8 Things to Do at Disney’s Castaway Cay! #DisneySMMC
Things to Do at Disney’s Castaway Cay!
Disney’s Castaway Cay is a 1,000-acre private island. It can be explored and enjoyed by people who are on Disney’s Bahama and Caribbean cruises.
Since it is a private island, there are not a million people on it every day. That’s why it is fantastic for those people who arrive by cruise ship. They are able to experience the beauty of the entire island without being lost in the crowds.
It is one of our favourite ports. Of course, it goes without saying, Disney does islands in the only way they know, with magic. There are plenty of things to see and do and believe me, whether you stay on board or go to port–you’ll love Disney’s Castaway Cay.
Get Ready for Fun!
If you are planning a Disney cruise with a stop at Disney’s Castaway Cay, there are a few things that you should plan on doing while on the island. If it is your first time on a Disney Cruise, don’t worry, I’ve compiled some first-timer tips for you.
Soon enough, you will be onboard and be dancing away at the Sail Away party. There’s plenty of delicious drinks, ice cream cones and more to help make casting off into the ocean that much sweeter.
An Adventure.
After attending the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration, a 5-day Land and Sea experience, we learned about everything Disney. Like Animal Kingdom’s new light-show River of Lights and the upcoming live show, Beauty and the Beast on their Disney Dream cruises.
I’m armed with the top 8 things to do while docked at Castaway Cay!
1. Pick a Beach
There are three beaches on Castaway Cay and you will want to pick the one that best fits your needs. The two family beaches are filled with beach chairs and umbrellas, plus there are multiple lifeguards both in the water and on the sand. At the other end of the island is Serenity Bay, which is an adults only beach and there is a private bar nestled into the sand with the beach chairs.
2. Choose a Restaurant
Families will love the selection of food that is offered at Cookie’s BBQ and Cookie’s Too BBQ, while adults down at Serenity Bay will enjoy some quiet time at the adults only BBQ restaurant. You need to make sure that you eat early enough though because these restaurants normally close around two in the afternoon. You don’t want to have to head back to the ship early, just because you’re hungry.
3. Ride the Tram
The island is large and one of the best ways for you to see as much as possible is riding the tram. There are plenty of Imagineered highlights all over the island and some may only be noticeable when you are on the tram.
4. Enjoy the water
If you love the water, you will love Castaway Cay! You may want to do some snorkeling at Snorkeling Lagoon or ride down the waterslides at Pelican Plunge. Littler ones will love exploring in Spring-a-Leak while being sprayed with water at every turn.
5. Shop, Shop, and Shop Some More
You might not think that there would be stores on a private island, but Disney has you covered! There are two shops on Castaway Cay and they both sell souvenirs as well as life’s little necessities like sunscreen, underwater cameras, and beach toys. This is the only place where you can find souvenirs from Castaway Cay, so don’t leave the island without making a purchase if you want a little memento of the time you spent there.
6. Pick an Excursion
If you simply cannot find anything for free to do while on Castaway Cay or you are looking for something a little more adventurous, you can look into the numerous port excursions that are available. You can choose from parasailing, watercraft ski adventures, kayaking, fishing, Glass Bottom Scenic Voyage, and snorkeling adventures.
7. Run
Castaway Cay and Disney has a 5K that you can participate in when you are on the island. If you decide to do the 5K, you will be one of the first people to disembark the ship in preparation for the 9 a.m. start time.
8. Stay and Play on the Ship
Avoid the crowds and enjoy the onboard activities. You can enjoy a less busy ship and you can enjoy character experiences. You can even watch a movie in a full theatre. Or play some sports, go for a swim, sunbathe on the decks, do some shopping or take in a spa treatment.
Avoid the Crowds!
Of course, you will also run into many Disney characters while you are on the island, so you will have a chance to snap pictures of a few of your favorites.
Plus, if you are traveling as a family and want some adult only time, you can take your children to the children or teen areas and they will be taken care while you are exploring the island on your own.
Book Your Cruise!
No matter where you sail to, most times you will find yourself in Disney’s Castaway Cay. Don’t worry, you will have a blast. I guarantee that you may have a hard time getting your family to leave the island.
I can’t say that I blame you.
For more information, visit Disney Cruise Lines to see where you want to sail off to next! Plus, now you have a whole list of things to do while at Castaway Cay. Hope you enjoy your visit! You can see more of our #DisneySMMC adventure, here.
Have you ever been to Disney’s Castaway Cay?
Let me know, til then–cheers m’deres!
Nancy Polanco is a freelance journalist, lifestyle content creator, and editor of Whispered Inspirations. She is a proud Mom to Gabby and Michaela and partner and best friend to Darasak. Having worked as part of a health care team for almost a decade, Nancy is happy to be back to her passion. She is a contributor to the Huffington Post, TODAY’s Parents, and an Oprah Magazine Brand Ambassador.
The photo’s are amazing thanks for sharing!
Thanks mdere.
Looks like so much fun I’d love to take my daughter on a disney cruise
Hope you can soon. 😀
I have been dreaming of taking a Disney cruise with my family. What a wonderful vacation experience!
It is absolutely amazing.
oh my gosh!! how cool. I have never been there and have never heard of it either! what a blast and quite the experience to have there. I will have to keep this in mind when my girls get a bit older 🙂
It is a great place! You will love it.
I want to do every single one of these activities. I’ve never rode on a tram before so it would be neat to do that.
It is a nice ride. Plus, you get to the beach that much faster!
I have only been to Disney once in my life but would love to go again! We did not get to go to Castaway Cay but if we do ever go back we will be sure to go there too!
You will have to sail on a cruise!
I would love to experience Castaway Cay with the family. We went on a Disney cruise, but it was before all this awesome was around.
You are going to have to visit again!
We just went on our first Disney cruise and it was amazing. We were able to check out Disney’s Castaway Cay and it was so much fun. A definite must see.
Yes, it was so much fun, huh?
It sounds like there is so much to see and do in Castaway Cay. We are planning a trip to Disney in the next few months and we can’t wait to check it all out.
You will love it!
Taking the kiddos on a Disney Cruise and visiting Castaway Cay is on the bucket list, for sure!! The whole Disney experience can’t be beat!!
It really cannot!
This sounds too fun. My brother and his family just came home from a Disney cruise. My nieces can’t stop raving about the wonderful time they had.
It is so much fun!
I have always wanted to go on a Disney cruise. My boys would be thrilled if we went. Castaway Bay sounds amazing. I have always wanted to snorkel.
We discovered how clear the water away from the US coastline. When we were in Mexico, we saw live starfish.
It really is beautiful!
I would love to go to Castaway Cay one day!! It all looks like so much fun!!
It is so much fun. Hope you make it soon.
This Disney cruise sounds like an amazing adventure along with exploring the Disney’s Castaway Cay. I will have to share this with my sister for her family. Thanks for sharing this amazing family adventure.
My pleasure, thanks for sharing.
I have never been here but it looks like a blast. I am bookmarking it so that when we plan our trip we make sure to go!
Most Disney cruises stop there. Hope you visit soon.
so that playground in the water… I’d be ALL over that! I know… I’m not a kid, but I’d still play and giggle like one there (good thing I have kids, so I don’t look out of place~wink~) I would LOVE to take my kids there and see the beautiful places (your photos are amazing!)
Awww, thanks Eloise. NO excuses needed with Disney. We are all big kids at heart.
It’s definitely worth the trip! I have never been to Castaway Cay before but this post makes me want to go there now! I think it’s a lot of fun for the adults and the kids!
It definitely is a great stop!
The tram sounds like it would be so much fun!
Hehe, it gets the job done!
This looks like fabulous fun and still hoping to go someday too.Thanks so much for the awesome feature to enjoy reading. 🙂
My pleasure. Hope you can soon!
We’ve never been to Disney’s Castaway Cay, but I would love to go there with my boys.Looks like a fun place for the whole family to visit.
It is SOOO much fun. You will love it.
That looks like a fabulous experience!! The tips you have provided make this look like a doable vacation for a family with small children!! Beautiful pictures!
It is definitely an amazing experience and I highly recommend it! Glad you enjoyed the pics!
I like those images.
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed them!
Amazing photo! Look and sounds like lots of fun!
Thanks! It’s super fun and packed with so many activities to do!
It’s definitely a vacation goal of ours!
You’ll love it! Enjoy every moment when you’re there!
My family went on a Disney Cruise back in 2009 and it was the best cruise ever. My kids were 2 and 3 and they had so much fun. I’m sorry we didn’t ride the Tram though on Castaway Cay. It sounds like it would have been great. We just found our spots on the beach and played in the water all day.
It is not so much an attraction but, just a means of getting around the island. It is nice to take a load off!