On June 6, 2024, Disney’s Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point joined Disney’s Castaway Cay as one of two private Bahamian enclaves exclusively available to Disney Cruise Line guests. And like Castaway Cay, this new destination is more than just beaches.
With plenty of offerings ranging from Port Adventures and recreation to cabanas, you’ll want to go into your day at Lighthouse Point prepared. To help you out, we’ve collected everything you need to know before visiting in our full guide to Disney’s Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.
Disney’s Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point History
Lighthouse Point was not always intended to be the location of Disney’s newest private island. In 2016, Disney attempted to purchase Egg Island, Eleuthera. However, due to concerns about potential damage to local reefs, residents rejected the idea, and Disney elected to look elsewhere.
Disney didn’t have to look far for their new destination, eventually settling on Lighthouse Point, Eleuthera in March of 2019. Since the purchase, it’s estimated that Disney has spent between $250 million and $400 million developing the island. Though Disney purchased 700 acres, they elected to donate 190 acres to the Bahamian government. This land has been developed into a national park.
Construction on the island began in April of 2022. At Destination D23 in 2023, Disney announced the official name of the new private island. Disney has maintained a commitment to incorporating Bahamian themes into the island, as well as their own intellectual property.
Disembarkation & Embarkation
Disney cruise ships pull up right alongside a dock, which means guests won’t have to take a tender to get to the island. However, the dock is a half-mile long, and guests should anticipate a 10-15 minute walk to and from the island.
As with any port, guests 18 years and older will not be able to disembark or reboard the ship without their Key to the World card and photo ID. All guests under the age of 18 must have their Key to the World card and be accompanied by an adult from their stateroom when disembarking.
For parents who wish to allow their children to disembark the boat alone or with a specific adult, a form can be filled out during online check-in and while on board to permit this.
When checking in online, a parent or guardian can complete the “Traveling with Minors” form. This will allow another specified adult to leave the ship with the child. A Debarkation Authorization for Minors Form at Guest Services allows children to leave the ship on their own.
Lookout Cay Basics
Everything guests need during a day at Disney’s Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point is available on the island. This includes beach towels, which guests will be able to pick up when they get to the island. Guests will also be able to take advantage of outdoor showers around the island.
Guests can expect to go ashore as early as 8:30 a.m. when they arrive at Lighthouse Point. Most sailings require guests to be back on board the ship by 4:45 p.m. These hours are subject to change due to weather or other itinerary alterations.
The hours for on-shore activities and offerings will vary from cruise to cruise. Prior to arrival, guests will be presented with an itinerary that outlines what they should expect for their day.
Many of the same Cast Members who work aboard the ship will also be working at Lookout Cay. Because of this, some offerings, especially food offerings, will end well before the ship is scheduled to depart so Cast Members have time to return to the ship and prepare for the evening.
Watch our full video tour of the island below.
Transportation
Guests arrive on land at a place called, aptly enough, The Landing. From here, boat excursions depart and bicycle rentals are available. Adjacent to The Landing is Mabrika Cove, which is home to a small shop, family cabanas, and a tram stop. These trams will take guests from Mabrika Cove to the Goombay Cultural Center, which is the main area of Lookout Cay.
Other than trams, bicycles are the only way for guests to get to the Goombay Cultural Center. Guests are not permitted to walk the roughly two-mile distance between Mabrika Cove and Goombay Cultural Center.
Characters & Photo-Ops
At Castaway Cay, guests find characters as soon as they leave the ship, however, at Lookout Cay, guests won’t meet any characters until they get to the Goombay Cultural Center.
Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, Daisy, Pluto, Chip, and Dale can be found at various locations such as TrueTrue BBQ and the Play-Play Pavilion. In some instances, the characters will even stop to play games and host activities.
There are several photo ops here, including The Gathering Tree and a Junkanoo-Inspired Mickey Mouse backdrop.
Beaches
There are three beaches available to guests at Lookout Cay. The first is Mabrika Cove, but this beach is really only for families who rent cabanas here. This is the only beach with views of the cruise ship.
Adjacent to the Goombay Cultural Center, guests will find the Family Beach and Serenity Bay. Serenity Bay is for guests 18+, while Family Beach, as you might correctly guess, is for guests of all ages. Unlike Castaway Cay, Serenity Bay and the Family Beach are adjacent to each other at Lookout Cay, with a short stretch of beach without lounge chairs to delineate the separation.
At Family Beach, guests can rent snorkel equipment from Flippers & Fins. Also unlike Castaway Cay, there is no designated snorkeling area. Guests are permitted to snorkel anywhere along the entire stretch of beach.
Entertainment
Several entertainment offerings are available to guests throughout their day on the island. “Rush! A Junkanoo Celebration” shows twice a day at the Goombay Cultural Center. Guests can also participate in the “Sights and Sounds of Junkanoo” workshop at the same location.
At the Play-Play Pavilion, guests will be able to play games with some of their favorite Disney characters at the “Disney Fun in the Sun Beach Bash.” This event features appearances from Goofy, Pluto, Chip, and Dale.
Water Play Areas
The two water play areas available at Lookout Cay are Sebastian’s Cove and Rush Out Gush Out.
Sebastian’s Cove is a play area inspired by “The Little Mermaid.” This shaded water play area features some of the classic characters from the animated film. Here, children can partake in activities and play in the sand that surrounds the play area.
Rush Out Gush Out is a Junkanoo-inspired interactive play area that features two water slides.
Serenity Bay
Serenity Bay is restricted to guests 18 years and older. This area has private cabanas, the Blue Hole Bar, and Serenity Bay BBQ.
The cabanas in this area are identical to the ones found in Mabrika Cove, except no guests under 18 can use them. This area is somewhat isolated from other parts of the island, allowing guests to relax and enjoy the solitude without screaming children.
Recreation & Port Adventures
Guests interested in exploring even more of the island can choose from 16 forms of recreation and Port Adventures.
The Port Adventures are as follows:
- Bahama Bank Escape
- Bike and Kayak at Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point
- Certified Scuba Trip
- Ebike, Sand, Snorkel and History Tour
- Historical Nature and Awesome Buggy Tour – 2-Person
- Historical Nature and Awesome Buggy Tour – 4-Person
- Private Historical and Cultural Tour – SUV
- Private Historical and Cultural Tour – VAN
- Snorkel by Boat
- Snorkel by Boat – Certified Scuba Observer
- South Eleuthera Eco and Cultural Tour
- South Eleuthera Eco and Historical Tour
- Tropical Reef Safari Snorkel
In addition to these 13 Port Adventures, guests can partake in three other forms of recreation that are also referred to as “Port Adventures” but are self-guided.
Guests can rent bikes for $15/hour at Mabrika Cove or Rocky Point. With their bicycles, they can enjoy the many paths of Lighthouse Point and the island’s Nature Trail.
Guests who want to have fun on the water can purchase a 30-minute banana boat rental ($49-$59). Guests looking to explore the waters of Lighthouse Point can rent snorkel equipment for the entire day for $38.
Dining
As with Castaway Cay, food and drink are available at no additional cost, except for alcoholic beverages and specialty items which do cost extra.
Guests can get lunch at one of three locations: True-True BBQ, True-True Too BBQ, and Serenity Bay BBQ.
Bars around the island serve various beverages ranging from soft drinks to beer to specialty cocktails. The available bars are Bow & Ribbon Bar, Watering Hole Bar, Reef & Wreck Bar, and Mangroves & Go scattered around the main area, and Blue Hole Bar at Serenity Bay. Additionally, Sandsational Smoothie near the Goombay Cultural Center serves smoothies and related fare to guests of all ages.
Shopping
There are three merchandise stands around the island. When guests first get off the ship and arrive at The Landing, they will encounter First & Last Chance Stand. The other two merchandise locations are found near the Goombay Cultural Center. These two locations are Disney T’ings and Treasures of Eleuthera. Both Disney T’ings and First & Last Chance Stand sell Disney-inspired merchandise, while Treasures of Eleuthera has authentic Bahamian crafts from local artisans.
Near Disney T’ings and Treasures of Eleuthera, guests can visit Plaits and Pleats to get their hair braided.
Guests must use their Key to the World cards to charge purchases to their room. No cash is accepted.
To further prepare for your time on the island, check out our full tour of Disney’s Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point and a list of the merchandise offered on shore.
To book your next Disney cruise to visit this brand new destination, contact our friends at Be Our Guest Vacations who can answer any other questions you might have!
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