MSC Ocean Cay Bahamas private island

977 Cruises availables At departure or passage at this port

Explora Journeys (22 Cruises)

MSC Cruises (955 Cruises)

Cruise MSC Grandiosa ship

MSC Grandiosa

6334 Passengers
181000 tons
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msc meraviglia cruise ship

MSC Meraviglia

4500 Passengers
167600 tons
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MSC Cruises Seashore Ship Cruise

MSC Seashore

5331 Passengers
154000 tons
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MSC Seaside1.

MSC Seaside

5179 Passengers
160000 tons
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MSC World America

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MSC World Atlantic.

MSC World Atlantic

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Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Bahamas | Cruise Port Guide

For decades, people came here to dredge sand for construction sites in Florida. Then MSC bought this exhausted industrial site, removed tonnes of scrap metal, planted thousands of palm trees and native shrubs, and returned the surrounding seabed to marine life. Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, about thirty kilometres south of Bimini, tells a rare story in the Caribbean: that of an island that is doing better since ships began stopping here.

You Simply Dock

Here, there are no tenders or lineups: the ship moors at the pier and the island begins at the foot of the gangway. Everything can be reached on foot in a few minutes — the farthest point barely takes a fifteen-minute walk — and golf carts provide rides for those who prefer them. Tens of thousands of native shrubs and palms were planted when the site was transformed, and the vegetation grows thicker year after year. This freedom to come and go changes the day: you can go back on board for lunch if you like and return for an afternoon swim, without ever checking a shuttle schedule.

A 165 km² Marine Reserve

The waters surrounding the islet enjoy protected status over about 165 km². Biologists from the coral restoration program grow fragments in an underwater nursery, with the aim of repopulating nearby reefs with heat-resistant corals. Visitors see the results with a mask on: sea fans, angelfish and turtles frequent the designated swimming areas. An interpretation centre presents the project to those who want to understand what is happening beneath the surface. Free talks and workshops are added on certain days, often led by members of the scientific team.

Eight Ways to Lay Down Your Towel

The shoreline is divided into coves with distinct purposes, all supervised. South Beach, the largest, attracts water sports enthusiasts; Lighthouse Bay faces the lighthouse and its beanbag chairs set in the sand; a shallow-water area welcomes families with young children, while a cove near the spa cultivates calm. The inner lagoon, a milky turquoise, is perfect for kayaking and paddleboarding, available for rent, as are guided snorkelling outings and catamaran tours. Snack bars and street food trucks are scattered throughout; the basic offering is included in the cruise. Those seeking an extra level of comfort book a cabana or a dedicated area, but nothing requires you to spend an extra dollar to have an excellent day.

When the Sun Goes Down

A precious feature: ships often extend the stop into the evening, sometimes into the night. The island then changes face. You climb the lighthouse's 165 steps for the sunset panorama, then come back down to watch the show: the tower lights up and dances to the rhythm of the music, the only light show of its kind in the Bahamas. Bonfires, a sky studded with stars far from any light pollution, a leisurely stroll back to the gangway: few ports of call offer this luxury.

The Island That Tells a Different Story

Ocean Cay has neither a historic village nor a distant excursion to offer, and makes no apology for it. Its promise comes down to three words: simplicity, water and light. It also shows, without speeches, what an industry can repair when it puts its mind to it. As the lines are cast off, many passengers watch from the deck as the lighthouse beam sweeps the darkness — the last image of a day that will have reconciled idleness with a clear conscience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Alongside. No tenders and no queues: the ship ties up and the island begins at the foot of the gangway. Everything is a few minutes' walk away, with the furthest point barely fifteen minutes off, and buggies run for those who prefer to ride.
About thirty kilometres south of Bimini.
An industrial sand-dredging site, worked for decades to supply Florida construction. MSC bought the exhausted site, removed tonnes of scrap metal, planted tens of thousands of native palms and shrubs, and gave the surrounding seabed back to marine life.
The waters around the cay are protected across roughly 165 km2. Biologists from the coral restoration programme grow cuttings in an underwater nursery, aiming to repopulate nearby reefs with corals resistant to warming.
Choose among the eight coves, kayak or paddleboard in the inner lagoon, snorkel in the designated swim zones where sea fans, angelfish and turtles appear, or visit the interpretive centre for the coral programme.
The shoreline divides into coves with distinct purposes, all supervised. South Beach, the largest, draws watersports enthusiasts; Lighthouse Bay faces the lighthouse with bean-bag chairs set in the sand; a shallow-water area welcomes families with young children; a cove near the spa keeps things quiet.
Because the island changes character. You climb the lighthouse's 165 steps for the sunset panorama, then the tower lights up and dances to music, the only light show of its kind in the Bahamas. Bonfires and a star-filled sky, far from any light pollution, round out the evening.
No. The basic offering is included in the cruise: snack counters, street food trucks and supervised coves. A cabana or a serviced area is available for anyone wanting an extra measure of comfort, but nothing obliges you to spend another dollar to have an excellent day.
The Bahamian dollar, at par with the US dollar, and English. On the island everything is settled with the ship's card.
Yes. The shallow-water area is designed for young children, the inner lagoon suits kayaking, and the freedom to go back aboard whenever you like, thanks to the pier, simplifies the day considerably. Note that the island has no historic village and no distant excursion to offer, and makes no apology for it.