Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve is getting a new neighbor. Sandy Cay is a new private island destination being developed by MSC Group next to Ocean Cay in The Bahamas, with its debut currently planned for winter 2027-2028.
While Ocean Cay has grown into a full private-island destination with beaches, bars, dining, activities and evening entertainment, Sandy Cay is taking a different approach. MSC is positioning the new island as a smaller, quieter and more elevated retreat built around the natural beauty of The Bahamas.
Details are still limited, but MSC has begun revealing what guests can expect. Here is everything we know about Sandy Cay so far.
What Is Sandy Cay?
Sandy Cay is a new private island destination being developed by MSC Group adjacent to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
It is designed to complement Ocean Cay rather than replace it. MSC describes Sandy Cay as a more intimate and secluded experience, with an emphasis on relaxation, nature and a quieter connection to the ocean.
The island will be available to guests sailing with MSC Cruises and MSC Group’s luxury cruise line, Explora Journeys.
Sandy Cay is approximately one-third the size of Ocean Cay, making it a considerably smaller destination. That fits with MSC’s plans to create a more intimate atmosphere rather than another large private-island experience.
Before the Sandy Cay name was announced in April 2026, MSC had internally referred to the project as “Little Cay.”
Where Is Sandy Cay?
Sandy Cay is located directly next to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in The Bahamas.
That proximity is important because Sandy Cay is being developed as part of MSC’s larger private-island experience in the area. Instead of visiting an unrelated island somewhere else in The Bahamas, guests will essentially have two neighboring MSC destinations offering different types of experiences.
Ocean Cay will remain the larger and more varied destination, while Sandy Cay is expected to provide a quieter and more premium alternative.
When Will Sandy Cay Open?
MSC currently says Sandy Cay will debut during winter 2027-2028.
When MSC formally announced Sandy Cay in April 2026, the company described it as opening in 2028. MSC’s current Ocean Cay information provides the more specific winter 2027-2028 timeframe.
That means guests sailing during late 2027 and into 2028 could begin seeing Sandy Cay incorporated into the Ocean Cay experience.
MSC has also specifically promoted its summer 2028 Caribbean cruises as giving guests an opportunity to be among the first to experience Sandy Cay.
As with any major construction project, opening timelines can change. We will update this guide as MSC releases a firm opening date.
Why Is It Called Sandy Cay?
The name comes from the island’s unusually bright aragonite sand.
Aragonite is the naturally occurring mineral that helps create the bright white sand and vivid turquoise water associated with The Bahamas. MSC has made the sand and surrounding natural environment a major part of Sandy Cay’s identity.
Rather than covering the island with large attractions, MSC’s early descriptions emphasize the beaches, ocean and natural surroundings.
What Will Sandy Cay Be Like?
If Ocean Cay is MSC’s full-scale private-island destination, Sandy Cay appears to be designed as its quieter counterpart.
MSC has repeatedly described Sandy Cay using terms such as intimate, secluded, elevated and immersive. The focus appears to be less on adding attractions and more on creating an upscale beach experience.
So far, guests can expect:
- White aragonite sand and clear Bahamian water
- A smaller island than Ocean Cay
- A quieter, more secluded atmosphere
- Luxury cabana experiences
- An environment centered around beaches and relaxation
- Access for MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys guests
MSC’s early renderings show landscaped beach areas and smaller coves surrounded by turquoise water, but the company notes that these renderings are illustrative. We would not assume that every building, beach configuration or feature shown in them will appear in the finished destination.
Will Sandy Cay Have Cabanas?
Yes. Luxury cabana experiences are one of the first Sandy Cay amenities MSC has specifically confirmed.
However, we do not yet know what those cabanas will include.
MSC has not announced the number of cabanas, pricing, reservation process or whether certain cabanas will be reserved for MSC Yacht Club or Explora Journeys guests.
Cabanas are already popular at Ocean Cay, so this could become one of the most significant features of Sandy Cay once additional details are announced.
Is Sandy Cay Only for MSC Yacht Club Guests?
MSC has not announced Sandy Cay as a Yacht Club-exclusive island.
The company says Sandy Cay is being designed for MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys guests. Exactly how access will work for regular MSC Cruises passengers has not yet been explained.
It is certainly possible that Yacht Club guests could receive special access, benefits or dedicated areas, particularly given Sandy Cay’s luxury positioning. However, MSC has not confirmed that.
For now, we would not book an MSC Yacht Club cruise assuming that Sandy Cay will be exclusive to Yacht Club guests.
We will update this section when MSC announces the access rules.
How Will Guests Get to Sandy Cay?
Sandy Cay sits next to Ocean Cay, but MSC has not yet published final transportation details for guests.
Earlier in the development process, when the project was still being called Little Cay, MSC executives indicated that guests would reach the new island using upscale tenders from Ocean Cay.
That would allow guests to visit Sandy Cay while their cruise ship remains docked at Ocean Cay rather than requiring the ship itself to move.
MSC has not yet detailed how frequently transportation will operate, where guests will board or whether access will require a reservation.
Sandy Cay vs. Ocean Cay
Sandy Cay isn’t replacing Ocean Cay. The two destinations are being designed to offer different experiences.
Ocean Cay is the larger destination and features multiple beaches, bars, food, excursions, water activities and entertainment. MSC is also making significant upgrades to Ocean Cay, including new family attractions, additional dining and new adult-focused areas.
Sandy Cay will be significantly smaller and appears to be much more focused on quiet beach time, cabanas, nature and a premium atmosphere.
For many guests, that could eventually create an interesting choice during an Ocean Cay visit.
You might spend part of the day exploring Ocean Cay, swimming, snorkeling or visiting the lighthouse area, while using Sandy Cay for a more relaxed beach experience.
Exactly how freely guests will be able to move between the two islands remains to be announced.
Is Sandy Cay Part of the Ocean Cay Expansion?
Sandy Cay is a separate island, but its development is happening alongside a major expansion of Ocean Cay.
MSC is adding new experiences to Ocean Cay beginning in 2027, including expanded family facilities, new dining options, additional relaxation areas and new adult-focused experiences.
The company is also expanding the infrastructure around Ocean Cay.
Taken together, the projects will make MSC’s Bahamas destination considerably larger than the Ocean Cay experience guests know today.
Sandy Cay is arguably the most interesting part of that expansion because it gives MSC the ability to offer two very different private-island experiences in the same location.
Will Sandy Cay Have Restaurants and Bars?
MSC has not yet announced Sandy Cay’s restaurants or bars.
We expect food and beverages to be an important part of the experience, especially given Sandy Cay’s luxury positioning, but there are still several unanswered questions.
MSC has not confirmed whether Sandy Cay will have complimentary food, specialty dining, beach bars or full-service restaurants.
It has also not said whether MSC Cruises drink packages will work on Sandy Cay.
Drink packages currently work on Ocean Cay at participating bars, so this will be an important detail to watch as MSC releases more information.
Will Sandy Cay Cost Extra?
MSC has not announced whether general access to Sandy Cay will be complimentary or carry an additional charge.
It is also possible that access could vary depending on cruise experience, Yacht Club status, cabana reservations or other factors.
We expect at least some premium experiences, particularly the confirmed luxury cabanas, to carry an additional charge.
Until MSC publishes the access and pricing structure, though, we would not assume Sandy Cay is either completely included or entirely an extra-charge destination.
What Hasn’t MSC Announced Yet?
Sandy Cay is still under development, and many of the details cruisers will ultimately need to plan a visit have not been released.
We are still waiting for MSC to confirm:
- Who receives access to Sandy Cay
- Whether access costs extra
- MSC Yacht Club benefits or exclusive areas
- Explora Journeys access
- Transportation between Ocean Cay and Sandy Cay
- Restaurants and food options
- Bars and drink package rules
- Cabana types and prices
- Beach layouts
- Pools or other water features
- Snorkeling and water activities
- Excursions
- Children’s facilities
- Accessibility
- Operating hours
- Evening access during late-night or overnight Ocean Cay visits
Those details should become clearer as Sandy Cay gets closer to opening.
What Sandy Cay Could Mean for Ocean Cay Visits
Sandy Cay could significantly change how guests spend a day at Ocean Cay.
Today, most visitors spread out among Ocean Cay’s beaches, bars, water activities and excursions. As Ocean Cay gains additional family and adult areas and Sandy Cay opens next door, guests will have far more options.
The biggest difference may simply be atmosphere.
Ocean Cay will continue to serve as the main private-island destination with something for almost everyone. Sandy Cay appears intended for guests who want a quieter, more intimate beach day.
That could make the entire Ocean Cay experience feel less crowded as guests have more areas to choose from.
Is Sandy Cay Worth Getting Excited About?
It is too early to know exactly what the finished Sandy Cay experience will be like, but the concept is promising.
One of Ocean Cay’s biggest strengths has always been that it feels more like a natural Bahamian island than a theme park. Sandy Cay appears to take that concept even further.
Instead of trying to compete with private islands filled with water parks and large attractions, MSC seems to be leaning into what already makes Ocean Cay different – beautiful water, beaches and a relaxed atmosphere.
For guests who enjoy that side of Ocean Cay, Sandy Cay could become one of the most appealing additions MSC has made to the destination.
There are still plenty of important details to come, particularly around access, pricing, dining and transportation. We’ll continue updating this guide as MSC releases more information ahead of Sandy Cay’s winter 2027-2028 debut.