Disney’s Castaway Cay: The Ultimate Guide
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DISNEY’S PRIVATE ISLAND!
Castaway Cay is an island paradise filled with Disney magic!
Disney's Castaway Cay is much more than just an island; it's a magical experience that has captivated Disney Cruise Line guests for over 25 years. One of now two of Disney's private islands in the Bahamas (the second being Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point), it offers a the perfect balance between relaxing tropical paradise and a fun-filled adventure with plenty of engaging activities.
When Disney purchased Castaway Cay in 1997, they transformed it into a haven for families looking for relaxation and adventure. Its stunning white sand beaches, crystal clear waters, and lush landscapes invite visitors to unwind while enjoying various fun-filled activities. There is an undeniable enchantment that brings many families back year after year, and we are excited to share our thoughts and experiences of our time there.
*This post contains affiliate links. That means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through one of these links.*
What is Castaway Cay?
Since you clicked on this blog, my guess is you already know the answer to this, but just in case - Castaway Cay is one of Disney’s Private Islands in the Bahama. It was purchased by Disney Cruise Line in 1997, and they signed a 99 year lease. So it’s bound to be a stop for Disney Cruise Line for quite a while!
Arrival at Castaway Cay
Castaway Cay is fantastic because Disney Ships dock right on the island. Many of the private islands owned by other cruise lines only have the option to tender (take a smaller boat to the island from the ship), which means it takes up more time getting there and back, and it’s a much larger undertaking if you want to head back to the ship for a nap or lunch.
At Castaway Cay, you’ll walk right off the ship to the Arrival Plaza. From here, you can take a nice paved walkway that will carry you all the way to the main beach area. Along this path, you’ll pass by a large map of the island. Take a moment to review that so you have an idea of where everything is. You’ll also pass by the Castaway Cay Post Office (where you can really mail post cards from the island!) and Marge’s Barges & Sea Charters Dock (where you can rent a boat and other watercraft, and where several Port Adventures will meet like parasailing and the glass bottom boat). Along this walkway, you’ll also sometimes find Character Meet & Greets, so be sure to stop and pose for a pic!
Transportation
Disney’s Castaway Cay can involve a lot of walking, but luckily there is a tram service you can hop on that runs around the island! Right past the Arrival Plaza, you’ll find the first tram stop. The tram stops at different areas on the island and it’s great way to get a feel for how it’s laid out.
There are three stops along the Castaway Cay Family Beach area. The first is right as you get off the ship and get to the end of the Arrival Plaza. From there, there are two stops along the family beach. The first stop is by Scuttle’s Cove Kid’s Club, and the second is called the Pelican Point Tram Stop, right in the middle of the two Family Beach areas. There is also a stop to get you to the adults-only area called Serenity Bay. To get there, you’ll disembark at the Pelican Point Tram Stop and transfer to the Serenity Bay Tram.
It’s a great idea to familiarize yourself with the map of Castaway Cay before you go! Click to enlarge map.
Layout of the Island
The main part of the island is essentially one long arched beach, all enclosed by a sea wall, so the water is relatively calm. In theory, there are three beaches (two Family Beaches, separated by the Pelican Plunge Outlook, and the Adults Only Serenity Bay area), but I think it’s easier to simply see the one long Family Beach as one beach, and Serenity Bay as another. Looking at the map here it’s easy to see how the island is laid out.
Along the main stretch of the Family Beach area, you’ll find two BBQ restaurants called Cookies and Cookies Too, several shops, bars, restrooms & outdoor showers, bike & snorkel rental huts, some of the elusive Beach Cabanas, & more. Over in Serenity Bay, you’ll find another BBQ restaurant, a bar, massage cabanas, and more of the ever-sought-after-but-rarely-reserved Beach Cabanas.
Behind the two beaches, towards the middle of the island, you’ll find the Bike & Nature Trail area. Here you can ride bikes, hike, and this is also the route for the Castaway Cay 5k. In the back of this area, around the middle of the loop, you’ll find the Observation Tower. This is a fun place to bike or jog to where you can ascend a few steps and get a great overview of the island. It’s a rare perspective that allows you to see so much of the island’s natural beauty, and it’s a view that most guests will never see.
What is Included on the Island?
One of the most common questions we receive is, “what do I need to bring with me on the island?” Castaway Cay offers most of what travelers need right on the island. That way you don’t have to bring armfuls of beach accoutrements with you. Here’s a list of what is already on the island.
Towels - You’ll collect towels from a Cast Member as you disembark the ship. Be sure to grab them because they’re not offered elsewhere on the island. When you’re finished with them, discard them in the towel collection bins provided all around the island. We recommend getting two towels per person.
Chairs & Umbrellas - There are more than enough beach chairs and umbrellas scattered on the beaches, so no need to bring any with you. If one area of the beach seems crowded, keep walking. You will definitely find open chairs.
Life vests are available for free on Castaway Cay for kids and adults.
Food, Drinks, & Ice Cream - Lunch is provided at Cookies & Cookies Too at the Family Beaches, as well as at Cookies Air Bar in Serenity Bay (see more on the food below). Keep in mind that food is only offered during lunch hours (typically 11:30AM - 2:30PM), so if you need snacks for other times of the day, you can bring them provided they are sealed in their original packaging. Drink stations for water & soft drinks are available all day, and of course, soft-serve ice cream is always available as well!
Life Vests - Life vests are free on the island. Kid’s life vests can be found on stands throughout the island, and adult life vests are available from the rental stands free of charge. If you plan on using the snorkeling area, you’ll have to wear a life vest.
The water temperature in Castaway Cay is typically around 76°F, depending on the time of year you visit. In winter it can range from 68°F to 72°F, and in summer range from 78°F - 83°F. Some people complain that it’s cold (and by some people, I mean me - I like my pools to be more in the jacuzzi range), but your comfort will depend on how hot it is outside, how windy it is, and your personal tolerance for cold water.
What to Bring With You
Here are some things that are not included on the island that you may want to bring with you! You can always go back to the ship, but it’s quite a trek, so bring everything with you.
CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE CASTAWAY CAY PDF PACKING LIST SO YOU DON’T FORGET ANYTHING!
Beach Bag - Something you’re comfortable getting sandy and wet to hold your water bottles, SPF, kid needs (diapers, etc), phones.
Sunblock - It goes without saying, but on this tropical paradise, the sun is usually pretty relentless. Bring a good SPF and apply often. You don’t want to ruin your whole trip by getting terrible sun burns.
Sunglasses & Sun Hats
Flip Flips/Crocs/Water Shoes
Waterproof Phone Holders - We like these from Amazon. They’re large enough to hold our phones and our Key to the World cards, and I know our phones are protected from the elements.
Dry Change of Clothes - When you’re done in the water for the day, don’t forget your dry change of clothes. Changing rooms and bathrooms are available throughout the island. If you don’t want to change, you may want to bring some sort of cover up.
Dry Bag - When you’re done for the day, we recommend changing into dry clothes before heading back to the ship. It’s much more comfortable that way. You can use this dry bag during the day for anything you want to keep dry (like a change of clothes for everyone), and then at the end of the day, you can put all your wet suits in here so they’re contained.
Book/eReader - Don’t forget your favorite beach read!
Sand Toys - If you’re traveling with younger kids, don’t forget sand toys. Castaway Cay has some for purchase as well. It’s a pretty big bag of toys, which is great, until you have to figure out a way to bring them all home. We like these foldable sand toys from Amazon! They’re easy to pack, and they save us from having to buy any on the island.
Goggles/Snorkel Gear - You can rent snorkel gear on Castaway Cay, but if you prefer, you can bring your own instead.
Water - Water is available on the island from the drink stations, but you can also bring bottled water with you provided it’s unopened.
Snacks - Lunch is typically served from 11:30AM - 2:30PM, otherwise there’s no food on the island. So, if you need snacks, bring them. You can bring pre-packaged factory sealed snacks on the island. PRO TIP - Grab the prepackaged little boxes of cereal they offer at Cabanas on the ship, or perhaps sealed bags of goldfish, apple sauce pouches, and granola bars (if you planned ahead and brought them from home).
Camera - Don’t forget your camera! I usually bring my GoPro because it’s waterproof and so it’s perfect for a day on Castaway Cay.
Fun Activities For All Ages!
Castaway Cay has something for everyone! For go-getters, there is snorkeling and the Castaway Cay 5K, an enjoyable challenge that many people run throughout the day. For thrill-seekers, the island offers various water sports, bike rentals, and water slides. For the relaxers - beach chairs, sun & a nice breeze. And for the kids - SO much more! Castaway Cay is a superb experience for the whole family.
Snorkel gear, tubes & floats can all be rented at Flippers & Floats or at Gil’s Fins & Boats in the Family Beach area. In Serenity Bay, you can rent floats at The Windsock Hut.
Activity Rentals - You can rent all kinds of gear on Castaway Cay! From water crafts like kayaks, paddle boats & aqua trikes, to other water based activity needs like floats & snorkel gear. You can also rent several types of bikes at different sizes, including ones with child seats for younger children and even bikes with training wheels. A bike ride early in the day is a great way to get the lay of the land and figure out where things are on the island.
It’s a good idea to reserve everything in advance on the Disney Cruise Line site or Navigator App to guarantee you’ll get what you want, but you can also do walk-up rentals once you’re on the island. Click here for a current list of rental offerings.
Castaway Cay 5k - The Castaway Cay 5k is a super fun informal run. Disney used to do it as an actual race event each day, and everyone started at once. But nowadays, you simply walk up at any point throughout the day and you can begin. The course is easy and paved, and very flat. The scenery is very nice, surrounded by tropical foliage on all sides. It’s not a place to PR (you’re on vacation after all), so be sure to stop along the way at at the Observation Tower for a unique view of the island. You don’t have to register before or run at a certain time (although I do recommend running as early in the day as possible because it definitely gets hot early here). When you’re ready, simply chat with the Cast Members at the bike rental area. After your run, you can collect your Castaway Cay 5k medal (well, a rubber medal) there.
Pro Tip - It’s a long walk from the ship to the starting line. It adds about a mile of walking on top of the 5k, and a lot of time to get back to the ship afterwards. I would suggest your whole travel party goes to the island together, then break off for your run, and meet them on the island after you’re done.
You never know what you might find in the 20-acre Snorkeling Lagoon!
Snorkeling Lagoon - Right in the middle of the Family Beach you’ll find the 20-acre Snorkeling Lagoon. It’s a decent swim out to the main area of the lagoon, but those that make it out there are rewarded with all kinds of fun underwater treasures. You’ll discover hundreds of colorful fish, a full-sized statue of Prince Eric (turns out King Triton didn’t actually destroy it), and even one of the old 20,000 Leagues vessels shipwrecked at the bottom of the ocean. Snorkeling equipment can be rented on the island, or you can bring your own snorkel equipment if you prefer. You will be required to wear a life vest even if you bring your own snorkel equipment. Life vests are provided for free at Gil’s Fins and Boats or Flippers and Floats.
Observation Tower - In the back of the Hike/Bike Trail you’ll find the Observation Tower. Whether you’re doing the Castaway Cay 5k, or simply walking or biking back there, I definitely recommend taking 5 minutes, climbing to the top, and getting a unique view of the island. You’ll get perspective on how little of the island is actually developed, you’ll see some beautiful tropical foliage, and you’ll likely see some interesting wildlife as well! Click on the images below to expand them.
Port Adventures - While you can simply show up to Castaway Cay with absolutely no plans, if laying on the beach and relaxing is not your cup of tea, there are several Port Adventures (Disney’s term for shore excursion) available here. Everything from parasailing to fishing excursions and even stingray adventures. More details on Port Adventures below.
Pelican Plunge - In the middle of the Family Beach area, you’ll find Pelican Plunge; a fun in-water playground featuring two massive water slides and a bucket of water dump. You have to swim to get to Pelican Plunge, and it has a height requirement of 38” inches, so it’s definitely geared towards slightly older kids.
Sports Beach - This is the go-to beach for all beach sports enthusiasts! Here you’ll find beach volleyball courts, tetherball and even some soccer nets.
In Da Shade Game Pavilion - This all-ages pavilion has all sorts of activities like ping pong tables, pool tables and a basketball court.
Spring-A-Leak Splash Pad - For younger kids (and kids at heart), there is a small Splash pad area called Spring-A-Leak. Our daughters always enjoyed playing in this area when they were young!
Character Appearances - It wouldn’t be a Disney Cruise without characters! Keep your eyes peeled throughout the day for character appearances, photo ops, and even dance parties!
Kid’s Clubs
There is a lot to do on Castaway Cay for kids of all ages!
Nursery (Ages 0 - 3) - While the ships have the “it’s a small world Nursery”, Castaway Cay does NOT offer a special area just for nursery aged children. There are, however, several areas that toddlers would enjoy, like the Spring-a-Leak Splash Pad, and, of course, it’s always fun to play in the sand on the beach. You may also leave your younger kids in the it’s a small world Nursery onboard and head out to the island for a bit if you like. The nursery staff can still contact you on the island via the Navigator App, and it’s a short walk or tram ride to get back to the ship quickly if needed. Reservations are required and space is limited.
Scuttle’s Cove (Ages 3-12) - The onboard kids club extends to Castaway Cay with Scuttles Cove! For ages 3-12, there are organized activities throughout the day like scavenger hunts, dance parties, games, and fun water activities. Children must be potty trained.
Teen Hideout (Ages 13 - 17) - A place for teens to hang out right by the Pelican Point Tram Stop. Activities are planned throughout the day, or kids can simply hang out and relax.
Serenity Bay - Adults Only
Serenity Bay, located away from the Family Beach, is an adults-only (age 18+) area. It’s a perfect retreat for parents needing a moment of quiet and…well, serenity. It’s also here where you’ll find the massage cabanas for those that scheduled a massage on their Castaway Cay Day.
This area has it’s own bar and it has it’s own BBQ restaurant as well, so you don’t have to venture over to Cookies or Cookies Too in order to get your lunch!
There is also a tram to get you to the adults-only. To get there, you’ll disembark at the Pelican Point Tram Stop and transfer to the Serenity Bay Tram.
Food & Drinks
All three food locations typically serve the same menu, with Serenity Bay sometimes having extra items on offer.
One of the highlights of Castaway Cay is the food! Lunch is served typically from 11:30AM to 2:30PM, and it’s all included for free. There are three “restaurants” available: Cookie’s BBQ, Cookies Too, and Serenity Bay BBQ. They all serve the same food, with Serenity Bay sometimes having additional offerings. The food on Castaway Cay is good, but I wouldn’t say it’s amazing. That said, you mix the food with the atmosphere, add in the fact that I’m on vacation and boom - this is one of my favorite places to eat in the world. You’ll find all kinds of options like BBQ ribs, burgers, jerk chicken, and more. All three locations serve food cafeteria style, so you’ll simply go through the line. You can go through as many times as you want. We typically recommend waiting until a little bit later in the day to eat if you can manage it. The lines are typically pretty long at 11:30, but if you can wait until 1:00PM or so, they usually are much shorter.
Typical Cookies BBQ Offerings
The menu will vary from time to time, so these are subject to change, but here are some things that are typically offered at all three locations.
Burgers
Hot Dogs
BBQ Chicken
Ribs
Pulled Pork
Mahi Mahi (or other fish)
Flatbread
Potato Salad
Corn on the Cob
Cole Slaw
Baked Beans
Fresh Fruit
Chips
Couscous Salad
Mac & Cheese
Condiments (Mayo, Mustard, Ketchup)
Small Cakes
Cookies
Soft Serve Ice Cream
Gluten Free, Dairy Free, & Other Allergy Friendly Options (Pre-Order from a Cast Member at Cookies)
Bars
There are several bars all around the island for adults. Further, if you’re in a chair on the beach, Cast Members will come around and take drink orders as well.
Sand Bar, Conched Out Bar, & Heads Up Bar - Family Beach Area
Castaway Air Bar - Serenity Bay
Olaf’s Summertime Freeze offers non-alcoholic Specialty Beverages!
Specialty Beverages
Olaf’s Summertime Freeze, located near the Pelican Point Tram Stop, offers non-alcoholic Specialty Beverages for the whole family at an additional charge. You can order just the drinks, or you can upgrade to include a souvenir Olaf sipper.
What’s Available For Purchase on the Island?
There are a few merchandise shops on the island offering both Castaway Cay specific merchandise you can’t get anywhere else (even on the ship!), and basic sundries like SPF, goggles, swim gear, towels and sand toys. Supposedly you can have you merch delivered back to your stateroom on the ship so you don’t have to lug it around if you don’t want, but we haven’t done this personally.
Shops
She Sells Seashells and Everything Else - The first shop you’ll pass on the way from the ship to the Island.
Buy the Seashore - Located near Pelican Point and Olaf’s Summertime Freeze.
Bahamian Retail - Located right in the middle of the Family Beach area, offering local Bahamian Arts & Crafts.
What Costs Extra?
Alcohol
Massages (Serenity Bay)
Cabanas - Renting a cabana is nearly impossible. There are 25 total, and they are usually gobbled up by those Castaway Clubs members that can reserve it earlier.
Bike Rentals
Boat Beach & Marge’s Barges - Boat Rentals
Gil’s Fins & Boats, Flippers & Floats, Windsock Hut - Snorkel, Tune & Float Rentals (Life vests are complimentary)
Souvenirs
Port Adventure Options
Castaway Cay offers guests several Port Adventures (Disney’s term for Short Excursions) to make your visit unforgettable. Parasailing, fishing excursions, glass bottom boats & stingray adventures just to name a few. Once your cruise is paid in full, you can make reservations online as soon as your cruise activities booking window opens. You can also make Port Adventure reservations onboard your ship at the Port Adventures desk.
Click HERE for the most up-to-date offerings for Port Adventures at Disney’s Castaway Cay!
Fun Facts
The 1984 movie Splash with Tom Hanks and Daryl Hanna had a scene that was filmed on Castaway Cay (back when it was Gorda Cay)! The scene where Tom Hanks first encounters Daryl Hanna was filmed here before Disney owned the island. And so was (allegedly) a scene from "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl", according to some Cast Members, although upon further research this seems like it might not be the case. From what I could gather, there is a scene in which the Black Pearl was filmed floating around the island, but there was much CGI added to the image that the island is unrecognizable. However, The Flying Dutchman was indeed docked here for a while after the movies release as marketing play for people to take pictures!
One of the submarine ride vehicles from the now-closed 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage ride at Walt Disney World can be found in Castaway Cay. It lies underneath the water in the snorkeling area.
There is Post Office on Castaway Cay! It accepts USD and mail is sent with an exclusive Castaway Cay stamp!
Some Disney Cast Members actually live on Castaway Cay! Estimates range from 60-140, so I’m not sure exactly how many, but they take care of everything from maintenance, engineering, and security to tram driving and animals.
Island Preservation
Looking at the island from the Observation Tower, it’s easy to see that only a very small portion of the island is developed. Only 55 of the 1,000 acres are developed with the rest set aside as a nature preserve. It’s especially easy to see this from an aerial photo. Don’t…uh…don’t worry that the top left corner says Bermuda Triangle. You’ll be fine. Probably.
Looking at this aerial photo, you can see how little of the island is actually developed!
According to Disney’s official website:
“Disney Cruise Line does its part to preserve this pristine island with clear turquoise waters, white-sand beaches and swaying palm trees. Disney Castaway Cay researchers are restoring the health of coral reefs by transplanting long-spined sea urchins and fostering their growth. Disney Cruise Line Crew Members help protect and monitor endangered loggerhead sea turtle nests on Disney Castaway Cay.
Solar panels in backstage areas of Disney Castaway Cay (you can see them in this photo - they’re that rectangle in the middle to the left side, which is also right by the Cast Member housing) also are used to fuel water heaters for bathing, dishwashing and laundry for Crew Members living on the island. Additionally, Disney Cruise Line recycles 7,000 pounds of used cooking oil each week to power a fleet of Bahamas Waste Management vehicles in Nassau.”
Our Tips & Tricks
Head to the second Family Beach past Pelican Plunge. It’s quieter and usually has lots of chairs and umbrellas open.
We typically recommend waiting until a little bit later in the day to eat if you can manage it. The lines are typically pretty long at 11:30AM, but if you can wait until 1:00PM or so, they usually are much shorter.
Send a Post Card from the Post Office! It will have a special Castaway Cay stamp!
Bring your own snorkel equipment - or at least your own mask. You can rent stuff on the island, and yes, it takes up room in your luggage, but having your own mask is going to be more sanitary and likely more clear to see through.
Towel clips are a good idea on a windy day so you’re not perpetually chasing down your towels.
Is it Castaway Cay or Is It Castaway Cay?
Finally, let’s address the most pressing issue here: the pronunciation of Cay. Is it Castaway Cay (kay) or Castaway Cay (key)? We’ve been using the latter pronunciation for years, but given some of the rhyming names that Disney has used for various activities (see “Castaway Cay 5k”), I’m now calling the pronunciation into question. This question may seem trivial, but it may be one of the liveliest debates we’ve ever had in our comment section. And this is before we even begin to broach the subject of the pronunciation of “Caribbean”. Comment below with how you say it, and let’s settle this once and for all.
Conclusion
Overall, Castaway Cay has something for everyone, so you're bound to leave with a heart full of joy. With every return visit, our affection for Castaway Cay grows. It’s a place that resonates with many Disney Cruise Lines enthusiasts, and we hope to inspire all of you to embark on your own magical journey. The future looks bright for Castaway Cay, and we cannot wait to return to its beautiful shores.
Helpful Links
People Mover Travel Disney Cruise Line Quote - Get a free quote for your upcoming Disney Cruise Line vacation from my travel agency, People Mover Travel.
Gallery
Listen to Our Podcast Episode on Castaway Cay!
Considering a Disney Cruise?
BOOK YOUR DISNEY CRUISE WITH PEOPLE MOVER TRAVEL!
My top-notch team of travel advisors are experts in destinations worldwide, including Disney Cruise Line! We also book Disney Parks, Europe, Cruises, All-Inclusive Resorts, Hawaii, Asia and more! Find out how we can personally help you plan & book your next trip for free!
What questions do you have about Castaway Cay? Do you have tips for fellow travelers! Help us make this the ULTIMATE guide to Disney’s Castaway Cay by commenting below!