Heading to Ocean Cay and want to know where everything is before you step off the ship? Here’s the latest MSC Ocean Cay map, updated for 2026, along with a walk through each part of the island, which beaches are best for what, where to eat and drink, and a few tips I’ve picked up from visiting Ocean Cay more than a dozen times.
Download the printable Ocean Cay map (PDF)
Tap or click the map to open the full size version. I’d save it to your phone before you get off the ship. Your ship’s Wi-Fi package does work on the island, but coverage can be patchy in spots, so it’s nice to have the map handy offline.
Ocean Cay at a Glance
If you’ve never been, here’s the quick version. Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve is MSC’s private island in the Bimini chain of The Bahamas, about 65 miles east of Miami. It used to be an industrial sand mining site, and MSC spent years cleaning it up and restoring the reefs before the first ship arrived in December 2019.
A few things make it different from other private islands:
- You walk right off the ship. MSC built a pier, so there’s no tender boat.
- Only one ship at a time. For now it’s just you and your fellow passengers, so there’s room to spread out. That changes in late 2027 when the pier expansion lets two ships dock.
- No waterslides or pools. It’s a marine reserve, so it’s all about beaches, calm water and relaxing.
- Some sailings stay overnight. If yours does, you’ll get the evening beach party and the lighthouse light show.
Getting Around the Island
When you walk off the ship you’ll come through the Arrival Plaza and Welcome Pavilion. Right nearby is the Transportation Pavilion, where you can catch the tram if you’d rather not walk to the far beaches, and the Rental and Excursion Pavilion, where you can rent snorkel gear, paddleboards, kayaks and wave runners.
Ocean Cay is pretty compact, but Paradise Sands and the Bimini side are a real walk from the pier in the Bahamas heat. If you’re carrying beach bags or traveling with little ones, take the tram.
The Beaches on Ocean Cay
There are eight beaches on the island, and they each have a different feel. The three main ones, Lighthouse Bay, North Beach and South Beach, have lifeguards on duty.
Lighthouse Bay
Lighthouse Bay is the beach closest to the ship, right by the island’s red and white lighthouse. You’ll find the Lighthouse Bar and Rose Bar here, plus a food truck. The orange umbrella icons on the map mark spots with free umbrellas already set up, and a couple of them (VERY few) are right here. Because it’s so close to the pier, it fills up fast, so get there early if this is your spot. On overnight calls, this is where the beach party with a DJ happens.
South Beach at the Lagoon
South Beach is the biggest beach on the island and my personal favorite. It sits on the calm lagoon, it’s closest to the main food hall, and it’s where most of the rentable cabanas are. The blue icon on the map marks where the South Beach Relaxation Set, which is an umbrella and two lounge chairs that you can rent for the day in the app or at the shore excursion desk onboard, is set up. These used to be free, but no more.
North Beach at the Lagoon
North Beach is across the lagoon from South Beach. It’s a little quieter, and it’s home to the North Beach Relaxation Set area and is marked by the green icon on the map. Like the set on South Beach, it include an umbrella and two loungers. Again, these aren’t free any longer. The Maze Bar is close by.
Bimini Beach
Bimini Beach wraps around the end of the island, so it faces both the ocean and the lagoon. It’s next to Bimini Beach Club, the Disc Bar and a food truck. If you’re staying in the MSC Yacht Club, it’s also close to your private area at Ocean House Restaurant and Ocean House Beach.
Paradise Sands
Paradise Sands is the farthest beach from the pier, out near the Wedding Pavilion and The Spa Ocean Cay. MSC has turned it into an adults retreat that’s relaxing by day and becomes a sunset cocktail spot in the evening. The Pineapple Bar and Pink Flamingo Bar are nearby, and so is the Premium Beach Club which isn’t really much more than day bed rentals.
Sunset Beach
Sunset Beach faces the open ocean on the west side and tends to be one of the most secluded, quiet spots on the island. The Cactus Bar is just up the path.
Seakers Cove
Seakers Cove is the family beach next to Ocean Cay Village. If you’ve got kids, this is your spot, and it’s getting a splash pad, a playground and a ropes course with water elements as part of the 2027 upgrades.
Where to Eat on Ocean Cay
Food on the island is spread across a few main spots:
- Seakers Food Hall is the main buffet, near the pier and South Beach. Expect lines at the peak of lunch.
- Boho Food Hall is on the west side near Sunset Beach, and it’s a great way to dodge the Seakers crowds.
- Food trucks are scattered around the island, including near Lighthouse Bay, Seakers Cove and Bimini Beach.
- Ocean House Restaurant is for MSC Yacht Club guests.
The food at the food halls and select food trucks is included in your cruise fare.
Where to Get a Drink
You’re never far from a bar on Ocean Cay. On the map you’ll spot the Lighthouse Bar, Rose Bar, Island Breeze Bar, Ivory Bar, Cactus Bar, Pineapple Bar, Pink Flamingo Bar, Maze Bar, Disc Bar and Great Star Bar. If you’ve got an MSC drink package, it works on the island too, so there’s no need to stock up before you leave the ship.
Ocean Cay Village and the Marine Conservation Center
Just past the pier is Ocean Cay Village, with shops, the Smiling Fish, Great Star Bar and the Seakers Cove Excursion Center.
Out on the point next to the marina is the Marine Conservation Center, with the Discovery Pavilion, the BIO Lab, The Aquaria and a Lecture Hall. This is where you’ll learn about MSC’s coral restoration work, and it’s a nice break from the sun, especially if you’ve got kids who get curious about what they’re seeing in the water.
Things to Do Besides the Beach
- Climb the lighthouse. You can book a lighthouse tour for a 360 degree view of the island.
- Get on the water. Rent snorkel gear, a paddleboard, a kayak or a wave runner at the Rental and Excursion Pavilion.
- Visit The Spa Ocean Cay for a treatment with an ocean breeze.
- Stay for the evening. On overnight calls there’s a Junkanoo parade, the beach party at Lighthouse Bay and the lighthouse light show.
Cabanas and Relaxation Sets
The green and blue icons on the map are the bookable beach relaxation sets on North Beach and South Beach. If you want more privacy and shade, Ocean Cay also has cabanas on Bimini Beach, North Beach and South Beach, plus a separate set for Yacht Club guests at Ocean House Beach.
I’ve written a full guide to them, with a cabana map showing exactly where each numbered cabana is: Your Guide to Renting a Cabana at Ocean Cay, With Cabana Map.
Ocean Cay Map FAQs
Is there a printable map of Ocean Cay?
Yes. You can download the 2026 Ocean Cay map as a PDF from this page and print it or save it to your phone before your cruise.
Which beach on Ocean Cay is closest to the ship?
Lighthouse Bay is the closest beach to the pier. It has a bar, a food truck and some free umbrellas, but it fills up quickly, so head there early if you want a good spot.
Is there a tram on Ocean Cay?
Yes. The tram leaves from the Transportation Pavilion near the pier and saves you the walk to the farther beaches like Paradise Sands and Bimini Beach.
Where is the food on Ocean Cay?
The main buffet is Seakers Food Hall near the pier and South Beach. Boho Food Hall is on the west side near Sunset Beach, and there are food trucks around the island. Food at the food halls and select food trucks is included in your cruise fare.
Where are the cabanas on Ocean Cay?
Cabanas are on Bimini Beach, North Beach and South Beach, all along the lagoon, plus a separate set at Ocean House Beach for MSC Yacht Club guests. My Ocean Cay cabana guide has a map with every cabana number.
Are there lifeguards on Ocean Cay?
Yes, the three main beaches, Lighthouse Bay, North Beach and South Beach, have lifeguards on duty.
More Ocean Cay Planning
If this is your first visit, my complete guide to Ocean Cay covers the island’s history, Wi-Fi, overnight stays and what happens if the weather doesn’t cooperate. And if you want a peek at what’s coming next, check out my first hand look at the 2027 Ocean Cay enhancements.
