MSC Group to develop second private island and 20-acre beach club

MSC Group’s cruise division is set to create a new private island and develop a separate 20-acre beach club in the Bahamas.

Sandy Cay is located next to the line’s current private destination Ocean Cay Marine Reserve and is due to open in 2028.

The new luxury island is designed to be “an intimate complement” to the original island, offering “a more secluded, elemental escape”.

Meanwhile, CTL Maritime, the infrastructure arm of the company, will develop the MSC Beach Club at the Grand Lucayan complex in Freeport on Grand Bahama Island.

The MSC Beach Club will be a “purpose-build destination” for the exclusive use of MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys’ passengers.

The new development is intended to “further expand” both brands’ destination portfolios and “enhance the guest experience” in the Bahamas.

Construction was expected to start on April 12, subject to environmental and regulatory approvals.

In a statement, a spokesperson said: “The MSC Beach Club forms part of the company’s broader destination strategy, which also includes the expansion of Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve and the development of Freeport Harbour cruise port, that will be available to all cruise lines.”

Last year, MSC Cruises announced a raft of upgrades to its private island Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve anticipated to be completed by late 2027.