Things to Do on Castaway Cay (And What to Skip)

Disney's private island, Castaway Cay
Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay (Photo credit: David Roark, Disney)

Castaway Cay may be a tiny island, but it’s packed with so many activities that you might have a hard time deciding how to best spend your time. Measuring 3.1 miles long and 2.2 miles wide, Disney’s private island in The Bahamas offers everything from bike rentals and watersports to parasailing and a hands‑on stingray experience. Follow this list of dos and don’ts for the best things to do on Castaway Cay, plus what to skip so you can enjoy every beachy minute.

Adults can take a yoga class at Serenity Bay on Castaway Cay
Beachfront yoga at Serenity Bay on Castaway Cay (Photo credit: Kent Phillips, Disney)

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1. Do Know Your Castaway Cay Options

Before you start planning your time on the island, it helps to know about all the things to do on Disney’s Castaway Cay. It’s tempting to try to squeeze all the activities into one visit, but this tropical paradise is so much better when you slow down. Pick a couple of must‑dos that make your crew happy, then let the rest go. The point here is to relax, island-style.

Things to Do in Castaway Cay

  • Beaches – Family Beach, Sports Beach, and the adults-only Serenity Bay Beach
  • Snorkeling Lagoon – An underwater Mickey Mouse statue, a staged shipwreck, and plenty of tropical fish
  • Pelican Plunge – A floating waterslide structure that kids love
  • Bike Rentals – With easy island paths leading to an observation tower
  • Watersports – Kayaks, paddleboards, jet skis, and boat excursions
  • Parasailing – Thrilling views of Castaway Cay from above
  • Castaway Ray’s Stingray Adventure – An educational, hands-on animal encounter
  • Massage at Serenity Bay – A relaxing adults‑only treat right by the water
  • Beach Yoga – A complimentary light yoga session at Serenity Bay
  • Games – Beach volleyball, Ping-pong, basketball, pool tables, and giant board games
  • Character Meet-and-Greets – Disney characters in adorable beach outfits
  • Shopping – Exclusive Castaway Cay merch you can’t get anywhere else
  • Food & Drinks – Beach fare at Cookie’s BBQ, Cookie’s Too BBQ, and Hangar 98 BBQ
  • Tram Transportation – A great way to get around the small island
Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Pluto, Chip and Dale and more Disney characters on Castaway Cay
Even Mickey and Minnie need to bring their Key to the World card to Castaway Cay (Photo credit: Disney)

2. Don’t Forget Your Stateroom Key

You absolutely must bring your Key to the World card when heading off the ship. It’s required to disembark and reboard. Thankfully, most other beach essentials, like sunblock and sand toys, can be purchased right on the island if you forget something.

Do take the tram on Disney's Castaway Cay!
The Castaway Cay tram is convenient for cruisers (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

3. Do Take the Tram

The walk from the ship to the main beach areas is longer than most first‑timers expect, especially in the heat. Thankfully, Castaway Cay’s complimentary tram system makes getting around easy. Hop on at the pier and ride to Family Beach, Sports Beach, or the transfer stop for Serenity Bay. It’s the quickest way to start your island day without wasting energy on the trek.

Borrow a stroller or wagon on Castaway Cay
Stroller rentals are free on Castaway Cay (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

4. Don’t Bring a Stroller

Save yourself the hassle of hauling a stroller off the ship. Castaway Cay provides complimentary strollers, wagons, and joggers, all conveniently located near the tram stops. The island also offers special sand‑friendly wheelchairs designed for guests with mobility challenges.

Family Beach on Castaway Cay
Family Beach on Castaway Cay (Photo credit: Matt Stroshane, Disney)

5. Do Choose the Right Beach

Castaway Cay offers three distinct beaches, each with its own vibe: Family Beach, Sports Beach, and Serenity Bay.

Family Beach

For families with babies or young children, stick to the stretch of Family Beach closest to the ship. As Keryn Means of Twist Travel Magazine notes, this area tends to be calmer and less crowded.

A little farther down, you’ll find Pelican Plunge, a floating water play structure anchored offshore. Kids and playful adults swim out to enjoy two water slides — one enclosed and one open. Sliders must be at least 38 inches tall, and those under 48 inches must wear a complimentary life vest.

Note: Castaway Cay’s Spring‑A‑Leak splash pad closed permanently in 2023 during the island’s refurbishment, and it was never replaced. It’s too bad because so many children adored this spot, including my kids when they were little.

Sports Beach

If lounging all day isn’t your style, head to Sports Beach. This active area features sand volleyball and tetherball.

Serenity Bay (18+)

Adults looking for peace and quiet will love Serenity Bay, the island’s dedicated 18+ beach lined with palm trees. Soft sand, wide‑open space, and a mellow atmosphere make it a great place to escape the hubbub. In my opinion, the adult-only Hangar 98 BBQ at this beach serves the best food on the entire island, too.

A waterslide at Pelican Plunge near the Family Beach on Castaway Cay
A waterslide at Pelican Plunge near the Family Beach (Photo credit: Disney)

6. Don’t Miss Entertainment and Games

Castaway Cay offers more than just beaches, with plenty of entertainment sprinkled throughout the island. At the Gazebo near Family Beach, you’ll often find character dance parties, live music, and the popular Island Vibes DJ.

Jodi Grundig of Family Travel Magazine 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.”

Over at In Da Shade Game Pavilion, cruisers can join in on activities like basketball free‑throw contests, ping‑pong tournaments, and oversized games such as giant checkers, chess, foosball, and pool tables.

Bicycles for rent on Castaway Cay
Bicycles for rent on Castaway Cay (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

7. Do Stay Active on Castaway Cay

If you want to stay healthy and fit while cruising, Castaway Cay makes it easy to balance all that unlimited soft serve ice cream. You can take a free yoga class on the beach, swim and snorkel, or join a game of volleyball or tetherball at Sports Beach.

Cruisers can explore the island on the 1.5 miles of bike trails. Look for rentals for adult bikes, kids’ bikes, and child seats. You can also rent paddleboats, kayaks, or aquabikes from Gil’s Fins and Boats. If you prefer to play in the shade, head to one of the island’s two Game Pavilions for a covered round of ping‑pong or basketball.

Rent or bring snorkeling gear to explore underwater wonders at Castaway Cay
Rent or bring snorkel equipment to explore underwater wonders (Photo credit: Matt Stroshane, Disney)

8. Don’t Skip Snorkeling

Castaway Cay’s Snorkeling Lagoon is calm, clear, and full of tropical fish beneath the surface, making it a great option for both beginners and experienced snorkelers. An underwater Mickey statue and a separate sunken shipwreck make snorkeling here unique, with their algae-coated surfaces and small hiding spots that attract marine life.

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 your own full‑face snorkeling mask, which makes it easier for children to breathe comfortably without juggling separate pieces. You can also rent snorkel gear, like traditional masks and fins, right on the island. Life vests are complimentary and required for all snorkelers.

Every Castaway Cay 5K finisher gets to take home a special participant’s medal as a souvenir
Every 5K finisher gets to take home a special participant’s medal as a souvenir (Photo credit: Disney)

9. Do Pack Your Running Shoes

You might be surprised to learn that Disney’s private island has a self‑paced 5K course you can run or walk anytime during your visit. It used to be an organized race, but now you simply follow the marked path near the bike rental stand and complete the 3.1 miles at your own pace. When you’re done, you can pick up a rubber finisher medal from Bike Rentals for bragging rights and a fun souvenir. Kimberly Tate of Stuffed Suitcase says her entire family enjoyed running the course and still had plenty of time afterward for beach time and snorkeling.

Be sure to buy Castaway Cay souvenirs on shore - they aren't available on the Disney Cruise Line ships.
Buy the Seashore, a gift shop on Castaway Cay (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

10. Don’t Wait to Buy Castaway Cay Souvenirs

If you spot something you love on the island, buy it right then and there. I assumed I could pick out a Castaway Cay-themed shirt, hat, or magnet later on board the ship, but I was sadly disappointed. Castaway Cay merchandise is only sold on the island, not on the cruise ship. Once you sail away, those souvenirs are gone.

11. Do Visit the Castaway Cay Post Office

Castaway Cay has a tiny Bahamian post office near the island entrance where you can mail a postcard with a special Castaway Cay postmark. This makes a fun keepsake for all ages. Because it’s run by the Bahamian government (not Disney), it’s the one place on the island that requires cash, and hours can be limited, so stop by early if it’s on your list. Both U.S. and Bahamian dollars are accepted.

12. Don’t Bring Your Wallet

Nearly all purchases on the island, from souvenirs and beach rentals to cocktails and mocktails, are charged to your Key to the World card account. If you want to send a postcard from Castaway Cay, tuck a few dollars in your beach bag, but leave the credit cards back in your stateroom safe.

Castaway Ray's Stingray Adventure is a one-hour shore excursion for guests 5 years or older
Castaway Ray’s Stingray Adventure is a one-hour shore excursion for guests 5 years or older (Photo credit: Disney)

13. Do Book a Shore Excursion or Activity

Castaway Cay has plenty of ways to enhance your beach day, from jet boat tours to snorkeling, kayaking, and jet ski rentals. Parasailing gives a thrilling, bird’s‑eye view of Disney’s island as you float high above the water behind a speedboat. Kids especially love the Stingray Adventure, where they can actually touch these amazing creatures. And if you need some serious relaxation, adults can’t go wrong with a beach massage at Serenity Bay.

Cruisers must pay for bottled water but other non-alcoholic drinks are available free-of-charge on Castaway Cay
Cruisers must pay for bottled water, but many non-alcoholic drinks are available free of charge (Photo credit: Matt Stroshane, Disney)

14. Don’t Pay for Bottled Water

Cruisers must pay for bottled water, but non-alcoholic drinks such as sodas and fruit juices are free at bars and drink stations throughout the island. Why pay for water when you can hydrate for free? Castaway Cay has filtered water stations throughout the island where you can grab a complimentary cup of cold water anytime you need it. Bringing your own reusable water bottles is better for the environment, too.

Adults aged 21+ can also purchase beer, wine, and tropical cocktails like frozen mojitos. Grown-ups who choose to imbibe should double up on water to stay hydrated under the Bahamian sun.

Do eat on Castaway Cay!
Fresh fruit on Castaway Cay (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

15. Do Eat on Castaway Cay

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 Hangar 98 BBQ (formerly Serenity Bay BBQ). Expect simple beach day fare like hot dogs, hamburgers, fresh fruit, ice cream, potato salad, and soft drinks.

Hangar 98 BBQ is my favorite place to eat on the island. This adults‑only dining spot serves bonus entrées you won’t find at the other two locations, including ribeye steak, a spicy chicken sandwich, and seafood gumbo.

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.

Mom and daughter in an inner tube float at Castaway Cay
Rent an inner tube on Castaway Cay (Photo credit: Disney)

16. Don’t Bring Your Own Pool Floats

Cruisers can rent standard inflatable inner tubes and large float mats at the Float Rentals near Family Beach. Water toys like these provide oodles of fun for children or a relaxing way for grown-ups to laze about in the water. Your pool noodle or fabulous flamingo pool float takes up valuable luggage space and may be confiscated by Disney, so it’s better to leave your own floating devices at home.

Keep in mind that the only floats you can bring to the island are “Coast Guard personal flotation devices (PFDs), water wings, and flotation sewn into bathing suits,” according to Disney Cruise Line policies. Basically, this means the only floats you can bring are life vests, and these are available for free on Castaway Cay.

You just might get a hug from Goofy or other characters on Castaway Cay
You just might get a hug from Goofy and other favorite characters on shore (Photo credit: Kent Phillips, Disney)

17. Do Look for Disney Characters on the Island

Meeting Disney characters on Castaway Cay is a highlight for many vacationers, and photos with friends like Goofy and Minnie Mouse in their island outfits make wonderful souvenirs. You’ll often spot characters like Captain Jack Sparrow near the Arrival Plaza, along the paths to Family Beach, and occasionally around Pelican Plunge. Check your Personal Navigator or the Disney Cruise Line app for meet‑and‑greet times so you don’t miss your favorites.

Beach chairs on Castaway Cay's Family Beach
Lounge chairs on Castaway Cay’s Family Beach (Photo credit: Disney)

18. Don’t Get Stuck Without a Beach Chair

Beach chairs fill up quickly on Castaway Cay, especially at Family Beach, which is the most popular area for cruisers with kids of all ages. Robin Hutson of Luxe Recess warns, “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.”

If you prefer a slower morning and disembark after 10:30, head to the first tram stop near the Snorkeling Lagoon. This area usually still has plenty of lounge chairs and umbrellas available later in the day, and you might even find an open hammock if you are lucky.

Rent a beach cabana as a special treat on Castaway Cay
Rent a beach cabana as a special treat (Photo credit: Chloe Rice, Disney)

19. Do Book a Private Cabana in Advance

If you want guaranteed space, shade, and extra luxury on Castaway Cay, renting a private cabana is the way to go. They are definitely pricey, but they come stocked with all kinds of goodies that elevate your beach day. You’ll get snacks, unlimited non‑alcoholic drinks, sunblock, sand toys, snorkeling gear, free float rentals, and even a one‑hour bike rental.

Private cabanas are extremely limited, so you need to book them online well ahead of your cruise. If you miss out, keep checking the Disney Cruise Line website because cancellations do pop up. You can also stop by Guest Services as soon as you board the ship to see if any last‑minute openings have appeared.

Adult cruisers can relax at Serenity Bay
Adult cruisers can relax at Serenity Bay (Photo credit: Kent Phillips, Disney)

20. Don’t Forget Free Childcare on Castaway Cay

If you want some kid-free time on Castaway Cay, you’re in luck. Disney offers free supervised childcare at Scuttle’s Cove for children ages 3 to 12. It’s run by the same trained youth counselors who staff the Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab on the ship. Check the Navigator App for operating hours so you can time your drop‑off around your beach plans.

Scuttle’s Cove gives kids a fun, sandy play space with organized activities, water play, and plenty of entertainment. There’s also a Teen Hideout for kids aged 14 to 17 to hang out and do cool stuff without parents or little siblings to get in the way. Meanwhile, parents can find their favorite things to do on Castaway Cay, knowing the kids are having a blast.

Plan and Book Your Disney Cruise Early

Anticipating your Disney Cruise is half the fun, and research shows travelers often enjoy the planning process as much as the vacation itself. I recommend buying The Unofficial Disney Cruise Line Guidebook for tons of helpful tips to make the most of your time at sea and in ports of call. Start planning early so you can dream, compare itineraries, and get excited before you sail.

Disney Cruise Line prices usually rise as sailings fill up, so booking early gives you lower rates and better stateroom choices. If you want help choosing the right cruise, Get Away Today is a fantastic resource. Plus, they offer bonuses like onboard spending credits and Mickey and Minnie plush toys when you mention Colleen Travels Between sent you. Book your Disney Cruise with Get Away Today now!

Opportunities for fun for all ages abound on Castaway Cay
Opportunities for fun abound on Castaway Cay (Photo credit: Matt Stroshane, Disney)

Disney’s Castaway Cay FAQ

What are the best things to do on Castaway Cay?

The most popular Castaway Cay activities include the Pelican Plunge water slides, the Snorkeling Lagoon, Castaway Family Beach, Serenity Bay for adults, bike rentals, and the Observation Tower. Your day goes smoother if you pick just a few favorites instead of trying to do everything.

Do I need to bring cash or a credit card?

No. You won’t need a credit card or cash for most of the island. Your Key to the World card handles purchases. The only exception is the Castaway Cay Post Office, which is run by the Bahamian government and still requires either U.S. or Bahamian cash.

Is food free on Castaway Cay?

Yes. Cookie’s BBQ, Cookie’s Too, and Hangar 98 BBQ are included in your cruise fare. Soft drinks and fresh fruit are free as well. Alcoholic drinks cost extra.

Is filtered water available for free?

No. Filtered water stations and soft drinks are free across the island. Bring a reusable bottle and skip the bottled water charge.

Where can I find shade on Castaway Cay?

Serenity Bay has the most palm trees and natural shade. Family Beach has scattered palm trees and plenty of umbrellas. If shade is a priority, arrive early or reserve a cabana.

Does Pelican Plunge cost extra money?

No. Pelican Plunge is completely free and included in your Castaway Cay day. You don’t need to book it in advance, and there’s no additional charge to use the water slides.

Do I need to book Port Adventures in advance?

Book early if you want parasailing, jet skis, or cabanas. Bike rentals, inner tubes, and snorkel gear are easy to grab day‑of.

Was the Castaway Cay splash pad shut down?

Yes. Spring‑A‑Leak splash pad near Family Beach, closed permanently during Castaway Cay’s 2023 refurbishment and hasn’t been replaced.

What’s the adults‑only beach like?

Serenity Bay is peaceful, palm‑lined, and quiet. It has its own bar and BBQ and is a great escape from the crowds.

Can I walk the whole island?

You can, but the tram is faster. The bike trail is a great way to explore the entire island, too.

Disney Fantasy docked at Castaway Cay, a private island owned by Disney in The Bahamas
Disney Fantasy at Castaway Cay (Photo credit: Disney)

Learn More Cruise Tips

Not sure which itinerary and ship are right for you? Here’s how to choose the best Disney Cruise.

Before you set sail with Mickey and friends, find out what to pack for a Disney Cruise.

Parents and grandparents sailing with children should read these helpful tips for cruising with kids.

Quench your thirst at sea with this review and rating of Royal Caribbean mocktails.

Things to Do on Castaway Cay

Save These Castaway Cay Tips

Considering a Disney Cruise? Keep this list of handy tips and things to do on Castaway Cay for future reference. Just pin the image above to Pinterest. Go ahead and follow me on Pinterest while you’re at it!

Do you have any questions or additional Castaway Cay tips? Share your comments and questions below!

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, and we’ve loved every voyage. All opinions are mine, as always.

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258 Comments

    1. 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!

      1. 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!!!!

      2. Wow. Judgemental much? Every family does vacations their way. No harm, no foul if everyone is enjoying themselves.

      3. *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.

      4. So much great information thank you! If you bring your own inner tube, balls, etc. will they blow them up for you?

      5. 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!

    1. 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!

  1. 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!

    1. We are about to head out for our second disney cruise…. can we borrow your “grandparents”?:) Thanks for the ziplock tip.

  2. 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?

    1. 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!

  3. 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.

  4. 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!

    1. 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.

    2. 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.

    3. 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.

    4. The island is neither dirty, polluted nor crowded. Maybe your bf was just sick of you complaining.

  5. 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.

    1. Renae – Sounds like a wonderful day on Castaway Cay! (Well, besides the chilly water!) Thank you for sharing your experience.

    2. 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!

  6. 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.

    1. 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!

  7. 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.

      1. 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!

      2. 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.

  8. 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!

    1. 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.

  9. 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! :).

    1. 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!

    2. 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,

  10. 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…