Castaway Bay: A Tropical Getaway in the Heart of Ohio

We recently took a little two hour jaunt up to Castaway Bay, the tropical getaway that you need to take your family ASAP! It is a tropical Caribbean oasis right in the heart of Ohio and right down the road from Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio.

This post was sponsored by Ohio, The Heart of it All and Castaway Bay. All thoughts and images are our own, unless otherwise noted.

Splash into Fun at the Waterpark

Their indoor waterpark is the real deal, boasting a five-story sprayground, a colossal tipping bucket, and Northern Ohio’s exclusive water coaster, Rocket’s Canopy Coaster. From the 100,000-gallon Castawave Pool to Fernando’s Tadpole Pool, there’s a watery wonderland for every age.

Olivia could have spent all day in the wave pool! It was the perfect amount of strength of waves for her to have fun and get up again and again. Finn loved the Tadpole pool where there are two perfect toddler sized slides for kiddos (and adults!) to enjoy.

FYI they do have towels and life vests inside the waterpark so if you forget those, don’t you fret. There is also a water bottle filling station inside the water park which was great!

A Home Away From Home

Castaway Bay boasts 237 inviting hotel rooms and suites with a variety of options including family-friendly bunk bed setups! There are porthole windows, some with bay views and amenities like flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi.

There are four floors of rooms with three themes. We stayed in the “underwater” theme which was adorable. There are also “land” and “air” themed floors and rooms featuring decor representing the Caribbean environment.

Entertainment Extravaganza: From Morning Yoga to Nighttime Dance Parties!

Gordy and friends are your companions throughout the day. Join morning yoga, have breakfast at the High Tide Cafe with characters strolling around, attend the Bon Voyage Party, and groove at the nighttime dance party. Club Castaway has free activities galore, from FloGo to the digital aquarium and artsy adventures in Fernando’s craft room.

Since we were there for Castaway Christmas, all of their activities were holiday themed! When you check-in, you are given an itinerary for each day you’re there. It lists everything happening whether it’s meeting Santa (!), craft time like making ornaments, merry-oke (aka holiday karaoke), and so much more. There is something to do every hour if you need a break from the waterpark!

You Never Have to Leave Castaway Bay

Since we were there during December, I loved that everything was in one big resort building. It made everything super convenient to grabbing food or wandering to activities or visiting the arcade. There are plenty of meal options for your whole stay! You can grab dinner from Quaker Steak & Lube, enjoy the breakfast buffet at High Tide Cafe, coffee and pastries from Rocket’s Market, ice cream from Sprinkle Shack, or pizza from the Surfside Beach Bar.

All the activities happen inside the resort and generally in the main center by their ship, Hope! But, you’ll definitely find interactive spots around the resort as you make your way back to your room. If you are here during opening season, you can leave the resort to head to Cedar Point! Just note, it is not walkable to the park but just a few minutes away.

Games Galore For the Whole Crew

In addition to the waterpark and the activities included in your stay at Castaway Bay, there is an arcade and other fun games! The arcade features kiddo favorites like claw machines, a mini carousel, skee-ball, and more that they can win tickets at and then turn in for prizes.

Additionally, there is mini bowling, an escape room, and glow in the dark mini golf! These activities are not free but they do offer some deals for your weekend stay so you can have even more fun with your family.

Our Unforgettable Moments at Castaway Bay

The entire weekend was a BLAST but here are a few of our favorite parts of our visit to Castaway Bay.

1. Waterpark Delights: The pizza and cheesy garlic bread inside the waterpark are a must-try! They’ve also got soft pretzels, ice cream, some boozy drinks for the adults, and colorful icees. Perfect to satisfy every craving.
2. Arcade Bliss: We had a blast at the 6,000-square-foot arcade, with $50 giving us nearly an hour of playtime between activities. It’s a gaming haven for sure! Finny even won a little toad stuffy on his first try.
3. Crafty Christmas: Fernando’s craft room during the festive season stole the show. Crafting Christmas ornaments added a personalized touch to our holiday spirit. We love crafts in this household so these were some fun mementos to bring home.
4. Pathfinder Pouch Adventures: The Pathfinder Pouch kept the kids engaged with fun activities. But the real star? Discovering the “doors” of each Castaway Bay friend throughout the resort—a treasure hunt for the ages.
5. Sweet Treats and Savory Feasts: Flavorburst ice cream at the Sprinkle Shack, the ice cream shop, was a highlight. And for a delightful dinner, grabbing Quaker Steak and Lube, conveniently located within the resort, was a game-changer.

If you’re dreaming of a tropical escape right here in our home state of Ohio, Castaway Bay is where the adventure begins! Pack your bags, and let the good times roll!