Bahamas
Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Bahamas
Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve: MSC's Private Island in the Bahamas
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What to Expect
MSC ships tie up at the island's own pier, so nobody needs a tender, and in April 2025 typically only one ship called each day. Ocean Cay is in the Bimini district of the Bahamas, about 20 miles south of Bimini.
- Everyone and every bag is screened before reboarding, even here, so leave time for the line at the end of the day.
- Some itineraries stay into the evening or overnight, so check your ship's times for the day.
Ocean Cay on Your Own
Ocean Cay needs little planning: on a visit in April 2025, the island was mostly flat and signposted, and the far end was about 20 to 30 minutes on foot from the pier. Pick a beach, have lunch, and walk back with time to spare for the security check.
- Choosing a beach: Sunset Beach is the longest stretch of sand, and the lagoon between North Beach and South Beach is sheltered for swimming and snorkeling.
- Lunch: On that visit, the barbecue buffet at the Seakers Food Court and four food trucks were included in the cruise fare. Check before you go.
- The Marine Conservation Center: Opened in April 2025, it has interactive pavilions, a shaded lecture area and tanks of coral.
- On the water: Snorkeling gear, paddleboards, inner tubes and kayaks were for rent in 2025.
- Getting back on time: All-aboard is usually about 30 minutes before sailing, and your ship posts the exact time. Allow for the walk back and the screening line, because the ship will not wait.
Getting Around
The island is small enough to walk, and on a visit in April 2025 the paths were clear and signposted. Golf carts and electric trams ran for anyone who would rather not walk.
- The carts and trams left from near the pier and from the Welcome Center.
- Most routes were flat.
- MSC Yacht Club guests had their own carts, waiting just past the pier.
What to Eat
On a visit in April 2025, lunch at the Seakers Food Court, a barbecue buffet with American staples such as burgers and salads, was included in the cruise fare, and so were four food trucks. Check before you go.
- The bars, a fifth food truck and the Smiling Fish ice cream parlor charged extra.
- MSC Yacht Club guests had their own restaurant, Ocean House.
Tipping and Currency
Tipping is customary in the Bahamas, and the amount depends on the service. Bahamian and US dollars trade one for one, and either is accepted.
- Restaurant and taxi staff are usually tipped about 15 percent, and porters about a dollar a bag.
- Check the bill first, because the gratuity is often already on it.
- Ask on board how payment and gratuities work on the island before you go ashore.
History
Ocean Cay did not exist until the late 1960s, when Dillingham Construction of Hawaii built it by dredging to mine sand. After years of neglect, MSC Cruises leased it and rebuilt it as a private island and marine reserve, which first welcomed guests in December 2019.
- The island was made to mine white oolitic aragonite sand for industry.
- The dredging also cut water deep enough for large ships to come in and load the sand.
- When the mining company left, the island fell into decay.
- In 2015 MSC signed a 100-year lease with the Bahamian government to turn the island into a resort.
- Work began in March 2016. The old mining facilities were removed, and the island and its waters became a marine reserve.
- Hurricane Dorian, in September 2019, delayed the opening.
- To learn more ashore: The Marine Conservation Center, which opened on April 10, 2025, has interactive pavilions and coral tanks.
Traveling with Family
Ocean Cay is an easy day with children, because everything is close and, on a visit in April 2025, lunch was included. A plan by age is mostly about which beach to choose and whether to climb the lighthouse.
- Younger children: Seakers Family Cove has shallow water and extra seating, near the food court and restrooms. Seaweed and shells collected in the surf there in 2025, so pack swim shoes.
- School age: The Marine Conservation Center has hands-on exhibits and coral tanks. The lighthouse climb is 165 steps up and 165 down on a spiral staircase, with two rest stops, and the grated floor lets you see all the way down; it cost extra and took about half an hour.
- Teenagers: The sheltered lagoon between North Beach and South Beach is the place to snorkel, and paddleboards and kayaks were for rent.
- Lifeguards: Each beach has at least one lifeguard on duty when it is open.
- After dark: If your ship stays into the evening, the lighthouse has put on a short light show twice a night.
Accessibility
Because ships dock at the pier, you walk straight ashore without a tender transfer. On a visit in April 2025 the island was mostly flat, with clear paths.
- Golf carts and electric trams carried guests who could not walk the distances. Ask MSC on board whether a wheelchair can travel on them.
- The lighthouse climb is 165 steps up a spiral staircase with a grated floor and two rest stops, and the same 165 steps back down.
Shopping
A few small shops sell Bahamian crafts and MSC merchandise. On a visit in April 2025, the shops charged purchases to the shipboard account only. Check before you go.
- Link a credit card to your booking in the MSC for Me app before the cruise, so you can buy ashore.
Beaches
Ocean Cay has several beaches, and Sunset Beach is the longest stretch of sand. North Beach and South Beach enclose a protected lagoon for swimming and snorkeling.
- Lighthouse Bay Beach looks out on the lighthouse and the ship. Paradise Sands Beach and Bimini Beach are on the island too.
- Ocean House Beach is reserved for MSC Yacht Club guests.
- Cabanas and umbrellas could be reserved in 2025.
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