Hi Diane!
I’m so happy to hEAR that you are headed to my favorite island,
Castaway Cay! Some of our best core memories as a family have been made on Disney cruises, so get ready to have lots of family time and memorable adventures.
Snorkeling is one of my favorite pastimes while traveling, especially in the
Bahamas. The Snorkeling Lagoon is an excellent setting to try this amazing activity. Your kiddos can absolutely snorkel in the shallow water, but they are not nearly as likely to see fish there as they would be out deeper in the lagoon. So what I’d suggest is having them wear the complimentary life vests and those will enable your kids to go out farther.
I hope this is comforting: the protected snorkeling lagoon is very calm due to the natural barrier surrounding it. Translation: smoother waters for snorkelers! For this reason, fins are not needed. Also, lifeguards are stationed around the lagoon in the event a Guest needs assistance while snorkeling. Swim online to reserve your
snorkeling equipment in advance or you can always rent it once you arrive at Castaway Cay.
I spy with my little eye...a hidden Mickey! The underwater treasures of Mickey and Minnie are a welcome surprise for adults and kids alike. If I’m estimating correctly, the Mickey statue is approximately eight to ten feet below the surface, and Minnie’s is only about two to three feet below. Both are easily visible while snorkeling, so be sure to bring a GoPro to capture all the fun!
To change gears,
renting bicycles gives you a chance to explore this island oasis, which I highly recommend! However, there are only single passenger bicycles available to rent. You'll just have to save the 4-person bike experience for the
surrey bikes at Disney's BoardWalk at Walt Disney World!
Since you’ve expressed interest in both snorkeling and biking, I'd be remiss if I didn’t mention the
Castaway Cay Getaway Package, which includes snorkel equipment rental for the day, float rental for the day, and bicycle rental for an hour. My tip: Don’t miss the birds eye view of the ship from the Observation Tower.
Get ready for your day at Castaway Cay by exploring the
full list of Port Adventures and download the
Disney Cruise Line Navigator app for more information on everything offered at Castaway Cay during your stay.
Above all else, enjoy making magical memories together during your vacation! Cruise back to the Disney Parks Moms Panel if you have any additional questions before you set sail.
Bon Voyage!
Sherry