Perfect Day at CocoCay vs Castaway Cay: Which Wins?
I've been to both of these islands more than once, and I get asked to compare them almost every week. People assume the islands are basically the same thing with a different logo. They are not.
They have a different layout, a different feel, and a different price structure once you start adding extras. In this post I'll walk you through what each one is actually like so you can match the island to the kind of day you want.
One thing to set straight up front: you do not get to pick the island on its own. CocoCay only shows up on Royal Caribbean sailings, and Castaway Cay only shows up on Disney sailings. So choosing the island is part of choosing the cruise line and the ship.
That makes this comparison more important than people realize, because you are locking in the whole vibe of your trip, not just one beach day. Let's get into the details so you can choose with your eyes open.
The Basics: Where They Are and Who Owns Them
Perfect Day at CocoCay is Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas, on Little Stirrup Cay. Royal poured a lot of money into it a few years back, and it shows. There is a real ship pier, so you walk right off the ship onto the island instead of taking a tender boat. That alone is a huge convenience, because you are not waiting in a line for a small boat and you are not losing an hour of your beach day.
Castaway Cay is Disney's private island, also in the Bahamas, near Great Stirrup Cay. Disney has had it since the late 1990s, and they have kept it clean and well run the whole time. It also has a dock, so most Disney ships pull right up and you walk off. No tender needed there either, which is one of the reasons Disney guests love it.
Getting Off the Ship
Both islands let you walk off the ship in most cases, which puts them ahead of a lot of other cruise line beach stops that still make you tender. On CocoCay, you step off and the whole island opens up in front of you, with the pool area and slides to one side and the beaches stretching out the other way. On Castaway Cay, you walk off and a tram is usually waiting to carry you to the family beach or the snorkeling lagoon. The tram is a small thing, but on a hot day with kids and bags, it matters.
The Beaches
This is where the two islands feel the most different. Castaway Cay is built around its beaches. The family beach is wide, the sand is soft, and the water stays shallow for a long way out, which is exactly what you want with little kids.
There is a separate snorkeling lagoon with a marked trail and sunken items to find, and it is fun. Disney also runs a private adults-only beach called Serenity Bay, and it is quieter, with its own bar and a slower pace.
CocoCay has beaches too, and they are good, but the island is not built around them the same way. The star of CocoCay is the pool and slide complex, not the sand. You do have Chill Island and the South Beach area, and they are nice spots to relax, but a lot of people on CocoCay never spend much time on a beach at all because there is so much else pulling their attention.
Water Slides and the Waterpark
If you have thrill seekers in your group, CocoCay runs away with this one. Thrill Waterpark has the tallest water slide in North America, a stack of other slides, and a wave pool. There is an extra charge to get into the waterpark, and it is not cheap, but for a family of slide lovers it can be the best part of the trip. CocoCay also has a giant zip line and a helium balloon ride that floats you up for a view of the whole island.
Castaway Cay keeps things simpler. There is a water play area for kids called Pelican Plunge out in the lagoon, with a couple of slides off a floating platform, and it is included. There is no big paid waterpark. Disney's whole approach here is more about easy fun in the water than big rides, and for a lot of families that is exactly right.
Food and Drinks
On both islands, the main buffet lunch is included in your cruise fare, and both do a solid job. CocoCay's included food is spread across a few spots, and the variety is good, with the usual burgers, barbecue, salads, and desserts. Drinks are where it changes.
If you have a Royal drink package, it works on CocoCay, so your sodas, cocktails, and waters are covered. If you don't, you pay per drink.
Castaway Cay includes the lunch buffet too, and Disney throws in soft drinks, lemonade, and iced tea at the drink stations for free, which is a nice touch. Alcoholic drinks are extra unless you brought a package onto a Disney sailing, and Disney's packages work differently than Royal's. The food quality on both is about what you'd expect from a good casual cookout, and neither one will blow you away, but neither will let you down.
Cost and What's Included
Here is the part. The base day on both islands is included in your cruise. The difference shows up in the extras.
CocoCay has more things to spend money on, which can be great or can sneak up on your budget. The waterpark, the Coco Beach Club, a cabana, and the zip line all cost extra, and a family can run up a real bill fast if everyone wants everything.
Castaway Cay has fewer paid add-ons. You can rent a cabana or pay for a few activities, but the core day is mostly covered, so it is easier to keep your spending flat. If you like a day where you are not reaching for your card every hour, Castaway Cay tends to feel more predictable.
Adults-Only Options
Both islands give adults a place to escape the kids. On CocoCay, the Coco Beach Club is the upscale option, with an infinity pool that runs into the ocean, overwater cabanas, and a nicer menu. It costs extra, and the overwater cabanas in particular are a splurge, but they are special.
On Castaway Cay, Serenity Bay is the adults-only beach, and it is included with your day, which makes it a much easier yes. Serenity Bay is quieter and simpler. Coco Beach Club is fancier but pricier.
✈️ WORK WITH ME
Want help picking the right island stop or the right cabin? I'm a travel advisor and I book cruises at no extra cost, and I'll match the ship, cabin, and itinerary to your trip. Get a free quote and grab my free tips on Substack: substack.com/@jacksonjetsetting.
Cabanas and Premium Spots
Both islands rent cabanas if you want shade and a private base for the day, and both fill up early, so book ahead if you want one. On CocoCay, you can choose between cabanas in the waterpark, on the beach, or in the Coco Beach Club, and the price climbs as you move up the list. The overwater cabanas at Coco Beach Club are the splashiest, with direct water access and a butler, and they are a real treat for a special trip. Just know you are paying for it.
Castaway Cay rents cabanas too, on the family beach and over at Serenity Bay, and they are a great way to lock in shade and a spot near the water. There are fewer of them than at CocoCay, so they sell out fast, sometimes before you even sail. If a cabana matters to you on a Disney trip, treat it like a priority booking and grab it the moment your window opens.
Crowds and Pacing
Crowds depend on how many ships are in that day, and both lines sometimes have two ships at the island at once, which packs things in. CocoCay can hold a lot of people because it is spread out, with the pool, the waterpark, and several beaches absorbing the crowd, so even on a busy day you can find a quieter corner if you walk a bit. The flip side is that the popular spots, like the wave pool and the main slides, build real lines in the middle of the day.
Castaway Cay feels calmer overall because the pace is slower by design. People come to sit on the beach and stay put, so the energy is more relaxed even when the island is full. If you like a busy, high-energy day with lots happening, CocoCay delivers that. If you want to downshift and breathe, Castaway Cay is the easier place to do it.
Which Island Fits Your Trip
Think about your group. If you have teens, slide fanatics, or anyone who wants a packed day with a waterpark and a zip line, book a Royal Caribbean sailing that stops at CocoCay. If you have young kids or you mostly want a calm beach with easy water access and a free adults-only beach, look at a Disney sailing that stops at Castaway Cay. And remember, you can only visit each island on that line's ships, so the island is part of choosing the cruise line, not a stop you can swap in later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I visit both islands on one cruise?
Not on a single sailing. CocoCay is only on Royal Caribbean ships and Castaway Cay is only on Disney ships, so you pick the island when you pick the line.
Do I have to pay extra to get on the island?
No. Getting onto either island and the lunch buffet are included in your cruise fare. The extras like the CocoCay waterpark or a cabana cost more.
Which island is better for young kids?
For toddlers and young kids who want shallow, calm water, Castaway Cay's family beach is tough to beat. CocoCay is great for older kids who want slides.
Is the CocoCay waterpark worth the price?
If your group loves slides and a wave pool, yes, it can be the highlight. If you mostly want to sit on a beach, you can skip it and still have a great day.
Do drink packages work on the islands?
Yes, your cruise line's drink package carries over to its island. Disney also includes free soft drinks at the stations on Castaway Cay.
Which one is cheaper overall?
The base day is similar, but Castaway Cay is easier to keep cheap because it has fewer paid add-ons. CocoCay can cost more if you buy the extras.
\uD83E\uDDF3 MY CRUISE ESSENTIALS
Want to see the gear I actually pack? I keep a running list of my favorite cruise essentials, from packing cubes and magnetic hooks to motion-sickness remedies, on my Amazon storefront. (Affiliate links, so I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.)
Final Thoughts
I love both of these islands, and I send clients to both happily. CocoCay is the big, do-everything day with slides and a club and a zip line. Castaway Cay is the clean, calm, beach-first day that just feels easy.
Pick the one that matches the day you actually want, and the rest of the cruise will follow. If you are stuck, that is exactly the kind of thing I help with, so reach out and I'll point you to the right ship and itinerary.
