- Princess Cays is a low-key, natural beach destination on Eleuthera Island in the Bahamas reached by tender (20-30 min each way), offering 6-8 hours ashore with calm, clear water ideal for all ages.
- Cabanas ($400-$600+) sell out fast and should be pre-booked via the Princess app; cheaper clamshell shade rentals are available as a budget-friendly alternative.
- Included with your port day is a beach BBQ lunch, while water sports like kayaks, paddleboards, wave runners, and snorkeling gear are available for an extra fee.
- Multiple ships can visit the same day, so arrive early to secure first-come, first-served loungers and hammocks and to minimize tender queue wait times.
What to Do at Princess Cays on a Cruise Day
Princess Cays is Princess Cruises' private destination in the Bahamas, a relaxed, beautiful beach day with clear water, water sports, and a genuinely laid back atmosphere. Here is what to expect.
Princess Cays at a Glance
Princess Cays is Princess Cruises' private destination on the southern tip of Eleuthera Island in the Bahamas, a 40 acre leased property that the cruise line has developed into a dedicated beach day destination for its ships. Unlike some private islands that feel like theme parks, Princess Cays has maintained a relatively low key, natural atmosphere. The beaches are genuinely good, the water is clear Bahamian turquoise, and the overall pace is relaxed. If you are weighing it against other Bahamas private destinations on your itinerary, our guides to Celebration Key and Harvest Caye cover Carnival's and Norwegian's equivalents.
Ships anchor offshore and tender passengers to the island, plan for roughly 20 to 30 minutes each way on the tender, with additional queuing time on busy port days. Princess Cays is primarily visited by Princess Cruises vessels, though Carnival ships call there occasionally too, since Princess is part of the wider Carnival Corporation family. Multiple ships can visit on the same day, which is worth factoring into how crowded the beach and tender queue will be.
- Location: Southern tip of Eleuthera Island, Bahamas
- Arrival: Tender from anchor, plan roughly 20 to 30 minutes each way
- Currency: US Dollar (Bahamian Dollar pegged 1 to 1)
- Best for: Beach relaxation, snorkelling, water sports, cabana rental, hammock time
- Visited by: Primarily Princess Cruises vessels, with occasional Carnival calls
- Typical time ashore: 6 to 8 hours
What to Do at Princess Cays
1. The Main Beach
The centrepiece of Princess Cays is its long main beach, a wide stretch of white sand along a protected cove with calm, shallow water ideal for swimming. The beach is shaded in spots by palm trees and lined with sun loungers and hammocks available on a first come, first served basis. The water gets deep gradually, making it safe for children and non swimmers. On a typical port day the beach is busy but not overcrowded, there is generally enough space to find a comfortable spot.
2. Cabana Rentals
Princess Cays has a collection of overwater and beachfront cabanas available for pre-booking. These provide a private shaded space with loungers, a personal attendant, and premium positioning on the beach or over the water. Prices are significant, roughly $400 to $600 or more for a full day, but popular with families and those who want guaranteed shade and service. Book through the Princess app or cruise planner well in advance, cabanas sell out quickly. If a cabana feels steep, the smaller clamshell shade rentals are a much cheaper alternative and still guarantee shade.
3. Snorkelling
Snorkel equipment is available for rent at the water sports centre on the island, and there is a designated snorkel area with decent reef fish and coral. The Bahamas' water clarity is exceptional and visibility is typically excellent. For those who want a more guided experience, snorkel tours depart from the water sports dock and take passengers to deeper reef sections. The snorkelling at Princess Cays is solid, not as dramatic as dedicated snorkel destinations like Roatan or Grand Cayman, but genuinely enjoyable for all levels.
4. Water Sports and Rentals
The water sports centre at Princess Cays rents kayaks, paddleboards, pedal boats, floats, and snorkel gear. Banana boat rides and wave runner excursions are also typically available. For families with active children, the water sports options keep everyone busy without requiring advance booking. Prices are separate from your cruise fare and charged in USD.
5. The BBQ Lunch
A beach barbecue lunch is included with your port day at Princess Cays, burgers, hot dogs, grilled chicken, sides, and non-alcoholic drinks are served buffet-style at the dining pavilion. The quality is good for a mass-catering beach operation. Bar service is available for alcoholic beverages at additional cost, or it is covered if you hold a Princess Plus or Princess Premier beverage package, both of which explicitly extend to Princess Cays under Princess's own terms. If your cruise is on Carnival rather than Princess, note that Carnival's own drink packages do not carry over here, even though the island belongs to a sister brand under Carnival Corporation, so budget separately for drinks if that applies to you. For a wider look at how packages vary across the Caribbean and Bahamas, our cruise budgeting guides cover gratuities and other costs beyond the fare.
6. Hammocks and Quiet Areas
Beyond the main beach area, Princess Cays has some quieter hammock zones and nature trails through the low scrub vegetation. For passengers who want to escape the main beach activity, these areas offer a genuine chance to decompress. The trails are short and easy, and the hammocks over the water at quieter sections of the cove are among the best spots on the island.
7. Shopping and Vendor Market
A small vendor market near the tender landing area has local Bahamian craft sellers offering souvenirs, jewellery, and local products. The selection is smaller than a main port market but the quality and authenticity of the products is generally good. Cash (USD) works fine for vendor purchases.
What's Included vs. Extra at Princess Cays
| Included in Port Day | Additional Cost |
|---|---|
| Beach access and sun loungers (first come, first served) | Cabana rentals ($400 to $600+) |
| BBQ lunch (burgers, chicken, sides) | Alcoholic beverages (unless a Princess Plus or Premier package applies) |
| Non-alcoholic beverages with lunch | Water sports equipment rental |
| Access to all beach areas and trails | Snorkel gear rental |
| Tender transport to and from the island | Guided excursions |
Tips for Your Princess Cays Day
- Get on an early tender, first come lounger spots are limited and the best cabana positions go quickly; being ashore by 9am gives you the pick of spots.
- Bring reef-safe sunscreen, the Bahamas increasingly requires reef-safe products at marine sites and it is the responsible choice.
- Your Princess Plus or Premier package covers bar service at Princess Cays, confirmed under Princess's own current terms, though Carnival guests visiting on an occasional Carnival call should budget separately, since Carnival's own packages do not apply here.
- The tender back to the ship can queue late in the afternoon, so do not cut your return too close to all-aboard time; factor in 20 to 30 minutes of tender wait and travel, and it is worth knowing what happens if you miss your cruise ship if you are ever tempted to push it.
- Bring cash USD for vendor shopping, credit cards are not typically accepted at the local market stalls.
- The hammock areas on the quieter end of the island fill up quickly, if that is your goal, head straight there from the tender landing rather than stopping at the main beach first.
Plan the Rest of Your Bahamas and Caribbean Itinerary
Princess Cays usually sails on Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean itineraries, so these guides pair naturally with it:
- Celebration Key, Bahamas: Carnival's Private Destination Explained
- Harvest Caye, Belize: Norwegian's Private Island Explained
- What to Do in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas on a Cruise Day
- What to Do in Roatan, Honduras on a Cruise Day
- Cruise Ship Gratuities Explained
- Browse Caribbean and Bahamas shore excursions
Princess Cays FAQs
Is Princess Cays a private island?
Princess Cays is not an island, it is a 40 acre leased section of the southern tip of Eleuthera Island in the Bahamas. Princess Cruises leases the property from the Bahamian government and operates it as an exclusive beach destination for its vessels. The local Bahamian community benefits from the arrangement through vendor market access and employment. The surrounding area is regular Eleuthera island, rural, beautiful, and accessible beyond the Princess Cays perimeter.
Do I have to pay extra to go ashore at Princess Cays?
No, going ashore at Princess Cays is included in your cruise fare. Beach access, sun loungers (first come basis), and the BBQ lunch are all included. Additional costs apply for cabana rentals, water sports equipment, alcoholic beverages unless covered by your drink package, and any paid excursions.
Does my drink package work at Princess Cays?
If you are sailing Princess Cruises, yes. Both the Princess Plus and Princess Premier beverage packages explicitly extend to Princess Cays under Princess's own current terms, covering drinks at the island bars just as they would on board. If you are sailing on an occasional Carnival call to Princess Cays instead, Carnival's own drink packages and Wi-Fi plans do not work ashore here, even though food and most activities remain the same, so budget separately for bar drinks in that case.
Can I stay on the ship instead of going to Princess Cays?
Yes, staying aboard is always an option at any port call, including private destination days. The ship remains open and most onboard facilities operate normally, though crowds on deck are thinner and some venues may have limited hours. Staying aboard on a private island day is a popular choice for passengers who prefer quiet time on an uncrowded ship, it can feel like having a large vessel mostly to yourself.
Is there shade at Princess Cays?
Some, there are palm trees along the beach providing natural shade, and the paid cabanas include shade structures. Free sun loungers in the shade are limited and go quickly. If shade is a priority, either book a cabana in advance or arrive on an early tender to claim one of the shaded lounger spots. Bringing a beach umbrella from the ship, or renting one at the water sports centre, is an alternative.
