A Magical Escape: Disney’s Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point

One of our cruise experts, Elizabeth Kremer, recently visited Disney’s Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point in the Bahamas.  Find out what she thought about Disney’s new private island!

Introduction to Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point

I recently had the opportunity to visit Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point aboard the Disney Dream.  This enchanting destination, located on the southern tip of Eleuthera in the Bahamas, is Disney Cruise Line’s second private island.  Known for its pristine beaches and distinctive pink sand, Lookout Cay offers a perfect blend of relaxation and Disney magic, making it an ideal stop for families, couples and solo travelers.

For cruise travelers, the journey begins with choosing the right accommodation to fit your family’s needs.  A knowledgeable Travel Advisor can help you determine what stateroom type might be the best fit for your needs.  If you’re like me and enjoy the mesmerizing sights and sounds of the ocean, booking a balcony/verandah room is ideal.  Typically, for Caribbean cruises, I recommend the starboard side, but at Lookout Cay, Disney’s docking facilities accommodate both sides.  We were fortunate to be on the port side, with stunning views of the island.  Either way you will be captivated by the tranquility and beauty of the rich turquoise waters.

Navigating Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point

Unlike Disney’s other private island, Castaway Cay, getting ashore at Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point involves a much longer walk.  The walkway was constructed to safeguard the local marine ecosystem and coral.  I tracked my steps, finding the roundtrip to be a little over 3,200 steps.  Here are my pro tips for preparing for the long walk.

• Footwear: Wear comfortable shoes.  We wore tennis shoes and packed our flip flops in our beach bag.  We knew our child would not complain if their feet were comfortable.  A happy child equals happy parents, so this was a win-win for all of us!

• Sunscreen: The walkway is not covered, so I recommend applying sunscreen prior to exiting the ship.

• Stroller: If you have small children, I recommend bringing an umbrella stroller.  We heard they offered wagons for younger kids, but we only saw one when disembarking in the morning.

• Water Bottles: I always advise my clients to bring a refillable water bottle on Disney Cruises.  It’s easy to fill up and keeps you hydrated at sea.  Make sure you fill up your water bottle before you leave the ship, so you have access to water on the walkway especially in the warmer months.

Accessibility OptionsDisney provides golf cart transportation for guests with disabilities and for those unable to walk the distance to the island. Disney requests the rest of the guest’s family members walk unless necessary to allow enough room for all who need this service.  If you or a member of your traveling party will need this service, make sure to visit guest services while on board.  

Getting Around the Island

Upon arrival, guests board a tram at Mabrika Cove Tram Station for a short, informative ride to the main area.  Trams come frequently so there’s no rush if you miss one.  Once off the tram, don’t forget to grab towels for the day.  One aspect I appreciated about Lookout Cay is that once off the tram, everything is conveniently located, unlike the spread-out layout of Castaway Cay.

Exploring the Island

The first Beach you come to on the left is Serenity Bay, designated for guests 18 and older.  If you have children, head right towards the family beach.  Before reaching the family beach, you’ll find the Rush Out Gush Out water play area, featuring interactive drums, water fountains, and slides.   Unlike Castaway Cay, the kids’ water play area isn’t out in the ocean, making it ideal for non-swimmers or those needing a beach break.  Pro Tip: This area gets really crowded in the afternoon, so I recommend going in the morning.

Once you get to the beach, you will be captivated by the blue waters and pink sand.  Though there’s no netting in the water like at Castaway Cay, lifeguards are on duty.  Floats aren’t available for rent here since they could drift away without netting.  Initially, I missed floating in the ocean, but the serene beauty quickly made up for it.  Below are my pro tips for enjoying a relaxing day on the beach at Lookout Cay.  

• Beach Chairs: You will see more beach chairs available before you get to the walkway down to the beach.  It’s hard to find beach chairs directly on the beach because it’s not very long from the water to the end of the beach.  I recommend getting off the ship as soon as you are allowed to in the morning if getting a beach chair directly on the beach is important to you.

• Coral: The darker areas in the water are coral so avoid stepping in those areas as they are rough and pointy.  Watch out for small drop offs by some of the coral areas as well.

• Snorkeling: No designated snorkeling area like at Castaway Cay, but you will see most snorkelers by the larger darker area where more coral is.  You need to be 10 and up to snorkel due to the deeper drop-offs.

• Restrooms and Wash off Areas: Restrooms and outside wash off areas are easily accessible.

Activities

If you are looking for port adventures on the island, make sure to check the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App prior to your sailing.  Lookout Cay has a nature trail that leads to the Lighthouse, the island’s namesake. Don’t miss the Goombay Cultural Center, offering hands-on workshops listed in the Disney Navigator App.  One of our favorite things to do at the Cultural Center is to see RUSH!  A Junkanoo Celebration, which gives you a sneak peek into the rich culture and traditions of the Bahamas.  The show includes authentic costumes, native dance, and music that pays homage to the history of the region. Plus, as an added bonus, you will see Mickey and Minnie in the show.

If meeting some of your favorite Disney characters is important to you, be sure to check the Navigator App for character meet and greets while on the island.

Dining and Shopping

When it’s time to eat lunch, you don't even have to leave the island!  Traditional Bahamian BBQ lunch buffet is offered at True-True BBQ, True-True BBQ Too, and Serenity Bay BBQ for those 18 and older.  They have a variety of food options to include an ice cream and drink station.  For food allergies, order with your server a day or two in advance.  Typically, you will go to the last window in the far corner at True-True BBQ to get your food.  Pro Tip: My husband and I both have food allergies and have to pre-order our food.  If you want to try different types of food, make sure to preorder more than one option as they are not able to prepare additional food on the island.  The seating area gets crowded, so arrive early to secure a table.  I had heard a lot about the flies in the seating area, but we never saw any while we were eating.  Disney has put up large fans to help keep them away.

Make sure to check out the two gift shops before you leave the island.  Disney offers two distinct gift shops; one made by local crafters and the other has Disney logo merchandise specific to the island. 

Conclusion

We spent most of the day at Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point and are eager to return in the future.  This island is very different from Castaway Cay but that’s what makes it special.  I prefer to have two islands that are different from one another, so you have a unique experience at each island.  Lookout Cay felt like an authentic journey into the heart of the Bahamian beauty and wonder.

Ready to Book? If you want to visit Lookout Cay or another destination, reach out to our knowledgeable advisors at Willow+Wand, where travel is not just about taking pictures and checking places off a bucket list, it is about choosing to invest in your most important relationships, deliberately slowing life down, and letting the magic of a place inspire you. Their advisors help clients create bright, meaningful memories they will reflect on often and carry with them for the rest of their lives.