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The Best Things to Do in Princess Cays, Bahamas

Princess Cays, Bahamas is a private cruise ship resort on Eleuthera island in The Bahamas. Many popular cruise lines own private islands in the Caribbean that they add to their Caribbean cruise itineraries. This private tropical island destination is reserved just for Princess Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line passengers.

We had a day in port at Princess Cays on a cruise aboard the Caribbean Princess, though I have visited Princess Cays on a few other occasions in the past. For this reason, I know all the best things to do in Princess Cays, Bahamas.

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Princess Cays Bahamas

Princess Cays is situated on 40 acres of land with over a half-mile of white sandy beaches. The resort provides cruise ship guests with a great opportunity for a beach day with the chance to participate in an assortment of beach activities.

Go swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding, ride a banana boat or relax on the beach. It’s a fabulous destination to soak up the sun, park yourself at one of the thousands of beach loungers, and curl up with a good book. 

You might be wondering, how should I spend a day in Princess Cays? What are the best things to do there? Is there food, drink, souvenirs, and how do I pay for everything? I’ll answer all of your questions in this blog post about Princess Cays, Bahamas.

Princess Cays, Bahamas: A Short Video

If you’re interested in seeing Princess Cays resort in all its splendor, there’s no better way than watching our travel video. You’ll see exactly what to do in Princess Cays: relax at the beach and go snorkeling. This is only a small glimpse into the things we did on Princess Cays. You will be able to see how beautiful it is there and how you reach the island from your cruise ship.

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Brief History of Princess Cays on Eleuthera Island, Bahamas

The island of Eleuthera lies about 50 miles east of Nassau. It is the fourth most populated island in the Bahamas with approximately 11,000 residents. Eleuthera is a very long and thin island, stretching 110 miles north to south, but only 1 mile across.

The original natives, the Taino people, were deported by the Spanish. Their population died out by the 1550s. Eleuthera was believed to be unoccupied until the first European settlers arrived from Bermuda in 1648.

Much of the quaint New England architecture here was influenced by the British Loyalist settlers and was adopted by other Bahamian islands. Eleuthera is quite possibly the birthplace of the whole country.

Eleuthera is most known for its white and pink sand beaches, lush tropical greenery, and pineapples. You’ll find some of the sweetest pineapple in the world there. The island celebrates this delicious fruit at their annual Pineapple Festival every June.

If you’re not traveling from a cruise ship and you’re interested in visiting Eleuthera, you can fly directly to the island and stay at a hotel. That way, you can take advantage of the beautiful beaches and water sports for a relaxing or adventurous holiday.

Use the following map to help find accommodation in Eleuthera. Enter your travel dates for more precise information. Then, click on each property to learn more and book your stay.

Visiting Nassau, Bahamas? Check out our Segway Tour in Nassau for a great half-day adventure!

Our Day At Princess Cays, Bahamas

Our cruise ship, the Caribbean Princess, docked off the shores of Princess Cays beach from 9:00am – 4:00pm. On this itinerary, the last tender leaves at 3:15pm. It doesn’t give you enough time to explore all that Eleuthera has to offer, but it’s enough time to have a fantastic beach day at Princess Cays.

My sister and travel buddy, Robyn and I went swimming, snorkeling, and soaked up the sunshine. While you might guess that Princess Cays becomes very busy because it’s the only place for cruise passengers to go, it couldn’t be farther from the truth.

Princess Cays Bahamas
Princess Cays Bahamas
Lauren and her sister in Princess Cays Bahamas
International signpost at Princess Cays Bahamas

Thankfully, only one ship will ever dock at Princess Cays at a time. Even though you might have thousands of people venturing to the island, there are enough beaches and enough room that it doesn’t feel crowded.

One more thing: Princess Cays is not the same place as Half Moon Cay (owned by Holland America Line), CocoCay (owned by Royal Caribbean), Great Stirrup Cay (owned by Norwegian Cruise Line) or Castaway Cay (owned by Disney Cruise Line). While these are other private islands in the Bahamas, Princess Cays is its own unique place to visit on Eleuthera.

Approaching Princess Cays by Tender

Tender boat for Princess Cruises

Like I mentioned above, the cruise ship will not dock on the island. There aren’t any docks or cruise terminals here. The ship anchors off the coast of Eleuthera, so cruise passengers will take tender boats across to the island.

As there are a limited amount of tenders, we took tickets and waited our turn in one of the dining rooms. Before long, our numbers were called we boarded the tender and sailed towards Princess Cays. It’s a pretty organized system!

Caribbean Princess ship
In the tender boat

Our first glimpses of Princess Cays were marvelous: white sandy beaches, turquoise waters, and tall palm trees. As we were among the first groups of passengers to arrive at the island, we had our choice of loungers.

From the main dock, we walked to the left along a path that meandered past a few small shops, the barbecue lunch area, the bar, and the snorkel rental area. A BBQ buffet lunch is included as the island served as an extension of the cruise ship. Use your ship card for any alcoholic drinks and purchases in the shops. 

Relaxing and Swimming

Princess Cays Beach and Water

We found a perfect spot at Princess Cays beach: two loungers in the sunshine, right by the water. Our lounging spot on the beach was located near a small pier where people sat to observe the fish in the water below.

This also happens to be a fantastic spot for snorkeling, so I’m glad that we had two chairs close by. The sun was shining brightly and it was an ideal temperature for sunbathing and swimming. The water was very refreshing with that ideal “not too hot, not too cold” feeling.

Beach and loungers
Beach and loungers
Loungers at Princess Cays
Beautiful turquoise waters and the cruise ship

I really loved relaxing and enjoying the changing views. The cruise ship was resting off in the distance. Every so often, a speed boat flew past, towing screaming adventurers across the water on rafts. Otherwise, the scenery for the day consisted of glistening turquoise waters with a person or two splashing about in the distance.

Snorkeling at Princess Cays

Snorkeling at Princess Cays

If you’re looking for what to do in Princess Cays, it’s a fantastic destination for snorkeling. There are many different fish and it’s very easy to snorkel here.

Be sure to bring your own snorkeling equipment. It’s not too bulky to pack into your luggage, and it will save you lots of money from paying expensive rental fees. 

Snorkeling at Princess Cays Bahamas
Snorkeling at Princess Cays Bahamas
Snorkeling at Princess Cays Bahamas
Snorkeling at Princess Cays Bahamas

There are two great Princess Cays snorkeling spots. One is right by the dock. You can see so many fish, even if you merely walk up to the edge of the dock and look down into the clear waters.

Next, if you walk beyond the dock to the other side of the island (where you’ll see many shaded clam shells), the snorkeling is perhaps even better. To get to the better snorkeling spot from the tender dock, walk to the right instead of the left, and enter the water at that section of beach.

Swim out to the rocks on the left side (while facing the ocean) and you’ll discover many varieties of fish. It’s also less crowded here than the main beach area.

Order Drinks in a Monkey Head

After snorkeling, Robyn and I were relaxing at Princess Cays resort on our loungers. She overheard some other people ordering a “Coco Loco” and decided that it sounded good, not knowing what it was. Within moments, our server walked over with a tray filled with wooden monkey heads and handed two of them over!

Coco Loco - Monkey Head Drink
Coco Loco - Monkey Head Drink

He said that he had to carry the monkey heads separately from the drinks themselves, and the drinks would be over shortly. A “Coco Loco” ended up being a pina colada served inside a wooden monkey head that you could bring home with you as a coin bank. I had one already from a past cruise, so now my two monkey heads sit together on the shelf, side by side.

Dining at Princess Cays Bahamas: Barbecue Buffet

Vegetarian and vegan lunch at Princess Cays buffet

The day went as follows: laying in the sun, swimming, snorkeling, more sun, more snorkeling, and repeat! Finally, it was time for lunch. Cruisers can dine at two locations on Princess Cays: Grill Crazy and the Sea Breeze Grill.

I didn’t have super high expectations for finding vegan food at the BBQ. I knew that they did have veggie burgers, though honestly, the veggie burgers served on Princess Cruises aren’t very good.

I’m not sure why. I haven’t really had a “bad” veggie burger until I tried Princess’ one! It is just flavorless, has an odd mushy texture, and doesn’t really taste good. I haven’t had one of their veggie burgers in years, so I decided to give it another try, hoping that either my tastes or their recipe had changed.

I hate to say it, but the veggie burger was the same and I didn’t end up finishing it. Thankfully, there were some other vegetarian options at the barbecue buffet, including baked beans, a corn salad, and corn on the cob. The other Princess Cays food was really yummy as I really enjoyed all of the side dishes.

More Things to Do: Walk Around the Island

Palm trees Bahamas

Of course, if a Princess Cays beach day isn’t your idea of fun, you can always go for a walk. Walking up and down the shore is a great way to get some exercise. While there aren’t a huge variety of tourist attractions, I’m certain that you’ll escape the crowds and see some unique scenery.

Try Water Sports on Princess Cays, Bahamas

Princess Cays has a huge amount of water sports to try with equipment rentals right on the beach. I recommend that you reserve your water sports in advance while on the cruise ship. You will have your booking in advance and you won’t have to worry about it once you get to the island.

Simply take your Princess Cays excursion ticket to the water sports rental office, and you’ll be good to go. However, you don’t need to make any reservations ahead of time. It’s possible to decide in the moment whether or not you’d like to do anything. There are a variety of water sports and equipment rental options at Princess Cays:

  • Aqua Chair Rental
  • Water Noodle Rental
  • Float Rental
  • Ocean Viewing Sea Board Rental
  • Banana Boat Ride
  • Snorkel Equipment Rental (although I recommend bringing your own to save money)
  • Ocean Kayak Rental
  • Stand Up Paddle Board Rental
  • Aqua Bike Rental (2 person maximum)
  • Paddle Boat Rental (2 person maximum)
  • Ocean Kayak Rental for 2 people
  • Paddle Boat Rental (4 person maximum)
  • Hobie Wave Sailboat Rental

You can also rent lockers at Princess Cays to store your belongings while you’re out on the water. Furthermore, you can also rent clam shells and private bungalows if you are traveling with a group or want some extra privacy.

Princess Cays Bahamas Excursions

While Robyn and I didn’t book any Princess Cays excursions, you can always book a tour through the cruise ship. Book these in advance on the cruise line website before you sail or at the shore excursions desk on board. Here are a few sample activities:

  • Island Bike Adventure: a 90 minute bike tour around Princess Cays
  • Princess Cays Coastal Cruise: a 60 minute cruise in a small boat along the shoreline
  • Clear Bottom Kayaking Adventure
  • Glass Bottom Boat Cruise
  • Snorkeling Tour for Experienced Snorkelers
  • Dune Buggy Cultural Heritage Tour

Beach Rentals and The Sanctuary

You can also book your own private bungalows or beach clamshell rentals to have some privacy on the island. It’s possible to rent a beach umbrella for the day, clamshells (for two people), a private bungalow rental (for four people) or a Sanctuary bungalow rental (for four people).

Fairly new to Princess Cays, there’s an extension of the ship’s “The Sanctuary” on the island. Much like The Sanctuary on board, this is an 18+ area for adults only and a separate roped off area of the beach that’s a little more secluded.

The air conditioned bungalow comes with a ceiling fan, a table and four chairs, two sun loungers outside, and an open air shower. A staff member will be around to take your drink orders. Plus, everyone who reserves a Sanctuary bungalow will receive priority tender tickets to be the first to board the tenders. A motorized cart will transport you to your bungalow, too.

Travel Tips for Princess Cays, Bahamas

Here are a few travel tips to have the best day possible at Princess Cays Bahamas. These are the most frequently asked questions about Princess Cays that will hopefully answer all of your questions about the island.

Don’t Bring Any Money to the Island

Your cruise card is your currency here. Think of Princess Cays as an extension of the cruise ship. Use your cruise card for any purchases like souvenirs or alcohol. Soda cards and all-inclusive drinks packages are honored here, too, if you’re a Princess Cruises guest. Unfortunately, Carnival’s unlimited drink package is not honored on Princess Cays.

There’s No Need to Pack a Lunch

Don’t bring any food or snacks to the island. The BBQ buffet is free and included with your trip. You can dine on the island and there are bars for drinks, too. It’s always possible to zip back to the ship on a tender if you’d like to have more options for lunch and return back to Princess Cays later in the afternoon.

Booking an Excursion Isn’t Necessary

Booking an excursion is not necessary. The most alluring aspect of Princess Cay is the spectacular beach. A trip to Princess Cays resort is best left as a beach day or a way to try a new water sport.

If you’re looking for what to do in Princess Cays, you might be overthinking your day. Oh, and if you’re thinking about going snorkeling, you can rent equipment but it’s a better idea to bring your own snorkel gear.

Don’t Stay Until the Very End

Don’t wait until the last moment to head back to the ship. We waited until the end and the lines to board the tenders were insanely long.

Everyone was trying to board at the exact same time, and we just had to wait patiently for a long while. I’d head back a little bit earlier than the crowds so you can enjoy your time on the ship and not in a massive line.

My sister and I had such an enjoyable day at Princess Cays Bahamas. There’s nothing quite like relaxing, swimming, and snorkeling. All in all, it was a fabulous beach day, similar to what we’d experience at an island resort.

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Allison Gibson

Thursday 3rd of October 2019

Hi, are there beach wheelchairs available on the island?

Lauren

Friday 4th of October 2019

Allison, I am not sure - I really wish I knew the answer to that! I'd send an email to Princess Cruises to see if they have any available.

PAM AIKEN

Sunday 7th of July 2019

SO THE BEACH THAT YOU AND YOUR SISTER WENT TO AT PRINCESS CAYS WAS IT A FEE LIKE FOR AN EXCURSION ?

Lauren

Sunday 7th of July 2019

The beach is free for all cruise ship passengers to use. There is also a free lunch buffet on the beach that is free for cruise ship passengers, too!

Sophia Grace

Friday 30th of March 2018

Princess Cays is one of the most beautiful resort. I never been there but Princess Cays is famouse for it's attraction & Beauty. I love this "A Beach Day at Princess Cays" post it made me crazy for Princess Cays.

Thanks Lauren for this amazing post.

Carmen | Carmen's Luxury Travel

Tuesday 31st of March 2015

The Bahamas is a great weekend getaway for us Floridians. I've done the three day weekend cruises to the Bahamas. The waters in the Bahamas are so clear, and the people so friendly. Glad to see that you had a great time!

Anna

Monday 30th of March 2015

beautiful island indeed!! It was also interesting to find out that the Bahamas have an island with a Greek inspired name!