MSC Group has marked a new milestone for Sandy Cay, its planned private island destination in The Bahamas. The company held a groundbreaking ceremony on September 28, though work on the site was already underway. Sandy Cay is expected to welcome its first guests in 2028.
Located next to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the island is being developed exclusively for guests sailing with MSC Cruises and its luxury sister brand, Explora Journeys. MSC first announced Sandy Cay in April and describes it as a more secluded complement to Ocean Cay.
What will Sandy Cay offer?
Plans call for five beaches, dining venues, private retreats, and spaces focused on relaxation and wellness. MSC is positioning the island around its natural setting and a quieter experience than guests might expect from a typical cruise private destination.
That distinction could be especially interesting for Explora Journeys. While both of MSC Group’s cruise brands will have access to Sandy Cay, the company has emphasized an intimate, elevated experience that fits naturally with Explora’s luxury positioning. MSC has not yet announced which sailings will visit the island or whether guests will need to purchase access to particular areas.
The groundbreaking ceremony brought together MSC Group executives, Bahamian officials, and project partners. For MSC, the occasion also underscored its continued investment in The Bahamas, where Ocean Cay is already a regular stop on Caribbean itineraries.
Renderings of Sandy Cay show palm-lined beaches, sheltered turquoise coves, and waterfront retreats planned for MSC Group’s new private island in The Bahamas. The destination is expected to open in 2028. Images: MSC Group.
Ocean Cay is changing, too
Sandy Cay is not replacing Ocean Cay. MSC has also outlined plans for additional dining venues at its existing island, new beach concepts for families and adults, expanded relaxation areas, and experiences connected to marine conservation.
Together, the two destinations could give MSC Group more flexibility in how it designs Caribbean cruises. Ocean Cay will continue to serve as its established private island, while Sandy Cay is being shaped as a smaller, more secluded escape. Exactly how the two islands will appear on future itineraries remains to be seen.
For travelers, 2028 is the date to watch. The groundbreaking is a tangible step forward, but MSC has not released an opening day, a list of ships scheduled to call at Sandy Cay, or details on the guest experience beyond its initial plans.
My advice: if Sandy Cay is the reason you want to take the cruise, wait until MSC confirms it on a specific itinerary before booking. If you’re simply looking for a Bahamas cruise with a beach day, Ocean Cay is already an option, and you don’t need to wait until 2028.
The cruise brands behind Sandy Cay
MSC Group’s roots are in shipping, but its cruise division now includes two distinct brands. MSC Cruises is the larger and more familiar of the two, sailing to destinations across five continents. Its ships accommodate a wide range of vacation styles, from family trips and group getaways to stays in the MSC Yacht Club, its more exclusive onboard offering with private spaces and dedicated service. In The Bahamas, Ocean Cay has become a recognizable part of the MSC Cruises experience, giving guests a beach destination alongside their time on the ship.
Explora Journeys is MSC Group’s newer luxury ocean travel brand. It launched its first ship in 2023 and is building a fleet of six ships by 2028. Explora emphasizes spacious oceanfront suites, dining, wellness, and time to enjoy the journey itself. Its ships and service are designed to feel more like a luxury resort at sea, making the experience quite different from a vacation aboard one of MSC Cruises’ larger ships.
Sandy Cay brings those two brands together ashore. MSC has confirmed that guests of both will be able to visit, which makes the island more than an addition to MSC Cruises’ Caribbean itineraries. It also gives Explora Journeys a dedicated island destination within the same group. That helps explain the emphasis on beaches, privacy, and relaxation in MSC’s early plans: Sandy Cay is being conceived as a place that can feel at home in both kinds of vacation.
What remains unclear is how MSC will schedule visits or whether the experience will vary depending on which brand a guest sails with. Those details will matter as travelers begin comparing 2028 itineraries.
