If you are sailing on a Disney cruise you really need to know about Serenity Bay Castaway Cay.
Serenity Bay is the adults-only beach on Disney’s private island Castaway Cay.
If you are sailing on a Disney Cruise without children, or want to take advantage of the kid’s clubs for them so that you can grab some grown-up time, then head on over to this beautiful beach on Castaway Cay.
Is Serenity Bay really as idyllic as it sounds?
Here is our guide to the adults-only beach of Castaway Cay.
Serenity Bay Castaway Cay
Many people think that a Disney cruise is just for adults, but Disney has gone to great lengths to create the perfect cruise experience for all members of the family.
This includes Disney’s Private Island Castaway Cay and the adult only beach Serenity Bay.
Perfect white sand.
Inviting blue ocean.
And some peace and quiet!
Imagine an idyllic white sandy beach and you will probably be thinking of somewhere that looks pretty much like Serenity Bay Beach on Castaway Cay.
The sand may look perfect, but some areas can be pretty painful to walk on with bare feet!
We always bring some inexpensive beach shoes
with us to Castaway Cay. You can buy them on the ship and the island, but you save money if you bring them with you.Most of the time Castaway Cay Serenity Beach is much less crowded than the Family Beach.
Most people are here with children and tend to go to the family beach.
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However, there was one visit we did when it seemed like Serenity Bay was just as busy as the family beach. I guess that was the exception rather than the rule.
Serenity Bay is strictly for the over-18s.
There isn’t anyone checking your age as you step on the beach, but Cast Members will ask anyone under age to leave when they spot you.
We like to split our day on Castaway Cay by enjoying part of it on Serenity Bay and some time enjoying the other activities on Castaway Cay.
Getting to Serenity Bay Beach Castaway Cay
Disney cruises make everything very easy for you.
The Disney cruise ships dock at Castaway Cay. No need for tender boats thank goodness.
Serenity Bay Beach is the furthest beach away from the ship on Castaway Cay. It is right at the end of the old airstrip on the island.
Don’t worry.
You don’t have to walk very far. When you get off the ship just make your way to the first tram which will take you to the Family Beach.
Then you need to catch another tram down the old runway to get to Serenity Beach.
You can walk, but why waste energy and time when you could be on the sun loungers?
Be careful always to bring sunscreen.
Of course, it is available on the island, but at a premium.
Adult Beach on Castaway Cay
The beach is certainly more peaceful than the Family Beach.
If you want ultimate privacy just walk a little way further along the beach and you will most likely almost be on your own.
Most people gather near the entrance to the beach and pick a lounger, but even at that point you are likely to be a long way from your neighbor.
There are plenty of lounge chairs and smaller chairs which are ideal to take down to the water’s edge and dip your feet in the ocean.
One thing that may surprise you about the water is that it really isn’t very deep. You can walk out a long way and most likely you will only be up to your knees in the water.
Even if you go right out to the rope barrier the water isn’t likely to be very deep.
And the situation may surprise you later in the day. The water that you were knee deep in before lunch may have disappeared and all you can see is sand! It really is very surprising how quickly this can happen.
This is a disadvantage of the Sereneity Bay beach, but if a dip in the water is what you are looking for you could start at the adult beach and then move to the Family Beach later.
If you wait until after lunch the crowds may have thinned a little on the Family Beach as guests go back to the ship.
Castaway Cay Serenity Bay Cabanas
There are only six cabanas on Castaway Cay Serenity Bay.
Just like all cabanas on Castaway Cay, they are very popular.
A reservation is pretty much impossible to get unless you are sailing Concierge with Disney.
However, miracles do sometimes happen so you should always keep trying and looking for cancellations. You can also go to Guest Services as soon as you board the ship and ask to be put on a waiting list.
Serenity Bay cabanas cost $399 for up to 6 guests. You can add up to 4 more guests for a charge of $50 per person.
The Serenity Bay cabanas are less pricey than the Family Beach cabanas which are $549 for up to 6 guests.
The Castaway Cay Serenity Bay Cabanas are numbers 22 to 27
Number 22 is closest to the barbecue and the bathrooms.
Cabanas 26 and 27 are furtherst away from the facilities but they are the newest.
Castaway Cay Serenity Bay Massage
For the ultimate in pampering, you can even book a Serenity Bay massage.
These are given in an open-air Castaway Cay Cabana. As you would expect, these are very popular, so book as soon as you can.
Castaway Air Bar
There is always a backstory for Castaway Cay. Legend has it that the Castaway Air Bar was built by a stranded pilot out of materials salvaged from his damaged plane.
The Castaway Air Bar certainly looks the part – made of corrugated tin it has a rustic feel.
The bar isn’t very big and has only limited seating, but it usually isn’t that crowded.
Castaway Air Bar Menu
The classic on the Castaway Air Bar menu is fairly limited but you are sure to find something to tempt you.
If you want to make some fabulous Disney Cruise Cocktails we have a recipe guide for you here.
Castaway Cay Serenity Bay Barbecue
Even though I am the first to say that I am not a barbecue fan there is a lot to be said in favor of the Castaway Cay Serenity Bay BBQ.
There is something about enjoying some barbecue food at Serenity Bay that you don’t get every day. The view of the ocean. The sand between your toes.
Maybe it makes the food taste better? Or was that the cocktail from the Castaway Air Bar?
Full disclosure is that I am not keen on barbecues as most concentrate on meat and I am mostly vegetarian with an occasional departure to eat fish.
There are veggie burgers at the Castaway Cay Serenity Bay Barbecue, but the meat-eaters have a lot more choices.
The Castaway Cay Serenity Bay Barbecue menu is much as you would expect.
It includes hamburgers, hot dogs, grilled fish, chicken, rib-eye steaks, and ribs. The sides usually include corn on the cob, salads, fruit, coleslaw, and sauces.
The desserts are limited but include cake and cookies. There is also self-serve ice cream.
We think that the food tastes better at Serenity Bay Barbecue than it does at Cookies One and Two which are located close to the Family Beach.
It is a smaller cook space so maybe it benefits from that.
The whole area is much less crowded than the Family Beach barbecues, so if you have a choice we highly recommend eating here on the island.
We think that Serenity Bay is one of the highlights of the island.
Have you visited Castaway Cay adult only beach? Let us know what you thought.
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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.
Kathleen Domanski
Thursday 16th of May 2024
We actually found Serenity to be crowded...maybe we cruise when there are fewer kids and more adults on board? Anyway, we plan to check out the other beaches next month. I like deeper water, anyway.
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