Harvest Caye is Norwegian Cruise Line’s (NCL) private island retreat in Southern Belize.
Surrounded by the lush greenery of Central America, guests are treated to a wide range of activities on the 75-acre oasis.
The island was developed in partnership with the Belizean government. As such, local inhabitants own the businesses and work onsite, contributing to the economy.
Norwegian plans to keep Harvest Caye more low-key compared to its upcoming expansion of Great Stirrup Cay in The Bahamas.
While the former will be transformed into a resort-style destination with a brand-new pool, water park, multi-ship pier, and more, Harvest Caye focuses on natural wildlife and even provides access to the world’s second-largest barrier reef.
Here's everything you need to know about Norwegian's Harvest Caye Belize cruise port.
Harvest Caye weather
The weather in Harvest Caye is ideal for cruisers all year long, ranging from the 80s to the 90s.
December, January, and February tend to have the lowest temperatures of the year, with the average coming in at around 75°F.
The warmer months are April through September, with temperatures often reaching the upper 80s to low 90s. As such, the summer is ideal for long beach days and water activities.
That said, the summer and fall are rainier than the early months of the year. Humidity is also higher during the summer. It's not uncommon for Harvest Caye to see upwards of 11, 12, or 13 inches of rain in June, July, and August.
Going ashore in Harvest Caye
Harvest Caye is the only port with a cruise ship pier in Belize, a bonus for Norwegian cruisers. It takes about 10 minutes for guests to reach the island walking along the covered path. However, transportation is available for those who need it.
English is widely spoken in Harvest Caye, and both U.S. and Belizean dollars are used. As local people own the island businesses, Norwegian ship cards are not accepted as a form of payment in restaurants, bars, or shops. There's no Wi-Fi available on the island, either.
Although Harvest Caye is on Central Time, cruisers should pay attention to ship time. With the sun and heat, it is essential to bring adequate sunscreen, a hat, and a towel. The ship does not provide towel service on the island, but there are lockers to rent for a nominal fee.
What to do in Harvest Caye Belize
Harvest Caye provides a great selection of activities, whether it be the beach, pool, or something a little livelier.
Key Highlights:
Beach: The island has a 7-acre beach with loungers and some palm trees for shade. The far end is rarely crowded, with lots of spots available.
Pool: Popular with guests, the 15,000-square-foot pool has a swim-up bar and a waterfall. The resort-style area is complimentary and includes chairs and umbrellas. The pool is not heated.
Snorkeling: Harvest Caye visitors can access the Belize Barrier Reef, the second largest in the world.
Activities and shore excursions at Harvest Caye:
- 1,300-foot Superman zipline
- Lagoon zipline
- Nim Li Punit archaeological site
- Mayan village visit
- Parasailing
- Stand-up paddleboard rentals
- Pedalboards
- Glass bottom reef explorer
- Barrier reef snorkeling
- Boat cruise
- River tubing
- Organic chocolate farm tour
- Karaking
- Private cabanas and beach villas
- Saltwater mangrove estuaries tour
- Belize Spice Farm and Botanical Gardens
- Howler Monkey River expedition
- Wave runners
- Catch and release fishing
- Volleyball courts
- 15,000-square-foot pool
- Splash pad
- Life-sized checkers board
- Shopping village
Harvest Caye cabanas
There are two main types of cabana rentals at Harvest Caye, which can be booked through NCL’s website before your cruise.
Private pool cabanas are the cheaper option. They start at around $400 and come with lounge chairs and curtains for added privacy. Although they aren't located near the beach, they do have easy access to the retail shops and a nearby bar and grill. The price includes four guests.
The luxury beach villas cost around $900 for one day at Harvest Caye. They're located in a secluded area of the island by the ocean and have a private restroom, indoor and outdoor showers, a digital safe, a mini-fridge, air conditioning, a beach hammock, Bluetooth audio connectivity, and a front porch.
Not only that, but the luxury beach villas have a private butler and concierge service. The price also includes up to six guests.
Food and beverages at Harvest Caye
Unlike most other cruise lines' islands, food and drinks are not included at Harvest Caye, and the Norwegian ship card cannot be used for payment.
As such, bring both cash and a credit card with you when heading ashore to cover the cost of lunch and any tropical drinks you may want to enjoy. Keep in mind that American Express cards are not accepted at Harvest Caye.
Harvest Caye has eight venues for meals, snacks, and drinks. The menus include typical bar food with some touches of the Caribbean, with fried plantains and ceviche. Fruity cocktails, rum, and beer are all popular drinks, including some local Belizean beers.
For a different view, the Manatee Bar & Grill is located on the other side of the island (which is not far at all) by the marina. Or for a quiet spot, walk to the far end of the beach to Horse-Eye Jack’s Villa Bar & Bistro.
How much are food and drinks at Harvest Caye? Here are some sample prices to give you an idea of how much to budget:
- Crispy chicken tenders ($10)
- Caribbean shrimp ceviche with plaintain fries ($12)
- Island nachos ($12)
- Cheeseburger ($13)
- Hibiscus margarita ($12)
- Watermelon swizzle ($12)
- Piña colada ($12)
- Bottled soda ($3.25)
- Landshark Lager ($7)
How to visit Harvest Caye?
Harvest Caye is in the Western Caribbean. According to NCL's website, many 7-night cruises from Miami, Florida; New Orleans, Louisiana; Galveston, Texas; and Tampa, Florida, call at Harvest Caye.
However, there are some longer voyages that also have Harvest Caye listed as a port of call, such as Norwegian Jewel's 11-night Panama Canal cruise scheduled for January 19, 2026.
The following ships are scheduled to stop in Harvest Caye between October 2025 and May 2027:
- Norweigan Aqua
- Norwegian Breakaway
- Norwegian Dawn
- Norwegian Encore
- Norwegian Escape
- Norwegian Jewel
- Norwegian Luna
- Norwegian Pearl
- Norwegian Sun
- Norwegian Viva
Chantal McPhee
Chantal McPhee has a great passion for travel since first venturing to the Bahamas as a child with her grandparents. Today, she loves cruising with her husband and two daughters to new places and aspires one day to do a world cruise. Living on the east coast of Canada, she shares cruising tips and information with fellow Canucks seeking a reprieve from the great white north. She also teaches business studies at a university, with a focus on strategy
