In 'The Cay', the setting is a tiny island in the Caribbean. The island is isolated, far from any major landmasses. The sea around it is both a source of life, as it might provide fish for food, and a constant threat, with the possibility of strong currents and dangerous waves. The climate is tropical, so there's heat and the occasional torrential rain. During World War II, this isolation becomes even more extreme as ships are busy with the war and rescue is not easy to come by.
The setting of 'The Cay' is mainly on a small, uninhabited cay in the Caribbean during World War II. The cay is a desolate place with sandy beaches, some scrubby vegetation, and is surrounded by the vast ocean. It's a place full of natural elements like the sun, wind, and sea, which both pose challenges and provide resources for the main characters, Philip and Timothy.