Dos & Don’ts of Disney’s Castaway Cay (23 Helpful Tips!)
Disney’s Castaway Cay in The Bahamas is a tiny island, but it’s packed with so much to do that you might have a hard time deciding how to spend your time. Measuring 3.1 miles long and 2.2 miles wide, it offers tons of activities like bike rentals, water play areas, parasailing, fishing, a stingray interaction experience, and more. Here are some Castaway Cay tips from family travel experts to make the most of your visit.
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1. Don’t forget your stateroom key.
The most important item to bring to Castaway Cay is your stateroom key. You will not be able to disembark or reboard the ship without it. Most other necessities, like sunblock and sand toys, can be purchased on the island.
2. Do take the tram.
It’s a surprisingly long walk from the ship to the beach. Thankfully, you can hop aboard a handy and complimentary shuttle to get around the island.
3. Don’t bring a stroller.
There are free strollers, wagons, and joggers available on the island. There are even special wheelchairs made specifically for use on the sand for physically challenged cruisers.
4. Do choose the right beach.
There are three beaches on Castaway Cay: Family Beach, Sports Beach, and Serenity Bay.
Family Beach
If traveling with babies and young children, Keryn Means of Twist Travel Magazine advises sticking to the section of Family Beach closest to the ship. She says this area offers “a bit of space with a less rambunctious crowd.”
A little further along the shore on Family Beach, you’ll find Pelican Plunge. This is a waterpark structure floating in the ocean. Cruisers must swim out to the platform to play. Choose from two water slides here including one dark tunnel and an open air slide. Sliders must be at least 38 inches tall, and those under 48 inches must don a complimentary life vest.
Sports Beach
Active cruisers should head to Sports Beach. If sitting still on the sand all day sounds ho-hum, this is the place to be. Sand volleyball and tether ball reign supreme here.
Serenity Bay
Meanwhile, cruisers aged 18+ can spread out on Serenity Bay. This is the mellow adult-only beach on the island. (Psst…the food is better at the Serenity Bay BBQ!)
5. Don’t miss live entertainment and games.
Family Travel Magazine‘s Jodi Grundig advises seeking out Castaway Cay’s live entertainment and game options. Meanwhile, cruisers aged 18+ can spread out on Serenity Bay. This is the mellow adult-only beach on the island. Fun to be had at this pavilion includes foosball and pool tables, giant checkers, and chess boards.
Grundig says, “We love sitting on Family Beach by the island’s Gazebo because we can easily walk over and see things like a character dance party and the Island Vibes DJ performance. There’s also usually a basketball free throw competition and ping pong tournament at In Da Shade Pavilion.”
6. Do work off your vacation calories.
If you stay active, there’s no reason to feel guilty for indulging in dessert during your Disney Cruise. Good thing there are lots of exercise options on Castaway Cay.
Take a yoga class on the beach. Swim or snorkel off your lunch. Play volleyball or tetherball at Sports Beach. Rent a paddleboat, kayak, or aquabike from Gil’s Fins and Boats. Play ping-pong, basketball, and other games at one of two Game Pavilions.
Your family can also explore the 1.5 miles of bike trails aboard a beach cruiser. Adult bicycles, child seats, and kids’ bikes are available for rental.
7. Do go snorkeling.
Kirsten Maxwell with Kids Are a Trip says snorkeling at Castaway Cay was the highlight of her family’s day on the island. For kids, Maxwell recommends bringing “full-face snorkeling masks so they don’t have to mess with the separate pieces.”
If you forget your gear, you can buy or rent masks and fins on the island. Life vests are provided free of charge and are required for snorkelers.
8. Don’t pay for bottled water.
Why pay for water when you can hydrate for free? Plenty of coolers are situated throughout the island where you can get a complimentary cup of cold filtered water.
Non-alcoholic drinks like sodas and fruit juices are also available free of charge at bars located throughout the island. Adults aged 21+ can purchase beer, wine, and tropical beverages like frozen mojitos, too.
9. Do pack your running shoes.
Kimberly Tate, author of the Stuffed Suitcase blog recommends participating in the Castaway Cay 5K. She and her family have participated in these 3.1-mile races on the island. They’re open to walkers and runners of all levels.
Tate says, “We all earned medals and still had time to hit the beach for sand play and snorkeling afterward. This is perfect for families looking for more than just beach time.”
Keep in mind the run is for ages 10+. All participants receive a souvenir medal made of rubber material.
10. Don’t take cash or credit cards.
Debra Muccio, founder of Finding Debra, says there’s no need to lug your wallet around. “I had heard rumors before our trip that you needed cash or credit cards to shop at the few Castaway Cay souvenir stores. This turned out to be not true. Souvenirs were bought using our stateroom key loaded with our credit card information.”
11. Don’t wait to buy Castaway Cay souvenirs.
You will be disappointed if you wait to purchase Castaway Cay gear and memorabilia on board the cruise ship. You can only purchase Castaway Cay souvenirs on the island.
12. Do make a splash on Castaway Cay.
The Spring-A-Leak splash pad will keep children content for hours. Located near Family Beach, fountains bubbling from the ground incite joy and giggles from toddlers, preschoolers, and young grade schoolers.
13. Don’t waste time eating on the ship.
There’s no sense wasting beach time eating on the ship when the food is tasty and free on the island. Choose from three places to eat: Cookie’s BBQ, Cookie’s Too BBQ, and a “secret” Serenity Bay BBQ. Expect simple fare like hot dogs, hamburgers, fresh fruit, soft-serve ice cream, potato salad, and soft drinks.
The restaurant at Serenity Bay is solely for grown-ups and offers bonus entrees unavailable at the other two. Think deliciously seasoned grilled steak.
If you’d like to eat lunch on Castaway Cay, don’t wait till it’s too late. The restaurants typically shut down for the day at 2 pm.
14. Do book a shore excursion or activity.
Castaway Cay excursion options include a jet boat tour, snorkeling, parasailing, kayaking, and jet ski rentals.
Monica Young of My Life is a Journey says, “Although most activities do have an additional fee, the experiences can be so memorable, such as feeding stingrays, which is a cool activity for the whole family. For adults, I recommend booking a massage on the beach.”
15. Do rent a float.
Cruisers can rent inflatable inner tubes on Castaway Cay. Water toys like these provide oodles of fun for children or a relaxing way for grown-ups to laze about in the water. Your fabulous flamingo pool float may be confiscated by Disney, so it’s better to leave your own pool floats at home.
Keep in mind that the only floats you can bring to the island are “coast Guard approved personal flotation devices (PFDs) and flotation sewn into the bathing suit for safety,” according to Disney Cruise Line. These are life vests, which are available for free on Castaway Cay.
16. Do find Disney characters on the island.
Photos with your favorite Disney characters like Mickey Mouse make wonderful souvenirs of your time on Disney’s private isle.
Margie DQ of DQ Family Travel says, “You can check the Personal Navigator schedule the night before or right when you get off the ship to find character meet-up times and locations. Some of our cutest family pictures are with a Disney character in island gear with a beach background.”
17. Don’t get stuck without a beach chair.
Plan ahead to nab a beach chair. Robin Hutson of Luxe Recess says, “Unless you take the tram early in the morning to the Family Beach you won’t get a spot, as this section fills up first.”
She continues, “If you enjoyed a leisurely morning on the ship and disembark after 10:30, get off at the first tram stop near the Snorkeling Lagoon. There will probably still be many beach chairs, loungers, and umbrellas. If you’re lucky, you may even snag a hammock!”
18. Do book your private cabana in advance.
Cruisers who want to make sure to have space and amenities on shore should rent a private cabana. Be forewarned that they are not cheap!
Castaway Cay cabanas do come with a slew of amenities, though. Expect snacks, unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, sunblock, sand toys, snorkeling equipment, free float rentals, and a one-hour bike rental.
Be sure to book your cabana online far in advance. The island has a limited supply, making cabanas a hot commodity.
If you can’t nab one at first, check the Disney Cruise Line website regularly for cancellations. You can also try to book a private cabana with Guest Services as soon as you board the ship.
19. Don’t forget about free childcare on Castaway Cay.
Trips with Tykes Editor Leslie Harvey recommends taking advantage of babysitting services on shore.
She says, “Although there is plenty to do as a family together, parents may also want some time to explore the island together or enjoy a tropical drink at the bar sans kids. Scuttle’s Cove takes kids ages 3 to 12 and offers the same high-quality supervision, security, and fun you can find at the Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab on board the ship.”
20. Do relax on Castaway Cay.
You could get Castaway Cay fever trying to squeeze too many activities into one day. Instead, pick a couple of must-dos to please everyone in your crew. The point here is to unwind island-style.
21. Don’t wait to plan your Disney vacation.
Research shows travelers may enjoy planning their vacation more than the actual trip. So, start planning! You can read more about Disney Cruise Line on CruiseDirect.com. I also suggest buying The Unofficial Disney Cruise Line 2024 guidebook. It’s packed with helpful tips for making the most of your time at sea and in ports of call.
22. Do book your Disney Cruise early.
Typically, the farther in advance you book your cruise, the better price you will pay. For assistance with booking your Disney Cruise, visit Get Away Today. On top of the best information, you can get bonuses like extra on-board credits and Mickey and Minnie plushes when you mention Travel Mamas sent you. Book your Disney Cruise now!
23. Do get more cruise tips.
Here’s how to choose the best Disney Cruise for your family.
Before your vacation, look at what to pack for a Disney Cruise.
Learn what to do if you get sick on a cruise.
Sailing with children? Read these tips for cruising with kids.
Save these Castaway Cay tips!
Considering a Disney Cruise? Keep these Castaway Cay dos and don’ts for future reference. Just pin the image below to Pinterest. Go ahead and follow Travel Mamas on Pinterest while you’re at it!
Do you have any questions or additional Castaway Cay tips? Share your comments and questions below!
A note from the Travel Mama: Thank you to Disney Cruise Line for inviting me to sail on Fantasy and Dream. My family has also paid full price to sail with Disney.
Does Cookies and Cookies Too serve breakfast or just lunch. We’ve had lunch there and it was delicious but I was wondering if we go directly there in the morning can we get breakfast.
Hi Susan – Breakfast isn’t served on Castaway Cay. I believe lunch is served 11:30 am – 2 pm, but the time might vary depending on your cruise and length of time in port.
Do they have bikes with training wheels?
Hi Carolina – That’s a good question! I tried to find the answer online but came up short. I’ve sent an email to the DCL PR peeps. I’ll let you know if there are any bikes with training wheels to rent on Castaway Cay when they get back to me.
Colleen,
Your tips are so helpful. Thank you.
My children and I will be on the Dream to Castaway very soon. They are chomping at the bit to try out the parasailing. Is it worth the short ride in the sky? Do I have to reserve on line before I leave for the cruise or is it something I can do once we are on the island that day? Currently, I noticed there is a 2:30 flight time (for an hour). If we do that time, will we have enough time to get back on board the ship? Thank you!\
Austin
Hi Austin – I have tried parasailing once, but not on Castaway Cay. It is definitely an experience your family will always remember! You could probably try parasailing elsewhere at a less expensive rate (I did it in Mexico), but it would be fun no matter where you go. You can book most activities on the island OR beforehand but if they get booked up, you’ll be out of luck. I’m sure you’ll have enough time to get back to the ship or they wouldn’t allow that time slot. I doubt you’d be in the air for a whole hour. (I think my flight was about 15 minutes or so, and that was plenty for me.) Have a great time!
Hi Austin,
I just thought I’d add a couple things too about parasailing. I’ve done it twice in Phuket, Thailand and Destin, Florida. If it’s the same as Destin, we went via speedboat with 4 other people we didn’t know. So it takes a little time to get to where they put you in the harness. Also, you wait for the other people to have their turn too. Hence, the hour. On a separate issue, I also wanted to say we booked excursions ahead of time on our Disney Cruise (though not parasailing), and you can cancel up until you board without paying. We didn’t know this, and forgot to cancel a snorkeling excursion we decided we didn’t want to do. They weren’t going to let us cancel it, since we’d set sail already. We ended up getting out of paying for it, due to choppy waves and they canceled all the excursions that day on Castaway Cay. So, I’d say book now (since it doesn’t cost anything until later), make up your mind a day before the cruise, and go from there. Have fun!
Kelly
Kelly – Good point on the parasailing timing and great tip on booking now and deciding right before the cruise!
Did you happen to find out if they have bikes with training wheels on Castaway Cay?
Cherie and Carolina – I’m so sorry I never posted about the training wheels on Castaway Cay! I looked at my photos of the bicycles available for rent on the island and saw that indeed some of the bikes do come equipped with training wheels.
Does DCL provide swimming vest for kids, especially for those who don’t swim?
Hi Christina – DCL DOES provide swimming vests for kiddos. My son is sporting one under the “Do rent an innertube” tip. Of course, you still need to be very vigilant about watching young ones in the water. Have a wonderful cruise!
Hi Christina – I checked with Disney Cruise Line PR and this was their response:
Disney Cruise Line has pool vests available for children onboard our ships and on Castaway Cay. We strongly recommend all children have adult supervision in the pools and water play areas onboard as well as at the beach on Castaway Cay.
Do you know if there will be gluten free food available at Castaway Cay?
Hi Michelle – Disney is excellent about offering dining options for travelers with food sensitivities and allergies. I don’t have specific information about gluten-free dining at Castaway Cay but I know that you can make your gluten free needs known when you register for your cruise. I would take it a step further by talking specifically with your head waiter (you’ll have the same one throughout your cruise) about your needs on your first night. I’m sure Disney can accommodate you!
Hi Michelle – I checked with Disney Cruise Line PR and this was they said:
Gluten-free dining options are available on Castaway Cay, as well as onboard. We ask families to notify us prior to sailing of any special dietary restrictions and to talk to their dining servers who will instruct them where to obtain gluten-free items on the island.
Im a little concerned about getting the tram to other areas for the day and the tram being overly full if you dont head back early and not being able to get back to the boat on time, cant walk back if its far with small children walking, do the trams getting crowded heading back to the boat near to departure time to the point you might get stuck
Hi Kim – You shouldn’t have any trouble catching a tram back to the ship. If you are concerned, just give yourself some extra time instead of waiting for the final tram of the day! Enjoy your Disney Cruise!
We will be on the Wonder this Wednesday! It’s our 1st Disney cruise. Are there plenty of chairs & beach umbrellas on castaway cay? Is there a charge? The grandparents are joining us and this is a must have for them.
Hi Rosie-
I know you can pay a fee for a luxury cabana with shade and other amenities but I can’t remember if there were complimentary umbrellas available. There were plenty of beach chairs, but still they can get filled up so I suggest arriving early. I have sent your question to my PR contact at Disney Cruise Line and I’ll let you know what she says about the umbrellas! Enjoy your cruise!
Well, that was fast! My Disney Cruise Line PR contact said this about the umbrellas/beach chairs:
Yes, there are plenty of beach chairs and loungers for all guests on Castaway Cay at no charge. Umbrellas are on a first come basis, no charge and there is a large quantity of those as well, already set up on the beach.
You said something about basketball on the island? Do you know if they have anythjng organized or if it is just for fun?
Tanner – I don’t think there’s anything organized but if you want to set up a game with fellow cruisers, I suggest going to CruiseCritic.com’s chat rooms. You can find the date of your sailing there and get to know your fellow cruisers before you even leave home. You could try to set up a basketball game on Castaway Cay via the chat room.
We are going to take a Disney Cruise Line Caribbean cruise for our honeymoon. We only have a tourist US visa, will we be allowed to enter Castaway Cay?
Hi Angel – Castaway Cay is officially part of The Bahamas. I would check with Disney Cruise Line directly on this question to be safe!