Musha Cay, Bahamas: David Copperfield’s Private Island Resort in the Exumas

Musha Cay is a private island resort in the Exuma Cays of the Bahamas, owned by the illusionist David Copperfield. Only one group stays at a time: up to 24 guests share 11 islands, roughly 700 acres of land and 40 private beaches, with no other visitors in sight.

It is one of the most exclusive island rentals in the Caribbean region, and it sits in one of the most beautiful stretches of shallow turquoise water in the Atlantic.

Where is Musha Cay?

Musha Cay lies in the Exuma chain, about 137 km (85 miles) southeast of Nassau, in the Lucayan Archipelago. Exuma is made up of more than 365 islands and cays. Its largest island, Great Exuma, is about 60 km long, and its capital, George Town, was founded in 1793.

Much of the surrounding sea is famous for sandbanks and reefs. A large area of the northern cays is protected as the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, managed by the Bahamas National Trust.

David Copperfield and the Islands of Copperfield Bay

Copperfield bought the eleven islands in 2006 from John Melk, a co-founder of Blockbuster, and renamed them the Islands of Copperfield Bay. The resort’s architect is Howard Holtzman. The magician treats the archipelago as a kind of test lab for experiences, and the official website promises illusion-inspired “interactive adventures” across the islands.

The island has hosted well-known guests over the years. Google co-founder Sergey Brin married there in May 2007, and Oprah Winfrey and John Travolta are among the reported visitors.

Villas and guest capacity

Guests stay in five private homes spread around the main island:

• Highview, on the hill
• Pier House
• Beach House
• Blue Point
• Palm Terrace

Because the whole resort is booked by one party, the stay works best for families, friends or a celebration. Agree early on who sleeps where, which meals the whole group shares and which days stay free for people to go their own way. Our planning guide for travelling together has useful ideas for that conversation.

Things to do on Musha Cay

Days revolve around the water. The resort offers jet ski trips to a two-mile sandbar that rises out of the sea for just a few hours at low tide, and one of the islands is home to iguanas. With 40 beaches to choose from, every member of the group can find a stretch of sand of their own.

The wider Exumas are worth a boat day too. The Exuma pigs article covers the famous swimming pigs, and Harbour Island offers a very different Bahamas of pink sand and a lively little town.

How to get to Musha Cay

Fly into Exuma International Airport on Great Exuma, which is less than an hour and a half by air from Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Nassau and also has flights from cities such as Atlanta, Charlotte and Toronto. From there, a short charter flight or boat ride brings you to the island.

Musha Cay does not publish its rates. Stays are arranged through a reservation request on the official Musha Cay website, where the team puts together a proposal for your dates and group.

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