Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point – The Complete Guide

I’ve been lucky enough to visit Disney’s newest Bahamian stop, Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, a few times now since it opened in June 2024.

Lookout Cay is located on the southern tip of Eleuthera, which is located in the Bahamas, just 132 miles southeast of Disney’s Private Island Castaway Cay.

It is very different to Disney’s Castaway Cay. The promise for Lighthouse Point was of a more authentic beach experience, with more than a nod to the cultural heritage of the island. Does it live up to this promise?

Here is my take on Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point so that you know what to expect and can plan to make the most of your experience.

Where is Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point?

Lookout Cay is located on the southeastern tip of Eleuthera in The Bahamas.

Disney doesn’t own the entire island — only the Lighthouse Point area — but the guest experience feels private and exclusive.

Several Disney ships visit Lookout Cay, including the Disney Magic, Fantasy, Wish, and Dream. Some itineraries even include both Lookout Cay and Castaway Cay, which are only 132 miles apart.

Getting There & Getting Around

Unlike Castaway Cay, where the ship docks near the main guest areas, Lookout Cay’s pier is a half-mile walk from the ship to the arrival area, Mabrika Cove.

Walking time: Around 10–15 minutes. There is no shade on the pier.
Mobility assistance: Golf carts are available for guests with mobility needs. Disney also has wagons and strollers available on the dock.
Why the long walk? Disney avoided dredging to protect the marine environment, so the pier is built far out into deep enough water.

Here is a map of Lighthouse Point so that you can see the layout:

From Mabrika Cove, you’ll take a 10-minute tram ride to the island’s main beaches, dining areas, and activities. Because of the travel time, it’s best to plan to stay on the island until you’re ready to return — going back to the ship mid-day can take close to an hour.

The tram ride has a recorded story to listen to, but other than that there really isn’t anything to keep you entertained. There is planting along most of the route, so you do not get to see any other parts of the island or scenery.

When you get off the tram remember to pick up towels. The first time I visited I didn’t do this and then spent a lot of time trying to find some close to the adult beach.

I also usually browse the shops quickly so I can start to think about what I might want to purchase.

There are a lot of items which are unique to the island that you won’t want to miss.

There has been a lot of discussion about the pier and the walk to the tram station at Lighthouse Point. Due to conservation and ecological concerns this is how DCL had to build this.

It isn’t ideal, but it is not as bad as some reports have made it out to be. If you have mobility concerns you can ask for assistance, and there are wagons and strollers available for free if you need those.

It takes me around 10 to 14 minutes to walk the pier to the security point. This is with me taking endless photos and video of the ship!

The big problem for me is the lack of shade. I make sure that I take my compact UV umbrella with me and this helps a lot.

Main Areas of the Island

The island’s layout is simple: the Eastern Side holds most of the action, from family areas to adult-only spaces.

Mabrika Cove

“Mabrika” means welcome in the Taino language.
Features 20 family cabanas (including 4 doubles), a small snack stand, and excursion check-in.
Tram stop for travel to the Eastern Side.

Family Beach

Wide stretch of pink-flecked sand with plenty of loungers and umbrellas.
Close to True-True BBQ and True-True Too BBQ, the main dining pavilions.
Snorkeling is in the open ocean here, not in a dedicated lagoon.
Rush Out Gush Out is the water play area for kids.

Walking around Lighthouse Point is also very different from Castaway Cay as there are very few paved areas. The walkways are raised decks and this can be a little confusing as to how to get to the area you want to be, when you initially arrive.

If you have younger kids you will most likely be spending some time at Rush Out Gush Out. This has a couple of small slides and some interactive play features.

I have no idea why they made this area so small – it gets crowded and really could have been better.

This area is for kids under 12. Children do have to be toilet trained to use Rush Out Gush Out, but there is a smaller play area to the right of this if they are not.

If you want some kid free time Sebastian’s Cove is the kids’ club on Lookout Cay for children aged 3 to 10.

Serenity Bay – Adult-Only Beach

This photo was taken early in the morning as I was pretty much the first person to arrive on the Serenity Bay part of the beach.

North of the Family Beach.
Quiet, scenic, with its own Serenity Bay BBQ and Blue Hole Bar.
Six adult cabanas available by reservation.

The beaches at Lighthouse Point are very different from Castaway Cay, Disney’s other private island location. On Castaway Cay the water is calm, thanks to the breakwater, which makes it perfect for floating or swimming without worrying about waves.

At Lighthouse Point the beaches and the ocean are not sheltered, so this can make for a more challenging and unpredictable swimming experience.

However, even though both islands beaches and ocean are beautiful, Lighthouse Point really does come out the winner here. The ocean is a perfect blue and the sand is white and a lot less stony than Castaway Cay. Lighthouse Point gives a more “authentic” Bahamian beach experience.

I have to say that I am a little disappointed in the Serenity Bay area of the beach. This is just an extension of the Family Beach, and the only marking that this is adults only are a few cones to separate the areas. I am not sure what else they could have done, but it is very different to the experience on Castaway Cay where the area is entirely separate.

You can walk along the beach past the Serenity Bay area, but this is not Disney property and there are signs that you do so at your own risk. Every time I have visited there have been some people doing this, but being the rule follower that I am, I haven’t done this!

Dining at Lookout Cay

Dining is included in your cruise fare, and there are three main buffet locations:

True-True BBQ and True-True Too BBQ (family areas)
Serenity Bay BBQ (adults only)

Menu highlights include:

Bahamian Pigeon Peas & Rice
Spiced Rotisserie Chicken with grilled pineapple
Lime-marinated grilled snapper
Plant-based Island Curry
BBQ ribs, burgers, and American sides

Tip: Lines can get long right after opening — try eating early or at the less busy True-True Too.

Bars & Drinks:

Blue Hole Bar (adults)
Watering Hole (family beach)
Bow & Ribbon Bar (near True-True Too)
Signature drink: Eleuthera Euphoria — aged rum, pineapple smoothie, DOLE Whip.

You may have seen on early reports that Lighthouse Point had a fly problem.

All the times that I have been there I really didn’t see many flies. I have no idea what Disney Cruise Line did to deter the flies but it seems to have worked!

On my first visit I ate at Serenity Bay BBQ as I was on the adult beach. However, now when I go there I tend to avoid the adult location.

The reason is that I have found the adult location to be a lot more crowded and with limited seating. Also, there is live entertainment, which should be great, but it is so loud that it spoils the experience for me.

Activities & Entertainment

For Families & Kids

Rush Out Gush Out: Water play area with slides, splash zone, and toddler section.
Sebastian’s Cove: Supervised kids’ club for ages 3–12 with its own dining area.
Play-Play Pavilion: Character-led games like Goofy’s Limbo and Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Water Brigade.
Nature Trail: 15-minute walk to the historic lighthouse, with QR-coded signs to learn about local flora and fauna.

If you have some time and want to take the short walk, then the Nature Trail really is worth it.

Cultural Experiences

Goombay Cultural Center: Workshops on Bahamian traditions, music, and crafts.
RUSH! A Junkanoo Celebration: Parade-style show with local performers and Disney characters in Bahamian-inspired outfits.

A lot was promised in the build up to the opening of Lighthouse Point about the cultural experiences that it would feature. Really, I am disappointed that this promise has not been lived up to.

The Sights and Sounds of Junkanoo Workshop at the Goombay Cultural Center is for me, really underwhelming. The Cultural Center is smaller and certainly less impressive than I expected it to be.

And I have to say that one of my experiences of the Cultural Center was seeing a very bored looking Cast Member with his AirPods in scrolling on his phone.

The theming leans into Bahamian culture, which I definitely did appreciate, but it just didn’t feel enough. The original concept promised way more of a celebration of the local culture and this just doesn’t seem to have happened.

Many things on Lighthouse Point felt like it wasn’t quite finished or didn’t have the budget to fully live up to what it could have been.

Characters

Meet Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, and Chip ‘n’ Dale in exclusive island outfits designed by Bahamian fashion designer Theodore Elyett.
Best chance for short lines: near True-True BBQ in the morning.

Cabanas

Family Cabanas: Located at Mabrika Cove, with a quieter beach.
Adult Cabanas: On Serenity Bay.
Include shaded seating, lounge chairs, and some double cabanas for larger groups.
Book early — they always sell out – usually to Concierge Level guests.

Excursions (“Port Adventures”)

Bookable in advance based on Castaway Club status.

There aren’t very many offerings here – particularly when you compare it with the long list of activities available on Castaway Cay.

Here are some activities that are available – you can see all of theme here.

Snorkel by Boat
Banana Boat rides
Ebike, Sand, Snorkel & History Tour
Nature Walk & Coral Nursery
South Eleuthera Eco & Historical Tour

Tips for Your Visit

Bring a refillable water bottle — refill stations are throughout the island.
Souvenir shopping early — popular Lookout Cay merchandise can sell out.
Don’t rush for chairs — there are plenty, especially if you walk farther from the main hub.
Plan to stay — the walk + tram ride make mid-day ship trips time-consuming.
Check the Navigator app for character times and activity schedules.

How It Compares to Castaway Cay

Having experienced both of Disney’s island stops multiple times, I’d still choose Castaway Cay every time.

It’s polished, effortless, and feels like a true extension of the Disney Cruise magic. From the moment you step off the ship at Castaway Cay, everything flows easily — the tram, the calm lagoon waters, even the separate Serenity Bay retreat for adults.

It’s exactly what I want from a Disney private island: relaxing, well thought out and unmistakably Disney.

That said, Lighthouse Point does have its charms.

The sand is softer, the scenery is gorgeous, and the beaches feel more natural and less manufactured. If you enjoy a wilder ocean setting and want a (limited) taste of Bahamian culture, it delivers something that Castaway Cay doesn’t.

But for me, the long walk from the ship, the less immersive theming, and the adults’ area being just a roped?off section make Lighthouse Point feel unfinished. Castaway Cay sets the standard — Lighthouse Point is beautiful, but Castaway still feels like “home.”

Alison

Alison Meacham is the founder of EverythingMouse Disney Blog. For over 15 years she has shared her love of Disney Parks, Disney Cruises and Universal Orlando. In over 30 years of Disney Travel she has spent countless months in Disney Parks and has sailed on over 45 cruises. A British native and now a United States resident she splits her time between California, Florida and the UK. And spends a serious amount of time sailing the seven seas. She helps over 200,000 people per month follow their Disney travel dreams.