Whether you should rent or bring your own snorkeling gear to Castaway Cay or Lookout Cay depends on convenience, cost, and how flexible you want to be on port day. Disney offers snorkeling rentals on both islands, but there are a few important things to know before deciding.
Snorkel pricing
Snorkel rentals currently cost $44 for guests age 10 and up and $24 for children ages 5 to 9. The rental includes snorkel, mask, fins, life vest and access to the snorkeling area. Even if you bring your own snorkel gear to save money, Disney still requires everyone snorkeling to wear a yellow flotation vest. The good news is that the vest is provided for free whether you rent gear or not.
If you plan to rent gear, it is best to do so on the island rather than pre paying in the app. Weather conditions can change quickly, and if snorkeling is canceled due to rough seas, refunds for pre paid rentals are not always guaranteed. Renting day of gives you more flexibility if conditions are not ideal.
At Lookout Cay, snorkeling conditions can be more dependent on the weather. Lifeguards will not allow snorkeling if the waves are too large or rough, even if you already have gear. Castaway Cay is much more protected, which generally makes snorkeling easier and more consistent, especially for kids and first timers.
What age to snorkel on a Disney cruise?
There is some confusion online about age limits. Disney officially lists snorkeling as available for guests age five and up at both Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay, but some guests have reported stricter enforcement at Castaway Cay during certain sailings. Regardless of age, children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult age 18 or older while snorkeling.
If you decide to rent gear on the island, head to Gil’s Fins and Boats and Flippers and Floats, to rent the gear.
Snorkeling and Eye Glasses
One last thing to keep in mind is vision. If you normally wear glasses, you will need to use contact lenses while snorkeling unless you bring a prescription mask. Standard snorkel masks cannot be worn over glasses.
For most families, renting on the island is the easiest option, especially for first time snorkelers. If you snorkel frequently, want to save money across multiple family members, or prefer familiar equipment, bringing your own gear can make sense.
