Disney Castaway Cay Overview for

First Timers

Highlight of any DCL sailors with food, fun, beach, and activities for all

Great spots for photos and Disney characters including Captain Jack Sparrow and Disney Fab 5 in special costumes

Contains beautiful family and adult beaches with seating and umbrellas

3 BBQ restaurants to pick from all serving the same food with soft service ice cream and soda

Overview of the island

  • Arrival area adjacent to the ship includes the Post Office, Harbor area for activities, tram stop, security checkpoint and character photo opportunities

  • Family Beach is where the snorkeling area, Stingray Adventure, watercraft rentals, Scuttles Cove, and Cookies BBQ

  • At the end of Family Beach is Pelican Point, Pelican Plunge, Teen Hideout, Cookies Too BBQ, and family cabanas

  • Family Beach has loungers, chairs, umbrellas, hammocks, shops, bars, swimming areas, and rentals (snorkel and floats)

  • Serenity Bay is adult only area, has BBQ restaurant, bar, adult only cabanas, and rentals (snorkel and floats)

  • Castaway Cay has its own dock so you can walk on or off the ship anytime

  • Towels are located right off the ship make sure you grab them

  • Bring your Key to the World Card and ID

  • Once off the ship, it is a short walk to the tram station that has 2 stops at either end of Family Beach.

  • If you prefer to walk, it is about 10 minutes to the Family Beach.

  • There is a second tram to take you from Pelican Point to Serenity Bay

  • If you plan to mail a post card from the post office stop at guest services on the ship to purchase postage

Shopping Options

  • Many of items found can only be purchased on the island

  • Some of the stores are She Sells Seashells, Buy the Seashore, or a locally owned store Cultural Illusions

  • Make sure to bring your key to the world card to make the purchases

  • I believe if you also purchase a bag you can ask them to bring it back to your room so you do not need to carry it around

Beach Activities

  • Family Beach is a protected shallow lagoon that provides a calm swimming area

  • Lifeguards on shore and in the water

  • Designated snorkeling area has many colorful fish with sunken Disney character statues

  • You will have to wear an inflatable life vest provided and make sure to check under the buoys for treasure

  • You can use your own equipment or for an additional charge you can rent them

  • Special wheelchairs with large sand tires are available

  • Two play structures in the water

  • First part of the Family Beach has ropes and ladders over the water

  • Pelican’s Plunge is located at Pelican Point and has waterslides

Kids Options

  • Scuttle’s Cove for 3 – 12-year-olds

  • Same drop off as kid’s club on the ship and same counselors

  • Kids can play in Monstro Point digging for treasures

  • Teen Hideout is for 14 – 17-year-olds

  • Typically have lots of sports activities

  • In The Shade is a covered area that offers ping pong, basketball, checkers, and foosball

Looking to run the Castaway 5K

  • Start and finish is near Pelican Point tram stop

  • Course is down the air strip with a mile loop run twice and turning around by Serenity Bay

  • Don’t miss your medal at the end

  • Try to run it early in the morning before it gets to hot

Rentals on the Island and Port Adventures

  • Floats, tubes, snorkel gear and bikes can be pre-cruise booked or day of booked

  • If purchasing three there is a discount

  • Bikes are a great way to explore the island

  • Sting Ray Encounter

  • Located before the Family Beach

  • Close encounter with sting rays and can feed them

  • It is about 1 hour long

  • Parasailing offers views of the island while being pulled by a boat

  • Try to book early in the morning because as it gets windy it gets cancelled

  • Glass Bottom Boat

  • Tour the local reefs with sea life

  • Fishing trips

  • Very limited number of spots and will fill up quickly

  • Watercraft Rentals

  • Paddle boards, kayaks, water bikes and trikes

  • Rented and used in between the ship and Family Beach

Food and Drink Options

  • 3 BBQ buffet restaurants serving up almost the same menu

  • Open at 11:30 am until 2:00 pm

  • Everything at the buffet is included

  • If you have allergies, please see a server to special order

  • Cookie’s BBQ is near the beginning of Family Beach

  • Cookie’s Too is near Pelican Point

  • Serenity Bay has its own BBQ catering to adults with an extra steak option

  • All the restaurants have a soda fountain and soft serve ice cream

  • Food spread includes hamburgers, hot dogs, BBQ pork ribs, rotisserie chicken, chips, salads and more

  • Dessert options include fresh fruit, cookies (make an ice cream sandwich) and pineapple cake

  • Frozen drinks in either Olaf or Sven for an additional charge can be found at Summertime Freeze

  • If needing an alcoholic drink a few options

  • Servers walking the beach will bring you a drink

  • Many bar options: Heads Up Bar, Sand Bar, Castaway Air Bar to name just a few and try the special Kooler in the souvenir bamboo cup

Cabanas

  • One of the most coveted port adventures to try to secure

  • Twenty Family Beach Cabanas for 6 people

  • One Grand Family Beach Cabana for 10 people

  • Can bring extra guest for an additional charge

  • Located on a private beach just past the Family Beach

  • They are a covered area with loungers and seats in an open-air environment. There is a small fridge with drinks, fruit tray and sunscreen all complimentary. You can ring a well for the server to bring you drinks or pick up lunch trays. They will not bring you food, but you can bring it back to your cabana.

  • Also included is a package for use snorkeling equipment, sand toys, float, tube rentals, and a one-hour bike rental

  • Due to their limited number, cabanas book quickly and are often all taken by concierge guests even before it opens to pearl or platinum members

  • Serenity Bay has adult only cabanas

  • Basically, the same as family cabanas but cost a little less and everyone must be over 18 years old

  • See the attached article for more information on all thing’s cabanas and pricing

Adult Only Area

  • Serenity Bay is the adult only area

  • Tram that takes you from the Pelican Tram Stop to Serenity Bay

  • The beach area is smaller and not as protected as the other beaches

  • Of note the sand is quite shelly therefore bring water shoes

  • There is a BBQ restaurant, bar, and massage area

Tips and Tricks

  • Grab breakfast and get off the ship as early as you can

  • Stop at the second family beach tram spot to look for chairs and umbrellas

  • You can eat in the covered pavilions near the BBQ restaurants or carry a tray to the beach which is what we do

  • Bring a refillable drinking container to grab water or soda throughout the day

  • Enjoy as much time as you can on the beach and remember to apply sunscreen multiple times