There’s no question that Disney Cruise Line has a lot to offer families, from beautiful ships with an abundance of activities onboard to a growing list of exciting itineraries that can take your family around the world. But if you’re looking for a cruise a little closer to home that includes a beach day or two, you’re likely looking at itineraries that head to one or both of Disney’s island destinations in the Bahamas: Disney Castaway Cay and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.
While they may seem similar on the surface, since both offer beaches, character meet-and-greets, and unlimited soft serve ice cream, Disney’s islands are completely different experiences. I recently visited both islands on the same cruise itinerary, and while both beach days were fun, for me, one island comes out on top.
If you’re on the fence about booking one cruise over another because the ship is only going to visit one of the two islands, keep reading for our comparison of Disney Castaway Cay and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.
Ease of getting around Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay
When it comes to actually getting to the beach and around the island, Disney Castaway Cay is the easier of the two destinations. From the moment your ship docks at Castaway, you’re just a short walk to the guest tram or to the family beach. You can also take the tram all the way to the adult beach, Serenity Bay, after transferring at the tram stop near the family beach. You can also walk everywhere on the island, which is a nice option when the weather isn’t too hot. From the adult-only beach back to the ship, it’s about a 20-minute walk, and the family beach is about a 10-minute walk.
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At Lookout Cay, guests are intimidated by the half-mile-long pier that welcomes them to their beach day. And while there are golf carts for cabana and guests with disabilities, the pier is a very long walk, especially on hot days after spending hours at the beach, since there’s no shade cover. After the pier, a tram takes you out to the main beach at Lookout Cay. The ride is about 10 minutes. From the tram stop at the beach, you can walk to the adult beach, the family beach, and the kids’ club. Just know that you cannot walk all the way from the ship to the main beach site, so you’ll need to build in some time to wait at the tram stops, especially first thing in the morning and later in the afternoon to return.
Exclusive feel of Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay
Both destinations offer docking for just one ship a day, so the beaches never feel crowded, even when Disney’s larger 4,000-passenger ships (Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, Disney Wish, Disney Treasure, and Disney Destiny) are visiting.
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It’s important to note that Castaway Cay is a true private island, meaning Disney owns the entire island and the spaces are accessible only to Disney Cruise Line guests. Lighthouse Point is part of the larger Bahamian island of Eleuthera. It’s also used by Princess Cruises for its private beach, Princess Cays. Additionally, about 11,000 people live on the island. Since Lighthouse Point is fairly secluded, you won’t see anyone else during your visit.
Food and drinks at Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay
Both Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay offer a beach BBQ for lunch. Both are fairly similar with BBQ ribs, grilled fish, burgers, and all the traditional sides. At Serenity Bay BBQ (exclusive for adults at both islands), you’ll also find grilled-to-order rib-eye steaks. There are also unlimited soft drinks and soft serve available at both islands. I’ve definitely gotten an ice cream before lunch a few times.
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Around Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay, there are beach bars serving everything from beer and frozen drinks to kid-friendly options without alcohol. My favorite drink at Castaway Cay’s bars is the Chukka, a zero-proof frozen drink that’s a twist on a traditional piña colada with salted caramel syrup.
Beaches and water play areas at Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay
The beaches at Castaway Cay are beautiful, with soft white sand and clear blue water. The family beaches are closer to the ship, while the adult-only Serenity Bay beach is further from the pier. Additionally, just offshore at the family beach is an exciting water slide called Pelican Plunge and a snorkeling zone. The beaches are fairly sheltered, and the water is typically calm. This is great for families with youngsters who may not be strong swimmers yet. There’s also a splash pad, called Spring-A-Leak, for the littlest cruisers.
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Over at Lookout Cay, there is a small beach near the pier, but that is exclusive for those who booked one of the Mabrika Cove cabanas. Over at the main beach near the Goombay Cultural Center, there is a family beach and an adult-only beach. Both have soft pink sands. The water can be a little rougher, so be sure to look at the beach flags. On my recent visit, the red flags were flying, meaning there was a high risk of strong currents. If your kids are looking for a calmer water experience, Rush Out Gush Out is a fun splash pad with slides.
Amenities and activities at Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay
Both islands offer a host of amenities and activities from snorkeling and bikes, to sports courts and a game pavilion. What makes Castaway Cay and Lighthouse Point distinctly different is the focus on authentic Bahamian culture at the latter. While Castaway has all of the typical beach activities, Lighthouse Point really wants to immerse and teach guests about the Bahamas. This is most prominent with the RUSH! A Junkanoo Celebration parade and party, which features Junkanoo performers plus Mickey and the gang all decked out in fun outfits. This is one thing not to miss at Lighthouse Point.
Kids’ activities at Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay
Of course, both Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay have fantastic kids’ areas. Both have a shoreside kids club (Scuttle’s Cove at Castaway and Sebastian’s Cove at Lookout), plus tween and teen clubs on the islands.
Adult-only areas at Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay
Both islands offer an adult-only beach, dubbed Serenity Bay, though Castaway’s feels more secluded and private compared to Lookout’s, which is just an extension of the family beach. Both offer adult-only bars and beachside BBQs, too.
Disney Castaway Cay
What I like: The overall vibe of Disney Castaway Cay is more my speed. It’s easy to come and go from the ship as you wish, the tram service is easier to access, and I love the exclusive feel of Serenity Bay. And just before the day is done, as most families are heading back to the ship, I always hop into the ocean to swim out to Pelican Plunge for a quick trip down the water slides.
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What I don’t like: It’s hard to find something not to like about Castaway Cay. But if I had to pick something, it would be that the Serenity Bay trams don’t pick up right at the beach, and you have to transfer to another tram near the family beach. It would be so nice to walk to the first tram stop near the ship and be whisked away to the adult oasis.
Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point
What I like: I love how much Bahamian culture is infused into Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. Everything is bright and airy, plus the addition of the Junkanoo performers is a fun change of pace from the typical island beach day experience. The pink sand beaches are also perfect for family vacation photos.
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What I don’t like: The transit back to the ship at the end of the day is not the best. In the morning, the pier and tram ride to the beach is easily overlooked because of the excitement of the day, but after a long day in the sun, the trek back can feel pretty long and even more tiring.
If I had to pick just one island, it would be…
For me, the clear winner is Disney Castaway Cay. The family areas have a ton for adults and kids to do together, and the calmer waters make it easier to enjoy the ocean. I also love the seclusion of Serenity Bay. Add all of this in with the ease of getting to and from the ship, and you’ve got a great beach day.
I don’t say this to discount Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. It’s a super fun beach day that only Disney can provide, especially since it combines storytelling and education with Disney characters and Bahamian culture. And no matter which island you choose to go to, you’ll have a great time.
And if you really can’t decide, Disney does offer some itineraries that go to both Disney Castaway Cay and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. In the words of the great Hannah Montana, “Mix it all together, and you know that it’s the best of both worlds.”
