Disney’s Castaway Cay, Bahamas: What You Need to Know

Castaway Cay is one of Disney Cruise Line’s private island destinations in the Bahamas. It’s a popular port of call with many cruisers citing it as the highlight of their cruise. 

Themed around a shipwreck, it offers the chance to enjoy life on an idyllic island paradise with white sandy beaches, warm azure seas, plenty of wet and wild adventures, activities and family fun.

Check out the details below and plan your perfect day as a castaway on this exclusive cruise island!

Where is Castaway Cay?

Castaway Cay is 73 miles north of Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas. This gorgeous 1000-acre island is in the South Abaco district, near Great Abaco Island. The island lies 167 miles east of Miami and 120 miles north of Disney’s second island destination at Lighthouse Point, Eleuthera. 

Can Anyone Visit Castaway Cay?

Like most private cruise islands, Castaway Cay was developed as a destination exclusively for Disney cruise guests to enjoy. To visit, you need to book a Disney cruise that has this destination as a port of call. The island has a team of permanent residents employed by Disney Cruise Line to keep the island in good shape.

How Do I Get Ashore?

When you arrive at Disney’s Private Island, no tenders are required. Once the cruise ship has docked alongside at the pier, cruisers can step ashore and start to enjoy the tropical scenery, white sandy beaches and exciting activities that await.

By the way, Disney ensures that only one cruise ship at a time can visit Castaway Cay, so you never have to share the beaches and activities with anyone other than your shipmates!

Is it Easy to Get Around Castaway Cay?

Disney provides beach strollers and wheelchairs for passengers to use while on the island.

Courtesy Trams

For those with limited mobility or young families in tow, the first stop after stepping ashore should be the tram station. It transports passengers to different spots around the island free of charge.

The main service runs from the end of the pier to Scuttle’s Cove and Pelican Point. Hop on and off as a neat way to explore the island or ride to your pre-planned spot and chill out for the day. Note that the Family Beach is a 15-minute walk from the pier! A second tram service runs from Pelican Point to Serenity Bay.

Walking

Nature lovers will enjoy an amble around this island, and there’s plenty to see. Walk along the shore, visit Marge’s Barges Dock, where boat tours depart, and visit the Gazebo for live music. 

Cruisers can also explore the wilder side of the cay on nature trails. The 2.5km paved walking/ bike trail has a loop leading to the observation tower. There are a few water stations along the route.

Bike Rentals

If you fancy a little exercise before dinner, you can rent bikes and explore the whole island. You can ride along the old airstrip or head off exploring the island’s plants and birds in peaceful, undeveloped areas.

Which Castaway Cay Beach is Best?

Several beautiful white sand beach areas allow guests to find their own space on Disney’s private island resort.

Boat Beach

The first beach you will come to when leaving the ship is Boat Beach. It’s not a beach for sunbathing. Adjoining the main beach, this is the place to find watersports rentals, including water bikes, tubes, floats, and kayaks at Gil’s Fins and Boats. You can also rent snorkel gear from the shack. 

Family Beaches

All the family beaches are on the southwest side of the island. They have calm waters thanks to the offshore reef, making it the perfect snorkeling lagoon.

Closest to the ship is Scuttle’s Cove kids area and tram stop. It’s the location of the kids Oceaneer Club and the Monstro Point Whale Dig. 

The furthest part of the Castaway Family Beach area is served by the Pelican Point Tram Stop. This is where you’ll find the Pelican Plunge floating water play area with several water slides. Kids will love the splash area and dump bucket, water cannons and two water slides (a tube slide and an open slide). Life jackets are available for young riders. 

The two Family Beach areas are divided by Pelican Point, a rocky breakwater with a bar. These main beach areas have restrooms, lifeguards and calm lagoon waters, making them ideal for families with youngsters to swim and play safely. Kids will love the play area with a rope and slide into the ocean. Closer to the ship there’s a Spring-a-Leak Splash Pad for water play.

Beach chairs, hammocks, and shady umbrellas are available but you need to get ashore early to secure the best locations. There’s a separate area on the family beach that is exclusively for guests with cabana rentals. 

At the far end of the Family Beach is Teen Beach, an area with lots of sports equipment, beach volleyball etc. It’s ideal for those who want a little more action. 

The Family Beach is a 15-minute walk from the pier so you might want to use the tram if you have youngsters!

Serenity Bay

Furthest from the pier, Serenity Bay is a peaceful adults-only beach exclusively for adults aged 18+. It even offers yoga classes with gorgeous sea views. It’s a long trek from the pier so make use of the dedicated tram service that runs from Pelican Point.

It has adjustable lounge chairs, a Serenity Bay BBQ pavilion, bar, restrooms, float rentals and a massage hut. The water is more here choppy as it does not have the protection of a breakwater, unlike the Family Beach. The Windsock Hut has float rentals. 

The rental of private cabanas includes loads of extras such as snacks, non-alcoholic beverages, floats, sunblock, snorkeling equipment and free bike hire.

What’s the Weather Like for Castaway Cay?

The Bahamas has year-round warm sunny weather with some cooling sea breezes to ease the hot summer temperatures. Winter is the peak season for cruising in the Caribbean and Bahamas, and daytime highs are generally between 74 and 76°F.

The rest of the year is a pleasant 77 to 88°F. The wettest months are August and September with short afternoon showers, but the sun quickly reappears.

The warm air means that the surrounding seas are always warm, ranging from 73°F in January to 82°F in midsummer. There is very little tidal movement in the Bahamas.

What Can I Do on Castaway Cay?

The Gazebo

Non-stop entertainment and music are found at the Gazebo, with a resident DJ spinning island music. Join in basketball competitions, ping-pong tournaments, foosball, and pool tables in the shady beachside pavilion.

Pelican Plunge

Pelican Plunge is a 2,400 sq. ft. waterpark platform moored just offshore from the main beach, so you have to swim out to use it. It has two flume water slides including a covered tunnel. Watch out for the giant bucket dump! The minimum height is 38 inches and those under 48 inches must wear a life vest (provided). 

Kids Clubs

Parents can enjoy some child-free time by making use of the Scuttle Cove supervised activities for children aged 3 to 12. They offer the same fun as the onboard Oceaneer Club and Lab. Teens aged 14-17 have their own Teen Hideout.

Massages

The onboard Spa moves beachside during your day at Castaway Cay. Enjoy a relaxing beach massage in a shady cabana within sight and sound of the waves. Other services include hair braiding.

Shopping

Castaway Cay has two colorful stores selling essentials such as sunscreen, beach toys, hats, handicrafts, and souvenirs that you won’t find anywhere else (even on-board!). 

There’s also a Post Office, one of the first buildings you’ll see as you walk along the pier. It sells postcards and genuine Bahamas stamps with a Castaway postmark. This is one place where you need to pay in cash (US dollars) and cannot charge to your World Card. I’m sure friends and family will love to receive such a fun “Wish you were here” souvenir in the post! 

Watersports

Boat rentals are available from Gil’s Fins and Boats. Choose a paddle boat or aqua bike and work off your lunch or go exploring in a kayak. For the more adventurous, go parasailing and enjoy a bird’s eye view of the island.

You can also rent inflatable toys and floats from Flippers and Floats to enhance your visit and work off those calories!

Snorkeling in the clear turquoise waters just off the Family Beach is my absolute favorite thing. The clear calm waters and white sandy bottom make it easy to spot colorful fish.

There’s a Discover Trail and two sunken submarine-ride vehicles that were scuttled in the lagoon. They were originally part of Disney’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea ride in Orlando’s Walt Disney World. .

The following charges apply for watersports rentals:

• AquaTrike, $30 for 30 minutes
• Chiliboats Waterbikes, $30 for 30 minutes (ages 14+)
• Float or tube, $15 for the day
• Paddle boat, $20 for 30 minutes for 2-seater boats or $25 for a 4-seater
• Sea kayak, $20 for 30 minutes on a single kayak (ages 14-plus) or $25 for a double kayak
• Snorkel equipment, $22 (ages 5 to 9) or $38 (ages 10-plus) for the day
• Stand-up paddle board, $20 for 30 minutes (ages 14-plus)

Alternatively, you can pre-purchase a Castaway Cay Getaway Package that includes one hour’s bicycle rental plus snorkeling gear and a float or inner tube to use for the day. It costs $50 for adults and $30 for children up to the age of 10. 

Disney Characters

Of course, meeting a Disney character is a magical moment for youngsters, and where better than as part of your day at Castaway Cay?

Many of the characters, including Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Captain Jack Sparrow, can be seen sporting beach attire. They hang out around the Post Office, the Dig Site, and Mount Rushmore, all great spots for selfies, so make sure you bring a camera. 

Tours, Excursions, and Add-on Experiences at Castaway Cay

Tours and excursions can all be booked at Guest Services before reaching Castaway Cay. Book early to ensure your place on one of these exciting adventures…

Castaway Ray’s Stingray Adventure

• Enjoy a boat ride and interaction with these velvety soft-winged creatures
• An unforgettable opportunity for youngsters aged 8+ to stroke a stingray
• Departs from Boat Beach. 
• Cost $219 for a 2-hour tour

Extreme Getaway

• Combines four adventures in one fun-filled trip
• Ride an inner tube, snorkel in the Caribbean, get up-close to stingrays (one hour trip) and finish with a bicycle ride along the offshore nature trail. 
• Great value for money!  
• Cost $95 for adults and $73 for kids aged 5 to 9 

Parasailing

• Aerial adventure to see Castaway Cay from the clear blue skies above. 
• Departs from the dock at the end of the pier
• Cost $140 for one hour (aged 8+) 

Banana Boat Ride

• Exhilarating ride that always ends up with a dunking! 
• Cost $45 for 30 minutes of fun

Fishing

• Fishing tours include equipment, bait, permit and helpful tips 
• Departs from the dock at the end of the pier 
• These tours are sustainable catch-and-release excursions
• Cost $210 for a 3-hour tour

Scenic Boat Voyage

• Glass Bottom Boat Scenic Voyage to see corals and marine life in these crystal clear waters 
• Listen to stories about notorious pirates and fascinating tales of Bahamian history 
• A one-hour tour costs $59 for adults and $39 for kids under the age of nine 

Snorkel Excursions

• Ride a Rigid Hull Boat as part of a small group snorkel tour
• Go snorkeling from the boat in search of coral reefs and marine creatures
• A 3-hour tour including equipment costs $95 for adults and $75 for kids aged 6 to 9

What Food and Drinks are Complimentary at Castaway Cay?

When it comes to bars and restaurants, Castaway Cay is an extension of the cruise ship. There is a choice of complimentary dining at snack bars and several Cookie’s BBQ areas serving tasty burgers, barbecue chicken, hot dogs, salads and plenty of sides, desserts and seasonal fresh fruit.

If you want a proper sit-down meal, head to the restaurant at Serenity Bay. It’s for adults only and includes some entrées not available at the other barbecue stations. The ribs are superb! You’re only shipwrecked once, so why not make the most of it!

There are plenty of bars dotted around the island. They serve a full range of beer, wine, frozen margaritas, and cocktails, but you need to charge them to your Key to the World Card cruise account. Soft drinks and water are complimentary at the food stations.

If you fancy an ice cream, head to one of the thatched pavilions with tables and umbrellas outside. They serve delicious free ice cream for dessert.

Which Disney Cruise Ships Visit Castaway Cay in 2024/2025?

The following Disney cruise ships offer 3, 4 and 5-night Bahamas cruises in 2024 and 2025. They depart from Fort Lauderdale or Port Canaveral and have itineraries that include a day at Castaway Cay. 

• Disney Wish
• Disney Fantasy
• Disney Dream
• Disney Magic

What was Castaway Cay Like Before Disney?

Originally named Gorda Cay, records show that the island was first settled in 1783. Sometime later, a 2,400-foot airstrip was built, making it very attractive for bootleggers during Prohibition and later for drug runners.

In 1997, Disney purchased a 99-year lease of the cay from the Bahamian government and began turning it into an exciting dream destination for cruisers. It was a totally innovative plan. The first task was to dredge 50,000 truckloads of sand to create a deep-water dock and pier.

This meant that Castaway Cay became the first private port island that did not need to tender cruisers ashore. Just disembark, stroll along the pier and feel the soft white sand between your toes!

Disney has developed just over 55 acres of this 3-mile-long island, leaving the majority of the cay in its natural state with Indigenous trees for birds and wildlife. It has a team of Disney staff who live permanently on the cay keeping everything running smoothly for each new cruise ship arrival.

Read Also: Half Moon Cay, Bahamas – What You Need to Know

Castaway Cay proved so popular with Disney cruisers that they developed a second private island destination in 2024. Lighthouse Point is on the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas, about 120 miles south of Castaway Cay 

Did Pirates Ever Live on Castaway Cay?

When you visit Castaway Cay, spend a few moments reading some of the display boards and clues scattered around the island. Originally a safe haven for pirates, smugglers and bootleggers, the island has a make-believe history that is worthy of the Disney name!

It tells the story of three adventurers who set sail in search of fame and fortune. Unfortunately, they were shipwrecked and washed ashore on the island, hence the name “Castaway Cay.”

Disney has added authenticity to the tale with the remains of “shipwrecks” and makeshift buildings scattered around. The story certainly raises a smile with adults, and children will be wide-eyed with excitement!

Cruisers might get the feeling of déjà vu as the cay has been used as a film set in several films, including Splash (1984) and Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003).

What’s Included at Castaway Cay?

A day at Castaway Cay is very affordable for families as most regular activities, such as beach chairs, food, ice cream, and some drinks, are included in the cost of your cruise. The following amenities are complimentary:

• Use of the family beach and adult-exclusive beach
• Waterslides and splash zones
• Beach towels
• Beach chairs and umbrellas
• Live music
• Kids and Teens Club activities
• Character appearances
• Walking trails
• Adult-only Yoga
• Barbecue lunch
• Unlimited soft-serve ice cream
• Unlimited soda, tea and coffee
• Tram transportation around the island

 Expect to pay for:

• Bicycle rentals
• Snorkel gear, floats and rafts
• Private cabanas
• Port Adventures
• Bottled water, alcoholic beverages and specialty drinks
• Optional experiences and tours

Tips For Enjoying the Best Castaway Cay Day

Get off the ship early as the best spots and chairs are on a first-come, first-served basis. Don’t forget to take your Key to the World Card ashore with you, preferably on a lanyard around your neck. You’ll need it to pay for alcoholic drinks and some activities as well as access back on board!

Strollers, joggers, beach wagons (for carting your stuff), and special wheelchairs are all available at Castaway Cay. Just ask a member of staff for assistance.

No need to worry about beach towels. You will be given a towel before you leave the ship. Bring your own snorkel equipment if you have some. Otherwise, you will have to rent fins and masks. Life vests are provided free for youngsters. 

There are plenty of water stations around the island, so stay hydrated. Bring an empty insulated mug and fill it up for your beach time. Bring your camera or phone and share the experience with your social media followers.

Check the schedule ahead of time and find out where Disney characters will be hanging out for photo ops. It’s a wonderful opportunity to have a souvenir family photo with a picture-perfect beach background.

If you want to rent a private cabana, there is a limited number, so pre-book with Guest Services as soon as you get on board. 

Remember, you can’t do everything in one day on Castaway Cay. Prioritize a few things you really want to do, and then enjoy relaxing and soaking up the sun.