What to Expect
All passengers tender ashore from the anchored ship — tenders run continuously and the trip takes about 10 minutes. The beach area is managed by Princess and staffed accordingly: there is a buffet lunch (included in the fare), a bar (charged separately), beach chair rental, and a water sports operation. The site is intentionally uncrowded compared to Nassau or CocoCay; Princess limits the number of ships calling here. The lagoon water is calm and extremely clear in settled weather — the bottom is visible at 15 feet. There is no local town to explore: Princess Cays is a beach day, not a cultural experience, and the cruise line has designed it accordingly.
The Beach
The main beach is about a mile long and backed by palm trees. The sand is fine and slightly pink — the result of a small percentage of coral and shell fragments mixed with the quartz. The lagoon is shallow close to shore (2–4 feet for the first 50 yards), deepening to 10–15 feet farther out. Snorkeling is available on the reef that lines the outer edge of the lagoon; equipment can be rented at the water sports pavilion. Hammocks and chairs are available in a shaded area at the south end of the beach. The water temperature hovers around 80°F (27°C) in peak season. Rough weather (which rolls in with northers between November and March) can close the tenders and cancel the stop; always have a backup plan in the schedule.
Water Sports and Activities
Water sports available at the site: snorkeling tours guided by Princess staff, kayaks, paddleboards, floats, banana boats, and parasailing. Prices are in USD and are higher than comparable activities in Nassau or Aruba; this is captive-market pricing. The snorkeling equipment rental typically includes a guided reef tour option. A small volleyball court and beach games area are available. The shopping pavilion sells Bahamian crafts and Princess merchandise. There is no local town accessible from the site — Eleuthera's closest communities (Bannerman Town and Deep Creek) are several miles by unpaved road and not accessible during a standard visit.
Costs and What Is Included
The beach chairs and buffet lunch are included in the Princess fare. Beverages (alcohol and specialty non-alcoholic), water sports equipment rental, and excursion activities are charged separately and can add up. Bring USD cash or have a credit card registered to your ship account for ease. Gratuity for the beach crew (who set up chairs, bring drinks, and manage the facility) of $5–10 is standard. Snorkel equipment rental runs $15–25. Parasailing is $70–100. Passengers with Princess Plus or Princess Premier fare packages may have beverages included — check before departure.