Snorkeling in Castaway Cay

[baileyfamily]

Before our last cruise, we had heard that there were hidden Disney surprises to find in the snorkeling area at Castaway Cay(we were thinking statues). My son and I searched and searched and never found anything. In fact, we never saw much except one small stingray. Is there anything to actually find? If so, where are they? Can we get a map?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Before our last cruise, we had heard that there were hidden Disney surprises to find in the snorkeling area at Castaway Cay(we were thinking statues). My son and I searched and searched and never found anything. In fact, we never saw much except one small stingray. Is there anything to actually find? If so, where are they? Can we get a map?

From what I understand they are fairly far out in the snorkeling area. And are marked with buoys.

 

[onesam319]

Before our last cruise, we had heard that there were hidden Disney surprises to find in the snorkeling area at Castaway Cay(we were thinking statues). My son and I searched and searched and never found anything. In fact, we never saw much except one small stingray. Is there anything to actually find? If so, where are they? Can we get a map?

We didn't find them either. we snorkeled all around the right side of the beach as you are looking out to sea. I have read other posts that say they are out pretty far. Ask someone when you are there, maybe even a cast member before you leave the ship, and try the left area first. Good luck if you get another chance.

 

[MaleficentRN]

Ask the lifeguards. They can point you in the right direction.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

There are white buoys that mark the spots. They are pretty far out.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

You don't need a map.

The "destinations" you have to get to in the snorkeling are marked with bouies - orange and white. Each has a different thing to see i.e. a Sunken Ship, or Disney Statues (Minnie and Mickey)

Minnie is fairly close to the shore - Mickey is AT LEAST a 15/20 minute swim away - totally worth it

 

[truck1]

Theres 2 sets of buoys. 1 orange and 1 red. Each color denotes the beginners and advanced snorkeling course. But you don't have to follow 1 or the other to see whats down there. Basically the inside perimeter is about 2x size of a Olympic size pool. Maybe a touch bigger.

Depending on which side of the lagoon you enter, will determine what you see first. If you enter from the ship side, under the mast by the lifeguard tower, you will see Mickey. If you follow the buoy trail, with the ropes to your right, you will also see a few different vases that were sunk deliberately and a few other wrecks. When the ropes turn to go back towards the beach, look to your left. You will see 1 orange ball and a white ball fairly close together. Under 1 is the Minnie, and the other is a sub from the 20k ride at Disney. Under the rest of the balls in the lagoon, is other things like diving bells, ship parts anchors etc.

 

[truck1]

I have a picture somewhere of the course, but Ill have to find it

 

[truck1]

The mast is where 1 of the 2 statues are. You can see its not that far off the beach. Most of getting there is in waist deep water.



This one you can see some of the orange balls in. This is the opposite side of where the mast is.

 

[baileyfamily]

Thank you so much! I'm glad I wasn't just dreaming up the whole sunken statues thing. I guess we just didn't know where to look. We're going next weekend, so hopefully we'll find them this time!

 

[CesD]

We've only seen the ship parts, not the characters. I felt like it was a far swim, especially when you are trying to take kids out with you. My kids are good swimmers and it felt hard

 

[ladyofthetramp]

The swim we found was far out for our kids when they were young. It is worthwhile. Look for the buoys. They mark the statues. I usually swim right out to the farthest boundary to see the best fish. Most folks don't go out that far, so it is quiet. Fish tend to hang around.

 

[buzzrelly]

Love the pictures! Thanks for posting those. I am interested in doing this with my kids, but honestly, I am worried about my swimming abilities! They are both better swimmers than I am (they are on the swim team), and I am not certain I could swim more than one lap. Is there a place to grab onto and rest once you get out there or do you have to swim constantly or tread water? Thanks!

 

[ladyofthetramp]

There is no place to hold on and it is deep- you can not touch bottom. You do have your snorkeling vest which will help you float depending on how much you inflate it. I consider myself a strong swimmer, but a cautious one. I will not take risks around the water. The area is guarded, but things can happen and be missed. Use your best judgement when you see the buoys if it is a swimming distance- there and back, that you are comfortable with doing. Just know on the way back you will be more tired than on the way out. I remember one of our kids got tired and they rode on my back all the way to shore. Exhausting!

 

[buzzrelly]

There is no place to hold on and it is deep- you can not touch bottom. You do have your snorkeling vest which will help you float depending on how much you inflate it. I consider myself a strong swimmer, but a cautious one. I will not take risks around the water. The area is guarded, but things can happen and be missed. Use your best judgement when you see the buoys if it is a swimming distance- there and back, that you are comfortable with doing. Just know on the way back you will be more tired than on the way out. I remember one of our kids got tired and they rode on my back all the way to shore. Exhausting![/QUOTE

As much as I'd love to see it, I may have to skip it. Unless my son lets me hang onto him! Haha!

 

[tltay2005]

Love the pictures! Thanks for posting those. I am interested in doing this with my kids, but honestly, I am worried about my swimming abilities! They are both better swimmers than I am (they are on the swim team), and I am not certain I could swim more than one lap. Is there a place to grab onto and rest once you get out there or do you have to swim constantly or tread water? Thanks!

Just inflate your vest (which you have to wear) roll over and float for a while to take a break, that's what I did. When you are ready, deflate and swim on!

 

[truck1]

Thank you so much! I'm glad I wasn't just dreaming up the whole sunken statues thing. I guess we just didn't know where to look. We're going next weekend, so hopefully we'll find them this time!

Welcome. Theres tons of stuff on the bottom. Before you get in , ask the lifeguard where the statues and the sub is. That's gives you a general idea on which way to go. Then follow the balls from 1 area to the next. Each ball has something different under it.

 

[truck1]

Love the pictures! Thanks for posting those. I am interested in doing this with my kids, but honestly, I am worried about my swimming abilities! They are both better swimmers than I am (they are on the swim team), and I am not certain I could swim more than one lap. Is there a place to grab onto and rest once you get out there or do you have to swim constantly or tread water? Thanks!

Thank you.

If you start to get tired, inflate your vest and take a break. Deflate it before you put your face back in the water. 2nd, work with the current. Ask which wat the current is running, and use it to push you thru the lagoon. Don't fight it. It will win.

 

[truck1]

As much as I'd love to see it, I may have to skip it. Unless my son lets me hang onto him! Haha!

Use the vest to rest. Inflate it and float on your back for a few minutes until you are ready to go. And don't put too much air in it when you start. Youll be fighting the vest the whole time.

 

[truck1]

We've only seen the ship parts, not the characters. I felt like it was a far swim, especially when you are trying to take kids out with you. My kids are good swimmers and it felt hard

Its not that far out. If you start at the side that is closest to the ship, the first statue, you can walk about 1/2 the distance. Same thing if you enter from the far side near the 2nd beach. Except its about 1/4 of the way. Going from 1 to the other, theres probably 6 or 8 balls in between maybe 50 yards apart.