Castaway Cay beaches

[princess333]

We are booked to go on the Disney Fantasy at the end of August and this will be our third cruise with Disney. Normally because there has been a child with us we have always gone to the family beach, this time there is only 4 of us and the youngest is 20. We have considered going to the adult beach as we have not been that far up the island before and my question is what are your views (pros and cons) to being on either of these beaches?

 

[Otimon]

Serenity is a lot more quiet and less crowded than the Family Beach. If that appeals to you then Serenity Bay would be the beach for you.

Enjoy.

 

[MichiganDVC]

I've read various places that Serenity Bay is a little rougher-around-the-edges than the family beach area, meaning more wildlife in the water, less grooming, etc...
While if I was going to spend 95% of my time laying on a hammock, this might be the spot. However, I plan to swim (weather permitting) and am not sure if Serenity Bay will be for me....

 

[SC Disney Fan]

I've read various places that Serenity Bay is a little rougher-around-the-edges than the family beach area, meaning more wildlife in the water, less grooming, etc...
While if I was going to spend 95% of my time laying on a hammock, this might be the spot. However, I plan to swim (weather permitting) and am not sure if Serenity Bay will be for me....

We didn't find it to be "rough around the edges" more just quiet and relaxing. I do not like anything alive or otherwise touching me in the water. I didn't have any issues. I floated around most of the morning. Give it a try

 

[csidisney]

I love serenity bay and find it more peaceful and actually calmer than the family beaches. When low tide rolls in, you can actually walk pretty far out to the sand bars and sit and relax. Love it!!

 

[OKW Lover]

I've read various places that Serenity Bay is a little rougher-around-the-edges than the family beach area, meaning more wildlife in the water, less grooming, etc...
While if I was going to spend 95% of my time laying on a hammock, this might be the spot. However, I plan to swim (weather permitting) and am not sure if Serenity Bay will be for me....

Never noticed a difference at Serenity Bay in the grooming or the wildlife. There is a potential downside though depending on which way the wind is blowing when you visit. On more than one trip (usually in the late fall or winter months) I've ridden the tram out to SB only to find that the wind direction was coming off the water and it was making it a bit too cool for my liking.

 

[MichiganDVC]

These are all good things to hear about Serenity!! Thanks! I had heard that there were sharks swimming out there...

(Probably not "Jaws"-type sharks, but nonetheless)

 

[RweTHEREyet]

There is also an adults only buffet at Serenity, includes steaks. Much more peaceful dining.

 

[vahousewife]

And was surprised to see the tide so far out but it was still awesome and so quiet

 

[tweis]

These are all good things to hear about Serenity!! Thanks! I had heard that there were sharks swimming out there...

(Probably not "Jaws"-type sharks, but nonetheless)

I don't believe the area is protected like the family beach is so there have been sightings of barracudas and such. The beach itself did not seem any rougher than the family beach. The water is crystal clear and during low tide you can walk out for what seems like forever but you can certainly swim once you get deep enough or rent a float and just float around and relax.

 

[Lobofan5]

Go to serenity! Now!

Peaceful, calm, mellow..uncrowded....

Are you still here?

 

[Justacruiser]

My DW and I have done Serenity Bay all but twice. The are is more secluded and has plenty of room for everyone. The water within the first 200 yards is about 4ft hight. So, you are really gonna walk out pretty far to actually swim. A lot of folks put thier chairs in the water and just lounge. Will see schools of little fish and a few other sea critters.

I do like the food they serve at the adult only lunch. They have grilled ribeyes and grilled mahi mahi. Also a lot of fruit and the worlds best chocate chip cookies. Hind, get a cooking, place it on the small plate and allow the sun to hit it while you eat the rest of your lunch! Awesome. Soft serve ice cream station right there also.

The DW and I always walk the treck out and back to Serenity Bay. Works some of the feasting.

 

[the little marla]

Love serenity bay but I think it might have more coral/rocks on the ocean floor than the other areas, I remember cutting open my toe the last time we went there but on our previous trip we had a cabana and the floor there was perfect

 

[disdel]

Love serenity bay but I think it might have more coral/rocks on the ocean floor than the other areas, I remember cutting open my toe the last time we went there but on our previous trip we had a cabana and the floor there was perfect

There is a small section of the ocean floor that does have some coral and rock, but if you go about another 25 yards away from the entry end, it's all sandy. Usually gin-clear water. Quiet. Konk Koolers delivered.
I'm heading there now . . . . . . . . . (in my mind,)

That's the PRO's. If you want activity, hit the family beach, but you can do that WITH your younger child. Serenity Bay is off-limits to you then, so try it out while you can!

 

[Luv2Diz]

My DW and I have done Serenity Bay all but twice. The are is more secluded and has plenty of room for everyone. The water within the first 200 yards is about 4ft hight. So, you are really gonna walk out pretty far to actually swim. A lot of folks put thier chairs in the water and just lounge. Will see schools of little fish and a few other sea critters.

I do like the food they serve at the adult only lunch. They have grilled ribeyes and grilled mahi mahi. Also a lot of fruit and the worlds best chocate chip cookies. Hind, get a cooking, place it on the small plate and allow the sun to hit it while you eat the rest of your lunch! Awesome. Soft serve ice cream station right there also.

The DW and I always walk the treck out and back to Serenity Bay. Works some of the feasting.

This all sounds great.....we cannot wait! This will be our first visit to CC. You're on our cruise so we'll probably see you there!

 

[NurseDave]

Good reminders. Going without the kids next month, we'll head down there and see if it's warm.

 

[MichiganDVC]

Just to clarify, there are barracudas and sharks at Serenity Bay, but people still feel safe going out to swim? If so, I'm fine with it too. Just don't want to be the only jerk out there with Barracuda's circling...

 

[tweis]

Just to clarify, there are barracudas and sharks at Serenity Bay, but people still feel safe going out to swim? If so, I'm fine with it too. Just don't want to be the only jerk out there with Barracuda's circling...

Yes, there is a barracuda that is at Serenity Bay pretty regularly. I did not see anything on my trip there last June but there are even youtube videos out there of the barracuda. The family beach is protected whereas Serenity Bay is just like any other beach.

 

[Beesmom]

Just to clarify, there are barracudas and sharks at Serenity Bay, but people still feel safe going out to swim? If so, I'm fine with it too. Just don't want to be the only jerk out there with Barracuda's circling...

Barracudas have a nasty reputation and it's unearned. Sure they look mean with those teeth, but I've encounered plenty of them while snorkeling and they don't do much of anything except hang around in their territory. The only time I've seen one get aggressive it chased off a reef shark that had entered into its territory (this was in St. John). It went right back to cruising around once the shark left.

Leave sea critters alone and they will leave you alone.

-Sandy (far more worried about mustard coral, jellyfish, and sea urchins than sharks and barracudas)

 

[Donna M]

We started out at the family beach but headed over to the adult beach when we got tired of sand being kicked up by kids running by us.

Serenity Bay was great, especially when it started to rain, everyone left. We sat under our umbrella with towels covering our legs while we read. The sun came out again and we had the beach to ourselves, the tram too when we had to leave.

We'll be checking out the new water slides before heading to Serenity Bay next month. Can't wait1