Storytelling takes center stage on Disney Cruise Line (DCL), and not just onboard its cruise ships. Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, called Castaway Cay, is part of the enchantment as well. On most Disney cruises to the Bahamas and Caribbean, including the newest ships, the Disney Wish and Disney Treasure, you’ll stop for a day at Castaway Cay. And on super special sailings throughout the year, you may have two days at Castaway Cay. This incredible private island is one of my favorite ports of call on a Disney Cruise Line vacation. From the moment I step off the ship to when I return, nearly everything I could want in a beach day is taken care of.
Whether you’re traveling with kids or without, there’s plenty to do on Castaway Cay, including snorkeling in crystal clear water, swimming with stingrays, zipping down water slides, sipping cocktails on the beach, enjoying a lively BBQ, and even running a 5K. Here’s what is (and isn’t) included when you visit Castaway Cay on a family cruise with Disney Cruise Line, plus ideas about which activities are best for everyone in your group.
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Editor’s note: In June 2024, Disney began sailing to a second island destination, Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point on the island of Eleuthera. Read all about Lookout Cay here.
Arriving at Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island
Disney Cruise Line has six ships (and many more on the way), and only one docks at Castaway Cay per day. After the ship’s captain makes the all-ashore announcement, guests can disembark and head straight for Castaway Cay’s white sandy beaches. I try to be ready to get off the ship around 9:00 a.m., just after eating breakfast. This nearly ensures I can grab a good spot on the beach with a chair next to a colorful, shady umbrella.
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Guests who book specific excursions leave the ship first, starting around 8:30 a.m. Additionally, those who plan to run the Castaway Cay 5K (a free 5K in which participants receive a bib and a medal, just like all other runDisney races) also get off early. Otherwise, guests can get on and off the ship throughout the day at their leisure. I’ve participated in the Castaway Cay 5K multiple times. I always look forward to the race, especially on cooler island days, since most of the course lacks shade.
What to bring to Castaway Cay
While Disney will provide most of what you need at Castaway Cay—including beach towels and lounge chairs—I always bring a few things with me. The two most important items to have with you are a photo ID and a cabin key card. You will need these to get back on the ship at the end of the day.
You’ll also want to bring beach essentials like sunscreen, a beach bag, sunglasses, a hat, and a coverup. Fresh towels are provided on the gangway on the island. There are towel return stations around the island, so you don’t have to carry wet, sandy towels back to the ship. This is one amenity I love, especially because other cruise lines make you check out towels from the ship and bring them back onboard. And let’s be really honest, no one wants to carry dirty towels back to the ship after a long day of fun in the sun.
Getting around Castaway Cay
Just beyond the pier is a complimentary tram to take you to the family beach area’s main tram stop. From there, you can grab your stuff and explore the family beach and the main hub of Castaway Cay. If you’re like me, you’re sticking around at the tram stop to get on the secondary tram that takes those 18 and over to the adults-only beach, Serenity Bay. You can also walk from the ship to any of the beaches. The path is easy to follow. The family beach is about 10 minutes from the dock, while Serenity Bay is about a 20-minute walk.
What’s included at Castaway Cay
Every guest at Castaway Cay has complimentary access to the tram, towels, lounge chairs, hammocks, beachside BBQ, unlimited ice cream, and multiple beaches. The Pelican Plunge water park and Spring-a-Leak splash pad areas are also free. If you bring your own snorkel gear, you can also enjoy the snorkeling lagoon off the family beach for free. Alternatively, you can rent snorkels on the island to enjoy the undersea fun in the lagoon.
What’s not included at Castaway Cay
While your BBQ lunch, unlimited ice cream, and the optional Castaway 5K are all included with your visit to Castaway Cay, some activities cost an additional fee. For example, renting tubes, floats, snorkel gear, or bicycles will cost extra. These rentals can be charged to your cruise cabin. Port adventures such as fishing, parasailing, and sea kayaking cost extra, too.
All alcoholic drinks are an additional cost, too. Adults looking to get pampered at the beach can rent a cabana at Serenity Bay or have a massage overlooking the ocean for a fee. Just note that cabana rentals fill quickly. Your best bet to secure one is to stay in a concierge-level room or be fairly high up in Disney Cruise Line’s loyalty program, Castaway Club.
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While there’s no wrong way to do Castaway Cay, it’s best to arrive at the island with a plan. Download the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App to see the schedule of activities, meals, and character greetings on the island well before you arrive. I love seeing Mickey and his pals in their beach outfits, and every once in a while, Captain Jack Sparrow can be spotted walking around the island.
Family areas at Castaway Cay
Castaway family beach and snorkel lagoon
Castaway Cay’s family beach is the best spot on the island for families with kids—and by “kids,” I mean children from toddlers to teenagers. Plenty of lounge chairs and umbrellas are spread out over two distinct parts of the sandy beach. Arrive on the island early if you want the best beach chairs in an ideal location for your family.
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Because the waves are small and gentle, Castaway Cay’s family beach is a good spot for those who aren’t strong swimmers. This beach is also where families can snorkel together to spot colorful sea creatures and a few well-placed “sunken treasures” that should delight Disney fans.
Pelican Plunge water park and water slides for kids of all ages
Pelican Plunge is a fun play area located just off the beach. The two water slides can only be reached by wading into the sea to reach the platform, and both slides zip you back out into the ocean, so participants should be relatively strong swimmers. Pelican Plunge also has a giant dump bucket and water cannons to play with. Throughout the day, kids can be found in large groups playing here, but parents don’t need to worry because there are always lifeguards on duty in case anyone needs help. I like to head to Pelican Plunch about an hour before the all aboard time. By then, kids have mostly returned to the ship with their families, and I can take a few rides down the slides without the longer wait times that come with the early morning and afternoon.
Spring-a-Leak splash pad for toddlers and little kids
Toddlers have their own splash pad at Castaway Cay called Spring-a-Leak. It’s a fun spot for little kids who don’t know how to swim. Here, dripping pipes and water misters keep little kids cool and allow them to have some water fun too.
Snap a photo with Disney characters
There are opportunities to see (and snap a photo with) many of your favorite Disney characters throughout Castaway Cay. Mickey and the gang can be spotted regularly near Mount Rustmore. This is also a great picture spot on the pathway to the family beach. Captain Jack Sparrow sometimes shows up at Serenity Bay, too.
I always check the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App before getting off the ship to know when and where characters are meeting. If I do decide to see Mickey or his friends at the beach, I try to line up about 10 to 15 minutes before the set time so I’m near the front of the line.
Is there a kids club on Castaway Cay?
Adults looking to spend some time at Serenity Bay will be happy to know there is a children’s activity area on the island. Scuttle’s Cove is directed by the same kids club counselors who staff the cruise ship kids clubs. You do not need to make reservations for your children to visit Scuttle’s Cove, but kids will need to be registered at one of the youth clubs on the ship to participate in activities on the island. This area of the island is geared to kids ages three to 10.
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Teens who want to spend time with their new friends can go to Teen Hideout on Castaway Cay, exclusively for teens ages 14 to 17. Teenagers can also sign up for a half-day Castaway Cay shore excursion called the Wild Side Teen Adventure, a snorkel-cycle-speedboat adventure led by adult counselors. And while there’s no specific area for tweens like there is onboard, there are some tween-dedicated activities led by counselors from the ship too. The schedule for tween activities can be found on the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app.
Adult-only areas at Castaway Cay
The adults-only beach at Castaway Cay is Serenity Bay, and it’s my favorite place to hang out on the island. To reach it, take the free tram from the pier to the family beach, then switch to a second tram to complete the trip. You can also walk to Serenity Bay on a well-marked paved path. It’s about 10 minutes by tram for both legs of the trip or 20 minutes on foot from the ship. The beach has chairs, hammocks, loungers, and umbrellas.
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There’s an adults-only bar with a large deck overlooking the glittering waters at Serenity Bay. The adult libations are strong and tropical, enhancing the beach’s laid-back island vibe. There’s also beach service, so drinks can be ordered and delivered right to your beach chair.
Dining options at Castaway Cay
There are multiple dining options for families and adults at Castaway Cay, so there’s no need to return to the ship for lunch.
Cookies BBQ and Cookies Too BBQ at the family beach
Just off the family beach at Castaway Cay is Cookies BBQ. A short distance away is Cookies Too BBQ. Here, groups can dine together on everything from hot dogs and burgers to chicken and ribs. These two quick-service BBQ restaurants also serve cold sides like pasta salad, potato salad, and fresh fruit. The two eateries are for everyone on the island to enjoy.
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Both locations serve the same menu, but are a short walk away from each other to cover the two large swaths of the family beach. Free unlimited soft serve ice cream stands are nearby and make for a perfect post-lunch snack. And pro-tip, grab two chocolate chip cookies from the buffet and put some of that soft serve between them for a delightful ice cream sandwich treat.
Serenity BBQ in the adults-only area
The adults-only beach also has its own lunch spot, Serenity Bay BBQ. The menu is basically the same as at Cookies and Cookies Too, with ribs, chicken, and burgers. However, the adult-only lunch spot also serves up ribeye steaks, an exclusive item to this dining area at Castaway Cay. This is where I always have lunch at Castaway Cay.
No matter which beach BBQ you eat at, you’ll likely spot your dining room service team working there. Be sure to say hi, because the crew from the ship usually has great suggestions for things to do on Castaway Cay.
Bars at Castaway Cay
There are four bars located around the island. Each has a similar menu. Three are near the family beach area, and one is at the adults-only area. The signature drink of Castaway Cay is the Konk Cooler, which is a mix of rum and tropical juices. Most drinks on the signature menus include rum, but if you prefer another spirit, ask the bartender to make a swap. Each bar is fully stocked, so you can always get your drink of choice.
How to plan your day at Castaway Cay
While there’s no wrong way to do Castaway Cay, it’s best to arrive at the island with a plan. With the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App, you can see the schedule of activities, meals, and character greetings well before you arrive on the island.
If visiting Castaway Cay is a priority for you, double-check your cruise itinerary before completing your booking to ensure you’re sailing will be visiting the island. While most Caribbean and Bahamas Disney Cruise Line vacations stop at Castaway Cay, some do not. You don’t want to be disappointed after you’ve booked your cruise.
After going to the island numerous times, I can assure you that you won’t be disappointed by booking a cruise that stops at Castaway Cay. Not only is the island beautiful, but it’s got so much to do that you’ll need to make a return visit or two to do it all.
