Top tips for Ocean Cay

It's a special treat for MSC’s passengers to visit this Marine Reserve in the Bahamas.

Read our top tips below to get the most out of your day on the island.

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Take water shoes for activities on the beach or in the sea as there are some rocky patches.
If you want the best sun lounger spot, plan to head to the island early.
If you have kids, head to North or South beach, which have some of the calmest waters and lifeguards.
Snorkeling is a highly recommended activity. You'll find some of the clearest waters in the world at Ocean Cay and MSC have worked tirelessly to rehome 400 coral colonies.
Stay on the island for the Junkanoo and lighthouse show. You'll get much better views than those from the ship and the atmosphere on the island is electric.
An underrated activity on Ocean Cay is just a walk around the island. The scenery is so beautiful and much of the land has been left to nature - perfect for explorers young and old.

Make sure that you have breakfast before you leave the ship, as food service doesn't start till 11:30 on Ocean Cay.
The queues for the buffet can get very long. Heading back to the boat only takes a short time and the buffet there will be far less busy, with a comfy seat waiting for you.
The buffet will cater for vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free eaters. If your party has any other dietary needs, it's probably best to eat back on the ship.
Your drinks package will be accepted on the island too, just remember your MSC card.
If you don't have the drinks package, fill up your water bottle before you leave the ship as the only refill station on the island is at the buffet, which doesn't open till 11:30.

Take your MSC card with you - this will pay for everything you need and will get you on and off the ship. The only cash you'll need is for tips.
You will need to bring beach towels from the ship with you. They'll be placed in your room the night before, as Ocean Cay itself does not have towels (except for Ocean House members).
There's a tram to take you to different areas of the island should you need, although nothing is significantly far from the port and the walks are very picturesque.
Be aware that there's little shade on the island. Be prepared to buy a beach umbrella if you're planning a day on the sand.
MSC asks all guests to wear coral-friendly sunscreen to help protect the wildlife. This can be expensive on the ship so it's best to buy some before your holiday.