Private island · Haiti · Western Caribbean
Labadee: private island guide
Labadee is Royal Caribbean’s private beach destination on a fenced peninsula on Haiti’s north coast, a lush, mountainous setting with several beaches, a long over-water zip line, an alpine coaster and a complimentary barbecue lunch. Calls have been suspended at times because of conditions in Haiti, so check with Royal Caribbean whether your sailing will stop here.
- Zip lines
- Family beach days
- Water sports
- Royal Caribbean cruisers
Photo: Ahodges7, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Country
- Haiti
- Region
- Western Caribbean
- Type of stop
- Private island
- Language
- English inside the resort. Haitian Creole and French are Haiti’s official languages.
- Currency
- Purchases in the resort go on your SeaPass card. U.S. dollars are used at the artisans’ market.
- Best time to visit
- January–December
- Average highs
- 82–88°F through the year
About Labadee
Labadee looks very different from the flat, sandy private islands of the Bahamas. Steep green hills drop into sheltered coves, and the peninsula feels tropical and dramatic, with palm groves and views of the mountains across the bay. Royal Caribbean leases and runs the site exclusively for its guests, and it employs many local people and hosts a market for Haitian artisans.
The day is all about beaches and thrills inside the resort area: you cannot leave the peninsula to explore Haiti, and there are no independent tours. It’s great for families and anyone who wants an easy, active beach day. Travelers hoping to experience Haitian culture beyond the artisan market will find the experience limited, and anyone uneasy about visiting a gated enclave in a country facing serious hardship may want to weigh that before sailing.
Where cruise ships dock in Labadee
Ships dock at Labadee’s pier, so there’s no tender. From the pier you walk or take a free open-air tram to the main areas. All beaches, the barbecue lunch, water and lemonade, and basic loungers are included. The Dragon’s Breath Flight Line zip line, the Labadee Coaster, the Arawak Aqua Park, cabanas, water sports, alcoholic drinks and some premium beach areas cost extra and are charged to your SeaPass card. The whole site can be walked in about 20 to 30 minutes. Status of calls can change at short notice; Royal Caribbean will substitute another port or a sea day if needed.
Best things to do in Labadee on a cruise
- 1
Dragon’s Breath Flight Line
adventure
One of the longest over-water zip lines in the world, launching from a hilltop and flying riders out across the bay to a landing on the beach. Weight and age limits apply. It’s the island’s signature thrill and often sells out on board, so reserve early in the cruise.
- 2
Labadee Coaster
adventure
An alpine-style mountain coaster in which you control the speed of your two-person car as it twists down the hillside through the trees. It’s fun for teens and adults and takes only a few minutes, but lines form when the ship first arrives.
- 3
Arawak Aqua Park
family
A floating inflatable obstacle course with slides, trampolines and climbing walls anchored off one of the beaches. Life jackets are required, and timed sessions are sold on board. Good for kids and active adults who want something lively in the water.
- 4
Barefoot Beach
beach
A calmer stretch of sand away from the busiest areas, with clear water, cabanas for rent and a more relaxed feel. Columbus Cove, meanwhile, is set up for families, and Adrenaline Beach has rougher water and water-sports rentals. Each has its own character, so explore before settling down.
- 5
Labadee artisans’ market
shopping
Local vendors sell Haitian paintings, wood carvings, metalwork made from recycled oil drums and other handicrafts. Bargaining is expected, and vendors can be persistent. Buying here is one of the most direct ways to support local people during your visit.
- 6
Snorkeling and kayaking
nature
Rentals let you snorkel near the rocky points and paddle the protected coves for views of the coastline. The water is calm on most days, and the hills behind the beaches make for great photos from the water.
Labadee weather by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 8228 | 8228 | 8228 | 8329 | 8530 | 8730 | 8730 | 8731 | 8831 | 8730 | 8429 | 8328 |
| Low °F (°C) | 7725 | 7625 | 7625 | 7825 | 8027 | 8228 | 8228 | 8228 | 8328 | 8228 | 8027 | 7926 |
| Rain in (mm) | 1.845 | 1.332 | 1.538 | 1.743 | 3.896 | 3.691 | 2.665 | 2.973 | 3.998 | 3.793 | 4.8121 | 2.665 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 |
What to eat and drink in Labadee
Lunch is a complimentary barbecue served at several stations around the peninsula, with burgers, hot dogs, chicken, salads, fruit and desserts. Water, lemonade and iced tea are included; cocktails, beer and sodas cost extra unless you have a drink package. Try the Labadoozie, a frozen rum cocktail that’s Labadee’s signature drink, and look for Haitian rum, which some bars serve. There’s no opportunity to eat at local restaurants outside the resort area.
Tips for your port day
- Check with Royal Caribbean before and during your cruise; Labadee calls have been canceled or replaced when conditions in Haiti required it.
- Reserve the zip line and coaster early in the cruise; they sell out and are the reason many people look forward to Labadee.
- Pick your beach on arrival; families like Columbus Cove, while Barefoot Beach is quieter.
- Bring cash for the artisans’ market, where bargaining is normal; most other purchases go on your SeaPass card.
- Water shoes help on rocky areas, and reef-safe sunscreen protects the coves.
Cruise lines that visit Labadee
Often on the same itinerary
Labadee cruise FAQs
Is Labadee still a cruise stop?
It depends on conditions in Haiti. Royal Caribbean has suspended Labadee calls at times and replaced them with other ports or sea days. Check with Royal Caribbean before your sailing, and watch for updates on board.
Is Labadee an island?
No. Despite often being called a private island, Labadee is a peninsula on the north coast of Haiti, leased and operated by Royal Caribbean exclusively for its guests.
Can you leave the resort area in Labadee?
No. Guests stay within the fenced resort area, and there are no independent tours into Haiti from Labadee.
Is lunch free in Labadee?
Yes. A barbecue lunch with water, lemonade and iced tea is included. Alcoholic drinks and sodas cost extra unless covered by your drink package.
Is Labadee safe?
Royal Caribbean operates Labadee as a secure, gated resort, and the cruise line decides whether calls go ahead based on its own security assessments. Check the U.S. State Department advisory for Haiti and follow your cruise line’s guidance.
Do you need a passport for Labadee?
Labadee is in Haiti, a foreign country, so carry the travel documents your cruise line requires. For U.S. citizens on round-trip cruises that may not mean a passport, but having one is strongly recommended.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: Wikipedia, Wikidata, NASA POWER climate data.