Complete Guide to Disney's Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point

Disney's new Bahamian island destination, Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point is a pristine, secluded paradise reserved exclusively for Disney Cruise Line guests. The cruise port is located on the island of Eleuthera (pronounced uh-loo-tr-uh) at it's southern tip, amidst a nature preserve called Lighthouse Point. Far from any towns, Lookout Cay feels like a tropical oasis that is separated from the outside world by mangrove forests. The landscaping is gorgeous with flowers like plumerias, and tall swaying palm trees. Whether you want to just kick back and relax or go for a thrilling banana boat ride, this port has something for everyone. There are family friendly areas as well as those reserved specifically for adults.

Expert Tip: If you want a view of the island from your stateroom, be sure to book a starboard (right) side stateroom.

Disney Magic docked at Lookout Cay

After disembarking your Disney Cruise ship, you'll cross the pier to the island on foot. (It looks longer in the pictures than it actually is.) It's just over a half mile long. There are golf carts available for those who need them. You must preregister for the golf cart ride with guest services before your stop at Lookout Cay. There are excellent photo ops of the ship and the island as you walk over. I recommend bringing a water bottle, hat, and comfy shoes. Don't forget your sunscreen.

View of Lookout Cay's pier from inside the ship

There is a water station near the halfway point. It took us about 12 minutes to walk including stops for photos and drinks.

Water station on the pier

Golf carts for accommodations

As you step foot onto the island, you'll see the colorful Lookout Cay sign overhead. There is also another water station here. You will see the turquoise waves crashing on the rocks, and hear the Junkanoo music greeting you to the island. Junkanoo is a Bahamian cultural celebration of freedom that includes dance, music, costumes, and instruments. Bahamian culture is the main theme at Lookout Cay. Some other local words used around the port are Goombay, which means "drum," and Mabrika which means "welcome."

To the left will be Turbot Berth, where you'll catch your charter boats and excursions. I did the Reef Safari snorkeling excursion, and we checked in at this booth right near the docks about 20 minutes before our excursion time. 

On our Reef Safari excursion

Snorkeling at Miller's Reef

Next to the excursion desk is a small bar called Mangroves & Co. Here, you can find the cute Disney Cruise Line pineapple sippers, bottled water, or any of your favorite drinks. There's a restroom in the back of the building.

Over to the right of the entrance is Mabrika Cove, where you'll find the private family cabanas. You'll see these brightly colored cabanas on your walk over the pier to the right.

Cabanas

Next up is the Mabrika Cove Tram Stop. This is the only tram stop on this side of the island. The tram is a fast and convenient way to get across the island. It takes about 8-10 minutes. You may have to wait about 5 minutes for a tram. They run continuously and they seat many people at once. There is a water station at the tram stop, too. During the tram ride, riders can listen to a recording about the island's history, plants, and animals. Look around and admire what Disney has done with this area. Rather than bulldoze and pave the area, Disney tried to build structures that would allow the local foliage to grow and keep you immersed in this island paradise.

And, watch for crabs crossing the street!

There are wagons, strollers, and wheelchairs available to use, and the best part... they're complimentary! These are available on a first come, first served basis so if you need one, it's best to get one early in the day. You will find these parked at the tram stops.

 

You may notice some QR code signs around the port. The Discovery Nature Trail at Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point offers guest an option to explore the wondrous wildlife, flora, geography, and cultural elements that make Eleuthera unique. The trail is available to explore on your own for free. The Nature Trail begins behind Sebastians Cove, but there are QR codes scattered around the rest of the port.

As you get off the tram, you'll see carts full of clean, white towels. Feel free to grab as many as you need. You can exchange them later for new ones. You do not have to take them back to the ship. Just drop them in the used towel bins around the island. You'll pass by Disney classic character cutouts themed with Bahamian art. Whether you use a PhotoPass photographer, or take a selfie, it's a fun place for a photo!

 

There are three different gift shops close to the tram stop. Disney T'ings has Disney Cruise Line and Lookout Cay official merchandise. You won't find these items on the ship, so if you see something you like, grab it early! Things do sell out. One of the shops has beach essentials, and the other is called Treasures of Eleuthera. Here, I met a local painter and bought one of his paintings of a sea turtle. Guest Services and the Rocky Point Bicycle Rental booth are close to the tram stop as well.

 

There's so much to see and do here, so, it's important to study the map before heading to Lookout Cay. There are 3 main "sections" to Lookout Cay's beachside area.

The center is the Goombay Cultural Center. This is where the Disney characters and the Junkanoo celebration called RUSH! culminates on stage. The celebration is a loud, exciting parade that starts near the tram stop and makes it's way down to the cultural center.

 

On both the left and right of that stage (while looking at the ocean) you'll see covered pavilions to sit in and enjoy the complimentary buffet lunch. These two locations are called True-True BBQ and True-True Too BBQ. They offer the exact same lunch: Grilled BBQ Ribs, Island Spiced Rotisserie Chicken, freshly Grilled Cheeseburgers, a wide selection of sides and freshly prepared salads, and even some Bahamian inspired dishes. The full menu is available here: Disney Parks Blog Lookout Cay Foodie Guide. You'll also find soda stations and soft serve ice cream stations at each. Both BBQ's have pavilions with picnic tables and high chairs.

Expert Tip: Walk around the entire ice cream station, as there are different flavors on each side! During our stop, there was strawberry and banana soft serve.

 

 

Between the beach and BBQ there are several bars. You may pass Bow and Ribbon, Watering Hole, or Reef and Wreck Bar on your way to your beach chair. They offer an array of speciality cocktails and coffees, such as the Junkanoo Lavender Latte! Looking for something fruity and refreshing? Sandsational Smoothies look and smell delicious! Stop by the stand which is located just behind the water play area. Grab a Dole Whip Mango or Pineapple treat!

Speaking of water play... you can't miss the tall, colorful Rush Out, Gush Out Family Water Play area! You'll see and hear the water and laughter from afar! The area is surrounded by a fence, so there's only one way in and out, for safety.

 

If you keep making your way to the right, you'll find Sebastians Cove and the Play-Play Pavilion. Sebastian’s Cove offers youth activities and secured programing for children ages 3 to 10 years old. It's a beautiful shaded splash pad inspired by The Little Mermaid. At the Play-Play Pavilion you can participate in Disney Fun in the Sun Beach Bash: A twice-daily event that features beach games and music with Disney characters like Goofy, Pluto, Chip, and Dale. The pavilion hosts a variety of games and activities, including ring toss, water games, hula-hoops, and soccer. Disney Lookout Cay Seek and Find: A scavenger hunt for tweens and teens that meets at the pavilion.

That covers the right side of the Cultural Center. Now, for the left!

If you have a snorkel rental to pick up, look for the building closest to the beach, called Flippers & Fins. They will assist you in picking up a snorkel, mask, fins, and a snorkel vest. This building has a shower on the left side to rinse the sand from your gear or your feet after snorkeling.

Life jackets for kids

If you rented snorkel gear, or brought your own, I highly recommend snorkeling the reefs right off shore. You'll notice the darker spots in the water which are the coral reefs. I saw some colorful tropical fish out there. It's about 12-15 feet deep, but snorkel vests and life jackets are available. Life jackets are complimentary. Snorkel vests are supposed to be rented but they lent us one since we brought our own gear.

 

The best place to snorkel for us was between lifeguard stands 5 and 6. The restrooms have showers and foot showers on their exteriors. Don't forget to wash the salt and sand off your feet before your walk back to the ship!

The Family Beaches span almost the entire length of Lookout Cay! You'll find plenty of chairs and umbrellas perfect for lounging and watching the crystal clear water lap up on the white sand. Servers will visit you at your beach chair to take your drink orders (ah, this is the life!)

There are 3 wheelchair accessible ramps to get over the dunes and down to the beach. Otherwise, each section has a staircase the goes over the dunes. In an effort to leave the island as natural as possible, Disney built over the dunes instead of removing them. Almost all the paths at Lookout Cay are boardwalks, which are wheelchair, wagon, and stroller friendly. Beach wheel chairs are also available on a first come basis.

The beach is completely natural, which means no underwater Disney statues, nets, or breakwalls to stop the waves. The beach has several lifeguard stands and buoys to mark how far out you can swim. The waves were small when I was there in September. The water was the cleanest, clearest water I've seen at any Bahamian port! The underwater visibility was quite far!

Serenity Bay Adults Only Area

Unlike Castaway Cay, the family beach area and Serenity Bay are next to one another. While this may be upsetting to some, it did not interfere with our island experience. The water is crystal clear, the sand is as soft as powder and there’s a great reef, perfect for snorkeling. If you don’t need to be right on the water, there is another area at Serenity Bay with tons of loungers and umbrellas. The layout for Serenity was perfect. Serenity Bay BBQ was located just steps from the beach and Blue Hole Bar was even closer.

And that's Lookout Cay! It is definitely worth visiting, and I can't wait to go back again someday! I recommend booking a sailing that stops at Lookout Cay. Some Disney itineraries visit both Lookout Cay and Castaway Cay, which sounds like the perfect itinerary to me!

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Summer Squires loves to help families plan stress-free and memorable cruises! You can email Summer at summer@kingdomkonsultant.com.