If you’ve ever visited Disney Cruise Line’s original private island, Castaway Cay, you might think you already know what to expect at its newest private paradise, Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point on the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas. Certainly there are similarities, but just as importantly, there are also quite a few differences between Lookout Cay and Castaway Cay.
If Castaway Cay is all about Disney storytelling with an island twist, Lookout Cay’s north star seems to be authenticity to Bahamian culture and art. It has a convincingly Bahamian energy with just a little bit of Disney sprinkled on top—along with one of the most perfect stretches of beach anywhere in the Caribbean.
As one of the first passengers to experience Lookout Cay, I’ve created this comprehensive guide to explain everything you need to know before visiting DCL’s newest private island destination.
Arriving at Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point
When you arrive at Lookout Cay, the first thing you see is a colorful confection of cabanas and a long pier to the island. Your eyes are not deceiving you—it is a very long pier. I used my Apple Watch to measure the distance from the ship to the Mabrika Cove tram that takes you to the beaches, and it’s a little over half a mile, including a security check point. The Mabrika Bay Cabanas are located here and must be reserved ahead of time if you want one.
Otherwise, once you reach the tram, you’ll queue up with other passengers and then ride for about 10 minutes to the Goombay Cultural Center tram stop, which is Lookout Cay’s central hub. From there it’s another five to 10 minutes to navigate to the family beach or adults-only beach and claim a beach chair.
I left the ship shortly after passengers were cleared to disembark, so it was fairly crowded on the pier and at the tram station. Between walking, queuing, and riding, it took about 50 minutes to go from the ship to the family beach. The return trip was a bit faster without battling crowds, only about 35 to 40 minutes from beach to ship. Unlike at Castaway Cay, the significant distance between the tram and the beach means it’s not practical to skip the tram and walk to or from the beaches.
What to Bring to Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point
Disney Cruise Line provides free towels and lounge chairs to use on the island. There are plenty of beach chairs with colorful umbrellas, typically grouped together in sets of four, so there’s no need to bring your own beach umbrella (although you may still choose to if you require extra shade for, say, a small child). The two most important items to carry with you when you disembark are your DCL keycard and a photo ID or passport (for everyone 18 or older).
You’ll also want to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a beach bag, a hat, a good book (I can recommend a few…), and any other beach essentials you typically travel with. Things like sunscreen can be purchased on the island or on the ship as well. Fresh towels are provided free or charge on the gangway, and there are towel return areas in case yours gets wet or sandy and you’d like to exchange it at any time.
Getting around Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point
I’ve already mentioned the process for arriving on the island and returning to the ship, but once you reach the main beach areas, getting around is part of the fun. Elevated boardwalks connect all of the beaches, shops, bars, and entertainment and water play areas at Lookout Cay. This makes getting around easy and convenient while also minimizing disturbances to the island’s natural environment below the walkways.
What’s included at Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point
At Lookout Cay, you get complimentary access to the tram, towels, lounge chairs, BBQ, family and adult beach areas, and unlimited soft drinks and ice cream. The beaches, Rush Out Gush Out water play area, and other family-friendly activities and areas—including a fun nature trail—are also free. If you bring your own snorkel gear, you can snorkel right from the beaches free of charge; otherwise, you’ll need to rent snorkels from Flippers and Fins (located near the family beach) if you want to explore the reefs.
What’s not included at Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point
While your BBQ lunch, soft drinks, ice cream, nature trail, and family activities are all included at Lookout Cay, there are some extra activities that come with an additional fee. For example, snorkel gear and bike rentals cost extra, as do alcoholic beverages. (Unlike many other cruise lines, Disney does not offer a drink package for guests.) Cabana rentals and shore excursions, such as snorkeling from a catamaran, are also extra and can be booked from the Disney Cruise Line navigator app.
Family areas at Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point
All of the family attractions at Lookout Cay are grouped together near the Goombay Cultural Center tram stop. This is where you can find a spot at the family beach, grab a bite to eat at one of the free BBQ joints, go snorkeling, or explore the nature trail on foot or by bike rental.
At the Goombay Cultural Center, you can participate in a complimentary family workshop called “Sights and Sounds of Junkanoo,” creating crafts such as junkanoo headpieces and learning all about this traditional Bahamian parade. Other free activities include participating in “Rush! A Junkanoo Celebration” (announced with the call of a conch shell) and “Disney Fun in the Sun Beach Bash,” a party with fun and games (limbo, ring toss, etc.) set to the soundtrack of Bahamian-infused renditions of Disney favorites.
Adult-only areas at Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point
Directly adjacent to the family beach, The Serenity Bay area at Lookout Cay is for adults ages 18 and over. In addition to visiting the adults-only beach, you can eat at the 18+ dining spot called Serenity Bay BBQ. Cabana rentals are also available.
Dining options at Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point
Free lunches and unlimited soft drinks and ice cream for families are offered at the True-True and True-True Too BBQs, located near the family beach. Adults without children can eat at the Serenity Bay BBQ bear the adult beach. The food here ranges from old standbys like cheeseburgers and fries to Bahamian-style lime marinated snapper.
There are four bars for adults at Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point: Bow & Ribbon, Watering Hole, Reef & Wreck, and the Blue Hole. Sandsational Smoothies is a kid-friendly spot serving up specialty frozen drinks. Mangroves and Go, situated right near your arrival spot on the island, has specialty iced coffees.
How to plan your day at Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point
It’s a good idea to arrive at this island destination with a plan. For example, bike rentals and snorkel gear can be picked up at locations close to the Goombay Cultural Center area near the beaches and nature trail, but port adventures that depart on a boat meet near the Mabrika Cove tram area (where you first arrive), which is a good 20 to 30 minutes from the beaches, depending on how crowded the line for the tram is.
You should either budget extra time to go between Goombay and Mabrika Cove, or plan your trip so that your port adventure is either at the very beginning or end of your beach day so you’re not wasting time going back and forth. Use the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app to learn when the various free family activities are planned.
