A surprising encounter with a hammerhead shark during a Disney Cruise stopover at Castaway Cay startled guests on Sunday, prompting rapid evacuations from the water after a video capturing the incident was widely shared on TikTok.
Apparent Encounter at Serenity Bay
The incident occurred in an area of the beach where guests were swimming in calm, clear waters when the shark appeared. In the now-circulated TikTok video, frightened vacationers are seen sprinting from the shallow water as the shark’s silhouette looms nearby.
Though shark sightings around Castaway Cay are rare, this event echoes previous anecdotal observations. On a Disney discussion forum, a cruise guest described spotting a hammerhead “about 20 feet off shoreline” in the same area, emphasising that the shark seemed to follow stingrays peacefully without showing aggression.
Castaway Cay Context
Disney’s private island, located near Great Abaco Island in the Bahamas, is a popular port of call for Disney Cruise Line vessels. The island—which spans roughly 1,000 acres with only about 55 acres developed—is known for providing pristine beaches, snorkeling lagoons, and adult and family zones. Serenity Bay, notably, does not have shark nets, unlike Castaway Cay’s family and snorkeling beaches. As a result, encounters with marine wildlife—including nurse sharks and, occasionally, hammerheads—are possible in these open waters.
Hammerhead sharks are known to frequent tropical and subtropical waters. Though most sightings are of nurse sharks or stingrays at Castaway Cay, the presence of a hammerhead—likely a non-aggressive, small adult—appears to align with occasional seasonal marine movements.
Guest Reactions
In response to the video, vacationers expressed surprise and concern at the unexpected wildlife encounter. Others pointed out that prior awareness of occasional shark presence might have prevented some panicked reactions.
Disney Cruise Line’s Castaway Cay is designed with extensive safety measures, including lifeguard coverage and confined swimming areas. However, marine life—often nurse sharks or stingrays—can sometimes be viewed within Serenity Bay due to the absence of shark barriers. Despite the scare, there have been no reported shark attacks on the island.
@01kab14 Hammerhead Shark at Disney’s Castaway Cay on 8/3/25! #disney #castawaycay #cruise #shark
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Bottom Line for Guests & Travelers
- Unexpected sightings are rare but possible, especially at adults-only beaches like Serenity Bay.
- Shark encounters at Castaway Cay are typically harmless, with safety protocols in place and very few recorded incidents over the years.
- Guests are encouraged to remain calm and follow lifeguard or crew instructions if marine life is observed nearby.
While most cruisegoers enjoy tranquil days ashore, this incident serves as a reminder that even idyllic tropical paradises can offer surprise wildlife encounters. Disney Cruise Line continues to operate Castaway Cay with guest safety in mind, alongside a commitment to preserving its natural environment.
