MSC Group has broken ground on Sandy Cay, a private island in the Bahamas earmarked exclusively for guests of MSC Cruises and its luxury sister brand Explora Journeys. The opening is targeted for 2028, and construction work has already started.
The site sits right beside Ocean Cay, MSC's existing marine reserve island, which the company plans to upgrade in parallel. The idea is that the two islands will serve different moods: Ocean Cay stays the bigger, family-friendly hub, while Sandy Cay goes smaller and quieter.
Sandy Cay's plans point clearly at the wellness-and-unwind crowd. Expect five beaches, calm clear water for swimming and snorkelling, dining venues, private retreats and shaded spots to simply do nothing under the palms. MSC first flagged the project back in April, and the groundbreaking ceremony brought together cruise division executives, Bahamian government officials and project stakeholders.
Ocean Cay, meanwhile, will get its own refresh: more dining, new beach concepts split between families and adults, extra relaxation space and experiences tied to its marine conservation work. The island has picked up plenty of reader-voted praise over recent years, largely thanks to its marine science focus rather than the usual theme-park approach to private islands.
For anyone considering an MSC or Explora sailing in the Caribbean, this matters because MSC is building a proper two-island destination rather than a single day-stop. MSC Cruises runs 23 ships calling at more than 250 ports across five continents, and Explora Journeys — launched in 2023 with three ships — grows to six vessels by 2028, exactly when Sandy Cay opens. That fleet expansion plus two private islands suggests Bahamas itineraries will be a much bigger part of both brands' offerings by the end of the decade.
The company frames both islands around Bahamian character and environmental stewardship rather than generic beach infrastructure. Whether that holds up in practice, travellers will get to judge in 2028 — but for now, if you like the sound of a low-key, nature-first beach day on your cruise, Sandy Cay is one to put on the watch list.
