Sand Dollars on Castaway Cay?

[Ashkins]

We are sailing in less then a week and I was wondering... Are there sand dollars washed up on shore at CC?? And if there are can we bring them home?


I have seen a few threads about leaving the beach as you find it ect. I wouldn't go into the water and get one but just one that was already washed up on shore.

Hmm am I making any sense? lol

Thank you in advance

 

[Lisa F]

Yes there are sand dollars, but no, you are not permitted to take them home. The same goes for nice rocks, shells, etc. It's fine for kids to make a game of hunting and collecting them but if everyone takes them home, there will be nothing left for other people to enjoy. I saw lots of kids collecting who then later scattered them back around the beach before leaving.

Lisa

 

[beachgirls]

Not even 1??? I'd love to have a sanddollar from there! And in Oklahoma you don't see such things ever unless they are store bought.

 

[prymsu]

Last January when we were that, it was pretty clear that it was not acceptable to take anything - not even one thing - from CC. I think it is even posted on the beach.

 

[beachgirls]

Thanks for the info - I surely understand that even if everyone just took 1 then there wouldn't be any for the future cruisers. But, I'm still looking to go and hunt them even if I have to leave them. It'll be an experience. Thanks for the info.

 

[tiggere]

"take only pictures, leave only footprints". Is that how their moto goes at Castaway Cay? Something like that. You can get away with it I'm sure but how EMBARRASSING if they caught you "stealing" from that lovely island! I saw someone at disembarking having to fess up about their seashells from Castaway Cay. Too late to take them back to the beach but they got really nervous at customs and told all. It was funny.

BTW, sand dollars that "wash up" (dead) are usually broken. The whole ones (alive) are in the sand in the water, stink like crazy. They are dark colored. You have to boil and bleach them. (Unless the bahamas ones are different than ours here in NC!)

 

[beachgirls]

Well that's what I'm going to do - I certainly don't want to be questioned at all - I'd be toooooooo embarrassed myself. Pictures will do great for me! I specially don't want anything stinking up in my luggage, etc. Thanks!

 

[Lisa F]

You can get an underwater camera and take some great pictures of things... When we were on CC there was this huge and fabulous starfish. I heard people talking about it and spent a couple of hours looking for it. When I finally found it, what a thrill! I took lots of pictures but left it put for the next people to be able to find it.

Lisa

 

[beachgirls]

Yeah - that is certainly the best way to go about it - I'm planning on taking one of those disposable underwater cameras. Did you pictures turn out okay - is one brand better than the other?

 

[kritters4]

I don't think it would hurt to take a shell home..I'm not talking about a "special shell" or starfish. There were SO many tiny little white shells when we were there in May, I really don't think it would hurt a bit. Gosh people..ease up!!

 

[CarolAnnC]

kritters4, it is NOT ok to take even one small shell. That is clearly posted by Disney Cruise Line on Castaway Cay which is their private island.

With upwards of 8,000 people visiting Castaway Cay weekly, it would be stripped bare if they were to allow "souvenirs" to be taken from the natural habitat.

 

[Newmexikid]

I'm with kritters; I suppose I didn't read the fine print about Castaway Cay. My son had fun collecting little shells and parts of little shells on the beach. It entertained him for about 2 hours straight. We took some home and didn't know that we couldn't. Oh, well...I'll know better next time. I don't remember reading anything in the literature about it or in the Navigators, but I must have missed it. We were on the 4/28 Magic. Great time had by all.

 

[atigeg]

I have noticed that Disney is not as diligent about "reminding" people not to take things from CC, but personally I wish that they would be. I am with the other "party poopers"...although it might seem harmless to take a few little shells, I agree heartily with CarolAnnK that the island would quickly become a desolate place if every person had that attitude!! Please preserve your memories with a camera and leave that paradise intact for those who come after you to enjoy.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[JLSE50]

On our 2000 Disney MAGIC Eastern Caribbean cruise we took Kodak and a Fuji underwater cameras. That way we each had a camera and knew whose pictures were whose. Once we got them home and into the scrapbook we could not tell which came from which camera. Good quality from both.

Jan

 

[Ashkins]

Thank you all for your replies.

I collect sand dollars that is the reason I asked. I will not disturb Castaway Cay... What I might do is collect them... swim them out and release them so they can wash ashore again for the next sailors to see.

There is nothing like an early morning walk on the beach looking for sand dollars or any other type shell.


We leave tomorrow after lunch (with the inlaws) on our 2 day drive to the port. We are hoping to arrive Thursday.. spend the night walk around Cocoa Beach friday will we meet my family Friday afternoon.

Cya in about 10 days.

 

[beachgirls]

JLSE50

Thanks for the imput on the underwater cameras - I've got them on my list of things to take. Appreciate it.