MSC’s new private island in the Bahamas – here’s what we know so far

MSC Group has quietly been building something rather special in the Bahamas and now it’s official. Sandy Cay, a brand new private island destination, is set to open in 2028 alongside the existing Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, offering a different kind of island experience for cruisers.

Where Ocean Cay delivers a full-scale island retreat with plenty going on, Sandy Cay is being positioned as its quieter, more elemental counterpart – a destination built around serenity, seclusion and an unhurried connection with the natural world.

What is Sandy Cay?

Named after its aragonite sands – some of the most pristine and luminous on the planet – Sandy Cay has been conceived as a destination where the environment does the talking. The focus here is on atmosphere over activity and stillness over spectacle. For cruisers who want their private island experience to feel genuinely remote and restorative rather than resort-like, Sandy Cay looks set to deliver exactly that.

The island sits within the same breathtaking stretch of Bahamian waters as Ocean Cay, meaning the scenery alone, including the crystalline shallows, dazzling white shores and open ocean horizons, will be reason enough to visit.

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What about Ocean Cay?

Alongside the Sandy Cay announcement, MSC has confirmed that Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve is also getting a significant refresh. New dining options, redesigned beach areas, expanded spaces to relax and enhanced marine conservation experiences are all in the pipeline, making an already impressive private island destination even more worth your time.

The two islands together represent a genuinely exciting proposition: guests will be able to choose between the lively, immersive energy of Ocean Cay and the quieter, more intimate escape that Sandy Cay promises to offer.

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Who can visit Sandy Cay?

Access to Sandy Cay will be exclusive to guests sailing with MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys. For those sailing with Explora Journeys in particular, Sandy Cay feels like a natural fit: understated, refined and connected to the natural environment.

When can I visit Sandy Cay?

Sandy Cay is expected to open in 2028. For the latest itineraries and sailings, visit msccruises.co.uk or explorajourneys.co.uk.