15 AMAZING Things To Do at Castaway Cay
Heading to Castaway Cay on a Disney Cruise? You’re in the right place.
I’ve been to Disney’s private island twice, and am heading back there next year.
I’m going to share the best (lesser-known) things to do at Castaway Cay.
Disney Cruise Line has put together quite the community on Castaway Cay and there are quite a few different ways to enjoy it.
Some activities:
- Are completely free (included in the cost of your Disney Cruise)
- Cost extra money
- Can be booked the day of / are first come-first served
- Need to be reserved far in advance
So, it’s a good thing you’re looking into this in advance so that you can decide if there’s anything you want to book in advance or if you can decide how you feel the day of.
Let’s jump in – all your options for things to do on Castaway Cay
Things to Do at Castaway Cay
1. Meet characters
Cost: Free
Castaway Cay is one of the best places to meet characters, for a few reasons:
- The photos turn out really nice, being outside and on the beach
- The characters are wearing special ‘outdoor, summer’ clothing
- There are a couple characters available on Castaway Cay that weren’t available to meet on the ship, such as Captain Jack Sparrow!
Be sure to look at the schedule for character meets and try to be in line a few minutes before the scheduled meetup if you don’t want to wait too long.
The actual photo-taking is free, but you will need to buy the photo package if you want the photos the professional photographer takes.
But you can also take your own photos for free.
2. Souvenir shopping
Cost: Depends on what you spend
Castaway Cay has stores that only sell unique Castaway Cay souvenirs.
I came close to spending a bunch of money in one of their stores, but unfortunately, I found out that they only take room card (or Disney Band) payments – no cash!
My husband was with our two kids in line to meet a character, so I had to rush back.
However, this is just a reminder to bring your room card or Disney Band with you into the shops if you want to be able to spend any money on Castaway Cay. (This includes souvenirs, hair braiding and a few other activities.)
3. Get a photo in front of your cruise ship
Cost: Free
In addition to photographers taking photos of passengers with Disney character, you will likely also see a photographer taking photos of people in front of the cruise ship (or, you can also take a photo yourself.)
It’s free to get photos in front of the ship, whether you take your own photos or get the photographer to do it.
4. Get a photo in front of the Castaway Cay sign
Cost: Free
You have to prove you were there, right?
If nothing else, I would definitely walk out to the Castaway Cay sign (about a 5-10 minute walk from where the cruise ship is) and get some photos.
Sometimes there is a photographer there. If there isn’t, then you can either take a selfie, or ask someone to take your photo!
You will see lots of people going in both directions, and someone will be happy to help.
5. Get 360-degree views from the observation tower
Cost: Free
There is a 2-storey wooden observation tower on Castaway Cay that will give you views of the surrounding lush jungle, and the beaches, cruise ship and turquoise waters in the distance.
You can either walk, or bike to this tower. Walking would take about 20 minutes from the second family-friendly beach, but if you rent a bike (for about $20 per person) you could get there much quicker.
6. Swim or relax on one of the beaches
Cost: Free
There are three different beaches on Castaway Cay. I’m not a huge beach person, but I have to admit the Castaway Cay beaches are special for a few reasons:
- Unlike other Bahamas beaches, you don’t have to worry about them filling up or getting overly crowded
- They are some of the prettiest beaches in the Bahamas
Here are your three beach options on Castaway Cay:
- Two family-friendly beaches (they don’t have names – they’re just called Castaway Cay Family Friendly Beaches)
- Serenity Bay beach (Adults only beach)
7. Get your hair braided
Cost: Free
You will see signs for hair braiding. It costs extra, and depends on how many braids you want.
Similar to souvenirs, be sure to have your Disney band or room card on you. the cost for braiding will be added to your account.
8. Relax or read in a hammock or lawn chair
Cost: Free
All of the beaches have lawn chairs and hammocks that are completely free to use, and you don’t have to reserve them.
There’s also usually plenty of them, and you don’t have to worry about them filling up.
So, bring your book, sunglasses and chill out in the shade if you’re not a sun person (like me.)
9. Put your kids in Scuttles Cove
Cost: Free
My first Disney Cruise was as a single parent with my then 5-year-old daughter. I wanted to enjoy Castaway Cay with her, but then take some time to relax in a hammock and read.
It was very convenient that the childcare is offered right on the beach, because it allows parents to do both – spend time with their kids, and get some alone time.
Pro Tip: In addition to Scuttle’s Cove for kids, there’s also a teen-only area on Castaway Cay called Hideout, and it’s near the family-friendly beaches
10. Run (or walk) the Castaway Cay 5K
Cost: Free
I used to think that the Castaway Cay 5k was some kind of event – it’s not (although pre-covid, it used to be.) Nowadays, anyone can run it (or walk it), at any time, at their own pace.
It’s a good way to burn off those extra cruise calories, and see parts of the island that most people don’t see. Plus, you apparently get a medal for finishing.
The 5k is open to all ages, and the path is paved and easy to walk or run. I found a great article about someone who ran it here that shows you what to expect if you’re serious about taking on the challenge.
Pro Tip: You don’t have to necessarily walk/run the entire 5k. You can just do parts of it. For example, the trek out to the Observation Tower is a part of the 5k path.
11. Enjoy the Pelican Plunge waterslides
Cost: Free
I am kicking myself for not realizing this before, but there is a huge waterslide structure found at the second family-friendly beach (the one further from the ship.)
My kids would have loved this if we’d known, but we didn’t walk any further than the first beach.
It might be best that my youngest didn’t know, because she would have been too little. You need to be 38″ tall in order to ride the waterslides, and guests between 38″ and 48″ are required to ride a life vest.
12. Da Shade Game Pavilion
Cost: Free
Da Shade Game Pavillion is a shaded area with pool tables, and other games. It’s completely free of charge.
It is pretty popular with teens, more so than families with small children.
13. Do a port adventure
Cost: Ranges from $20-$500 depending on the adventure
Port Adventures on Castaway Cay will need to be booked in advance, and they fill up quite fast.
The Port Adventures offered on your cruise may vary, but they have the following:
Port Adventures to Choose from on Castaway Cay
- Parasailing (currently costs $140 per person)
- Bike rentals ($19 per bike) *you can get ones with training wheels, or with children’s seats that attach
- Rentals of many types of water gear – sea kayaks, snorkel equipment, water trikes, banana boat (price varies for each of them)
- Glass bottom boat ride ($39-$59 depending on age)
- Castaway Cay’s Stingray Adventure ($54-$64 depending on age)
For a complete list of all the port adventures, click here. You can filter the results to your preferred price range.
14. Rent a cabana
Cost: $700-$800+
Renting a cabana on Castaway Cay is something you book through port adventures once your booking window opens up (you won’t find it on the list above.)
The cabanas are pricey, and fill up very fast. Some people say its nearly impossible to get one, unless you’re platinum or a concierge guest.
If you love the beach and want to feel like you can relax out there for a special occasion, then it might be worth it to try. (
There are around 40 cabanas in total – some on the family friendly beach, and some on the adult-only beach.)
Pro Tip: Be sure to join your Disney Cruise Facebook group for the specific cruise you’re on. Sometimes I see people giving away bookings (which you can’t directly – but you can give a heads up that you’re cancelling something, and then tip someone off once you’ve done it so that they can snag it.) I saw few people get competitive bookings this way, for the Royal Gathering, and Olaf’s Royal Picnic.
15. Enjoy the provided lunch
Cost: Free
A special lunch is provided to guests on Castaway Cay, its fully included and unique from what is served on board.
You can get lunch between 11am and 2pm, and there are three different spots on the island where it’s served.
If you have any dietary restrictions, my experience is that they will deliver as long as you specified in advance.
On my first Disney Cruise as a vegan, they provided a full tub of Rice Dream ice cream and a delicious veggie burger, and yummy and healthy sides on Castaway Cay.
Pro Tip: If you happen to be on board for the lunch, then know that some restaurants are shut down but a few remain open. For example, on the Disney Wish, only half of Marceline Market was open.
16. (BONUS) Spend the day on the boat!
Cost: Free
I’ll be honest, I am not the biggest beach person. I much prefer to spend the Castaway Cay day on the Disney Cruise, to take advantage of fewer crowds.
I head out to Castaway Cay first thing when it’s less busy. I take all the photos I want, enjoy meeting characters with fewer lines and do some shopping.
Then, I head back to the boat and enjoy the pools and waterslide with my kids with much fewer people.
Here are the things that are typically open on the boat during Castaway Cay day:
- The waterslide (Aquamouse)
- SOME of the pools, but not all of them
- It’s a Small World daycare (but not Oceaneer’s, because it moves to Scuttle’s Cove on Castaway Cay day)
- SOME of the restaurants, or partial parts of them
- Your room. Castaway Cay might be the perfect day to sit on your veranda, with drinks and a good book
To see what it’s like on Castaway Cay and the boat, watch my YouTube video:
How to Get Around Castaway Cay
They make it very easy to get around Castaway Cay.
When you first get off the ship, it’s about a 10-minute walk to a tram stop. From there, the tram will carry people to the designated stops all around the island and you get off at the one that you want.
Castaway Cay FAQ
What is free on Disney Castaway Cay?
There are a few free things to do on Castaway Cay: meet characters, get photos in front of all the photo ops, run the Castaway Cay 5k, enjoy the beaches, hammocks and lawn chairs, eat the special Castaway Cay provided lunch, and go to the Pelican Plunge waterslides. Everything else besides those things tends to cost a bit extra. Most of the paid activities on Castaway Cay cost an added $50-$100.
Is food free at Castaway Cay?
Yes, the food provided at Castaway Cay is completely free of charge. It’s included as one of your meals on the Disney Cruise, just like other lunches, breakfasts and dinners.
Final Thoughts on Castaway Cay Activities
I hope that this guide on things to do on Castaway Cay has given you a good idea of how you may spend your day on Castaway Cay.
If you’re doing a 3-night sailing cruise from Florida, then Castaway Cay is the only other stop you make besides Nassau, Bahamas.
Castaway Cay is a beautiful, calm and private island. While I’m not a beach person (and, as I mentioned, generally prefer to stay on the boat) I always make sure I head out to Castaway Cay for a couple hours during the day we’re there, at least – even if it’s just to go for a walk, take photos, and check out the shop.