MSC Cruises’ new private island destination takes shape
Sandy Cay Sandy Cay is a private island that is MSC is building for its passengers
Attention cruise lovers: there’s a new private island coming soon to Caribbean cruises.
MSC Group’s Cruise Division held a groundbreaking ceremony for Sandy Cay, a new private island destination in the Bahamas. Construction and site works are currently underway adjacent to the Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
Sandy Cay Sandy Cay is a private island that is MSC is building for its passengers
First announced in April 2026, Sandy Cay is being developed exclusively for guests traveling with MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys. The island project is designed to offer a secluded, wellness-focused retreat to complement the existing Ocean Cay destination.
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Attendees at the ceremony included Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Group’s Cruise Division and Philip Davis, prime minister of the Bahamas, alongside company representatives and government officials.
The new island destination will feature dining venues, private retreats, wellness amenities and spaces for relaxation. The development is designed to give guests access to the surrounding beach and marine environment while complementing the neighboring marine reserve.
Sandy Cay Sandy Cay is a private island that is MSC is building for its passengers
Alongside the development of Sandy Cay, MSC Group is updating the adjacent Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. Planned additions for Ocean Cay include new dining options, beach concepts designed for both families and adults, expanded relaxation areas and educational experiences focused on marine conservation.
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Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve - MSC Seashore Today, we're taking an escape to a private island paradise! (Conrad Schutt)
Beaches at Ocean Cay Look at that! (AP Images)
Beaches at Ocean Cay How would you like to spend some quality time here? (AP Images)
Lighthouse at Ocean Cay Are you ready? (AP Images)
Ocean Cay Marine Reserve Grab a drink... (Nelson Hicks)
Ocean Cay Marine Reserve as we take a ride around... (Nelson Hicks)
Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve Ocean Cay is MSC Cruises' private island in the Bahamas. (AP Images)
Ocean Cay Marine Reserve Just 60 nautical miles from the Florida coast sits a private island that offers snorkeling with marine life, treks to the top of a lighthouse, paddleboarding, massages, dance parties, a lighthouse light show, beaches, and plenty of fun. (Nelson Hicks)
Ocean Cay Marine Reserve Ocean Cay is a marine reserve in the Bahamas, a 100-acre island surrounded by a 64-square-mile marine reserve. (Nelson Hicks)
Ocean Cay before Ocean Cay is a former industrial sand extraction site, and turning this former industrial site into a vacation destination was no small task. More than 7,000 tons of scrap metal had to be removed, 75,000 plants and shrubs had to be planted, and another 5,000 trees and palms were added. MSC spent nearly a decade working on the island before opening it to guests. In 2015, the company leased it from the Bahamian government for 100 years.
Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve How do you get there? There’s only one way—aboard an MSC cruise. Ocean Cay is MSC’s private island. Nearly all of the company’s cruises from Florida, whether from Port Canaveral or Miami, make an extended stop at Ocean Cay for the cruise line’s guests to enjoy all that this marine reserve offers. On many sailings, trips that include a stop at Ocean Cay are less than $100 per night and include food, entertainment and more, in addition to your cabin. (AP Images)
Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve One of the top priorities for this private island paradise is sustainable tourism—offering guests a unique experience while benefiting the environment. MSC offers plenty of opportunities for guests to interact with nature while experiencing the sheer beauty of this island getaway. That can happen through snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, taking a float, or just touring the island by foot. (Michel Verdure)
Beaches at Ocean Cay In addition, MSC has undertaken a massive Super Coral Project, aiming to help replenish the waters around the Bahamas with coral that thrives in rising ocean temperatures. This project allows Ocean Cay to serve as a hub for marine biologists to conduct scientific research, with the vision of sharing findings with researchers globally to help repopulate the world’s oceans. (AP Images)
Ocean Cay While the company has visions of aiding oceans globally with its research, it doesn’t take much research to know that guests love to have fun and relax on vacation.
Beaches at Ocean Cay That’s an easy mission to accomplish on Ocean Cay. With many of the cruise line’s cruises spending the night at Ocean Cay, guests will have ample opportunity to relax on the beach by day and party it up on the beach at night. (AP Images)
Beaches at Ocean Cay What is there to do at Ocean Cay? Here are 5 things to enjoy on a private island visit. (AP Images)
Beaches at Ocean Cay A Day at the Beach: Ocean Cay offers 8 different beaches, each with its unique charm. Hang near the ship at Lighthouse Bay to enjoy a day filled with activities, energy, and fun. It’s right next to the ship’s dock and stays busy. Head to South Beach, a lagoon-facing beach featuring calmer waters, perfect for family time. Sunset Beach, the island’s longest, offers a great spot to catch some rays or take a walk. Guests can make the trek to Bimini Beach, on the opposite side of the island from the ship, offering a peaceful and relaxing beach day where beachgoers might wake up from a nap and find they have the beach to themselves. (AP Images)
Things to do at Ocean Cay Snorkeling and Water Adventures: Throw on a snorkel mask and head into the waters surrounding Ocean Cay. Explore a vibrant underwater world with various fish, sea turtles, coral, and more. After a snorkeling adventure, climb aboard a kayak, or paddleboard, or take control of a jet ski for a thrilling watersports outing. (AP Images)
Lighthouse at Ocean Cay Experience the Lighthouse: Yes, there’s a lighthouse on Ocean Cay, but this isn’t your ordinary lighthouse. Climb 165 steps to enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of both Ocean Cay and its surrounding waters. If the thought of climbing stairs is no vacation at all, pull up a chair at the lighthouse bar next to it and enjoy your views. What makes the lighthouse on Ocean Cay unique? It’s a multimedia lighthouse, covered in 14,000 LED lights that can withstand the weather. When day turns to night, push the power button, and a one-of-a-kind light show ensues. There’s a street parade and dance party on the beach at night too. (Conrad Schutt)
Things to do at Ocean Cay Snorkeling and Water Adventures: Throw on a snorkel mask and head into the waters surrounding Ocean Cay. Explore a vibrant underwater world with various fish, sea turtles, coral, and more. After a snorkeling adventure, climb aboard a kayak, or paddleboard, or take control of a jet ski for a thrilling watersports outing. (Michel Verdure)
Things to do at Ocean Cay Snorkeling and Water Adventures: Throw on a snorkel mask and head into the waters surrounding Ocean Cay. Explore a vibrant underwater world with various fish, sea turtles, coral, and more. After a snorkeling adventure, climb aboard a kayak, or paddleboard, or take control of a jet ski for a thrilling watersports outing. (Gary James)
Ocean Cay Marine Reserve Watch the Sunset: When was the last time you watched the sunset? You have time for that on a trip to Ocean Cay. Grab a seat, maybe a drink or two, and watch as the sun marks the end of another day of vacation. If your world is filled with constant craziness, this will surely provide a welcome opportunity to slow down. If you’re game and only had a drink or two (not five or six), wake up early the next morning and enjoy a sunrise too. There is truly something indescribable about watching the sun rise and fall over the ocean waters. (Nelson Hicks)
Spa at Ocean Cay A Day to Do You: Do you enjoy exercising? Skip the treadmill and take a jog around this private island paradise. Are you an adventurer? Explore the island by foot and see what interesting finds you make. Like being pampered on vacation? Get a massage on the beach. Does your perfect vacation include a piña colada? Set up shop at one of the island’s many bars. Your days at home are packed with things to do and people to see. Some vacations are planned to a T, with activities from sunup to sundown and then some. A trip to MSC’s Ocean Cay provides a chance to do whatever makes you happy. Enjoy the time away. (Gary James)
Lighthouse at Ocean Cay Check out a cruise aboard MSC to experience the private island paradise that is Ocean Cay. (AP Images)
Things to do at Ocean Cay Bahamas, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (Conrad Schutt)
Ocean Cay Conservation Center Pierfrancesco Vago, Chair of the Executive Committee and Board Member, MSC Foundation, welcomes attendees to the ground-breaking of the Marine Conservation Center at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, MSC Cruises’ private island in The Bahamas on November 18, 2021.(James McEntee/AP Images for MSC Cruises) (James McEntee)
Ocean Cay Conservation Center The Hon. Philip Edward Davis, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, and Pierfrancesco Vago, Chair of the Executive Committee and Board Member, MSC Foundation, at the ground-breaking of the Marine Conservation Center at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, MSC Cruises’ private island in The Bahamas on November 18, 2021. (James McEntee/AP Images for MSC Cruises)
Yacht Club at Ocean Cay Bahamas, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (Michel Verdure)
Yacht Club at Ocean Cay Bahamas, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (Michel Verdure)
Yacht Club at Ocean Cay Bahamas, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (Michel Verdure)
Yacht Club at Ocean Cay Bahamas, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve - Cabana for MSC Yacht Club guests only
Yacht Club at Ocean Cay Bahamas, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (Michel Verdure)
Places to grab drink, food on Ocean Cay Bahamas, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (Michel Verdure)
Places to grab drink, food on Ocean Cay Bahamas, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (Michel Verdure)
Places to grab drink, food on Ocean Cay Bahamas, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (Michel Verdure)
Places to grab drink, food on Ocean Cay Bahamas, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (Michel Verdure)
