MSC held a formal groundbreaking ceremony on September 28 for Sandy Cay, its new private island in the Bahamas located adjacent to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, with construction and site work already well underway ahead of a scheduled 2028 opening. The ceremony was attended by MSC Group Cruise Division Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago and Bahamas Prime Minister Philip Davis, along with other government officials and project stakeholders.
First announced in April 2026, Sandy Cay sits next to Ocean Cay and is being developed exclusively for guests of MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys, with the company positioning it as a more intimate, upscale experience centered on wellness and relaxation. Plans include five beaches and a quieter, luxury-leaning atmosphere with private retreats and dining, pitched at a noticeably different market than Ocean Cay.
The two islands will operate as distinct destinations with their own character, giving MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys guests two private island options within the same corner of the Bahamas. Alongside the Sandy Cay project, MSC is also upgrading Ocean Cay itself, adding dining venues, expanding relaxation areas, and introducing new beach concepts for families and adults.