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.
What activities are free on Castaway Cay (water slides) ?
Have a toddler any good activies for them?
Thanks
Hi Liz – Lots of things are free on Castaway Cay! There’s no charge for food (besides alcohol), swimming, waterslides, splash fountains, tram, or stroller rentals. The splash fountains are super fun for toddlers. I also recommend renting (or buying) an inner tube for your little one (for a small fee). You need to watch your kiddo the whole time, of course, but that inner tube provided so much fun for my little guy to play with in the shallow water while I relaxed on the beach. Have fun!
I hear the word “free” a lot on many Disney blogs. Nothing is “free” at Disney. Also, it seems that every cruise blog I read talks about how to dump your kids off at the kids’ clubs so you can have “adult” time. Your on a family vacation. Spend time with your kids. And for heavens sake, if you only have to go up or down one deck, take the stairs!!!!
Wow. Judgemental much? Every family does vacations their way. No harm, no foul if everyone is enjoying themselves.
*you’re* on a family vacation….. If you are going to take the time to spew a comment judging others on how they choose to spend their family vacation, do take the extra 5 seconds to check your grammar.
So much great information thank you! If you bring your own inner tube, balls, etc. will they blow them up for you?
After doing some digging, it looks like the only floatation devices allowed on Castaway Cay are, “Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices (PFDs) and flotation sewn into the bathing suit for safety.” So, you’re better off renting one of their floats or buying a float from one of the stores on Castaway Cay. Since you’re not supposed to bring your own float, I’d say you need to inflate it yourself!
Can you bring things like plastic gold coins that you can bury in the sand for others to find?
Ooh…I have no idea. Let me check with my Disney Cruise Line contact & see what they say!
Hi CAS –
This is what Disney said, “Guests are welcome to bring their sand toys and there are some available for purchase on the island, but we like to say that it’s better to leave your footprints in the sand and takeaway great memories.”
Personally, I would think that plastic gold coins left in the sand might be a bad idea for the environment or could pose a choking hazard to young beach goers.
Hope that helps!
The Bike Rental is a must!
I also did the 5K! It’s all flat so it was easy. And knowing if be doing the 5k at the end of the cruise forced me to not “over-eat” all week.
I recommend doing the beach first and then excursions/bike ride, and then chill out at the beach last.
Bring a couple freezer ZipLoc bags with you for your phone/camera and other valuables u opt to bring. You can also put fruit or ice in them for the beach. Double ZipLoc them! Get one of those lanyard waterproof zip cases to wear around your neck.
If you don’t have kids with you, stick to the adult beach as the main beach is a zoo!
Oh, and we “ended” our day with a Couple’s Massage, which was amazing! (We have kids but had pre-planned Grandma/Grandpa to babysit). BTW…we highly recommend bringing grandparents as you’ll feel lass guilty spending time away from your kids and the grandparents love it! Oh…and they surprised us by picking up the tabs at the end of the cruise!
Great tips for Castaway Cay, Dan! Thank you for sharing.
We are about to head out for our second disney cruise…. can we borrow your “grandparents”?:) Thanks for the ziplock tip.
My family will be returning for the 4th time on Disney cruise! my two daughters one 20 and the other 17 three months shy of 18 can we all still go to the adult side of the island or will they give us a hard time?
Sue – There isn’t anyone checking IDs that I know of, so you should be fine. I think Disney just wants to provide a quiet, mellow place for people to escape little ones. Enjoy!
Are towels provided for the beach?
Any info or tips for doing the 5K?
Hi Stacey – Towels are provided for the beach. I have never participated in the Castaway Cay 5K but you might find this article from Cruise Critic handy: http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2147. Enjoy your cruise!
We were just there June 22 2016
You will not have as much time as you think.
We ate breakfast on the ship, got off immediately afterward. Took tram to Island oceaneers club and left our 2 boys there (5 and 9) for 2 hours while BH and I hoofed it to Pelican plunge to get our area saved for later. Met our group of 8 for lunch at Cookies 1 and then got kids out of club. Walked back to pelican plunge area, rode slide once, swam as a family for maybe an hour and then people were telling us to start heading to the trams. I’m from PA and used to cold pool water, water did take a little getting used to.
So true, Jennifer! Time really flies at Castaway Cay.
Been there twice. Dirty, polluted and very crowded. It’s a tiny island and becomes uncomfortably crowded with all the passengers on it at once. It’s the only port I’ve ever hated. My Bf got sick (food poison) from the food and had to be wheeled back to the ship. Of all the private islands ive been to on the many cruise vacations I’ve taken, this is absolutely the worst!
Oh my, Nilda! I’m sorry to hear you had such a tough time!
I am surprised to hear this. We have been to Castaway Key 10 times and never had a bad experience. The island is beautiful and well cared for. There are plenty of lounges and umbrellas (free, by the way). We usually walk out to Serenity Bay (helps to walk off some of the calories we consume onboard) as soon as we are allowed to disembark, spend a couple of hours there enjoying the water and sun, and eat lunch there. The food is plentiful and tasty. Then depending on our energy levels either walk back to the family beach or ride the tram back. We spend a few more hours there. My hubby loves to do the snorkeling path and visit all the cool artifacts. I spend that time, reading, sunning and cooling off in the water. We stay on the island until about 4PM when we reluctantly head back to the ship to get ready for that evening’s show and dinner.
You don’t get sick that quick from food poisoning?! I’ve been to CC over 12 times and it was never dirty or polluted.
Are you sure you are talking about the right island? I found the exact opposite to be true of the other ports. Disney’s island was immaculate and there are plenty of secluded spots to get away from the crowds. Also, I am very susceptible to food borne bacteria and this was the only cruise I never got sick on. How odd.
The island is neither dirty, polluted nor crowded. Maybe your bf was just sick of you complaining.
We’ve been considering a Disney Cruise. I’ll have to keep you beer tip in mind!
Enjoy your Disney Cruise! Cheers!
I was just at Castaway Cay last week. We had a great time! We disembarked early and did the 5K…afterwards, we went back to the ship gathered our kids, gear and had breakfast before heading back to the island. We enjoyed some beach time, parasailing and snorkeling. The snorkeling is better the further you go out (in protected area)…I was cold and turned back early because we were not seeing anything but churned up sand. My boys and husband continued on and said it was really good. Guess I need a wetsuit:) Parasailing was wonderful too…very calm and peaceful up in the sky.
Renae – Sounds like a wonderful day on Castaway Cay! (Well, besides the chilly water!) Thank you for sharing your experience.
Renae-this will be our first disney cruise and we’re thinking of doing the 5k too. We thought it was better to take the kids with us & drop at the kid place on Castaway while we run so we didn’t have to go back to the boat afterwards but you feel like it was better to go back to the ship? Any input would be great-Thanks!
We are also going on our first DC in April. Was wondering if we did the Extreme Getaway Package (Bike rentals, Snorkel rents, float rentals & Stingray adventure) if we would still have enough time to see the island, relax, have lunch and play at the beach? Or should we just not do the Stingray Adventure? How is the experience? It would be nice to relax but don’t want to miss anything.
Leanne – I think it really depends on what kind of a day you want to have. Do you want to stay active and experience as much of the island as possible? Or do you want to have a more relaxing lazy beach day? You will definitely have time to do the bicycle ride, snorkeling and floats…and the stingray experience looks to take about an hour so you could do that as well for sure. You could also play it more by ear. I didn’t rent my bicycle until I got on the island. You can also easily rent the snorkeling gear and floats once on Castaway Cay, assuming they don’t run out but they seemed to have plenty to go around. Whatever you choose, I’m sure you’ll have a great time! Enjoy!
We just got back from there! We bought some
cool drink holders beforehand that spike into the sand so your drinks don’t spill. They were a lifesaver. We got them from http://www.drinkspike.com. Loved all your tips!
Michelle – What a great idea! I’ve added these to the Travel Mamas Store: http://astore.amazon.com/travmama03-20?node=14&page=3
Hello, we are doing a 4night cruise in the Bahamas. How much tips/gratuities should I expect to give? Btw your blog was very helpful.
Also is there lockers at castaway? Should we still bring our passport?
Hi Jenny – Unfortunately there are no lockers on Castaway Cay. You don’t need to bring a passport on shore on Castaway Cay but you do need one for the sailing. To re-board the ship you will need your stateroom key and adults need a photo ID (a driver’s license will do). Enjoy your cruise!
Just went to the island aboard the Disney Dream. They only looked at the Disney Key card for boarding, never asked for my photo I’d.
Hi Jenny – So glad you found my Castaway Cay tips helpful! Here’s a breakdown of DCL tipping from their website: https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/faq/onboard-services/gratuities/.
December in Bahamas – I’m considering a Christmas cruise to the Bahamas but I’m concerned about water temps. Is it too cold to swim there at this time of the year? I’ve been to the USVI in Feb and water was warm enough to swim in and also in the summer months – I’m used to the temps being like bath water (around 85 F I’d say?).
Has anyone been in December that can tell me what it’s like there – as well as on the ship. Is it just too cold to swim on t he ship pools / waterslides and /or the cay beaches in December?? If so, I think I’ll go during summer instead – thanks!
Hi Lesli – Here’s a chart of water temperatures in the Bahamas to help you make your decision: http://www.bahamas.com/water-temp-chart. The ship pools are heated when the temps drop below 75 degrees. Hope that helps!
We were there Jan 16, 2016. I was worried about the water temp. While ocean was cold when we first got in; my kids and I spent a lot of time in the water. In and out of the water at the family area and riding the slides at Pelican Point. My wife on the other hand felt it was too cold but her goal was to relax on the beach and get some sun so everyone was happy. Definitely not bath water temp. Recommend the bike ride regardless of when you go.
How warm is it at Castaway in Feb? How warm/cool will the water be?
Frances – Here’s a chart of average Castaway Cay temps year-round: http://www.funashore.com/air-and-water-temperatures-castawaycay/ and a chart of water temps in the Bahamas: http://www.bahamas.com/water-temp-chart. Enjoy!
Hi, great tips! Thanks for sharing! We will be going to Castaway Cay for the first time in February. Just hubby and I as we are celebrating our 10 year anniversary. Our anniversary actually is on the 13th and we will be at CC on that day..so excited! My question is since this our first time we do want to explore a bit but mainly stay on the adult beach. We plan on snorkeling there and in the snorkel area for a bit, have lunch, visit shoos, post office, etc. We are thinking of doing a fishing excursion as we both love to fish and thought it would cool to fish in the Bahamas…but I’m worried we will not have enough time to enjoy the island. Any suggestions? Thank you! :).
Nikki – I suppose it depends on how long the fishing excursion is. Castaway Cay is a small island and easily explored but if you really want to relax and enjoy the isle, you might want to skip fishing because you can fish elsewhere but there is only one private Disney island. It really is about how you want to spend your day!
Oh go bottom fishing ! We had an amazing time and it was only a few hours long. Book an early excursion so you can enjoy the remainder of your time relaxing and exploring,
Thanks for the tip, Mary!
I agree with your whole list! I have been to Castaway Cay on two different Disney Cruises. It’s my favourite stop! Last time we cruised I ran the Castaway Cay 5K, it was loads of fun and we were on the island by 8:30 am! Enjoy your day, it flies by…