Everything You Need to Know About Castaway Cay, Disney's Private Island

Here’s what you need to know about Castaway Cay before your next Disney Cruise Line voyage.

Mouse magic meets tropical bliss on Disney Cruise Line’s private island, Castaway Cay. Located in the Bahamas, you can expect Mickey’s white-glove treatment here thanks to Disney’s signature excellence in theming, hospitality, and dining. The picturesque island is home to crystal-clear waters and sparkling white-sand beaches — and only Disney Cruise Line guests can visit.

There’s plenty to do on the island beyond splashing around three swimmable beaches (including an adults-only beach). You can spend the day snorkeling, dining, and even shopping for exclusive merchandise you can only find here, or opt for an excursion like fishing or parasailing. And with a designated kids club on shore, the entire family is guaranteed to have a magical time.

Start planning your Castaway Cay day once you book your Disney cruise. Reservation windows for excursions open 75 to 130 days before your sailing, depending on your Castaway Club membership level.

Ready to learn more? Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.

Getting There

Disney Cruise Line currently has a fleet of five ships. And while itineraries can change year to year, most Disney cruises sailing the Bahamas and Caribbean will include a stop at Castaway Cay. Depending on your ship’s specific itinerary, you can expect to have around eight hours to explore the island during a typical stop.

Visiting Castaway Cay is easy, as guests can simply walk off the ship and onto the island without the need for a tender boat. Once on land, towels and lounge chairs are complimentary (though chairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis so you may want to get there early to snag a prime spot). For those with accessibility concerns, all-terrain wheelchairs are available.

Traveling around the island is a breeze thanks to its tram system that makes several stops near activities, shops, and beaches.

Passports are not needed to visit the island, but you will need to have your stateroom key on hand to return to the ship. You can also use your Key To The World card to purchase drinks and souvenirs on the island.

Related: Everything You Need to Know About Disney Cruise Ships

Things to Do on Castaway Cay

Castaway Cay offers a range of included activities, plus a few special options that require an extra fee. Located off the family beach, In Da Shade Game Pavilion offers — you guessed it — shaded game areas complete with basketball, billiards, and ping pong, plus beach sports like soccer and volleyball.

For fitness enthusiasts, one of the most beloved complimentary activities is the Castaway Cay 5k. Ideal for runners and walkers alike, this is an on-your-own race along winding tropical paths. It isn’t an organized competition, but you will earn an exclusive medal when you finish.

Castaway Ray’s Stingray Adventure is another Disney Cruise Line favorite. This hour-long experience (available for a fee) invites explorers to get up close and personal with 60 stingrays as you feed, pet, and snorkel with these fascinating sea creatures. For an additional fee, you can also book an excursion, including parasailing, sailing, and fishing charters, or rent watercraft.

As a Disney parks fanatic, I love the island’s unique snorkeling experience. Suitable for all levels, the 22-acre snorkeling lagoon offers two trails, including one featuring sunken characters and abandoned theme park ride vehicles, like a submarine from the now-defunct 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage attraction. Equipment rentals are available from Gil’s Fin and Boats and Flippers and Floats. If you want to book several activities, Castaway Cay offers bundle packages that can provide significant savings.

If you’re on the hunt for souvenirs, Castaway Cay’s shops offer beach staples, exclusive Castaway Cay merchandise, and even goods with local flair. Plus, merchandise can be sent directly to your stateroom for the most convenient shopping experience.

For a more luxurious visit, the island offers private cabana rentals; this experience comes with unlimited soda and bottled water, fresh fruit and snacks, sunscreen, and more. Adults can even indulge in a massage (for an extra fee) in a cabana on Serenity Bay.

Dining on Castaway Cay

Dining is included during your visit to Castaway Cay, and Cookie’s BBQ and Cookie’s Too serve as the island’s two main dining venues. Located near each of the family beaches, these eateries serve up summertime favorites like cheeseburgers, barbecued chicken, fresh salads, and fruit beneath shady pavilions. Disney Cruise Line’s iconic soft serve is also free-flowing here. Serenity Bay BBQ serves similar fare on the adults-only stretch of the island.

For a sweet treat, kids won’t be able to resist Olaf’s Summertime Freeze, home to specialty frozen drinks and must-have keepsake cups. Those of age can find specialty frozen cocktails and more at the island’s four bars: Conched Out, Head’s Up, Sand Bar, and Castaway Air Bar.

Related: Disney Cruise Secrets and Tips You Should Know Before You Go

Family-friendly Activities

Many guests get off the ship and head straight to the island’s two expansive family beaches. My personal favorite is home to Pelican Plunge, a floating waterslide complex that you swim up to. Both beaches offer drink service and are within easy walking distance to dining and shops.

Parents and kids alike will be delighted to know that the island operates youth clubs just like onboard the ships. Kids ages 3-12 can enjoy Scuttle’s Cove, a secure and supervised children's activity area offering sand castle building, scavenger hunts, and more. Kids must be signed up with the onboard youth club before they visit, and admission is complimentary and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Island youngsters will especially love Monstro Point, a play area that looks like a giant whale bone excavation site.

Teens ages 14-17 can enjoy their own slice of paradise at the Hideout, while toddlers can splash around at Spring-a-Leak, a splash pad with water features.

For guests ages three and up, bike rentals are a great way to enjoy the island’s natural beauty. There are two nature trails, and you can stop to climb the island’s observation tower, a somewhat remote stop with unspoiled views of Castaway Cay.

Adults-only Activities

Serenity Bay is the island’s exclusive adults-only beach. It’s the perfect place to relax thanks to plentiful seating, inviting hammocks, and a calmer feel. "Everyone knows Disney cruises are fantastic for families with young kids, but I loved having the option to unwind on a quiet, kid-free stretch of sand at Serenity Bay when I visited Castaway Cay,” shares Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure editor. “Available for guests 18+, this beach can be reached via tram; this is also where you'll find the massage cabanas.”

This adult haven also houses its own dining and bar facilities, Castaway Air Bar and Serenity Bay BBQ, as well as complimentary morning yoga.

Around the island, there’s plenty of adult-centric fun to be had — including at the over-the-water Head’s Up Bar, my personal favorite. Located on a spacious boardwalk at Pelican Point, it offers sweeping views of the ocean and your cruise ship in the distance, making it the ideal place to sample the island’s signature cocktails.

Tips for Visiting

• Download Disney Cruise Line’s exclusive Navigator app ahead of your cruise. This allows you to browse the island’s activity schedule and communicate with other members of your party.

• We recommend booking excursions ahead of your cruise; reservation windows open based on Castaway Club membership level, ranging from 75 days to 130 days prior to your sail date.

• Before you arrive at Castaway Cay, head to your ship’s Port Adventures Desk for the most up-to-date guide on all the activities and excursions available during your visit.

• To make the most out of my time on the island, I prefer to enjoy an early breakfast on board and head to the island as soon as it opens to guests. Be sure to listen for an announcement about which elevators will take you to the disembarkation level. Arriving early will help you avoid elevator congestion and ensure you can secure a prime oceanside spot to relax.

• “Leave the stroller onboard,” shares Jenn Greene, a Disney Cruise Line travel advisor and mom to two daughters who has traveled to the island several times. “When you disembark, there are strollers for use that can be picked up at the tram stop.”

• Don’t forget your camera. There are photo ops galore throughout Castaway Cay, including fan favorite Mt. Rustmore, the most photographed spot on the island. Plus, you never know where you’ll spot the Disney Fab Five in their paradise attire.

• Restaurants typically close mid-afternoon, sometimes hours before you have to return to the ship, so be sure to check operating hours.

• Staying hydrated in the Bahamian sun is critical, and Disney makes it easy with plenty of water stations throughout the island.

• “Did you know you can mail a postcard from Castaway Cay?” adds Greene. “Located on the way to the beach is the Castaway Cay post office, and yes, it's real! My kids’ friends were always so excited to get a postcard from this island escape.” 
  

For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.