Everything You Need To Know About Disney’s Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point
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If you are planning a Disney Cruise, you’ve likely heard about their newest island experience, Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. As a travel advisor, I like to visit new destinations to provide my clients with the best information possible before they go on their trips.
I just visited Lookout Cay (I’m actually writing this from my stateroom on board the Disney Dream), and I have some thoughts and practical information you should know before you go.
Where is Lookout Cay?
When you hear about Lookout Cay, you may think of it as “Disney’s Private Island,” which is not entirely true. While the area is exclusive to Disney Cruise Line guests, it is actually located on the Bahamian island of Eleuthera.
Eleuthera is about 110 miles long and is inhabited by just over 9,000 full-time residents. It is known for its laid-back Bahamian lifestyle and gorgeous beaches, including a pink sand beach and fresh seafood.
Carnival Corporation also has a private port destination on Eleuthera called Princess Cay. While you may see a Carnival ship anchored off the shore (they tender their guests to port), you cannot see Princess Cay from Lookout Cay. It is located on the other side of the island.
Disney Cruise Line has built a long pier leading to the shore, eliminating the need for tender boats and shuttling passengers back and forth.
Jump to the bottom to see a video of Lookout Cay
How To Get To Lookout Cay
While you can get to Eleuthera without being on a cruise to visit Lookout Cay, you’ll need to be booked on board one of the Disney cruise itineraries that stop there. Currently, that is most often the Dream and the Fantasy. Occasionally, itineraries on the Magic (the first ship to visit) and the Wish are available.
Once you have arrived at Lookout Cay, you will need to listen to announcements from the cruise director telling you when it’s ok to get off the ship. Here are a few tips:
- Eat Breakfast first; lunch doesn’t start until about 11:30, and you will get hungry.
- If you really want a beach chair with a Waterview (front row), then get off in the first wave of guests. Don’t dilly-dally around; get off the ship and head straight for the beach to claim your chairs.
- If you don’t mind possibly not being in the front row or don’t care, take your time and hang out in Cabanas or your room for half an hour to an hour to get off the ship without fighting the initial crowds.
- SUNBLOCK- bring it, use it, and then use it again. Wear reef-safe sunblock with a mineral base to protect the marine life here. Even better is to wear a rash guard so you don’t need sunscreen. (Or be like me, leave yours at home and pay $70 on the island for a new one)
- Wear decent walking shoes and change into flip-flops or go barefoot once on the beach.
- Bring a reusable water bottle. There are plenty of places to refill on the island.
- Bring your key to the world card AND photo ID for anyone over 16. Remember, this isn’t a Disney island; it’s a foreign island.
If you’ve been on social media, you’ve likely heard all the drama about how terrible the pier is at Lookout Cay. People had me scared, thinking I needed to be an elite athlete to brave this thing. Here’s the deal: yes, it’s long; no, its’ not the end of the world.
I walked very slowly, stopping to look at the water approximately 4 million times during the walk and taking pictures. It took me 13 minutes and 23 seconds to get from the ship to the port, and 11 minutes and 4 seconds to return barefoot (remember how I said to bring good shoes).
If you need help going long distances, golf carts, and cast members are available to shuttle you back and forth. There are wagons to put the kiddos in and pull them back and forth.
Oh, there are photo ops along the way, with DCL photographers with the ship in the background.
There is no shade, so maybe wear a hat and apply the sunscreen. I still think it’s quicker and easier than waiting in line to catch a tender, which would have been the alternative to this pier, and having a tender port makes you more susceptible to skipping the port if it’s too windy.
Once you’ve made it to the actual Lookout Cay entrance, you’ll pass under the welcome sign (photo op), and there will be a shop there to grab sunscreen or catch the boat if you’ve booked an excursion like snorkeling. You can rent a bicycle from here too.
If you have rented one of the Mabrika Cove cabanas, you don’t need to go any further. You’ve made it. You’ll head to the right and find your assigned cabin along the beach with a view of the ship.
If you aren’t in a Mabrika Cabana, hop on the tram that takes you to the Goombay area. This is where you’ll start to feel that island experience you seek. Unlike Castaway Cay, you won’t want to skip the tram here; it’s a long way to go.
Goombay Cultural Center
Once you get off the tram, you’ll be right in the center of Lookout Cay’s action. You’ll find souvenir shops (shocking, right?), Disney and Bahamian items, and the hair braiding station.
If you walk in a circular path around the shops, you’ll find a few cute photo ops with cruise-themed backgrounds representing Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy. I was there in December, and they had Christmas trees set up too.
If you walk directly back from the shops, you’ll cross the Goombay Cultural Center, and keep going straight to pick up your snorkel gear from Flippers and Fins. Snorkel rentals can be reserved on your navigator app under Port Adventures or paid for (with your key to the world card) onsite.
Lookout Cay Beaches
Straight ahead is the family beach area—head left for Serenity Beach (over 18) and the Serenity Beach Cabanas.
The family beach can get crowded, so don’t be afraid to spread out. Walk a little further down the beach for some space.
Chairs are limited “on the beach” at both the family and serenity beaches, but there are plenty of chairs behind the small sand dunes, if you want the sun but don’t care about being on the water.
Something else to note about Lookout Cay is that the beaches are open ocean. There are waves and marine life, and conditions can vary greatly. At Castaway, the beaches are protected by marine nets and a rock wall border to make the water more predictable and calm.
Food and Drinks on Lookout Cay
Food options are available along the boardwalks behind the beaches. The free buffets are open for a few hours daily and have covered and noncovered seating.
Check your navigator app for times for your sailing; ours was 11:30-2. Look for signs for
- True- True BBQ
- True True Too BBQ
- Serenity Bay BBQ (18+)
The buffet is typical of most island destinations, with burgers, hot dogs, salads, fruits, and cookies. Plant-based and GF options are available as well. Drink stations are located at the buffets for soda and water and are free to enjoy.
If you are looking for alcohol or other items not from the buffet, you can try another option along the boardwalk path.
- Blue Hole Bar (18+)
- Bow & Ribbon Bar
- Watering Hole Bar Reef & Wreck Bar
- Sandsational Smoothies
- Mangroves & Go
One thing to note about drinking on the island is that even though its “technically” the Bahamas, Disney considers it an extension of the ship, and therefore, the drinking laws of the ship prevail, and you must be 21 to consume alcohol at Lookout Cay.
Kids Play at Lookout Cay
Of course, this is Disney, and families and kids are at the forefront of the design; littles and parents can have fun playing at Rush Out Gush Out, a family water play area, enjoy games at Play-Play Pavillion, get to know the island in a scavenger hunt, or take a nature walk and visit the lighthouse.
Kids can also enjoy youth activities at Sebastian’s Cove. This is an extension of the kids club, and children will need to be checked in and out and will be supervised by kids club staff.
Characters at Lookout Cay
Of course, we all want to catch a peek at Mickey and the gang in their Bahamian beach gear, and you’ll have opportunities to do just that at Lookout Cay.
Check your navigator app for times and locations. I noticed characters in the paved areas between the two main buffets, but they can also be elsewhere.
Thoughts on Lookout Cay
So, what do I think? After visiting numerous private islands from several different cruise lines, including Castaway Cay, I have to say that I actually like Lookout Cay.
I like that many parts of it, including the nature walk down the beach to the lighthouse and the beach trail, have been left undisturbed and natural.
I’ve heard comments that it doesn’t feel “magical” or as “Disney” as Castaway, and I honestly think that’s what I liked about it. I’m sure Disney will continue to upgrade, add, and develop until it’s almost unrecognizable, but for now, I enjoyed the untouched Bahamian feel of it all.
I can’t wait to hear what you think! Let me know in the comments, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you need help planning and booking your Disney Cruise. (Did you know its free to use me as your travel advisor?)
