Disney Cruise Line has had its own private island, Castaway Cay since 1998. In 2024, the cruise line opened a new island resort – Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.
Which is better? Well, I’ve been lucky enough to visit both islands so in this guide I’ll show you how the two compare, so you can decide which you’d most like to visit on your next cruise.
1. Castaway Cay is an island, but Lookout Cay is not
Castaway Cay is an island in the Abaco Islands, while Lookout Cay is located at Lighthouse Point on the southern tip of the island of Eleuthera.
You may be surprised to learn that Lookout Cay is just 2 miles from Princess Cays, which is Carnival’s private resort. There’s even a road that links the two destinations!
So does it matter that Lookout Cay isn’t actually a private island? Not at all. They both have the same island feel. Castaway Cay is pretty big and only a small portion of the island is open to visitors anyway.
2. The resorts have different themes
Castaway Cay is themed as a fictional shipwrecked community, whereas Lighthouse Point is designed in a way that celebrates Bahamian culture.
Castaway Cay transports you to a whimsical shipwrecked paradise, complete with rustic touches, beachy charm, and hints of Disney magic throughout. The rickety patched-together buildings and shipwreck props that are dotted around make you feel like you’ve been lost on a desert island.
In contrast, Lookout Cay is a celebration of Bahamian culture. Designed with input from local artists and architects, it incorporates authentic art and traditions into the landscape.
At Lookout Cay, Junkanoo parades and cultural workshops give visitors a true taste of Bahamian life, making this resort feel more connected to its roots.
3. Both resort have lots of activities
No matter which resort you’ll visit, you’ll find plenty to do… Although you may prefer to do nothing at all!
For families, one of the best spots to enjoy on Lookout Cay is the Rush Out Gush Out splash area. This has lots of spray jets and slides that are suitable for kids of all ages.
Castaway Cay has waterslides too at Pelican Plunge. One of these is quite slow but one is really fast, making it more suitable for teenagers and adults.
If you’re into snorkelling, kayaking or paddleboarding, you’ll be pleased to learn that both islands offer these. The snorkelling is better at Castaway Cay though as you have a choice of searching for underwater statues, or snorkelling with rays.
Castaway Cay has a 5K run that you can take part in. It’s not a race, you can start and finish whenever you want. The weather in the Bahamas is warm to hot all year round, so I recommend starting as early as possible. Finishers get a much deserved medal at the end.
If walking is more your thing, then Lookout Point is better as it has a nature trail where I managed to spot snakes, moths, lizards and crabs. At Castaway Cay you can walk to the Observation Tower, but the walk isn’t as exciting. At both destinations you can also hire bikes to get around more easily.
4. Lookout Cay is more spread out
At Castaway Cay you can step off the ship and be at the beach within a brisk 5-minute walk. If you prefer not to walk, or want to head to the adults-only Serenity Bay area at the far side of the island, you can also travel by tram.
At Lookout Cay, the pier is approximately half a mile long. It’s a 10 to 15-minute walk from the ship to the tram stop, and then a 5-minute tram ride to the centre of the resort.
The length of the pier has had a lot of comments online, with some people saying that the long walk with no shade wasn’t enjoyable in the heat of summer. I visited in November so the weather was milder, but I sympathise with people who aren’t as able bodied or who struggle with heat.
If you can’t manage the walk, you should let guest services know in advance, so that they can arrange for a golf buggy to take you down the pier. At both resorts, kids’ pushchairs, wagons and sand-friendly wheelchairs are available for you to borrow if needed.
5. Both resorts have family and adult only beaches
Whether you have kids or not, both Cataway Cay and Lookout Cay cater for you with a beach to suit. There are also a selection of cabanas by these beaches for those who want the upmost in relaxation.
Both resorts also have land-based kids’ clubs if your children would prefer to play there with the youth team from the ship while you head to the adults only area.
6. Lookout Cay has bigger waves
Both resorts have beautiful beaches with turquoise waters and white sand. On Castaway Cay, the beaches are nestled within coves and so the water is usually pretty flat.
Lighthouse Point is more exposed, so you will often find some waves there. When the waves are large and the red flags are up, the lifeguards don’t let you go into the water past your knees.
While playing in the waves can be fun, the swimming is usually better at Castaway Cay as it’s much more calm.
7. Lookout Cay has more excursion options
Since Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point isn’t an island, guests have more options when it comes to excursions. I imagine that on your first visit you’ll probbaly be happy to simply explore the resort, but if you’re a Disney Cruise Line regular, you’ll be pleased to know that there are more places you can venture to once your ship docks at Lighthouse Point.
If you’d like to head outside of the resort of Lookout Cay, you can book a tour that will take you to discover more of the south of Eleuthera with options to learn about the history and culture of the Bahamas. You can also take excursions to some excellent fishing spots or snorkelling reefs nearby.
The Verdict
Which is the best out of Disney’s two private islands? The brand-new Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point and the well-established island of Castaway Cay certainly have their differences.
The shipwrecked theme of Castaway Cay is fun, and the island has lots of activities for kids and adults to enjoy. However, I do also love how fresh and new everything on Lookout Cay is – the buildings strike the perfect balace between modern and traditional.
This may seem like a cop out, but I really can’t pick a favourite! I visited both islands just one month apart, in November and December 2024 and I love them both just as much as each other.
So whichever island you visit, I promise you’ll have a wonderful day ashore!
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
