Castaway Cay (pronounced Key) is Disney’s own private island in the Bahamas. The only way to visit Castaway Cay is with a Disney Cruise that has a stop on the island. The island is beautiful and the perfect place to relax. Below is some information to keep in mind when traveling to Castaway Cay.
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1. Chairs and Umbrellas are Free on the Beach
There are plenty of lounge chairs and umbrellas available for free to use on the beach. It is so nice not to have to worry about bringing mats or renting anything.
2. Food Served on the Island
For lunch, soda, and snacks check out Cookies BBQ and Cookies Too. Both offer free all you can eat lunch with soda and ice cream stations. We had typical BBQ fair such as hamburgers, ribs, fish, and chicken with plenty of salads, fruits and desserts. Also the nearby seating areas are covered.
3. Alcohol Served Beach Side
There are several places to purchase alcoholic drinks, but the best is to relax on the beach and wait for a waiter to walk down to take your order. Of course, you have to pay for the drinks and tip.
4. Towels Available
Make sure to grab towels as you exit the ship. There should be carts full right after the crew scans you off the ship.
4. Merchandise Only Available on Castaway Cay
There is some merchandise that is only available on Castaway Cay. So make sure to purchase anything that you want before you re-board the ship. She Sells Sea Shells… and Everything Else on Castaway Cay takes your Key to the World card for payment.
5. Excursions and Land Activities
Castaway Cay has many excursions for you and your family to enjoy everything from a stingray adventure to kayaking to para-sailing to bike rentals to snorkeling. There are a couple of pavilions with free table games and even some mini golf if you need something to keep you busy other than the beach.
6. Character Meet and Greets
The characters come ashore and offer meet and greets. If you would like to meet the characters be sure to check the time schedule.
7. Take a Photo at Mt. Rustmore
Castaway Cay’s Mt. Rustmore is a must stop for a photo 🙂 This is the location of most of the character meet and greets too.
8. Mail a Postcard/Letter at the Post Office
Unfortunately, the day we were on the island the Post Office was not open because the operator was not able to make it to the island due to high winds, see more information on number 11. However, if you find the Post Office open your mail will have a unique Castaway Cay postmark. Bring cash for the Post Office.
9. Visit Olaf at the Post Office
The Olaf statue has changed and is now located on the side of She Sells Sea Shells… and Everything Else.
A statue of Olaf is located on the front porch of the Post Office. Be sure to snag a picture.
10. Water and Air Temperature Can Be Cool
We visited the island in late October and the water temperature was cool. Coupled with the windy, cool air temperature it was freezing when we got out of the water. Be prepared that just because its the Caribbean/Bahamas does not guarantee it will be hot 🙂
11. Ship Not Able to Dock
Something I was not prepared for was that our cruise ship may not be able to dock at Castaway Cay due to high waves and high winds. On our cruise, the captain’s first attempt to dock was abandoned. We circled around and approached again very slowly. We were about an hour and a half late arriving in port.
Some of the characters that were scheduled for early morning meet and greets ended up meeting on the ship. We walked past the lounge in front of the theater and spotted Captain Jack lounged out taking a nap – fit his personality to a T!
All and all Castaway Cay is a beautiful island full of everything you need to have a relaxing beach day. It is the perfect way to end your cruise. The only thing better would have been multiple stops at Castaway Cay, maybe next time…
Have you visited Castaway Cay?
I went to Castaway Cay a few years ago with my family. It was so nice. I really liked that the chairs were free!
I love that part too! And there was so much room to spread out!
I really really really want to go on a Disney Cruise! I was thinking about late fall, so thanks for the advice about the water being cold!
The water in St. Thomas and St. Martin was warm in later October but not Castaway Cay! I highly recommend a Disney Cruise – they are so fun!
The only time that I’ve been on a Disney cruise was right after they started sailing for the first time–I went with a friend and her family for her 16th birthday. It was a lot of fun, but as 16 year olds, we were kind of stuck in this strange area between the fun kid stuff and the adult stuff. I DO, however, remember having a blast at Castaway Cay, though they didn’t offer all of the fun meet and greets back then (as it was over 10 years ago!!). Your daughter looks like she’s having a blast, and one day, I hope to take my daughter here. 🙂
Your daughter will love it when she gets older. The Disney Cruises are so much fun!
Very cool looks like y’all had fun!
It was lots of fun, thanks Neely!
The island sounds really comparable to Coco Cay, RC’s private island. I just got back from Beaches, a family all inclusive, so spending extra cash will be a hard sell for me. But the disney factor? Everyone loves that!
Beaches sounds like lots of fun! We’ve done Sandals but not Beaches!
You’re killing me with all these beach pictures and it’s nice to know the ins and outs before visiting. Looks like so much fun! Wish I was marooned on that island!! I want to take the grands on a Disney cruise one of these days. We’re taking them to St. Maarten in July.
I know with the weather being cooler I could really use a beach trip right now!
wow what a cool place! MY boyfriend’s mom went on a cruise a few years ago and she LOVED it. I can see how it would be a once in a lifetime kind of experience – who doesn’t love Disney?
Disney cruises are so much fun! I highly recommend them! 🙂
Alcohol served beach side is my favorite 🙂 Gorgeous photos!
I know perfect! Thanks Nancy!
Looks like a blast!!!
It really is a great destination and perfect place to spend time as a family!
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My family loves Disney Cruises and we’ve been to Castaway Cay twice (and blown out once per #11 – very sad). If you want to add a #12 I would recommend bringing the shipboard “cell phones” called Wave Phones with you. They work on the island too and are great for coordinating your group which may get scattered over the property. Keep them in a dry bag/box or you’ll loose a hefty deposit.
Aren’t Disney Cruises great! Thank you for your tip!
I would recommend NOT bringing the wave phones on the island, as we did. Had to put the phone down to go swimming, so wrapped it up in our towels and left it on lounge chair. Someone took the towels and therefore the phone. We were charged the $250 fee for losing the phone. Ruined the day
Great advice Jen! So sorry the wave phone went missing. We for the most part didn’t use the phones, so I had not thought of that.
We sailed November 2014and was not able to dock at Castaway Cay. Very disappointing for my great-niece and nephew and their dad. They did get to spend some extra time in the pool and at the movies (Frozen!!!)
That would be so disappointing! I am glad they had a good day onboard.
Thanks for the post, we’ll be on the Disney Wonder for Disney Social Media Moms in next month and I was really curious about the island.
We loved Castaway Cay! Have fun at Disney Social Media Moms!