Your first look at MSC Cruises' new private island, Sandy Cay

MSC Cruises’ island in the Bahamas is getting a new next-door neighbor.

The cruise line revealed a first look at Sandy Cay this week, a new private island adjacent to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. The destination will welcome guests from both MSC and Explora Journeys beginning in 2028 (both cruise lines are part of the MSC Group).

Lynn Torrent, president of MSC Cruises North America, said the expansion was driven by consistently strong “guest satisfaction and demand” at Ocean Cay. The existing island features beach access, food and drinks, shore excursions and is also the site of scientific work aimed at addressing climate change’s impacts on marine habitats.

“The success of Ocean Cay helped validate our long-term vision for private destinations, and ultimately led to the development of Sandy Cay,” Torrent told USA TODAY. “So, as MSC Cruises continues to grow … in North America, and we continue to increase capacity from U.S. homeports, adding Sandy Cay allows us to expand capacity while offering guests more variety and more tailored experiences in line with the brand.”

Surrounded by the same turquoise waters as its predecessor, the island offers a “more secluded, elemental escape,” according to a news release. Details on specific amenities are still to be announced.

“It'll have sort of its own soul and DNA, where elegance is fused with the authentic spirit of the Bahamas, preserving that very relaxed, genuine atmosphere that our guests love about Ocean Cay, but really an extension of that,” Torrent said.

The news comes as MSC is growing its land-based portfolio in other ways, too. 

CTL Maritime, a subsidiary of the MSC Group, announced this month that it will acquire and develop part of the Grand Lucayan Resort on Grand Bahama into a beach club for MSC and Explora Journeys passengers. MSC also shared planned enhancements to Ocean Cay in January, including new dining options, an extended pier to accommodate two ships at once, an adults-only beach, hands-on marine conservation experiences for guests, and more.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].