about 50–200 yards offshore in 10–20 feet of water. Fish, coral, and occasionally rays are visible. Conditions are usually calm and suitable for beginners with rental gear. Snorkel tours are offered, but independent snorkeling is also viable.
⚡ Popular — books out early. Reserve before you sail.
2
Beach relaxation and swimming
Calm, protected lagoon with soft sand and shallow water for wading. Ideal for families with young children. Beach chairs, umbrellas, and cabanas available for rent.
3
Beach bar and food
A few casual beach bars serve burgers, salads, and drinks. Food is overpriced and mediocre. Most cruisers eat lunch on the ship before tendering ashore.
Book with the ship, or on your own?
Booking independently
- Often noticeably cheaper than the ship’s version of the same tour.
- Smaller groups and local operators, with traveler reviews you can read before you pay.
- Free cancellation on most tours, usually up to 24 hours before.
When the ship’s excursion makes sense
- Short port calls or long transfers where the timing is tight.
- Tender-only stops where getting ashore can run late.
- The ship waits for its own delayed excursions — it won’t wait for independent ones, so leave a buffer before all-aboard.
We may earn a commission when you book through our links, at no extra cost to you — it’s how we keep these guides free.
Quick Take
- Port Type
- Private Island Beach Port
- Best For
- Beach relaxation, snorkeling, families seeking easy shore days, cruisers who want minimal logistics.
- Avoid If
- You want shopping, culture, dining variety, or active exploration. This is a beach-only port.
- Walkability
- N/A—the port is a beach facility. Everything is compact and flat.
- Budget Fit
- Budget-friendly if you bring your own snorkel gear and skip rentals. Otherwise, mid-range.
- Good For Short Calls?
- Excellent. Tender time is ~15–20 min each way; you'll have 4–5 hours beach time on a typical call.
Port Overview
Princess Cays is a private island beach facility leased by Princess Cruises in Eleuthera, Bahamas. Ships anchor offshore (0.5–1 mile out) and tender passengers to a dedicated beach pier in 15–20 minutes. There is no town, no local commerce, and no exploration beyond the beach and lagoon. This is a managed, resort-style beach day with controlled access, calm waters, and basic amenities. It's ideal for cruisers who want an easy, safe beach experience without the hassle of tendering to a town.
Is It Safe?
Princess Cays is one of the safest Caribbean beach ports. The island is wholly controlled by Princess Cruises; access is restricted to cruisers and crew. Lifeguards patrol the beach and lagoon. Water is calm and monitored. No serious crime risk. The main hazard is sun exposure—bring sunscreen and reapply often. Reef shoes protect against sea urchins and sharp coral. If snorkeling, wear a vest if you're not a strong swimmer, and do not venture beyond marked areas.
Accessibility & Walkability
The beach facility has paved walkways in some areas but is mostly sand. Wheelchair access to the beach entrance is possible, but getting onto the sand itself is difficult. Accessible restrooms are available. The tender process is not wheelchair-friendly; you'll need staff assistance boarding and exiting. If you have mobility concerns, inform the ship ahead of time.
Outside the Terminal
You disembark directly onto a sandy beach from the tender. The first thing you see is a broad, white-sand beach backed by palm trees, umbrellas, beach bars, and a small wooden structure with restrooms and gift shop. It feels like a managed resort beach, not a wild or rustic island. Crew staff direct you to beach areas and rental desks immediately. The atmosphere is leisurely and family-oriented.
Beaches Near the Port
Princess Cays Main Beach
The sole beach on the island. White sand, calm turquoise lagoon, protected from waves. Crowded during peak cruise days (sometimes 2,000+ cruisers). Well-maintained with lifeguards, rentals, and facilities. Family-friendly and safe but not scenic in a remote-island sense—it's a managed resort beach.
Local Food & Drink
Princess Cays has basic beach bars serving burgers, salads, sandwiches, and drinks. Quality is mediocre and prices are high ($18–28 USD for a burger and drink). Most cruisers eat lunch on the ship before tendering ashore or pack snacks. There is no sit-down dining, local cuisine, or shopping for food. Bring water and snacks from your cabin if you plan to spend 5+ hours on the beach.
Shopping
A small gift shop near the beach entrance sells sunscreen, hats, beach towels, T-shirts, and souvenirs. Prices are marked up significantly. There is no duty-free shopping, craft markets, or local goods. If you need anything, buy it on the ship or in a larger port beforehand.
Money & Currency
- Currency
- Bahamian Dollar (BSD); USD widely accepted
- USD Accepted?
- Yes
- Card Payments
- Credit and debit cards accepted at beach bars and gift shop, but bring cash ($20–50 USD) as a backup.
- ATMs
- No ATM on the island. Withdraw cash on ship or in Nassau if you're visiting there.
- Tipping
- Tip beach bar servers and rental staff 15–18% (or $2–3 USD per transaction).
- Notes
- Most transactions are cash-based at beach bars. Credit card processing is slower.
Weather & Best Time
- Best months
- November, December, March, April, May (calm seas, warm, low rain).
- Avoid
- August, September, October (hurricane season; higher swell and rain).
- Temperature
- 75–82°F (24–28°C); water is 73–80°F (23–27°C).
- Notes
- Tender operations depend on sea state. Rough conditions can delay or suspend tenders. June–July brings heat and occasional tropical showers but is generally passable.
Airport Information
- Airport
- Governor's Harbour Airport (GHB) or North Eleuthera Airport (NE)
- Distance
- ~30–40 miles (not relevant for cruise visitors).
- Getting there
- N/A for cruise port calls. No ferry or road access from the port to the airport.
- Notes
- Princess Cays is reachable only by ship. Pre-cruise or post-cruise flights would connect via Nassau.
Getting Around from the Port
Tender (ship to island)
Ships anchor offshore. Tenders depart from the ship in waves, typically every 10–15 minutes during peak hours. The ride takes 15–20 minutes depending on sea state.
Walking on island
The beach facility is entirely walkable. Beach, bars, rentals, restrooms, and showers are all within a few hundred yards.
Details last checked April 2026
Check The Port Traffic
Cruise Ships in Port
Once you have your shore plan, use the schedule to see how busy the harbour will be on your date, plus the ships, lines, and published call windows.
Planning a cruise here?
Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line & more sail to Princess Cays.
Practical Tips for Cruise Passengers
- Bring your own snorkel gear if you have it; rental gear is adequate but pricier ($15–25 USD) and sometimes slow to get during busy hours.
- Apply sunscreen before tendering ashore and reapply every 90 minutes; the Bahamas sun is intense and reflected strongly off sand and water.
- Eat lunch on the ship before tendering; beach bar food is overpriced and slow. Pack snacks and water in a beach bag.
- Arrive at the tender muster station 30 minutes early; tenders fill up fast during peak hours, and you'll lose precious beach time waiting in queues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the near-shore reef is shallow, calm, and suitable for beginners. You'll see reef fish, coral, and occasionally rays. It's not world-class (Caribbean reefs are damaged), but it's a solid, safe snorkel for families and novices.
Towels yes, chairs no. You can bring one towel from your cabin, but do not try to smuggle chairs or large items. Rental chairs and umbrellas are the norm and not expensive.
On a typical 8-hour port call, tenders take 30–40 minutes round-trip, leaving you 7–7.5 hours on the island. In practice, most cruisers get 5–6 solid hours of beach time after queuing and settling in.
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