10 Things You Should Know About MSC's Ocean Cay Marine Reserve Before You Go

While MSC Cruises spent years preparing its private island destination for its first round of guests, Ocean Cay Marine Reserve did not officially open its doors to cruisers until November of 2019. We all know what happened shortly after that, with cruising shut down almost completely throughout the majority of 2020 and well into 2021.

That said, those lost years actually helped MSC's private island grow into what it is today - a lush, tropical paradise with full foliage, endless activities and space to relax with stunning ocean views everywhere you look.

If you're considering a visit to MSC Cruises Ocean Cay Marine Reserve on one of the cruise line's Caribbean itineraries, it helps to know what to expect and how to make the most of your beach day on the island. Read on to find out the top 10 things you should know about Ocean Cay before you go.

Many people don't know this, but MSC Cruises Ocean Cay Marine Reserve is actually part of the Bahamas. The island is located in the district of Bimini, which is known for its striking turquoise waters and plentiful marine wildlife.

The water at Ocean Cay will not disappoint as a result. It's just as blue and beautiful as anywhere in the Bahamas, and the surf surrounding the island is calm the majority of the time.

One major detail to note about MSC Cruises Ocean Cay is the fact that your dining experience extends directly off the ship. There are actually several different ways to dine and drink throughout the island, including an expansive buffet, multiple food trucks, several beach bars and a coffee bar.

As you would expect, the food on Ocean Cay is similar to what you find on MSC Cruises ships - healthy Mediterranean cuisine like fish and fresh produce as well as American food options like hot dogs and french fries.

If you purchased a drink package on your MSC Cruise, or if you took advantage of one of the line's offers for free drinks and wifi, you should also know that the exact package you have onboard works at the island's many bars and restaurants.

This makes spending a day on the island considerably more convenient and cheaper overall. After all, your beach day at Ocean Cay won't cost you anything extra unless you buy something at one of the island's shops or book an excursion.

MSC Cruises has its own upgraded VIP area on most ships known as the Yacht Club, and Ocean Cay has a dedicated area only for Yacht Club guests. This part of the island has its own restaurant called Ocean House, which features upgraded food offerings like lobster rolls and locally sourced mahi-mahi. Yacht Club guests also have their own beach area with comfortable seating, umbrellas for shade and luxurious cabanas for rent.

If you're worried about getting around on the island with limited mobility, you will be happy to know there are facilities and services you can access. For starters, MSC Cruises offers a range of small trolleys that can whisk you from one side of the island to the other, and you can even sit while you wait for the next ride to arrive.

Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve is also completely ADA compliant. Beach wheelchairs are even available on the island and waiting for guests at the pier, so make sure to request one ahead of time.

Another benefit of visiting a cruise line private island is just how easy it is to get off and on the ship. You don't need anything other than your cruise card to disembark your ship at Ocean Cay, and you can get back on any time you want.

MSC ships that stop at Ocean Cay, including the MSC Seashore, the MSC Meraviglia and the MSC Divina, pull directly up to the dock at Ocean Cay with no tendering required.

While MSC Cruises is a beautiful marine paradise today, the island was little more than an industrial wasteland just a few years ago. The island was once used for industrial mining of aragonite sand, yet it had been abandoned in a state of chaos in 2015.

MSC Cruises purchased the island and restored it back to its natural glory - a state in which current guests to the island still find it today.

Not only is Ocean Cay Marine Reserve in pristine condition, but the entire destination was designed as a Marine Reserve with 64 square miles of protected waters surrounding its shores.

Marine life at Ocean Cay is thriving due to the conservation efforts made there. According to the cruise line, the area is teeming with more than 88 species of fish as well as lobsters, sea turtles and rays. Snorkelers can also find several types of coral and many species of rare plants.

While Ocean Cay was made for rest and relaxation, there are quite a few ways to stay active if you want to. For starters, guests can book kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding excursions or rentals, or they can participate in an Ocean Cay lighthouse climb.

Other activities include beach volleyball, bocce ball and stargazing to name a few.

If you really want to enjoy your day on Ocean Cay, you should know that renting a cabana is an absolute must. You can rent a luxury cabana next to several of the pristine beaches on the island, and there are also Yacht Club cabanas available in the separate area dedicated to Yacht Club members.

Renting a cabana gives you plenty of shade and personal space while you enjoy stunning ocean views, endless refreshments and everything Ocean Cay has to offer.