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What is MSC Ocean Cay really like? That is something I had always wondered as an avid cruiser.

So, when I had the chance to visit the island as part of a preview sailing onboard the new MSC World America, I, of course, had to jump on the opportunity.

We got to experience all that the island has to offer over the course of an overnight call on April 10-11, 2025, and found plenty to do for adults and families alike, while also reconnecting with nature and developing a new appreciation for marine life.

From the MSC Foundation’s new educational conservation center to water sports and an array of kid-friendly fun, there is something for everyone on the Bahamian island.

Where is MSC Ocean Cay?

Ocean Cay is the private island and marine reserve in the Bahamas that is owned and operated by MSC Cruises.

It’s located about 20 miles south of Bimini, and per announcements made by MSC World America Captain Dino Sagani during our mini cruise, is only 69 miles from Florida’s PortMiami – which is the new vessel’s first and current homeport.

At this distance, modern MSC cruise ships can make the trip from Miami to the Ocean Cay Marine Reserve in just two to three hours.

How Big is the Private Destination?

MSC Ocean Cay is about 95 acres, or 38.5 hectares in size, and has approximately 1.5 miles of pristine beachfront for MSC Cruises guests to enjoy.

For context, it is comparable in size to Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day in CocoCay, which covers 125 acres on the former Little Stirrup Cay in the Berry Island archipelago.

Although this is one of the bigger island developments to be owned and operated by a cruise line, it is still on the smaller side overall and quite walkable.

I was able to walk from the pier to the farthest point on the island in about 20 to 30 minutes – and I did that as I was still recovering from surgery on my right ankle.

There are lots of clear paths and signage, and our route was mostly flat – making the island easy to navigate.

That said, golf cart services and electric tram services are available for those who can’t or would rather not walk.

Transportation services can be found near the pier and at the Welcome Center – with VIP MSC Yacht Club Guests getting their own dedicated golf carts, which they can meet just after exiting the pier.

The History of MSC Ocean Cay

Something that I found fascinating about MSC Ocean Cay is that it is not a natural island. Instead, it is a manmade artificial island that was built by Dillingham Construction of Hawaii via dredging in the late 1960s.

The island was originally a mining site where white Oolitic aragonite sand was sourced for a variety of industrial purposes.

By 2015, Dillingham Construction had abandoned the island and let it fall into a state of decay – but MSC Cruises saw an opportunity.

Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago signed a 100-year lease agreement with the Bahamian government to redevelop the island into a paradise for cruise guests – a project that cost $200 million when all was said and done.

Work officially began in March 2016 – and after a delay caused by the Hurricane Dorian in September 2019 – the island re-opened as an exclusive retreat for MSC guests in December of 2019.

The very first ships to visit included MSC Meraviglia, MSC Seaside, MSC Divina, and MSC Armonia.

As of the end of 2023, the European cruise industry leader announced plans to invest another $100 million to continue to develop the island and establish the MSC Foundation’s Marine Conservation Center.

Conservation and Sustainability

Ocean Cay has always been a marine reserve – making the destination one-of-a-kind compared to private destinations belonging to other cruise lines.

Since its redevelopment, the island has placed particular emphasis on the conservation and restoration of coral reefs and the marine wildlife that live there.

For example, the Super Coral Program is all about understanding and improving coral reef resilience in the Western Atlantic Ocean – and even features a coral nursery.

My visit was particularly exciting, as I was on the island for the official opening of the Marine Conservation Center on April 10, 2025. 

The new, state-of-the art facilities create a welcoming atmosphere where both adults and kids can learn about marine ecosystems in a fun way. Before the end of our visit, I saw knowledgeable staff members interacting with guests, eager to offer information and to educate.

No reservation was required to explore the center, which includes several interactive pavilions, a lecture hall with comfortable seating areas in the shade, and coral exhibition tanks.

Getting On and Off the Cruise Ship

In order to start your day on MSC’s private island, you first have to make your way off your cruise ship – which you’ll be glad to know is quite easy. 

The cruise ships dock right along the pier – meaning no tendering is required – and guests can walk on and off as they please within the time period that they are allowed to be ashore. 

Only one cruise ship typically visits the island per day, which also helps to mitigate crowding and lines on the pier and around the resort. 

The only line I really had to wait in was to go through security to get back on the ship, but this moved quickly. Even with only visiting the cruise line’s private island, all passengers and bags must be screened before re-boarding.

Beaches at MSC Ocean Cay

Did you know the MSC’s exclusive destination is home to several different beaches? It’s true that the island is home to more than five different beaches that each offer a unique vibe and experience.

Indeed, guests can soak in the sun from Sunset Beach, Ocean House Beach, Lighthouse Bay Beach, Paradise Sands Beach, Bimini Beach, and North Beach and South Beach – which come together to create a protected lagoon where guests can snorkel and swim in clear, blue water.

I tried to visit as many of these beaches as I possibly could – and was able to see all of them except for Ocean House Beach, which is reserved for the exclusive use of MSC Yacht Club guests.

My personal favorite beach was Lighthouse Bay Beach because I enjoyed being able to look at both the iconic lighthouse and the cruise ship while wading in the cool water.

After swimming, my husband and I enjoyed getting a drink from the Lighthouse Bar and taking in the sights from the available bean bag chairs as we dried off.

Sunset Beach was also worth visiting – if only because it offers the longest stretch of beach on the island – and Paradise Sands Beach was our favorite option to find a quiet stretch of sand when we wanted to unwind.

The family beach, meanwhile, is called Seakers Family Cove – and is good for families because it has shallower water and extra seating. It was also near the food court and restrooms, which is extra convenient when traveling with little ones.

However, I will say I noticed a lot of seaweed and sea shells in the surf here, which made walking in the waves somewhat painful – more so than at the other beaches. If I am lucky enough to return in the future, I would definitely make sure to pack swim shoes to protect my feet.

Dining on the Island

After working up an appetite in the waves, there are plenty of dining options around the island to tantalize your taste buds – many of which are already included in the cruise fare.

These include the traditional barbecue buffet at the Seakers Food Court near Seakers Cove and four complimentary food trucks.

My husband and I had our lunch at the Seakers food court. While the food wasn’t extraordinary, it was still tasty and offered American classics like burgers, as well as some healthier options, such as salads.

The buffet had two lines that each led to the identical options, which helped prevent long lines from forming. Frankly, I expected the lines to be a lot longer than they were – especially because we didn’t make our way to the food court until more than an hour after it opened.

Crew members also handed out beverages at makeshift bars, which prevented crowding around drink machines (and was more sanitary in my opinion).

We also had no trouble finding somewhere shady to sit and enjoy our meal, so as far as free lunch on a private island goes, we really couldn’t have asked for a better experience. 

Of course, there are also more snacks and drinks around the island that come at an additional price, including refreshments from multiple bars – many of which offer an authentic Bahamian bar experience – a fifth food truck, and the Smiling Fish Ice Cream Parlor.

We made the Smiling Fish soft serve our post-lunch dessert, where the options range from $4 to $9, and thought the ice cream couldn’t be more delicious in the hot Bahamian sun.

Meanwhile, Yacht Club guests also have their own exclusive restaurant, called the Ocean House Restaurant, that offers a more upscale experience.

All About the Lighthouse

Of course, we can’t talk about MSC Ocean Cay without giving the lighthouse a moment in the spotlight – which is arguably the most recognizable landmark on the island.

While the lighthouse itself is wonderful to look at, for an additional fee ($10 if paid in person or $9 if you reserve in advance), you can book an excursion to climb to the top of the lighthouse – an experience that takes around half an hour.

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We tried this out during our visit and loved the 360-degree views from the very top – although I will warn you that this experience is not for those with a fear of heights. Not only is the lighthouse 100 feet tall, but you can see through the grated flooring to the very bottom.

You will also have to climb 165 steps to the top of the lighthouse and then 165 steps back down to the bottom on a spiral staircase (but don’t worry, there is a secure railing to hold onto).

But while this may sound like a lot, you do get to take two breaks on the way up and down – which makes this activity a lot more doable.

During the breaks, your tour guide will also share fun facts about the island and the crew members who actually live there.

For context, I was able to make it to the top safely while recovering from ankle surgery and using a cane – but this is definitely an excursion where you need to know your own limits.

Additional Shore Excursions

Aside from climbing the lighthouse, cruise guests can book a variety of shore excursions through MSC for an additional cost. 

These include experiences like jet skiing tours, a Sunset Champagne Cruise, and a glow paddle boarding adventure in the lagoon at night. 

You can also rent snorkeling gear, paddleboards, inner tubes, wind surfers, and even a kayak. 

And for guests looking for a more relaxed experience, beach cabanas and umbrellas are also available to reserve. 

Late Night Entertainment

As many itineraries that include Ocean Cay allow for late-night all aboard times or overnight calls, late night entertainment is top notch on the island. 

The Lighthouse Bay Beach is often the home to the Luna Libra Beach party and the All White Party – which includes an all white dress code and special performances. Both parties feature music, dancing, and DJs, albeit with different vibes. 

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We personally had fun watching the White Party come to life during our sailing – and enjoyed the dancing, the music, and took note of many great photo opportunities. 

While we are people watchers who preferred to observe from the sidelines, we could tell the other guests loved dressing up to adhere to the all white theme and were having a great time.

Ultimately, our personal favorite night time offering was the Light House show – which lasts for about five minutes and performs two times per night. 

Though it was short and sweet, the musical spectacle was very much worth watching – as the more than 34,000 lights are really stunning when they come to life.

Spa Treatments in Paradise

Speaking of relaxation, spa treatments aren’t just available onboard, but also on the island. The Spa at Ocean Cay offers a variety of treatments, such as cabana massages and eco-friendly skincare, to relax you while you listen to the sounds of the waves and the ocean breeze. 

The northwest corner of the island also has a selection of private bungalows and massage huts that are specifically for the VIP Yacht Club guests. 

But if you’re not able to make an appointment on the island, we did notice that the spa onboard was a lot less busy while everyone was exploring the private destination.

Shopping on the Island

If you’re looking for unique gifts or souvenirs to bring home for yourself or loved ones, you may find just the thing on Ocean Cay.

The resort is home to variety of small, but cute, stores that offer a mixture of authentic Bahamian goods and crafts, as well as MSC branded merchandise. I personally left with two cute T-shirts, which cost me what I felt was a reasonable $40. 

For comparison’s sake, when I visited Disney’s Castaway Cay I bought a single shirt that cost over $50. 

If you are planning to go shopping on the island, make sure to link your credit card to your booking – which you can do through the MSC for Me App – in advance. 

During my visit, the stores were only able to charge my MSC account and could not accept payment via cash or credit card. 

How Was the Wi-Fi?

In our modern age, we of course love to stay connected. But if you’re worried about keeping in touch with your loved ones at home or posting on social media, let me assure you that you shouldn’t have any problems with the internet on the island. 

MSC Ocean Cay actually has its own Wi-Fi hot spot that is separate from the Wi-Fi onboard the ships and works well – but you will need to purchase an internet package to access it. 

I did also have cell service on the island from T-Mobile, and my plan allows me to use my data internationally at no extra charge. That said, always check with your cell service provider before using your data at sea or in the ports of call to avoid a big phone bill. 

How Can You Visit?

If you’d like to visit MSC Ocean Cay Marine Reserve for yourself, all you need to do is book a cruise that includes this port call from MSC Cruises. 

Reservations can be made online, by calling the cruise line, or via a reputable travel agent. 

Currently, MSC offers Ocean Cay-bound sailings from Miami and Port Canaveral in Florida, as well as from New York City (Brooklyn), New York. 

Itineraries are available for every budget – ranging from quick getaways to week-long cruises and extended journeys.

I Spent a Day at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve: Here’s What You Should Know

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