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Ocean Cay Port Day Guide: Everything You Need to Know
Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve is MSC Cruises’ private island in The Bahamas and one of the popular stops on their Caribbean itineraries. With white sand beaches, crystal clear water, included food and drinks and a relaxed atmosphere, it offers the perfect cruise port day for travellers looking to unwind.
Ocean Cay is different from traditional cruise ports, as it is owned by the cruise line it feels very safe and relaxed. It basically takes the cruise experience and puts it on a gorgeous island to enjoy. While you are on land you can expect the same excellent service as on board the ship, included food and drinks available and stunning beaches creating a perfect beach day.
What Is Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve?
Ocean Cay was a former industrial sand extraction site which was transformed into a marine reserve by MSC Cruises. They have implemented a focus on sustainability and marine conservation which creates a natural atmosphere, rather than being built up. The island is approximately 95 acres big and has over 2 miles of coastline. There is a lagoon in the centre and a ring road running around with transport buggy that you can catch to the next beach. The private island was the perfect beach day for us.
Ocean Cay Marine Conservation Efforts
MSC Cruises has worked hard to protect and rejuvenate the island back to its natural environment. There have been coral restoration initiatives, marine habitat protection and sustainability programs put in place.
Ocean Cay At a Glance
- Location: The Bahamas
- Cruise Line: MSC Cruises
- Time Needed: Full port day
- Best For: Beaches, swimming, snorkelling, relaxation
- Food Included: Yes
- Drinks Package Works: Yes
- Walking Friendly: Yes
- Family Friendly: Yes
Our Ocean Cay Port Day
We arrived at Ocean Cay on our MSC Cruise at about 8:30am and we got off the boat about 9am, we had to be back on board by 5:30pm which gave us plenty of time to enjoy the island. The ship docks at lighthouse beach and you can swim almost directly in front of it, in fact it is one of the nicest beaches. We went straight to the free chairs at Lighthouse Beach to find the spot we wanted for the day.
Where we spent our day
We found our perfect spot in the sand and were there when a man was cleaning up palm fronds, he had some coconuts from the trees he was cleaning away and I asked for one, he kindly cut it up for me, I gave him a tip for being so kind. I got a cup of ice from the bar and had a delicious cold coconut juice to start the day. It was perfection!
We spent the morning swimming and relaxing in the sun. Around lunch time we headed over to the buffet behind Lighthouse Beach. Your entry to the island, food and drinks (if you purchased a drinks package) are included. There was so much food on offer, after eating our fill we decided to take a walk around the island.
The paths are clean, even and easy to walk on, however there is a buggy that you can take around the island if you don’t want the walk. We went to North Beach, the Lagoon, South Beach and Sunset Beach. They were all gorgeous and lots of people were enjoying each of the areas.
We had a perfect beach day on Ocean Cay, it was so easy to relax and not worry about a thing. We highly recommend including Ocean Cay in your itinerary if possible.
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Ocean Cay Map and Island Layout
Amenities on Ocean Cay
Ocean Cay had clean amenities that were well kept, there was a town area with shops, a visitor centre and excursion hut so you can plan everything you need on the island without having to go back to the ship.
Best Beaches in Ocean Cay
North Beach
The North Beach on Ocean Cay has calm waters which are perfect for swimming and although it is on the other side of the island from the pier, you can take the buggy to the beach if you don’t want to walk.
South Beach
South Beach is slightly quieter with long stretches of sand and a relaxing atmosphere. The walk from the pier isn’t too far and it is really enjoyable.
Lighthouse Bay Beach
We spent most of our day on Lighthouse Bay Beach, the scenic views of the iconic lighthouse were perfect. The water was crystal clear and the sand was incredibly white. There was a bar and food trucks at the beach. There are about 20 sun loungers here that are complimentary if you get here before they are already taken. We were lucky enough to get a set with an umbrella to enjoy for the day.
Sunset Beach
Sunset Beach is perfect for late afternoon visits, the beautiful ocean views over the rocks are stunning, you will also find a yoga hut there. There are hammocks in the trees to swing in and it is a less frequented area so nice and peaceful.
Best Things To Do During an Ocean Cay Port Day
Relax on the Beach
The beaches on Ocean Cay are the nicest we saw on our Bahamas cruise so soaking them up is worth the time. There is complimentary beach access, free loungers in some areas and shady trees available.
Snorkelling in Crystal-Clear Waters
As Ocean Cay is a marine reserve there is often marine life spotted by people snorkelling. You can rent equipment from the harbour shops and the best beaches to try from are the north and south of the lagoon by the bridges. The water visibility is generally excellent and best when the sea is calm. You can bring your own snorkel gear if you have it with you, or join an excursion and be shown all the best spots!
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Paddleboarding and Kayaking
You can rent paddle boards and kayaks by the Welcome Centre/ Excursion Tower on the island for about $35 USD, there are practise areas and access to more challenging open water. If you are looking for a good beginner area I would stay in the lagoon.
Explore the Lighthouse Area
The lighthouse is the iconic landmark, it is perfect for photo opportunities and there is a excursion you can do to hike the lighthouse. You can not go up into the lighthouse without the tour. There are great walking paths here to take you around the island.
Join a Shore Excursion
There are lots of excursions here that do have to be booked through MSC on while onboard. There are guided snorkelling tours, cabana rental, stingray experiences and lots of water sports activities.
Ocean Cay for Families
This is a very child-friendly port stop, the beaches and lagoon have safe swimming areas. Lots of the activities are suitable for younger cruisers as well.
Ocean Cay for Couples
This is a perfect stop for couples wanting quiet beach areas, romantic secluded beach walks or to rent a beach cabana to relax in.
Ocean Cay Food and Drink Guide
Complimentary Dining Options
There are lots of complementary buffet and food stations around the island for lunch and snack offerings. There are 2 buffets on the island, one right behind Lighthouse Beach and the other closer to the Lagoon. The buffets served a selection of meats, vegetables and salads, fruits and desserts. There were complementary cold drinks (water or juice) ready to be collected as well. The area had lots of covered seating for guests to eat at.
There were also food truck stalls dotted around each of the beach areas serving tacos, nachos, burgers and fries. They were quite busy with lines throughout the day.
Bars and Specialty Drinks
There were beach bars at each beach serving drinks with signature cocktails available. Your drinks package worked on the island exactly like it does on the ship.
Should You Book a Cabana at Ocean Cay?
The cabanas looked great, there were a few different types available and all were different pricing. You can check them out on the booking page but unless you are looking for a special experience it really isn’t that necessary if you don’t mind throwing a towel down in the sand to lie on.
Getting Around Ocean Cay
Most visitors walk around the island, the paths are paved and easy to navigate. There is a complimentary golf cart/buggies that operate around the island to take you to beaches if you prefer to not walk. Walking the full island takes around an hour or longer if you are strolling.
What to Pack for an Ocean Cay Port Day
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Snorkelling gear
- Water shoes
- Reusable water bottle
- Beach bag
- Waterproof phone case
- Towel
- Beach cover up
Ocean Cay Port Day Tips
- Arrive early for prime beach locations, we wanted to get the free sun chairs and umbrella at Lighthouse Beach and were there early enough to get one we were happy with!
- Reserve excursions in advance, this will make sure you get the time slot you want
- Bring beach gear from the ship so you can stay on the island for the day
- To avoid crowd head to the quieter locations of sunset beach and paradise beach
Is Ocean Cay Worth Visiting?
We absolutely loved our time on Ocean Cay, we really had a perfect day. One of the biggest advantages of this port stop over traditional cruise ports was that it is owned by MSC Cruises so you don’t have to worry about money or finding your way around or even being left behind. There is really nothing to worry about at all. It is the perfect stop for anyone wanting a beach day at beaches with perfect water, we loved it as a couple and saw lots of families and groups enjoying themselves.
Ocean Cay had the best beaches we saw on this trip and we highly recommend it, make sure to save our guide so you are prepared for your time on this island paradise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ocean Cay included in my MSC cruise fare?
Yes, visiting Ocean Cay is included in your cruise fare, there is nothing more to pay. The food is included and your drinks package works the same as it does on board.
Can you walk around Ocean Cay?
Walking around Ocean Cay takes about an hour and is really easy with the clean and well maintained paths.
Are food and drinks free on Ocean Cay?
There are food and drinks at the 2 buffets on Ocean Cay, there is also included food trucks all over the islands. There are bars with drinks available for those with drinks packages.
Is Ocean Cay good for snorkelling?
There are some snorkelling spots on the island, you can book an excursion to take you to the best spots.
Can I stay on the island after dark?
There are a couple of night excursions available but unless you are booked on those you need to return to the ship by all aboard time. You can not sleep on the island.
Do I need to book excursions in advance?
I would definitely book your excursions when you know what you want to do so you get the best time slot for you.
Does Wi-Fi work on Ocean Cay?
If your MSC Wi-Fi package includes Ocean Cay coverage, it should continue working while ashore. Mobile coverage varies depending on your provider and location on the island. We had eSims that included The Bahamas and they worked perfectly on Ocean Cay.
Final Thoughts
We loved our time on Ocean Cay, it became our perfect beach day and we are so glad that we went there. Our highlights were how pristine and perfect the water and sand was, the stunning views and easy to walk area.
Having visited several Caribbean cruise ports and private islands, Ocean Cay was one of our favourites thanks to its pristine beaches, relaxed atmosphere and easy-to-enjoy layout.
Plan your trip:
→ MSC Bahamas Review
→ Antigua Cruise Port Guide
→ Barbados Cruise Port Guide
→ Martinique Cruise Port Guide
→ St Maarten Cruise Port Guide
→ MSC Gluten Free Review
→ Virgin Voyages Caribbean Review
→ Virgin Voyages Gluten Free Review
→ Nassau Cruise Port Guide
Want to see it all in action? Watch our full Caribbean series on YouTube (subscribe to our channel to stay up to date with our travel guides) and follow along on Instagram @passport_nomads and @kelly___buckley for real-time travel tips, guides, and behind-the-scenes moments.
We hope this guide helped you plan an unforgettable trip.
