For those who’re on the lookout for waterslides and zip strains, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve will not be the personal island playground you have been searching for. But when a soothing day of lounging within the sand and floating on the waves, maybe with an hour or two of snorkeling or paddleboarding, is what the physician ordered, MSC Cruises’ latest vacation spot may be your new favourite cruise port.
MSC Cruises reworked a former sand extraction website, surrounded by broken reefs and full of commercial garbage, into an idyllic seashore vacation spot that the road hopes would be the poster youngster for coral restoration. It planted hundreds of crops and timber and created a coral nursery on the island’s east aspect. MSC has partnered with the Bahamian authorities to designate the 64 sq. miles of waters round Ocean Cay as an official marine reserve.
Ocean Cay is technically two tiny islands related by a footbridge. Within the center is a sheltered lagoon. Beachgoers can select from quite a few oceanside or lagoon-facing seashores, every with its personal vibe. Bars and meals vehicles are scattered all through the island, and guests can e-book water-based excursions or lease water sports activities gear.
There’s loads of house for everybody however little or no shade. Ships dock proper on the island, so passengers can stroll off the ship each time they’re prepared for his or her time within the solar.
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Acquired an upcoming journey to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve? This is all the things you want to know to plan your seashore day.
Observe: Costs for actions and leases can differ based mostly on sail date and whether or not they’re booked pre-cruise, on board or onshore.
The place is Ocean Cay?
Ocean Cay is a artifical island within the Bahamas, about 20 miles south of Bimini and 65 miles southeast of Miami. It’s nearer to Florida than many different cruise line personal islands and seashores, akin to Disney Cruise Line’s Castaway Cay or Royal Caribbean’s Excellent Day at CocoCay.
The island’s proximity to the Florida cruise ports implies that MSC Cruises ships can keep in port late into the night time and nonetheless make it again to the U.S. very first thing within the morning.
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Associated: Bahamas cruise information: Finest itineraries, planning suggestions and issues to do
Which cruise ships go there?
Solely MSC Cruises ships go to Ocean Cay. Often, they’re the ships based mostly year-round or seasonally within the U.S., crusing Bahamas and Caribbean cruises. Often, one other ship on a repositioning cruise would possibly pay a go to.
Ships visiting Ocean Cay by 2025 embrace:
- MSC Divina
- MSC Magnifica
- MSC Meraviglia
- MSC Seascape
- MSC Seashore
- MSC Seaside
- MSC World America
Sister cruise line Explora Journey’s Explora 1 can even make a couple of stops at Ocean Cay.
How do you get to and round Ocean Cay?
Ships dock proper at Ocean Cay’s pier, so passengers can stroll off the ship through the gangway as a substitute of taking a young boat. This makes it faster and simpler to travel from the ship to the island.
Pathways take you from the pier, by the Ocean Cay Village (with its outlets and bars), to the varied seashores. From the pier to the farthest spot on the island is a 20-minute stroll. An electrical tram service additionally picks up passengers at designated stops (most with shaded seating areas) and takes them to the varied seashores across the island. This fashion, you are not compelled to stroll if you cannot or do not need to.
What are the MSC Ocean Cay seashores?
The primary factor to do on Ocean Cay is to get pleasure from a soothing day on the seashore. Guests can select to spend time within the protected waters of the lagoon or on a seashore that fronts the ocean. In a single space, the lagoon’s flooring is roofed in plants, so that you won’t need to wade however somewhat swim over.
Sundown, Bimini and Paradise Sands seashores should not have lifeguards stationed alongside the seashore like the opposite seashores do and are marked as such; nevertheless, lifeguards on jet skis do patrol the waters close to these swimming areas.
Some seashores are extra chill, whereas others have leisure or water sports activities. All are near meals vehicles providing complimentary burgers, sizzling canine and fries, in addition to bars. However if you need handy entry to the total lunch buffet, you may need to hang around on South Seaside close to Seakers Meals Courtroom.
Floating seashore mats and shade umbrellas can be found for lease. It is cheaper to lease them upfront versus on the island. The present onboard value is $15 per umbrella rental or floating seashore mat.
Decide them up at designated rental stations on the island (together with the umbrellas, which you may have to hold to the seashore and arrange your self). Observe that solely South and North Seaside have preset umbrella stands for putting your rental umbrella. Free umbrellas are already arrange at Lighthouse Bay.
Ocean Cay’s eight seashores embrace:
South Seaside
The nearer, longer lagoon-facing seashore, with easy accessibility to bars, meals vehicles and the primary Seakers Meals Courtroom. For those who’ve signed up for water sports activities, you may discover gear akin to standup paddleboards and kayaks at one finish of South Seaside.
North Seaside
Throughout the lagoon from South Seaside (and a farther stroll/tram journey), this seashore is an efficient guess for fewer crowds than South Seaside or journey events who need to simply change from lagoon to ocean swimming.
Bimini Seaside
Bimini Seaside is on the ocean aspect of Ocean Cay’s smaller island and one of many farthest spots from the ship.
Sundown Seaside
Ocean Cay’s longest seashore (greater than half a mile) faces the ocean. The farthest finish of the seashore is certainly a trek from the ship.
Paradise Sands
This tiny seashore is between the Spa at Ocean Cay and the marriage pavilion.
Lighthouse Bay
Lighthouse Bay, with its colourful (and complimentary) seashore umbrellas, sits between the ship and the island’s iconic lighthouse. It is a taking place spot with leisure and actions all through the day.
Ocean Home Seaside
This seashore is unique to visitors staying within the Yacht Membership. It has its personal restaurant and bar, in addition to butler service and cabanas to lease for an extra price.
Associated: How MSC’s private-island expertise is totally different for cruisers in suites
Seakers Household Cove Seaside
This small seashore continues to be within the design course of and has not but opened. It is meant to be a shallow seashore for households with younger youngsters and is positioned near meals, loos and the ship.
What are one of the best Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve issues to do?
If you would like extra to do than swim, float or chill out in a lounge chair, you could have a couple of choices on Ocean Cay. Nevertheless, there aren’t as many choices as a tricked-out, theme-park-like personal island like Royal Caribbean’s Excellent Day at CocoCay.
For a bit of train, the next leases can be found. Leases are for one hour until in any other case famous:
- Snorkel gear (all-day rental, $32)
- Stand-up paddleboard ($32)
- Kayak ($32)
- Ceclo pedal boat ($122)
- Windsurf board ($52)
- Hobie crusing kayak ($75)
- Hobie household kayak ($92)
- Hobie Eclipse paddleboard ($49)
On my summer time crusing, the snorkel gear was already bought out once I went to order a set the day earlier than we docked at Ocean Cay. For those who plan on renting gear somewhat than bringing your personal, put a maintain on a set as early as attainable.
You may e-book massages on the on-island Spa at Ocean Cay, positioned on Paradise Sands Seaside, previous the far finish of South Seaside, the place you may benefit from the sea breezes in a non-public remedy cabana. The marriage pavilion can also be on this seashore do you have to want to tie the knot throughout your cruise.
The ship’s leisure employees organizes a couple of actions, together with volleyball, bocce and kite competitions (marked as 18+). The youth employees organizes child and teenage actions, too, together with treasure hunts and lively video games.
You may take a stroll across the island, however you may’t climb the lighthouse until you e-book an official tour.
For those who like to buy, Ocean Cay Village by the pier options a number of storefronts promoting Bahamian and MSC/Ocean Cay-themed souvenirs and seashore requirements.
A Uncover Scuba diving middle has been constructed however will not open till the cruise line has completed growing its diving program and excursions.
You can too e-book a handful of excursions by the cruise ship (see under).
Ocean Cay is uncommon in that it affords night occasions, because the ship can keep late in port, given its proximity to the Florida cruise ports. A Junkanoo parade places everybody in a celebration spirit and culminates in a laser gentle present on and across the lighthouse. On sailings that keep additional late, visitors can stay it up on the Luna Libre celebration on Lighthouse Seaside, full with a DJ, bonfire, dancing and limbo contests. Bars on this a part of the island keep open late, as nicely.
What are the MSC Ocean Cay excursions?
Wish to have interaction in additional organized enjoyable? You may e-book a handful of excursions in your day on Ocean Cay.
Excursions embrace:
- WaveRunner jet ski tour ($169 per jet ski — as much as two visitors)
- Guided stand-up paddleboard tour ($49)
- Guided kayak tour ($49)
- Ocean Cay Lighthouse climb ($15)
- Ocean Cay “Bahama Breeze Escape” 2-hour catamaran tour ($85)
- Shipwreck snorkeling tour ($82)
- Hobie catamaran crusing tour ($142)
- Dawn mimosa cruise ($85)
The entire excursions are 1.5 to 2 hours in size, besides the lighthouse climb, which is simply half-hour. Relying on the MSC fare class you buy, it’s possible you’ll be eligible for reductions on excursions if bought on-line earlier than your crusing. Costs for kids are cheaper, aside from the paddleboard tour (minimal age 14) and the jet ski tour (minimal age 10, however minimal age to drive is eighteen).
In case your cruise ship stays late or in a single day at Ocean Cay, you may e-book further night excursions. These embrace:
- Glow nighttime stand-up paddleboard tour ($52)
- Sundown Champagne cruise ($85)
- Beachside stargazing ($89)
- Twilight scenic island cruise and lightweight present ($79)
These actions weren’t accessible on my summer time cruise because of a mixture of a later sundown and an earlier night departure.
Associated: Shore excursions: What you want to know
Does MSC Ocean Cay supply cabanas to lease?
Cabanas supply a shady hangout with a couple of additional perks. They’re accessible on all seashores besides Sundown Seaside, Lighthouse Bay and Paradise Sands. Pricing and inclusions differ by cabana kind.
Ocean Cay Seaside Cabana
Anybody can lease a cabana on North, South and Bimini Seaside. The thatched roof huts are partially walled with a cushioned sofa and wood desk inside and lounge chairs exterior; they arrive with additional towels, chilly water and two floating mats. As much as six folks can occupy one cabana.
These price $252 per cabana to lease on board, however pricing would possibly differ should you e-book earlier than your cruise or on the island.
Ocean View Yacht Membership Cabana
Yacht Membership visitors can entry cabanas on their unique seashore, Ocean Home Seaside. An Ocean View Cabana can also accommodate as much as six folks. Along with recent water and towels, the rental value consists of complimentary lunch and drinks, afternoon fruit skewers, 4 units of snorkel gear and 4 floating mats. These cabanas are on an elevated part of the seashore, providing nice views of the seashore and waves.
These price $402 per cabana to lease on board; the mats and snorkel gear are valued at $188.
Beachfront Yacht Membership Cabana
For an additional $50, you will get a cabana on Ocean Home Seaside that is nearer to the water than the Ocean View model however affords all the identical facilities. These price $452 per cabana to lease on board.
Is meals included on Ocean Cay?
Lunch is included on Ocean Cay, although sure venues cost additional for particular meals. The island’s eateries embrace:
Seakers Meals Courtroom
Seakers Meals Courtroom is the primary complimentary barbecue lunch buffet spot on Ocean Cay. It serves up quite a lot of premade salads, barbecue fare (burgers and veggie burgers, sizzling canine, rooster, fish and extra), plus easy desserts like cookies. Water and iced tea are complimentary. Picnic tables are set within the sand across the buffet, so that you needn’t carry your meal again to your seashore chair.
I used to be impressed with the number of choices, and all the things was tasty. I needed to ask for a veggie burger (they are not set out on the buffet), nevertheless it got here out in minutes (versus on different strains’ personal islands the place I’ve needed to wait 10 minutes or extra for my meals).
Meals vehicles
For those who do not need to trek removed from the seashore in your lunch, meals vehicles across the island serve complimentary burgers, sizzling canine, pasta salad and French fries. It is a way more restricted menu than the primary meals courtroom, however typically comfort is vital.
Seafood Shack
The Nice Star meals truck close to South Seaside affords seafood specials for an extra cost. Select from lobster grilled cheese, fried calamari, lobster bacon roll, grilled octopus salad, seafood ceviche and seafood watermelon salad for costs starting from $7.95 to $12.95.
Ocean Home Restaurant
Ocean Home Restaurant is an indoor/outside eating venue and bar unique to Yacht Membership visitors; it is on their unique seashore. The menu is fancier than the fare you may discover at Seakers Meals Courtroom, with starters akin to crab ceviche and charred octopus; mains akin to a lobster roll, pineapple membership mahi mahi and a burger mixing recent angus chunk, quick ribs and brisket; and desserts akin to creme caramel and mango cheesecake.
The Smiling Fish Ice Cream Parlor
If you would like a cool deal with after a sizzling seashore day, The Smiling Fish Ice Cream Parlor serves up cups, cone and its signature ice cream dish — ice cream in a fish-shaped cone. Flavors embrace vanilla, chocolate, coconut and key lime, and you may order toppings like M&Ms, recent mango and Nutella sauce. Be ready for sticker shock: A cup prices $4-$6, a waffle cone $7 and a smiling fish cone $9.
Does my MSC drink package deal work on Ocean Cay?
Ocean Cay has 10 bars (plus the Smiling Fish espresso bar) unfold throughout the island, and no matter drink or all-inclusive package deal you could have on board will apply to the island. In any other case, you will have to swipe your cruise card to pay for drinks.
A lot of the bars are thatched-roof, open-air huts with bar seating; there are dialog nooks within the sand with 4 chairs round a small desk and even some bean luggage for reclining together with your beverage.
Is there purchasing on Ocean Cay?
Ocean Cay Village has a number of outlets promoting souvenirs and seashore requirements. Even higher, they’re blissfully air-conditioned, do you have to want a respite in your stroll from the sand to the ship.
The Ocean Cay Buying and selling Submit sells Ocean Cay branded souvenirs and presents impressed by nature. The MSC Store and Ocean Cay Customer Middle are the spots to select up necessities like sunscreen and seashore toys; the MSC Store additionally sells gadgets from the MSC Basis, highlighting sustainability and marine themes. The Bahamas Store sells regionally made Bahamian merchandise.
An artisan market was closed throughout my go to; when it’s open, it solely accepts U.S. {dollars} for cost.
What further Ocean Cay facilities will I discover?
The rental stations doling out umbrellas and floating mats are the identical buildings the place you could find restrooms, altering rooms and showers. Seaside wheelchairs can be found for passengers with mobility points; these can be discovered by the loos.
Ocean Cay is wired for Wi-Fi, so your onboard web package deal will work on the island. Simply join your cellphone or system to Ocean Cay Wi-Fi and sign up as you’ll on board.
Are you able to keep in a single day on Ocean Cay?
You may’t keep in a single day on Ocean Cay — however your ship would possibly. Although MSC cruise ships keep at Ocean Cay into the night and typically stay docked in a single day for a two-day go to, there aren’t any lodging for visitors on the island.
If you would like the late-night expertise, search for sailings that both arrive within the afternoon and depart the night of the next day or arrive within the morning and keep for 2 full days. Do not assume you may camp out on the sand. For these in a single day stays, passengers nonetheless should be again on board round midnight or 1 a.m.
What is the typical climate like on Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve?
Like the remainder of the Bahamas, Ocean Cay has heat climate year-round. Summer season highs are within the 80s, and winter lows are round 70 levels. Might and June are the rainiest months, with hurricane season operating from June by November. Ought to a storm threaten Ocean Cay, your cruise ship will reroute and skip a go to to the island till climate circumstances enhance.
I’ve discovered the solar very intense within the Bahamas, and there is not a ton of pure shade on Ocean Cay. You should definitely apply and reapply sunscreen liberally should you plan to spend all day on the seashore to keep away from sunburns.
Associated: Finest time to cruise to Bahamas
Can I see an MSC Ocean Cay map?
Positive! Here’s a map of Ocean Cay that will help you plan your day on the island.
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