Ocean Cay: MSC Cruises Private Island Guide - Map, Menus, Beaches, & Info
What Is Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve?
Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve is MSC Cruises’ private island in the Bahamas, located in the Bimini chain approximately 65 miles east of Miami. The island spans more than 95 acres and serves as an exclusive destination for MSC Cruises guests sailing Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries. Ocean Cay features white sand beaches, shallow turquoise waters, walking trails, dining venues, bars, and dedicated activity areas spread across the island.
Ocean Cay © Freestyle Travelers
The island was formerly used as a sand extraction site before being redeveloped by MSC Cruises into a cruise destination focused on environmental restoration. MSC invested heavily in land rehabilitation, coral restoration projects, and reintroducing native vegetation. Today, Ocean Cay functions as both a private island resort and a designated marine reserve supported by the MSC Foundation, MSC Cruises’ nonprofit organization dedicated to ocean conservation.
Getting to Ocean Cay
MSC Ocean Cay from Ship © Freestyle Travelers
Ocean Cay is accessible only by MSC Cruises ships and is included as a port of call on many Bahamas and Caribbean sailings. Ships dock directly at the island’s pier, allowing guests to walk off the ship and onto the island without the use of tenders. This makes arrival and departure simple and efficient, even for guests with mobility concerns.
Once ashore, guests are free to explore the island at their own pace, whether heading directly to the beaches, dining areas, or walking trails. The docking process maximizes time on the island and allows guests to move between the ship and Ocean Cay throughout the day.
Map of Ocean Cay © MSC Cruises
Beaches at Ocean Cay
Ocean Cay features several beaches located around the perimeter of the island, each offering a slightly different environment.
Lighthouse Bay Beach © Freestyle Travelers
Lighthouse Beach
Lighthouse Bay Beach is located near the island’s lighthouse and offers calm waters and wide beach space. It is considered the main activity hubs on the island, with bars, music, and frozen cocktail service available nearby. Events like beach games and scavenger hunts are staged at this beach. For cruises with late-night or overnight calls at Ocean Cay, this beach hosts the late night glow party and lighthouse laser show.
The Lagoon area provides a sheltered swimming environment surrounded by greenery and mangroves. The calm water makes it a popular option for relaxed swimming.
Lagoon Beaches at Ocean Cay: North Bay and South Bay
Ocean Cay Lagoon © Freestyle Travelers
The Lagoon area at Ocean Cay features two primary beach sections: North Bay Beach and South Bay Beach. These beaches sit along the island’s interior lagoon and offer calmer water conditions compared to the open-ocean beaches.
South Bay Beach is located closer to the center of the island and is positioned near Seakers Grill and the Flamingo Bar. This makes it one of the most convenient beach areas for guests who want easy access to food, drinks, and other island amenities while still enjoying a relaxed beach setting. Activity levels here tend to be higher due to its central location.
North Bay Beach offers a quieter and more tranquil atmosphere. It is less active than Lighthouse Bay Beach and appeals to guests looking for a calmer environment away from the island’s main activity hubs.
Both North Bay Beach and South Bay Beach feature a large concentration of paid lounge chairs with umbrellas. Complimentary seating in this area is very limited, and guests should expect that most available loungers require a rental fee.
Sunset Beach
Sunset Beach © Freestyle Travelers
Sunset Beach is known for its west-facing views and sunset scenery. This beach is primarily a rocky shoreline, so water shoes are recommended. In the past, this area featured ample complimentary loungers, but this is no longer the case as free seating across the island has become very limited.
Ocean Cay Lagoon Beach © Freestyle Travelers
Cabanas and Seating Options
Ocean Cay Beach Cabana © Freestyle Travelers
Across all the beaches at Ocean Cay, Cabanas are available for rent. These provide guests with dedicated reserved beach loungers, along with a shaded couch and table under a thatch roof offering protection from the sun. Cabanas can be booked as a shore excursion, either as a pre-cruise purchase or once onboard at the shore excursion desk.
Paid Beach Seating © Freestyle Travelers
A major change guests should be aware of is complimentary beach seating availability. On recent visits, Ocean Cay has significantly reduced the number of complimentary beach loungers across the island. Lounge chairs with umbrellas are available at most beaches, but they now require a rental fee of approximately $80 for two loungers. As a result, many guests end up placing towels directly on the sand. This differs from most other private cruise islands, which typically offer plentiful free loungers.
Dining at Ocean Cay
Seakers Dining Area © Freestyle Travelers
Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve offers a mix of complimentary and paid dining options spread throughout the island. Guests will find included buffet-style meals at Seakers Grill and Boho Grill, along with food trucks and snack locations near the beaches. Additional dining is available at Ocean House for Yacht Club guests, while specialty coffee and ice cream are offered at The Smiling Fish for an extra charge. Together, these venues provide convenient dining choices during a day at MSC Cruises’ private island in the Bahamas.
Seakers Grill
Seakers Grill © Freestyle Travelers
Seakers Grill is the main buffet dining location on Ocean Cay and is included in the cruise fare. The menu focuses on casual beach-style food, including burgers, hot dogs, seafood options, salads, and sides.
Lunch service typically runs from late morning through early afternoon, depending on the ship’s schedule. Typical opening hours are from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Many guests choose to eat breakfast onboard before heading ashore and then return to Seakers Grill for lunch.
Boho Grill
Boho Grill is a newer buffet location located closer to the center of the island. It serves the same menu as Seakers Grill but offers additional capacity and shaded seating structures set directly in the sand. This makes Boho Grill a useful alternative during peak lunch hours, especially for guests looking for shade.
Food Trucks
Food trucks and small snack stands are scattered around the island near beach areas and bars. These locations offer selections from the buffet like jerk chicken and hot dogs with rice and beans, plus additional upcharge options like Bahamian lobster rolls. The Beach Shaks provide convenient options for guests while exploring Ocean Cay.
The Smiling Fish (Coffee and Ice Cream)
The Smiling Fish © Freestyle Travelers
The Smiling Fish is a dedicated coffee and ice cream venue located at the end of Ocean Cay Village near the shopping area. Unlike the island’s buffet dining, The Smiling Fish is not included in the cruise fare, and all food and beverages are available for an additional charge.
The menu focuses on espresso-based coffee drinks, iced coffee, and soft-serve ice cream. Guests can choose from several ice cream flavors along with different cones, cups, and toppings. The Smiling Fish functions as a convenient stop for specialty coffee or dessert while walking through the village, rather than a primary dining option on Ocean Cay.
Ocean House Yacht Club Area
Ocean House at Ocean Cay © MSC Cruises
Ocean House is an exclusive dining and relaxation area reserved for MSC Yacht Club guests. It offers an elevated dining experience with table service and a quieter atmosphere. The menu features higher-end dishes made with fresh ingredients, along with premium beverage service and ocean views.
Bars at Ocean Cay
Springers Bar © Freestyle Travelers
Ocean Cay has an ample amount of bars spread throughout the island, including larger signature bars such as the Lighthouse Bar at the base of the island’s signature lighthouse, the Island Breeze Bar located along the main beach at Lighthouse Bay, and the Springers Bar in the Ocean Cay Village shopping plaza.
MSC beverage packages that are valid onboard also work on Ocean Cay, following the same rules and package limits. Guests must present their cruise card to order drinks.
While bars on Ocean Cay do not operate with printed menus available for guests ordering drinks, they generally offer a limited selection of simple cocktails, beer, wine, and basic mixed drinks.
Ocean Cay Beer Selection © Freestyle Travelers
Bar hours vary throughout the day, and availability depends on the ship’s schedule while docked.
Lighthouse Bar Ocean Cay © Freestyle Travelers
Shopping at Ocean Cay
Ocean Cay Shopping Village © Freestyle Travelers
Ocean Cay Village is the main shopping area on MSC Cruises’ private island in the Bahamas. This central village features several shops and boutiques where guests can browse for souvenirs, apparel, and beach essentials during their visit to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
The shops offer a mix of MSC-branded merchandise, beachwear, resort clothing, accessories, jewelry, and island-themed souvenirs. Practical items such as hats, sunscreen, and swimwear are also available, making Ocean Cay Village a convenient stop for last-minute beach needs or gifts to take home.
Some retail locations include locally inspired items and handcrafted goods, and guests may occasionally encounter local artisans showcasing their work. Ocean Cay Village provides a relaxed shopping experience that fits easily into a day spent exploring MSC Cruises’ private island.
Excursions and Activities at Ocean Cay
Watersports Rental Pavillion © Freestyle Travelers
Ocean Cay offers a range of optional shore excursions and activities, including water sports, snorkeling, and guided experiences. Guests can also book spa treatments at the on-island MSC Aurea Spa when available during time ashore.
The island’s lighthouse is a visual centerpiece and, at times, is open for guided climbs that offer elevated views of Ocean Cay and the surrounding waters.
Ocean Cay Lighthouse © Freestyle Travelers
Near the dock, MSC has opened an ocean conservation center in the former hammock area. This space includes fish tanks, lecture halls, and offices for the MSC Foundation. While it may not always be open during every visit, MSC promotes marine conservation programming such as educational presentations, coral restoration demonstrations, and sea life exhibits as part of the island’s long-term vision.
Ocean Cay Conservation Area © Freestyle Travelers
Getting Around Ocean Cay
Ocean Cay Village Tram Station © Freestyle Travelers
Ocean Cay is compact enough to explore on foot, with paved paths and sandy walkways connecting beaches, dining areas, and activity zones.
For guests who prefer not to walk long distances, complimentary tram service operates throughout the island, stopping at major beaches and points of interest. Tram stops have limited seating available, but each stop is shaded and locations are plentiful throughout the island. Beach wheelchairs and wagons are also available to assist guests with mobility needs.
Major Expansion: Future Additions to Ocean Cay
Paradise Sands Adults-Only Beach © MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises has announced a significant expansion of Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, with new developments planned through 2027. The expansion will add multiple new guest areas and amenities across the island.
Planned additions include a new adults-only beach area, expanded family zones with a splash pad and water play features, and several new dining and bar concepts. MSC has also confirmed that specialty dining venues will be introduced on the island as part of the expansion.
Additional cabanas and shaded areas are planned, along with enhancements to the MSC Foundation marine conservation experience, offering more immersive educational opportunities related to coral restoration and ocean science.
The island’s pier will also be extended to allow two ships to dock at the same time, increasing Ocean Cay’s capacity and accessibility for future itineraries.
FAQ
Is Ocean Cay free to visit?
Yes. Ocean Cay is included as a port of call on select MSC Cruises itineraries. Food at buffet venues and access to beaches are included, while some amenities and rentals cost extra.
Do MSC beverage packages work on Ocean Cay?
Yes. Beverage packages that work onboard are also valid on the island.
Are beach chairs free at Ocean Cay?
Free loungers are very limited. Most beach chairs with umbrellas require a paid rental.
Is Ocean Cay walkable?
Yes. The island is compact and easy to explore on foot, with tram service available.
Can multiple MSC ships dock at Ocean Cay?
Currently one ship docks at a time, but future pier expansion will allow two ships simultaneously.
Is smoking allowed at Ocean Cay?
Smoking policies on Ocean Cay are similar to those onboard MSC ships, with smoking generally permitted throughout much of the island rather than being restricted to tightly defined zones.
Final Thoughts on Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve
Ocean Cay © Freestyle Travelers
Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve offers MSC Cruises guests a private island experience focused on beaches, casual dining, and a relaxed atmosphere. While recent changes such as reduced complimentary beach seating may impact expectations, the island continues to serve as a central feature of many MSC Bahamas and Caribbean cruises. With major expansions planned in the coming years, Ocean Cay is positioned to evolve significantly as MSC Cruises continues to develop its private island destination.
