All About Castaway Cay | Disney Cruise Planning
One of our favorite places to visit on a Disney cruise is Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island in the Bahamas! A majority of our cruises have stopped at Castaway Cay and it continues to be a highlight of our cruise vacations! Learn all about this vibrant destination and how to plan your day here!
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There are currently five ships that make stops on some itineraries at Castaway Cay. The Disney Wish, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, Disney Destiny and Disney Treasure all have planned stops there on upcoming sailings.
What is Castaway Cay?
Castaway Cay is Disney Cruise Line’s exclusive private island reserved just for cruise guests. The island is located in the Bahamas and is only accessible on select Disney itineraries. What makes Castaway Cay unique is how seamlessly Disney integrates its attention to detail into every corner of the island! There are activities designed just for kids, teens, and adults.
We’ve been to Castaway Cay a number of times on different ships, and it is always a fantastic stop. We love that the food on the island is included. Castaway Cay offers a relaxing location to enjoy the beach and water activities.
Which Ships are Going to Castaway Cay in 2026?
In 2026, Disney Cruise Line has multiple ships that will visit Castaway Cay with a variety of itineraries.
The Disney Wish, sailing out of Port Canaveral, regularly includes Castaway Cay on its 3- and 4-night Bahamian itineraries as well as on seasonal Very Merrytime holiday cruises.
The Disney Fantasy, also departing from Port Canaveral, features the island on its 4-night summer Bahamian routes and select holiday sailings.
Out of Fort Lauderdale, the Disney Destiny offers a wide range of itineraries, 3-, 4-, and 5-night Bahamian and Western Caribbean voyages, all including a stop at Castaway Cay.
The Disney Treasure, based in Port Canaveral, includes the idyllic stop in its 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises, along with selected fall departures.
And the Disney Dream, operating from Fort Lauderdale, will also make multiple visits to Castaway Cay: she includes stops on several 3- and 4-night Bahamian cruises throughout January through April. Including sailings on January 5, 19, February 2, and March 2, 16, and 30, each offering time ashore on this fantastic private island.
What is there to do at Castaway Cay?
There’s lots to do at Castaway Cay! You can relax on pristine beaches, snorkel in crystal-clear lagoons, bike or kayak around the island, enjoy family and kids’ play areas, or unwind at the adults-only Serenity Bay. The island also offers character meet and greets, island BBQ dining, and fun excursions like parasailing and stingray encounters.
For families, the Family Beach is the most popular spot, with plenty of lounge chairs, umbrellas, and shallow waters for kids to splash around.
Found in photo: Mickey Gummy Tote
If you’re looking for something more adventurous, you can rent bikes to explore the island, try snorkeling in the lagoon to spot colorful fish (and some hidden Disney surprises), or paddle out in a kayak to take in the views.
Our Favorite Castaway Cay Activities
We frequently do both the snorkeling and kayaking at Castaway Cay, and they are both a great time! You can reserve the equipment ahead of time through the Port Adventures section in the Disney Cruise Line app. Or walk up on your port day to check availability of the equipment.
There is typically always more than enough snorkeling equipment to just walk up and rent it the same day. We recommend reserving your kayaks ahead of time though, because there are a limited number!
Disney also offers unique excursions like parasailing, glass-bottom boat tours, and even stingray encounters.
Adults looking for a peaceful retreat can head over to Serenity Bay, the adults-only beach.
This secluded area offers hammocks, lots of open beach space, and its own bar and lunch area. Making Serenity Bay the perfect escape for grown-ups!
Beyond the beaches and dining, the island itself is a beautiful place to explore, with walking trails, photo opportunities with Disney characters in their beach attire, and a tram system that makes it easy to get around.
Clubs on the Island
Meanwhile, kids and teens have their own dedicated areas. Scuttle’s Cove (kids’ club on the island) and the Hideout (teen hangout) are open when the ship is docked. These are spots where kids can enjoy supervised fun while parents relax. The same rules for check-in and out apply on the island.
Kids that are Oceaneer Club age will get checked in to Scuttle’s Cove, while teens can freely flow in and out of the Hideout. The Teen Hideout is literally hidden right near the tram stop by the bicycle rental. Just head down a small path and it opens up to a big game area just for tweens and teens!
Our kids loved spending plenty of time in the kid’s club on the island when they were Scuttle’s Cove age. Just make sure to thoroughly put on sunscreen before dropping them off! While there is a lot of shade at the island club, many areas are in the sun.
Food on the Island
Food is included at Castaway Cay, with several barbecue lunch spots serving up burgers, chicken, ribs, and fresh fruit. There are also bars throughout the island offering tropical drinks and soft drinks.
Cookies BBQ and Cookies Too both serve up an all-you-care-to-enjoy lunch. They serve family favorites like barbecue ribs, grilled chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs, and fish. There are also plenty of sides such as corn on the cob, coleslaw, chips, and fresh fruit.
For dessert, you’ll find cookies and soft-serve ice cream (we recommend combining those to make ice cream sandwiches!). These are always a hit after a day in the sun!
With shaded picnic-style seating, it’s the perfect place to take a break from the beach and refuel before heading back out for more fun on the island.
Smoothies and alcoholic drinks are an additional cost. These can be charged back to your room using your DisneyBand+ or Key to the World card.
Characters on the Island
One of the most magical parts of Castaway Cay is meeting Disney characters in their special island attire. You’ll often spot Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and other favorites dressed in tropical outfits, perfect for unique vacation photos.
Character meet and greets are held at different spots around the island, usually near the gangway when you first arrive, along the paths to the beaches, and sometimes even right on the beach.
To find out exactly when and where characters will be appearing during your visit, check the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App. It lists all the scheduled character times and locations so you don’t miss a chance to say hello.
Using the Tram at Castaway Cay
Getting around Castaway Cay is easy thanks to the island’s complimentary tram system.
The tram makes several stops along the way, starting near the ship and running out to the Family Beach, Pelican Plunge, and Serenity Bay for adults.
This is especially helpful if you’re traveling with kids, carrying beach gear, or simply want to save energy for fun in the sun. Trams run continuously throughout the day, so you can hop on and off as needed. Making this a quick and convenient way to explore all areas of the island without a long walk in the heat.
What to Pack for Castaway Cay
Our must have items to bring to Castaway Cay include reef safe sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and swimsuits for everyone, plus a coverup for walking around the island or heading to lunch. Waterproof pouches for your phone are handy to have as well!
Found in photo:
Mickey Tote / Coverup / Swimsuit / Beach Shoes / Waterproof Phone Case
A beach tote comes in handy for carrying towels, snacks, and other essentials, and don’t forget beach shoes to protect your feet on the sand and in the water.
You’ll also need your Key to the World card to get back on the ship, and ID for anyone over 18, as it may be required for purchasing drinks or certain excursions. There are also stores on the island that you can purchase items for souvenirs or any items you may have forgotten, but these are our essentials we bring onto the island for every trip!
Make the Most of Your Day at Castaway Cay
Castaway Cay isn’t just another port stop! It’s an extension of the Disney Cruise experience.
Everything is designed to feel effortless. You don’t have to worry about finding food, navigating crowds from other ships, or stressing about logistics. Instead, you can simply focus on making memories!
Check out some of our other favorite Disney Cruise planning articles below.
Disclaimer:
** All opinions are unbiased and independent. This post contains affiliate links. Moms with Mouse Ears is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com
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