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Editor’s note: TPG’s Ashley Kosciolek accepted a free trip to sail on Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Magic to experience a call on Lookout Cay. The views expressed below are entirely hers and were not subject to review by the cruise line.

If you’re wondering what a Disney Cruise Line private beach destination is like, you might imagine it’s Disney World in a tropical atmosphere. However, I can assure you that Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point isn’t like the parks at all — it’s different in all the right ways.

For starters, it’s not crowded, and it offers beaches instead of amusement rides. Although you’ll share the beach with others, you won’t wait in sometimes hourslong lines for a lounge chair. Instead of retail shops and restaurants urging parents and other visitors to spend, spend, spend, there are only a couple of shops, and all eateries are free of charge, which reduces temptation.

Lookout Cay is also unspoiled and happily lacks the commercial feel of other cruise line private islands. Through a partnership with the Bahamian government, Disney Cruise Line created an oasis that’s a nod to the culture, food and art of the Bahamas. It features local seafood, native flora, art classes, sculptures by local artists, Disney music with an island twist and Junkanoo dance celebrations. It also houses a nature trail that leads to a lighthouse overlooking the sea, which is how Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point received part of its name.

However, it does feel a little like it’s still growing into its ears. When it received its first ship call, signage was still being installed, and bicycles weren’t yet available to rent for use on its bike paths. There was also a marked lack of shade because most of the native flora Disney planted hasn’t yet matured to provide it — something that will take years.

Want to know what else to expect during a visit to Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point? Here’s a rundown of all the beachy business.

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Where is Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point?

Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point is on the southeastern tip of the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas. Disney Cruise Line purchased 900 acres of land for the purpose of creating its own private beach destination there but developed less than 16% of the overall parcel.

The line also donated 190 acres back to the Bahamian government, including the southernmost point and a significant amount of beachfront property.

Which cruise ships go there?

Disney Lookout Cay is exclusive to passengers who sail on Disney Cruise Line’s ships, and all of the line’s vessels are able to call there. At press time, voyages visiting Lookout Cay through 2024 included three- to six-night sailings, mostly on Disney Magic. Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream are also scheduled to make a handful of stops there.

How do you get to and around Disney Lookout Cay?

Although Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point has a pier for its ships to dock, vessels tie up a half-mile from the destination entrance in an effort to avoid harming the coral reefs that grow closer to shore. Unfortunately, that means passengers face a 10- to 15-minute walk in the Bahamian sun with no shade.

A limited number of complimentary wagons are available near the pier entrance for passengers with small children to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis.

Passengers who can’t make the trek on their own can request golf cart assistance by contacting guest services on the ship. Due to the width of the pier, a more robust shuttle service cannot be offered for everyone. It’s surprising that the cruise line didn’t anticipate this need, particularly since it caters so heavily to families with young children.

From the entrance to Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, visitors will take a free shuttle from the Mabrika Cove area to the Goombay area, where most of the action happens. The latter is home to the beaches, restaurants, buffets, entertainment and cultural venues that the destination offers.

Shuttles depart in pairs on a regular cadence, and since there’s only one route with two stops — one at the beginning and one at the end — it’s an easier system to navigate than the one on Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.

Be prepared for the ride to take about 15 minutes in each direction, and note that there could be waits at peak times. Shade is provided in the form of a long pavilion at each of the two shuttle stations. During the trip, you’ll hear a recording that features a cast of sea creature characters who aim to educate riders about the history of the island, what it offers, and the types of plants and animals that call the island home.

When you arrive at the Goombay Cultural Center tram stop, wagons and strollers are provided for passengers with children to use on a complimentary first-come, first-served basis.

A series of gorgeous boardwalks connect points of interest in the Goombay area. Instead of providing straight paths, they’re largely winding. That makes them aesthetically pleasing but also frustrating because their layout forces you to walk longer than necessary when moving from place to place. Due to a lack of signage, which the line says it’s working on, it can also be difficult to find your way between locations.

After you take the tram back to the Mabrika Cove area at the end of the day, you’ll have to pass through a security checkpoint in order to begin the long walk back to the ship.

What are the Lookout Cay beaches?

The Goombay section of the destination is divided into two tiers. The upper tier has bars, restaurants, bathrooms and attractions. It also has small sandy areas with loungers and umbrellas. However, to access the ocean and beaches at Disney Lookout Cay, cruisers must venture to the lower tier via stairs or one of five accessible ramps, which descend a short distance down the dunes that separate the tiers.

Instead of several separate beaches, Lookout Cay has one long white-sand stretch that encompasses two areas: Family Beach, which is for everyone, and Serenity Bay Beach, which is for cruisers 18 and older only.

The beaches flow into one another with no visible divider. However, crew members will direct families with children to the proper beach if necessary.

One other beach area — at Mabrika Cove, near the entrance to Lookout Cay — is only accessible if you rent one of the family cabanas there. (See below.)

Beachgoers who enjoy the two main beaches can take advantage of bars and buffets that are a short walk away. Cruisers accessing the Mabrika Cove beach via cabana rental have their own dedicated dining pavilion in that area. (See below.)

All beaches have complimentary access to loungers, umbrellas and nearby bathrooms. Lifeguards are stationed both on land and on personal watercraft that scan all of the beach areas. Life jackets for children and adults also are available for complimentary use.

Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point has no pools.

A towel station is near the Mabrika Cove tram stop, so you don’t need to bring your own from the ship.

A limited number of first-come, first-served beach wheelchairs will soon be available for complimentary passenger use.

What are the best things to do at Disney Lookout Cay?

For families

Families looking for more than just a day lazing on the beach can head to Rush Out Gush Out, Disney Lookout Cay’s colorful, family-friendly water play area. It features water sprayers and a couple of small tube slides for kids.

A separate splash area for kids is Sebastian’s Cove, where young children who are signed up for the cruise line’s kids club activities can play under the supervision of youth club staff. Parents can check their kids in during set hours to enjoy some adults-only time while the little ones splash among fountains adorned with sea characters a la “The Little Mermaid.”

For interactive fun and games, check out the “Disney Fun in the Sun Beach Bash,” which is, ironically and mercifully, held in the shade of the Play-Play Pavilion — a large, covered, open-air structure used for family activities. The bash happens twice a day and involves ring toss and water games for kids, hosted by Chip, Dale, Goofy and Pluto. Other kid-friendly activities — Hula-Hoops, soccer, etc. — happen throughout the day, too.

Next door, you can also check out Triton’s Trumpet Stage, where various family-friendly activities and music performances take place. During my visit, artists were there making sand sculptures.

For beach bums

This one is easy. Simply plant yourself at one of the free umbrella loungers along any of the beaches, and enjoy. For a kid-free experience, head left just past the Goombay area’s information station and make your way to the far end of the beach, where you’ll find Serenity Bay.

If you have the budget and you can book one before they sell out, renting a private cabana is another great way to enjoy the beach — but with extra amenities. (See below.)

For culture vultures

If you’re eager to learn more about the Bahamas’ beautiful culture, visit the Goombay Cultural Center in the heart of the Goombay area of Disney Lookout Cay.

In addition to admiring the local art pieces displayed, you can take part in art classes taught by locals and learn a bit about the islands’ history.

It’s also the place to view “Rush! A Junkanoo Celebration” — a vibrant and energetic performance by local Junkanoo dancers. It features elaborate, brilliantly colored costumes and visits from Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Daisy.

For active visitors

Passengers who just can’t sit still can rent bicycles at the Rocky Point rental stand near the Goombay Cultural Center tram stop ($15 per person for the whole day). Pedal along a series of bike paths that wind throughout the destination. (During my visit, the trails weren’t yet ready and, therefore, weren’t open to visitors.)

If counting steps is more your thing, you won’t want to miss a walk along the Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point nature trail. It takes between 10 and 15 minutes each way to walk the sandy but firm path to see the old lighthouse, from which the destination’s name was derived. It’s a great spot for photos, and along the way, you’re sure to spot some of the island’s native plants and maybe an animal or two. You can walk it on your own or book a guided tour.

Given the terrain, I don’t recommend wearing flip-flops for the walk. Additionally, because the trail is hard-packed, it’s largely wheelchair accessible. However, the route has some mild inclines and areas where the terrain might be a little looser or rougher. Anyone using a mobility aid should proceed with caution and discretion.

Want some watery fun while you burn calories? Rent snorkeling gear (a mask with a snorkel, a life vest and fins) for $38 per person for the day. You can pick up the gear at the Flippers & Fins stand, about halfway between Family Beach and Serenity Bay Beach.

Like Castaway Cay, Lookout Cay will eventually host a 5K run for passengers wishing to take part while they’re in port. At press time, information about the specific route was not yet available.

If you’d like to pay for an active excursion, options abound, including biking, kayaking and snorkeling. (See below.)

For eco-conscious guests

If you’re interested in the local environment, check out the Discovery Trail, part of the nature trail experience. A series of posted signs throughout the destination offer QR codes that provide information about native plants and animals, the island’s geography, and more.

Several eco-tours are offered among the list of shore excursions that take passengers out of the immediate Lookout Cay area and into the rest of Eleuthera. (See below.)

Can I meet Disney characters at Lookout Cay?

Yes, opportunities abound to meet and take photos with Disney characters. Check the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App for scheduled appearances.

You can also catch a glimpse of Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Daisy during “Rush! A Junkanoo Celebration” at the Goombay Cultural Center. Plus, Chip, Dale, Goofy and Pluto lead the “Disney Fun in the Sun Beach Bash,” held at the Play-Play Pavilion.

What are the excursions at Lookout Cay?

What’s nice about Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point is that it’s not the entirety of the island. Unlike Castaway Cay — which is its own island, entirely operated by Disney Cruise Line — Lookout Cay is a small portion of a larger island on which people live, work and go about their daily lives. Because of that, Disney is able to offer excursions that venture beyond the cruise line’s designed areas.

During my visit, excursions listed on the DCL app included:

• Bahama Bank Boat Escape: A two-hour, 15-minute tour for $109 (ages 10 and older) or $79 (ages 8-9)
• Banana Boat: A 45-minute tour for $59 (ages 10 and older) or $49 (ages 8-9)
• Bike and Kayak at Disney Lookout Cay: A two-hour, 15-minute tour for $99 (ages 10-80) or $89 (ages 4-9)
• Boiling Hole Reef Snorkel: A three-hour, 15-minute tour for $109 (ages 10 and older) or $79 (ages 8-9)
• E-Bike, Sand, Snorkel and History: A two-hour, 15-minute tour for $139 (ages 16-75)
• Historical Nature and Buggy Tour (two people): A one-hour, 45-minute tour for $239 (ages 12 and older)
• Historical Nature and Buggy tour (four people): A one-hour, 45-minute tour for $399 (ages 12 and older)
• Nature Walk and Coral Nursery: A two-hour, 15-minute tour for $59 (ages 10 and older) or $49 (ages 8-9)
• Pirates of Eleuthera: A two-hour, 15-minute tour for $79 (ages 10 and older), $69 (ages 3-9) or free (ages 2-3)
• Private Historical Cultural Tour (in SUV): A four-hour, 15-minute tour for $799 (ages 18 and older)
• Snorkel by Boat: A two-hour, 45-minute tour for $109 (ages 10 and older) or $89 (ages 5-9)
• South Eleuthera Eco and Cultural Tour: A three-hour, 45-minute tour for $149 (ages 10 and older), $119 (ages 4-9) or free (ages 2-3)
• South Eleuthera Eco and Historical Tour: A three-hour, 45-minute tour for $119 (ages 10 and older), $79 (ages 4-9) or free (ages 2-3)
• Tropical Reef Safari Snorkel: A two-hour, 15-minute tour for $109 (ages 10 and older) or $79 (ages 8-9)

You can book excursions prior to sailing, on board at your ship’s Port Adventures desk, via the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App or upon arrival at Lookout Cay. Tours depart from either the Turbot Berth stand at Mabrika Cove, just inside the entrance to Lookout Cay, or The Gathering Tree to the left of the information center near the Goombay Cultural Center tram stop.

Does Disney Lookout Cay offer cabanas to rent?

Disney Lookout Cay has two cabana sections: Mabrika Cove Cabanas, designated for families, and Serenity Bay Cabanas, designated for adults only.

All cabanas book up quickly on a first-come, first-served basis. They’re one price for the entire day for a set number of people, depending on the size. However, you can add more people (up to a maximum number, depending on cabana type) for an additional fee (per person). (See below for details.)

Accessible cabanas are available. Passengers can contact Disney Cruise Line’s special services at 407-566-3602 to inquire about booking those.

Mabrika Cove Cabanas

Oddly, the family cabanas are in Mabrika Cove, as the name suggests, which means they’re a 15-minute tram ride away from the main entertainment location – something that doesn’t seem particularly family-friendly.

Fortunately, families don’t have to make the journey to grab a bite to eat. In addition to snacks provided in the cabanas, lunch is served at a dedicated dining pavilion nearby. Visitors can dine at tables there or take food back to their cabanas.

Cabanas for families come in two sizes. Family Cabanas are the smaller of the two and can hold up to six people for $963. The second, Grand Family Cabanas, are a little larger and can accommodate up to 10 people for $1,375. Additional people can join for $56 each. In total, 20 cabanas are available: four Grand Family Cabanas and 16 Family Cabanas.

Cabanas are not air-conditioned. They consist of three walls (one with counter space and a minifridge stocked with bottled water and soda), a main entrance and slatted windows that push out to open. A fourth partial wall is mostly open-air and leads out onto the attached wooden deck, where visitors can take advantage of padded loungers and a table with chairs.

Inside, a couple of chairs and coffee tables make for pleasant and comfortable indoor seating. Passengers wishing to venture to the beach can do so via a set of stairs that leads down from the deck. Waiting in the sand are loungers, upright chairs and an umbrella (which doesn’t provide nearly enough shade for all of the chairs).

Larger cabanas include more deck space, additional outdoor loungers and an indoor dining room with a large, long table and chairs.

Family cabanas also include freshwater outdoor showers for easy sand removal, food (snacks and lunch) and nonalcoholic beverages, sand toys, sunscreen, beach towels, and a safe for use during the day. Snorkeling equipment is also included upon request. Cabanas do not have private restrooms, but a public restroom facility is nearby.

Serenity Bay Cabanas

Exclusively for guests 18 and older, the Serenity Bay adults-only cabanas are about as far from the family cabanas as you can be on the developed part of the Disney property.

They consist of two types: Serenity Bay Cabanas, which hold up to four people for $523, and Serenity Bay Grand Cabanas, which can accommodate up to 10 people for $963. Additional people can be accommodated for $56 each. Six cabanas make up the total inventory, with two of them in the Grand Cabana category.

Layouts and amenities are similar to those of the Mabrika Cove Cabanas, and they are also not air-conditioned, nor do they offer private bathrooms. Public ones are in the vicinity, however.

Is food included at Disney Lookout Cay?

You bet. Lookout Cay has two main (and free) buffet areas: True-True BBQ and True-True Too BBQ. True-True is found between the information booth and the family beach, and True-True Too is between the information booth and Serenity Bay.

Both serve fish (mahi-mahi and salmon), chicken and seafood rice bowls, barbecue ribs, rotisserie chicken, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, Impossible Burgers, and crispy chicken sandwiches. Sides include couscous salad, coleslaw, baked beans, grilled broccoli, corn on the cob, baked plantains and sweet potato fries.

Unfortunately, the food areas have a fly problem. The insects buzz all around the serving areas and often land on the food items. The line has taken steps to curb the issue, including adding fans to food service counters and tables in the seating areas.

Speaking of seating, True-True has five covered pavilions with tables, and True-True Too has four. At peak times, it can be difficult to find a spot.

Each location has a drink kiosk area that offers free self-serve water, soft drinks and soft ice cream.

Additionally, Serenity Bay has its own complimentary buffet, Serenity Bay BBQ, which serves the same items as True-True and True-True Too. It also has its own shaded seating areas and a stand with drinks and ice cream. The nearby Blue Hole Bar is the place to grab an alcoholic beverage.

The buffets are the only places at Lookout Cay that serve food, and they do so between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. That means if you’re hungry or need a snack earlier or later, you’re out of luck. Be sure to eat a good breakfast before you disembark, and pack your own nibbles if you think you might be peckish in the late afternoon.

Are there bars at Lookout Cay?

Of course! Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point has four bars, a smoothie stand and a coffee kiosk. All are in the Goombay area, with the exception of the coffee stand, which is at Mabrika Cove.

The Blue Hole Bar serves the Serenity Bay adults-only area, and it’s the bar with the easiest access from the beach. The next closest one to the beach is at the totally opposite end, at the end of the family beach. Halfway between the two are the Watering Hole Bar, near True-True BBQ, and the Bow & Ribbon Bar, which is near True-True Too BBQ.

The menus include Volley, Truly and White Claw seltzers; Kalik and Sands beers; a selection of flavored cold-brew coffees; and cocktails like a black cherry pina colada, Junkanoo Juice (rum, banana, lime, pineapple and passion orange guava) and a Bahama Sling (peach rum, Cointreau, lime, orgeat and bitters).

The menu also features specials: Eleuthera Euphoria (rum, pineapple and Dole Whip pineapple) and Butterfly Switcha (lemonade, jasmine green tea and a tastebud enhancer).

You can also purchase souvenir pineapple cups and tumblers at the bars for $21 each.

Sandsational Smoothies, the smoothie stand near the Watering Hole Bar, offers nonalcoholic frozen drinks. (Try the Tropical Teaser: vanilla ice cream, mango, pineapple and tropical Pop Rocks.) Nonalcoholic specialty drinks include flavored iced tea and watermelon limeade.

The coffee stand Mangroves & Go is just beyond the entrance to Lookout Cay. It’s ideal for grabbing a morning cup of joe to start your day ashore. Choose from double and single shots of espresso, lattes, cappuccinos, iced coffee and cold brew, as well as spiked coffee beverages and specialty island concoctions like the Junkanoo Latte — a blend of cold brew, vanilla and lavender.

Oddly, most bars and the smoothie stand are pretty far from the beach, meaning you’ll have a bit of a trek to grab drinks. It can be an ordeal if you have to pack up the kids every time you head off in search of water or other hydration, which is crucial in the hot Bahamian sun.

The cruise line says it’s working on adding water stations beyond the soda fountains found near the buffet areas. In the meantime, one rather pricey option beachgoers have is to purchase a cooler bag at Mabrika Cove. Each carries six bottles of either Dasani or Smartwater for $26 or $32.25, respectively.

Since Disney Cruise Line doesn’t offer beverage packages, each drink is charged a la carte to your onboard account using your keycard.

Is there shopping at Disney Lookout Cay?

Is Mickey a mouse? Shopaholics can satisfy their retail therapy cravings at several outposts, including Disney T’ings and Treasures of Eleuthera, both in the heart of the Goombay Cultural Center area, near the tram stop of the same name.

The former offers Disney merchandise, which includes a variety of apparel bearing Bahamian-designed representations of popular characters like Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy. You’ll also find Lookout Cay Spirit Jerseys, T-shirts, hats, tumblers, Loungefly bags, beach blankets, photo frames, water bottles, magnets, holiday ornaments, Crocs and, of course, mouse ears.

The latter features handicrafts made by local artists. During my visit, the shop showcased paintings, prints, straw purses and totes with Disney characters hand embroidered on them.

Visitors wishing to have their hair braided can do so at the nearby Plaits & Pleats.

For passengers who just can’t wait until they arrive in the Goombay area — or those who waited until the last possible second before heading back to the ship — there’s the First & Last Chance Stand. Found just past the entrance to Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point in Mabrika Cove, this small kiosk sells shirts, beach towels, sunscreen, pins, keychains and an assortment of other essentials and Disney-branded items.

What additional amenities will I find?

As far as the basics go, plenty of bathrooms, trash cans and recycling bins are dotted throughout Disney Lookout Cay. Places for service animal relief are also designated throughout the area.

You’ll find an information desk and a first aid center when you arrive at the Goombay Cultural Center tram stop.

Wi-Fi is available there. If you’ve purchased a package, you’ll be able to access it but note that you’ll likely lose connectivity on the tram ride between Mabrika Cove and Serenity Bay. You can also connect to cellular data if you have an international plan that covers the Bahamas. Otherwise, keep your phone on airplane mode.

If you walk to the far end of Family Beach, past the Play-Play Pavilion, you’ll find the entrance to the nature trail. If you continue straight instead of turning to the left to enter the trail, you can follow the path from the nature trail to the Goombay Cultural Center tram stop. If you’re making your way back to Mabrika Cove and don’t want to deal with other passengers on the winding boardwalk, it provides a less chaotic route to hop on the shuttle.

Can you stay overnight at Disney Lookout Cay?

Although the island of Eleuthera is inhabited, passengers are not able to stay overnight at Lookout Cay. The private destination itself has no hotels or other sleeping accommodations that would allow for overnight guests.

What’s the typical Lookout Cay weather like?

The weather in the Bahamas is generally pleasant and warm all year, with average temperatures in the high 70s in winter and the high 80s to low 90s in summer. Expect the most rain in June, August and September.

Hurricane season, which runs from June to November, can affect weather conditions, with the most activity generally seen between August and October.

Shade, sunscreen (preferably one that’s reef-safe) and hydration are key to avoiding the damaging effects of the sun. Be sure to drink plenty of water, reapply sunblock and seek shelter if necessary. Protective clothing, sunglasses and hats are also essentials.

Can I see a Disney Lookout Cay map?

Passengers can request a paper copy of the Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point map at the information desk near the Goombay Cultural Center tram stop. Although it’s available on the Disney Cruise Line app, it can be difficult to see on a tiny phone screen, especially in the bright sun.

Note that the map can also be cumbersome to read because each item is numbered instead of labeled, and you have to use a key to determine what’s what.

Click here to view, download or print a larger PDF version of the map.

Have more Disney cruise questions? We can help:

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