How to Have a Blast on Castaway Cay Without Spending a Dime

With multiple beachfront areas for families, kids, and adults, free experiences, and unique paid experiences, Disney Cruise Line cruisers return again and again to Castaway Cay, often choosing their itineraries accordingly. Here’s a list of the best free things to do at Castaway Cay.

1. Transportation at Castaway Cay

The island uses a tram to get everyone from one place to another. You can also walk, but I recommend the tram, especially if you are heading to Serenity Bay. It’s a long way. The tram is similar to the tram that takes you to the parks from the parking lot at Disney World.

2. Swimming at Castaway Cay

The family beaches and Serenity Bay (adults only) have free places to swim and play in the water. All of the swimming areas are diligently watched by the incredible Disney lifeguards. All of the swimming areas are enclosed by the natural coral reef and a net that keeps larger fish and sharks out of the swimming area. The water is usually extremely calm, light blue, and easy to see through.

3. Pelican Plunge at Castaway Cay

Pelican Plunge is an offshore dock that boasts two large water slides and a small splash pad. It’s available for anyone who can swim to the dock. The splash pad area is primarily made up of a large bucket that dumps 500 gallons of water on suspecting and unsuspecting guests as they make their way to the line for the slides. It also has a few water cannons you can shoot a buoy with.

4. Castaway Cay 5K

Castaway 5k has become an event that anyone can participate in at their leisure. There is no starting gun, clock, or judge. However, the course is still clearly marked, and if you complete it, you still get a medal.

5. Beach Sports

The Beach Sports area offers tetherball, volleyball, and soccer for any guest interested in playing.

6.  Serenity Bay Yoga

One activity offered at the adult-only Serenity Bay that you won’t find anywhere else on the island is yoga. This typically happens at 11 AM, but I would check your DCL Navigator App beforehand.

7. Food

Lunch is free on the island at Cookies BBQ Cookies Too BBQ for everyone, and Serenity Bay BBQ just for adults. I will describe this in-depth in the section below.  

8. Snorkeling at Castaway Cay

Disney has sunk lots of items for you to find—a Daisy figurehead, a large Mickey, the statue of Eric from the Little Mermaid, a submarine from the old 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea ride, and a bunch more! Each hidden item is marked by a buoy so that you know where to look. If you’re a Disney fan, this is an incredible experience.

9. Character Meetings

There’s a variety of Disney characters ready to take pictures with you on the island. You’ll see the fab 5 (Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Donald, and Goofy). Olaf can sometimes be seen near the Summertime Freeze stand, and Chip and Dale like to have dance parties near Cookies BBQ. Finally, Jack Sparrow, Smee, and Captain Hook sometimes make appearances right near the boat.