Disney Cruise Line - Disney Castaway Cay
Disney Castaway Cay
Disney Castaway Cay is Disney Cruise Line's private island destination in The Bahamas and a highlight of many Bahamian and Caribbean cruises. Ships dock directly at the island, so you can step ashore and quickly settle into a day of white-sand beaches, turquoise water and distinctly Disney touches.
A great deal is already included in your cruise fare, from beach loungers and barbecue lunch to Pelican Plunge waterslides, character appearances and supervised children's activities. Families can spend the day together at Castaway Family Beach, while adults have their own quieter escape at Serenity Bay.
What's Included at Disney Castaway Cay?
One of the attractions of Castaway Cay is how much of the island experience is already included in your Disney cruise fare. You do not need to book an excursion simply to enjoy a full day ashore.
Included facilities and experiences cover access to Castaway Family Beach and the adults-only Serenity Bay, lounge chairs, umbrellas and towels, barbecue lunch, fountain soft drinks, soft-serve ice cream, Pelican Plunge, children's and teen areas, character appearances and the self-guided Castaway Cay 5K.
Equipment hire, private cabanas, alcoholic and speciality drinks, shopping and Disney Port Adventures are available at an additional cost.
Best Things to Do at Castaway Cay
From family beaches and waterslides to character appearances and the Castaway Cay 5K, there are plenty of ways to spend your day on Disney's private island.
Castaway Family Beach
Relax on soft white sand, swim in calm Bahamian waters or hire snorkelling and watersports equipment for a more active day by the sea.
Pelican Plunge
Swim out to Castaway Cay's floating water-play platform and take on two twisting waterslides that drop directly into the lagoon.
Scuttle's Cove
Younger guests can enjoy supervised games, treasure hunts and beach activities with Disney Youth Activities counsellors while ashore.
Teen Hideout
A dedicated space for guests aged 14 to 17 to relax, meet other teens and enjoy activities away from the island's younger children's areas.
Disney Character Appearances
Look out for Mickey, Minnie and other Disney favourites around the island, with plenty of opportunities for memorable Castaway Cay photos.
Castaway Cay 5K
Explore more of the island on Disney's self-paced 5K route and collect a Castaway Cay finisher medal when you complete the course.
Serenity Bay: Castaway Cay's Adults-Only Beach
At the quieter end of the island, Serenity Bay is reserved exclusively for guests aged 18 and over. It offers a more peaceful alternative to Castaway Family Beach, with loungers, umbrellas, clear water and its own dining area.
Lunch and soft drinks are included here too, while the Castaway Air Bar serves alcoholic and speciality drinks at an additional cost. Guests can also reserve private cabanas or add an open-air massage for an even more relaxed island day.
If you are cruising without children, or have children enjoying Disney's supervised youth activities, Serenity Bay is one of the best places on Castaway Cay to slow the pace down completely.
Food and Drink on Disney Castaway Cay
You do not need to return to the ship for lunch. A barbecue meal is included as part of your Castaway Cay day, alongside fountain soft drinks and soft-serve ice cream.
Cookie's BBQ serves a casual beachside lunch close to the family areas, while an adult-exclusive barbecue is available at Serenity Bay.
Alcoholic drinks and speciality frozen drinks cost extra, with bars around the island providing plenty of opportunities for a cocktail by the beach. Olaf's Summertime Freeze is another popular stop for speciality frozen drinks.
Castaway Cay Cabanas, Watersports and Port Adventures
You certainly do not need to pay extra to enjoy Castaway Cay, but there are plenty of ways to add more to your island day.
Private beach cabanas can be reserved when your booking window opens, while equipment including snorkels, floats, kayaks, paddleboats and aqua trikes can be hired on the island. Disney also offers Port Adventures ranging from parasailing and boat trips to stingray experiences and other water-based activities.
Cabanas are particularly sought after and availability can be limited, so they are worth considering as soon as your Disney Cruise Line activity booking window opens.
Getting Around Disney Castaway Cay
Disney Cruise Line ships dock directly at Castaway Cay rather than tendering offshore, making the island particularly easy to access. Once you leave the ship, you can explore on foot or use the complimentary tram service connecting the main areas of the island.
The island is large enough that the tram can be useful, particularly if you are heading to Serenity Bay, but many of the family areas are easy to explore on foot.
Bicycles can also be rented if you want to follow the island's cycling trails and see a little more beyond the beaches.
Unique Castaway Cay Experiences
Some of Castaway Cay's most memorable touches have very little to do with the beach.
The island has its own Disney Castaway Cay Post Office, located near the dock, where you can send a postcard carrying a Castaway Cay postmark.
There are also walking and cycling trails, shops selling exclusive Castaway Cay merchandise and plenty of smaller Disney details scattered around the island. Together they make the destination feel more like an extension of the Disney Cruise Line experience than simply another beach port.
Disney Castaway Cay or Disney Lookout Cay?
Disney Cruise Line now has two distinct Bahamian island destinations: Castaway Cay and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.
Castaway Cay is Disney's established private island experience, with Castaway Family Beach, Pelican Plunge, Scuttle's Cove and the adults-only Serenity Bay. Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, located on Eleuthera, places greater emphasis on Bahamian culture, music, art and locally inspired entertainment.
Some Disney Cruise Line itineraries visit one island, while selected holidays can include both, so check the itinerary carefully when comparing sailings.
Disney Castaway Cay - Frequently Asked Questions
Castaway Cay is designed exclusively for Disney Cruise Line guests and blends natural Bahamian beauty with Disney storytelling, character appearances and family friendly experiences. Unique touches such as a working post office and themed kids areas make it stand out from other private islands.
Access to Castaway Cay is included when it appears on your Disney Cruise Line itinerary. Beaches, loungers, umbrellas, towels, barbecue lunch, soft drinks, soft-serve ice cream, Pelican Plunge, youth activities, character appearances and the Castaway Cay 5K are among the experiences included. Optional activities and rentals cost extra.
A barbecue lunch, fountain soft drinks and soft-serve ice cream are included in your Disney Cruise Line fare. Alcoholic drinks, speciality beverages and selected extras are available at an additional cost.
Yes. Serenity Bay is reserved for guests aged 18 and over and offers a quieter beach, included barbecue lunch and drinks stations. Cabanas, alcoholic drinks and selected spa experiences are available for an additional charge.
Yes. Pelican Plunge and its two waterslides are included for Disney Cruise Line guests visiting Castaway Cay.
Yes. Disney Cruise Line ships dock directly at Castaway Cay, allowing guests to walk ashore without using tender boats. Complimentary trams then connect different parts of the island.
No. There is plenty to enjoy without booking a Port Adventure, including the beaches, Pelican Plunge, included lunch, children's activities and Castaway Cay 5K. Paid excursions, watersports rentals and cabanas are optional additions.
Yes. Scuttle's Cove offers supervised activities for younger children led by Disney Youth Activities counsellors, while teenagers have their own area at Teen Hideout.
Yes. Private cabanas are available for an additional charge and can be reserved when your Disney Cruise Line booking window opens, subject to availability.
Disney Cruises Visiting Castaway Cay
Explore our latest Disney Cruise Line holidays visiting Castaway Cay, including Bahamian and Caribbean itineraries from Florida. Compare ships, itineraries and cruise-and-stay options to find your next Disney escape.