Castaway Cay Snorkeling Questions

[kate27]

I went on my first cruise ever in 2012 on the Disney Magic. It was the first cruise going out of NYC. It was amazing! We loved Castaway Cay and I tried snorkeling for the first time and LOVED it! I can't wait to go again in October 2016 and have a couple questions:

1. In the snorkeling lagoon, where are all of the statues and underwater things Disney has placed? I didn't see any of them. I did enjoy seeing the fish though.

2. Can we snorkel at Serenity Bay? Has anyone done it? Is there anything to see there?

Thanks!
Kate

 

[gumbypee]

1. i havent been yet but i was told it is pretty far out on family beach

2. yes you can snorkel at sereneity bay - no statues, fish and rays mostly (psossible sharks)

 

[ludari]

The last time I snorkeled at the lagoon at Castaway Cay the underwater points of interest such as the statues had white buoy markers.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I went on my first cruise ever in 2012 on the Disney Magic. It was the first cruise going out of NYC. It was amazing! We loved Castaway Cay and I tried snorkeling for the first time and LOVED it! I can't wait to go again in October 2016 and have a couple questions:

1. In the snorkeling lagoon, where are all of the statues and underwater things Disney has placed? I didn't see any of them. I did enjoy seeing the fish though.

2. Can we snorkel at Serenity Bay? Has anyone done it? Is there anything to see there?

Thanks!
Kate

1) There are bouys marking where the items are. They are pretty far out.
2) Yes. It is rougher than at the family beach and it is not netted off so there is the potential of larger marine life.

 

[truck1]

I just came back from the Dream last week, and snorkeld in the lagoon and went to Serenity. Serenity is really shallow and fairly desolate though there are a number of different sea creatures out there. We saw sea cucumbers and a ray among other things.

In the snorkel lagoon there are 2 different color balls. 1 is white the other orange. One marks the beginners course the other the advanced. One is like 1500 feet long the other 2500 I think. It's not as far as you think. It takes maybe 5 minute to get to the first ball. Mickey is next to the mast sticking out of the water by the life guard station, and Minnie is on the other side furthest from the ship. The 20 k sub is about 100 feet from Minnie. There's also other sunken boats subs and other man made rocks and artifacts to attract fish.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

Exactly what truck1 said. They are marked, but they are a good swim from shore-right by the pole where the life guard sits. I swim a few miles a week, so it wasn't a problem for me, but young kids or others if they don't swim well might have an issue. There were only a few fellow snorkelers out there with me in April. If you stick close to shore, you won't see much. Need to head right out to the far boundary line.

 

[amanda ek]

If you are not a strong swimmer (or have kids with you) I would recommend using flippers bc you do have to go way out there to see the statues.

 

[kate27]

Thanks everyone! Yes, I will definitely use flippers again. I think last time I stayed to the left part of the snorkel/family beach area, closer to the ship. Seems like I need to go more to the right to what is labeled "family beach" on the map next time. Thanks again for the info!!

 

[Disneymom56]

This was my first time on Castaway, first time on a cruise, too. I am not a good swimmer, but was able to find Mickey, Minnie, and ship. Good luck, hope you find them!!!

 

[dcassetta]

If you have an option, I find snorkeling on the Serenity Bay side of the island better when the tide is in. The water is a little bit deeper, you're more likely to see a variety of animal life.

 

[CluelessDisFan]

Looking forward to snorkeling, it will be my first time. Do most take their own snorkeling gear or is it more efficient to rent it at CC? What is the cost?

 

[Quellman]

If you have an option, I find snorkeling on the Serenity Bay side of the island better when the tide is in. The water is a little bit deeper, you're more likely to see a variety of animal life.

Seems like the tide is always out when I am there. I feel like I can walk to the next island.

 

[gumbypee]

Looking forward to snorkeling, it will be my first time. Do most take their own snorkeling gear or is it more efficient to rent it at CC? What is the cost?

i believe it costs $29 to rent snorkel, $10 for bike, $10 for floaty OR $39 for all three

 

[DizneyNutz]

I went on my first cruise ever in 2012 on the Disney Magic. It was the first cruise going out of NYC. It was amazing! We loved Castaway Cay and I tried snorkeling for the first time and LOVED it! I can't wait to go again in October 2016 and have a couple questions:

1. In the snorkeling lagoon, where are all of the statues and underwater things Disney has placed? I didn't see any of them. I did enjoy seeing the fish though.

2. Can we snorkel at Serenity Bay? Has anyone done it? Is there anything to see there?

Thanks!
Kate

As others have stated you can snorkel at Serenity but it is often shallow. Our last visit this past May I spotted two different Rays (One fairly large), Sand Dollars, There is a white buoy right before the sandbar where fish congregate and it must have been breeding season for Conchs because I found a group of about 40 in the deeper water between the sandbar and the beach.

Seems like the tide is always out when I am there. I feel like I can walk to the next island.

This is our experience as well. We have been on the island 4 times and could see the sandbar every time.

 

[kate27]

Yes, I believe in 2012 I paid $25 to rent flippers, mask and vest. I booked it ahead of time as an "excursion" to make sure they didn't run out. Totally worth it in my opinion. I don't own these items already and who wants to waste all the space in luggage? I think they let you use a vest for free if you already have your own flippers and mask if I'm not mistaken. I thought I read that from others.

 

[CluelessDisFan]

Yes, I believe in 2012 I paid $25 to rent flippers, mask and vest. I booked it ahead of time as an "excursion" to make sure they didn't run out. Totally worth it in my opinion. I don't own these items already and who wants to waste all the space in luggage? I think they let you use a vest for free if you already have your own flippers and mask if I'm not mistaken. I thought I read that from others.

I can always make room in my luggage! Or ship it for all of us a lot cheaper than $30 each. It's the end of season up here, I bet I can find some great deals, CHALLENGED ACCEPTED! lol

 

[gumbypee]

Yes, I believe in 2012 I paid $25 to rent flippers, mask and vest. I booked it ahead of time as an "excursion" to make sure they didn't run out. Totally worth it in my opinion. I don't own these items already and who wants to waste all the space in luggage? I think they let you use a vest for free if you already have your own flippers and mask if I'm not mistaken. I thought I read that from others.

I also have read (but not experienced) vests are required and therefore free for use.

 

[truck1]

Looking forward to snorkeling, it will be my first time. Do most take their own snorkeling gear or is it more efficient to rent it at CC? What is the cost?

It depends on a few factors. First is how are you getting to the ship? Are you flying in which case weight and size limits may come into play.
Are you only snorkeling once in a great while or all the time?
If it's once in a while, I would probably rent. If you think that you may do it more often then purchasing a mask and fun set that fits comfortably may be the better option.
If you decide to rent, make sure that the mask and fins fit comfortably. If they don't, don't be afraid to ask for another set until you are comfortable.

 

[truck1]

I also have read (but not experienced) vests are required and therefore free for use.

Yes. This is true. The only exception is if you bring your own vest.

 

[TheKVictor]

Just a quick clarification/confirmation on the snorkel vests, if I may?

We are planning to bring our own snorkel gear, but NOT vests. Will they provide vests (adult and child) for free on Castaway Cay? Thanks!