Tips for Disney’s Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point

Disney Cruise Line’s new island destination, Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, is absolutely fantastic. It’s a great place to have fun in the sun, enjoy a beautiful beach with pink (flecked) sand, learn about Bahamian culture, and explore. My family loved it on a recent Disney Cruise aboard the Disney Dream. Here are the best ways to enjoy this private island if you head there on a Disney Cruise. (Well, it’s not technically a private island. It’s actually private area on the Bahamian Island of Eleuthera).

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How Long is the Lookout Cay Walk

You probably already know this, but the trip to Lookout Cay from the boat begins with a long walk. It’s a half mile walk from the ship to the tram station on pavement with no shade. (There’s discrepancy on how long the walk is with people saying everything from a quarter mile, to a three quarters of a mile, but the Disney website here says a half mile https://plandisney.disney.go.com/question/new-island-told-tender-mile-walk-reach-entry-assistance-578503/).

It looks like a long walk from up here. Took this photo from the pool deck.

The walk is so long because Disney worked hard to disturb as little of the ecosystem when they constructed the pier. To get the Disney ships closer, Disney would have had to dredge the ocean (make it deeper) which would have destroyed a lot of the natural environment.

If you have mobility issues, Disney has golf carts to get you to and from the tram station. In fact, cast members driving one of these carts gave me a ride back for no reason when I was heading back to the ship. I guess they felt sorry for me. They also have scooters for adults, and strollers and wagons available for your small kids.

Hey, we made it! We had to stop and celebrate after the long walk.

On the bright side, you don’t have to tender to the island (take a boat), so leaving the boat is a much faster process than some ports.

Be Prepared to Stay on the Island

Getting to and from the boat can be a hassle, so I recommend bringing everything you need to stay on the island as long as possible. After the 10-15 minute walk, you then have to take a 10-minute tram ride to where the beach and activities are. Therefore, if you wanted to go back to the boat and back to the beach, you’re looking at a journey that will take about an hour (assuming you’re fast in the ship), AND you’ll have to go in and out of security again. People familiar with Disney's Castaway Cay will know that the journey is about half as long at Castaway.

This may sound daunting, but I promise it’s worth it. Lookout Cay has a fantastic beach, tons of chairs, lots of activities for all ages, and if you forget something, you can probably purchase it at the store.

Check out the Cliffs (at your own risk)

This one is touchy because I doubt that you’re actually supposed to do this. If you go to the family beach and turn right, you can see some interesting rock formations. As we approached them to take pictures, we realized that there were trails leading up them. There was also a sandwich board sign with nothing on it. I think it was supposed to tell us to stay off the cliffs, but it didn’t, so we walked up them. On the other side is a private beach with a view of the boat, and on top is the lighthouse with great views of the island. There are some dangerous parts, so be careful.

The cliffs are beautiful. Glad I climbed them, but probably wasn’t supposed to.

I imagine this will be off limits in the future.

Empty Beach with Chairs

When we made our way to the cliffs, we noticed that the crowd began to thin as we got closer. Luckily, there were still beach chairs to be had. So if you want a more private beach experience but still want chairs and umbrellas, Lookout Cay will supply them. In fact, there are way more chairs and umbrellas on Lookout Cay than Castaway Cay, making for a less stressful beginning to the day.

Keep walking past this crowd towards to cliffs. I promise it will thin (see cover photo). You may have to drag a chair with you.

To find this area, just go to the Main Beach Area and turn right. Keep walking until the crowd thins. Conversely, you can walk towards Serenity Bay Beach, but don't park yourself in front of the cabanas (or in the adult area if you brought kids), and the amount of space between the main beach and these is more limited than going the other way.

​I should also point out that in our experience, you don't have to be among the first guests to get a good chair. We got out there about 10:30 AM, and there were plenty of chairs except maybe in the highest traffic areas.

Cabana Beaches Aren’t Private

If you’ve been to Castaway Cay, you’ve probably noticed that the areas in front of the cabanas are roped off so that only the cabana guests can use the beach in front of their cabana. However, when we went to Lookout Cay, we were able to walk from the adult beach (Serenity Bay) to the family beach across the cabana areas. I thought this was strange, but I didn’t rent a cabana, so I’m not complaining.

Splash Pad is Amazing (Rush Out Gush Out)

Look how awesome Rush Out Gush Out is. My picture barely does justice to how big this place is.

The Splash Pad water play area at Lookout Cay is called Rush Out Gush Out, and it’s incredible. It contains your typical fountain features but also has a large playground with water toys and two-story water slides. There is a separate section for smaller kids in swim diapers. However, according to the lifeguard I spoke to, kids in swim diapers can use the whole park. (That may or may not be accurate, since it contradicts the posted sign).

Here’s the toddler area at Rush Out Gush Out. It’s pretty excellent in its own right. We were super impressed.

The ocean at Lookout Cay can be a little rougher for young swimmers since it’s not protected by a reef, so this is a great option for water activities for little kids (and even big kids).

Bahamian Culture

You can experience a lot of the food, music, and art of the Bahamian culture at Lookout Cay. One thing Disney is known for in their parks, movies, and everywhere else is their embracing of local culture. The design, architecture, and art all reflect the indigenous culture and local Bahamian artists. You can also participate in festivals, concerts, dances, and DIY art that reflects the culture. The most prominent of these events is the Junkanoo Celebration, which celebrates the art, dance, and music of the Bahamas. Finally, a lot of the food is also Caribbean and Bahamian. Don’t worry, there are still plenty of options for unadventurous eaters.

We thought the Junkanoo character photo spots were amazing!

You can also do the nature trail to experience the Bahamian natural habitat flora and fauna, including visiting the old lighthouse that Lighthouse point is named after. Bring your phone and scan the QR codes to learn about different things along the way. Disney has done a great job making sure this doesn’t feel like an American location on a Bahamian island. You feel like you get a piece of the culture in the experience.

Here’s the actual lighthouse of Lighthouse Point. We might have discovered it by accident playing on the cliffs.

No Teens Club

One thing to note about Lookout Cay is that there is no designated teens club area for Edge or Vibe on the island. Instead, they have meet ups in random places (usually around scheduled events like dance parties) around the island. The Play-Play Pavilion is a common meetup spot and activity spot. The wifi works well on the island, so you or your teen can stay connected to schedule.

Bring a Refillable Water Bottle

I mentioned earlier that you need to plan to stay on the island because it takes so long to get to and from the boat. You can bring a bunch of bottled water with you if you have it in your stateroom, but that’s heavy, and it might run out. Conversely, there are lots of water fountains and water stations around the island for you to fill up at. Of course, if you forget bottles, you can get cups from Disney, but they aren’t as practical.

Get Your Souvenirs Early

If you’re big into the Disney Cruise Line souvenirs or location-based souvenirs, you probably want to grab some Lookout swag, especially if it’s your first time going to the island. However, a lot of the more sought-after items can sell out during the day, so go first thing to get your souvenirs if it’s important to you.

There are three retail stores to buy your souvenirs from. The first is the First and Last Chance Stand that sells a few souvenirs, as well as supplies you might need like sunscreen. You'll find it just after you finish the long walk before the tram ride (Mabrika Cove Area). The other two are at the Goombay Cultural Center Tram Stop. Disney T'ings sells all of the Disney merchandise, while Treasures of Eleuthera sells non-Disney, Bahamian souvenirs made by local artists. For more info on what's in the stores, check out this post https://disneycruiselineblog.com/2024/07/merchandise-shopping-tour-at-disney-lookout-cay-at-lighthouse-point/#jp-carousel-65729

Bathrooms on the Back of Every Bar

There’s lots of bathrooms around the island, but if you don’t see a designated bathroom area, there is usually a bathroom on the back of each bar. There’s also a whole ocean…

Strollers and Wagons

Disney has strollers and wagons to help you transport kids and supplies around the island. You can get them as you exit the boat, before you board the tram, and after you board the tram.

Look at these beautiful wagons and strollers. It’s a great opportunity since you’re not allowed to take wagons into Disney parks.

My recommendation: get one for the pier walk if you need it. Turn it in at the tram station, and get another after you get off the tram. That way you don’t have to try to fit the vehicle in the tram.

Book Excursions Early

If you’re looking to do excursions beyond the regular activities on Lookout Cay, book early. These will sell out. Know when your window for booking starts. You should also know that unless you’re platinum, concierge, or pearl, you probably will not get a cabana. However, if you didn't get the excursion you wanted, you can always go to guest services and try to grab a late experience once you get on the boat.

Lower Crowds at True-True Too and Serenity Bay BBQ

If there are long lines at True-True BBQ, considering going to the second family restaurant (True-True Too) or the adults only restaurant area at Serenity Bay BBQ. As a rule of thumb, the farther you get from the Goombay Cultural Center Tram Stop, the lower the crowds will be for any activity.

One of the many windows for food at True-True. We loved the rice bowls and plantains.

Grab Towels after the Shuttle

Disney offers towels as soon as you get off the boat, but they also offer towels after you get off the shuttle. There’s no reason to carry the towels farther than you need to. Just grab them when you get off the tram at the beach.

Good Wifi

Lookout Cay has great wifi, so try it out to stay connected before you use your cell phone carrier. It will keep you connected to the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App. That being said, you’ll need to buy a DCL internet package to actually use the internet besides the app on the island.

Characters at True-True BBQ

If you’re into Disney characters, there are several scheduled meet-and-greets on the island. However, lots of guests have reported unscheduled character interactions happening at the restuarants (True-True BBQ and True-True Too BBQ), so swing by the lunch areas occasionally to look for Mickey and friends in their Lookout Cay outfits.

Conclusion and Further Reading

Hopefully, this list will give you a great idea or two for having a magical day at Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, Disney Cruise Line's newest destination at the southern tip of the island of Eleuthera. Let me know if you want to know anything else or have something to add in the comments.

And if you’re heading on a Disney Cruise soon, checkout these other articles about Disney cruises like the ultimate Disney Cruise packing list and this guide for your first time on Disney Cruise Line.