Labadee, Haiti Cruise Port Guide: Beaches, Excursions & Tips

By Melissa Newman

Published October 2024 | Updated June 2026

All You Need to Know About Labadee: Royal Caribbean’s Private Paradise

Labadee, located on the northern coast of Haiti, is a private paradise exclusively for Royal Caribbean International’s passengers. While I don’t like Labadee as much as Royal Caribbean’s other private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, this beautiful destination still offers a unique blend of natural beauty and exciting activities.

Is Labadee Open?

Due to security risks and political unrest, Labadee was temporarily closed to ensure the safety of passengers and crew, although it reopened in late 2024. Be sure to consult the latest updates from Royal Caribbean before planning a cruise with Labadee on the itinerary.

Is Labadee a Private Island?

Royal Caribbean generally promotes Labadee as a private island, but it is actually a peninsula on Haiti’s northern coast. This marketing approach is simpler and aligns with other cruise line private islands, and besides, “private peninsula” doesn’t have the same ring to it.

The private island label also denotes the exclusivity and controlled environment that cruisers expect. If you want to get technical, Labadee is technically part of an island, as Haiti shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic.

The private area spans 260 acres and is designed to provide a controlled and secure environment for cruise passengers. I like that Labadee isn’t a tender port, meaning that cruise passengers step right off the ship onto a pier. It’s a fairly short one, and cruisers can easily walk to the beach area from there.

The beaches here are well-maintained, with clear waters perfect for swimming and relaxing. Unfortunately, on the day of my visit, it was drizzly and rainy, so I didn’t get to enjoy the traditional beach experience fully, but the scenery was lovely, and I appreciated the mountain and beach views.

Related: Watch all my Labadee video content

Things to Do at Labadee

Because Labadee is a private destination, no third-party excursion options exist. If you want to take an excursion, you must book it directly through Royal Caribbean. Here are some of the activities you can enjoy at Labadee.

Beach Day

Relaxing on the beach is one of the free activities available at Labadee, with several beach areas accessible at no cost. Cruise guests can use loungers free of charge, and the island also provides umbrellas. However, for a more exclusive beach experience, guests can rent daybeds and cabanas at an additional fee.

Adventure Activities

Labadee offers several adventure activities for thrill-seekers, including the Dragon’s Breath zip line, the longest overwater zip line in the world, and the Dragon’s Tail alpine coaster, which winds through the hills with stunning views of the island and ocean. These activities require an additional fee and have specific requirements, such as height and weight restrictions, and close-toed shoes must be worn for the zip line.

Water Sports and Excursions

Royal Caribbean provides various water sports and other excursion options at Labadee. Guests can enjoy snorkeling, jet skiing, kayaking, and parasailing. Additionally, the Arawak Aqua Park, an inflatable water park in the ocean, offers fun activities for families and adventurous travelers. As this is a private destination, all these activities must be booked through Royal Caribbean.

Wi-Fi at Labadee

Interestingly, while Royal Caribbean offers Wi-Fi to cruisers who purchase the VOOM package on its other private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, this is not an option on Labadee.

Does the Drink Package Work at Labadee?

Another thing that I love about Royal Caribbean’s approach to its private islands, compared to competing lines, is that they allow the use of its drink packages on these private islands, including Labadee, so cruisers can enjoy their favorite beverages without additional charges. The legal drinking age in Haiti is 18.

Sections of Labadee

Labadee is divided into several distinct areas, each offering unique experiences and amenities, which you can see on this Labadee map.

Adrenaline Beach

This is where you’ll find the Dragon’s Breath zip line and beach sports, along with water activities like jet skiing.

Barefoot Beach Club

Barefoot Beach Club is an exclusive area reserved for suite guests and Pinnacle-level members on the sailing. This tranquil section offers premium amenities, including more privacy, an upgraded buffet with gourmet food options, and dedicated service. Cabanas are also available at Barefoot Beach for an additional cost, ranging from $295 to $495. Royal Caribbean uses dynamic pricing, so costs fluctuate based on demand.

Whether or not the Labadee cabanas are worth it depends on each cruiser’s budget and circumstances, but I don’t personally find them worthwhile.

Columbus Cove

Columbus Cove is a family-focused beach area known for calm waters. The Arawak Aqua Park, an inflatable water park in the ocean, is located here. Complimentary loungers and beach umbrellas are available.

Dragon’s Tail Coaster

This section is home to the Dragon’s Tail Coaster, an alpine coaster that takes riders through twists and turns down the hillside with spectacular views of the island and ocean.

Nellie’s Beach

Nellie’s Beach is a family-friendly area with a more relaxed environment. The clear, shallow waters make it ideal for swimming and snorkeling. Cabanas are available for rent ranging from around $250 to $579, with pricing varying based on cabana type and dynamic pricing.

Labadee Town Square

Labadee Town Square is the central hub of the destination, where visitors can find various dining options, shops, and local artisans selling handmade crafts. It’s a great place to explore Haitian culture and purchase souvenirs. If you’re looking for souvenirs, it may be best to steer clear of the artisan’s market, though. I didn’t get to this area, but I’ve heard repeatedly from fellow cruisers that the vendors here tend to be very aggressive, which can tarnish the experience.

Buccaneer’s Bay

Buccaneer’s Bay offers a variety of water sports and activities, including kayaking, paddleboarding, and floating beach mats. It’s a bustling area where guests can rent equipment and enjoy the beautiful coastal scenery.

What to Bring to Labadee

I recommend bringing a few things with you to enhance the experience (beyond the obvious things like sunscreen). Labadee is great for snorkeling, and when visiting a beach location, I always bring my own set. My favorite is this one from Amazon; it’s affordable yet high quality and has traveled with me worldwide. It’s also much more hygienic this way, as you’re not putting something in your mouth that’s been used by many other random people.

I also recommend an inflatable float. Many recommend not bringing floats on cruises since they’re forbidden from cruise ship pools, but I disagree because these really enhance the beach day experience, and you don’t have to worry about renting a float or pool noodle. This is my favorite because it’s so compact and versatile.

Finally, I recommend a lockable beach bag of some sort. Labadee does have lockers available for complimentary use, but the rental fee is $10. They’re located near the Dragon’s Breath Zipline and at Buccaneer’s Bay, which may not be convenient to the location where you choose to hang out. Having your own lockable bag allows you easy access to things like your phone while keeping it secure, along with your money and Sea Pass card.

Also, don’t forget to bring beach towels with you. Another thing I appreciate about Royal Caribbean and Labadee is how convenient they make it when it comes to using towels. Towels are distributed onboard to cruisers before you disembark at Labadee (if you’ve reserved a cabana, towels will be provided there), and if you need a fresh towel while on the island, there are several towel exchange stations available, including one right at the entrance to the space off the pier.

Food Options at Labadee

Another thing I like about Labadee is the variety of food options, both free and at a cost. Complimentary food options include several buffet-style lunch spots scattered throughout the resort. These serve beachside classics like burgers, hot dogs, and grilled chicken, as well as various salads, fruits, and sides such as corn on the cob. You can also find soft-serve ice cream at various locations around the peninsula.

While most dining options at Labadee are complimentary, there are also some paid food options. Private cabanas at Barefoot Beach often come with upgraded food and beverage service as part of the rental fee. Bars around the island serve specialty cocktails, and some locations might offer snacks and small bites at an additional cost.

Language, Currency & Climate

The official languages of Haiti are French and Haitian Creole, but English is commonly spoken in Labadee, and during my visit, every vendor and employee spoke fluent English. The Haitian gourde is the official currency, but US currency is widely accepted, given that this is a private space leased by Royal Caribbean. You typically won’t need cash on Labadee anyway, as any charges can be billed to your stateroom account via your Sea Pass.

Labadee enjoys a tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round, ranging from the mid-70s to mid-80s Fahrenheit. Light, breathable clothing, swimsuits, and sun protection are recommended. Labadee follows Eastern Standard Time (EST), consistent with most sailings departing from Florida ports.

Labadee, Haiti Cruise Port FAQ

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