What to Do at Castaway Cay on a Cruise Day

Quick answer: Castaway Cay is Disney Cruise Line's private island in the Bahamas, and only Disney guests visit it. Ships dock at a pier, so there is no tender, and a free tram runs to the beaches. The day centers on Family Beach, a floating play area called Pelican Plunge, snorkeling, and the adults only Serenity Bay. Lunch and chairs are included, while bikes, snorkel gear, cabanas and drinks cost extra.

Castaway Cay is one of the easiest and most purpose built beach days in cruising. You walk off the ship, there is no waiting for a tender, and everything is organized for families. Because it is exclusive to Disney guests, it also feels calmer than ports where several ships arrive at once.

The Main Areas of the Island

Where you spend your day shapes the whole experience more than anything else, so it helps to know the options before you step off the ship.

Castaway Family Beach

This is where most guests go. It is the closest area to the ship, with free loungers and umbrellas, calm and shallow water behind a breakwater, and the main lunch spots nearby. It is busy, but it is Castaway Cay busy, not shared port busy. Arriving early gives you the best choice of chairs.

Pelican Plunge

Pelican Plunge is a floating play structure anchored offshore from Family Beach, with two enclosed slides. It suits older kids best, and there are age and height rules, so check the current guidelines in the Disney app. Lines can build in the middle of the day.

Serenity Bay (Adults Only)

Serenity Bay sits at the far end of the island and is limited to guests 18 and over. A second tram connection takes you there along the old airstrip. It has its own bar and barbecue, a quieter feel and less competition for chairs. The water is calm, though the seabed can be rockier than at Family Beach. If you are sailing without kids, this is the easiest way to get a relaxed beach day.

Kids Areas

Younger children have their own spots, including Scuttle's Cove, a supervised activity area, and Spring a Leak, a shaded splash pad. Confirm the age range and opening times in the Disney app, because they can change by sailing. If you want adult time at Serenity Bay, this is where the kids area helps.

Snorkeling and Other Activities

The island has a snorkeling lagoon with underwater statues and other features, which is a gentle introduction for first timers. Snorkel gear is a rental, and rates have been reported at about $34 for adults and $19 for children, so confirm current prices. You can also rent bikes and ride the island path, play games at the shaded game pavilion, or join the free 5K run along the airstrip. For a closer look at wildlife, a stingray experience is offered as a paid activity that you book ahead through Disney.

If you want to see what else you can add to a Bahamas day, compare options on our shore excursions page and our Castaway Cay port page.

What Is Included and What Costs Extra

Lunch typically runs from about 11:30am to 2pm, and the lines are shortest just before or after the peak. Expect classic barbecue items such as burgers, hot dogs, ribs and chicken. Alcohol is charged to your ship account, so read our gratuities guide for how added charges work, and see how onboard credit can cover island spending.

Cabanas and Rentals

Cabanas are the premium upgrade, and they sell out fast. Prices have been reported from several hundred dollars up to well over a thousand for larger family cabanas, and some include perks such as bike and snorkel rentals. They are nice, but not necessary for a good day. If you want one, book as soon as reservations open for your sailing. Bike rentals have been reported at about $15 an hour, though rates may have changed.

Castaway Cay vs. Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point

Disney has a second Bahamian destination called Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, on the southern tip of Eleuthera. It opened in 2024 and is a different experience. Castaway Cay is a themed island with calm coves, a snorkeling lagoon and Pelican Plunge. Lookout Cay is a resort style destination that leans on Bahamian culture, with a long pier, more exposed beaches and more excursion options. Some sailings visit one, and some visit both, so confirm which one is on your itinerary before you plan. Read our Lookout Cay port page for more detail, or the background on the destination.

Tips for Your Castaway Cay Day

• Get off the ship early. The first hour is noticeably less crowded, and the best chairs go fast.
• Use the tram. It runs often, but there can be a wait at peak times. Walking is possible if you are patient.
• Pack sunscreen. The sun is strong, and reef safe sunscreen is a good choice if you plan to snorkel.
• Allow time to return. The ship has a set all aboard time, and the tram back can have a line.
• Carry a little cash. Most things charge to your ship account, but the island post office has been reported to take cash only.
• Think about connectivity. The island has limited coverage, so check our cruise WiFi guide if you need to stay in touch.
• Bring a rash guard for kids. It cuts down on sunscreen and keeps small shoulders covered.

If you tend to feel queasy, our seasickness tips can help on the sail over, and the right stateroom matters too, as shown in our inside cabin vs balcony comparison. Because ships dock here, you also skip the lines described in our guide to what a tender port is.

Is Castaway Cay Worth It?

For families on Disney Cruise Line, yes. The pier docking, included lunch, kids areas and clean organization make it easy. Adults sailing without children get a quiet beach day at Serenity Bay. The water is not a postcard turquoise in every spot, and the snorkeling is gentle rather than exceptional, but as a smooth, low effort beach day it delivers.

Plan the Rest of Your Bahamas Cruise

• All Bahamas ports of call
• Nassau
• Perfect Day at CocoCay
• Half Moon Cay
• Celebration Key
• What to do at Great Stirrup Cay
• What to do at Ocean Cay
• What to do at Princess Cays
• Port Canaveral vs Miami
• Cruise budget calculator
• Cruise planning FAQ

Castaway Cay FAQs