Three things guests love about... Sandals Emerald Bay. A full review.


Sandals Emerald Bay in a nutshell

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Accommodation Type: 5 star all-inclusive resort (adults-only).
Location: Great Exuma, the Bahamas.

Recommended airport: Exuma International Airport (GGT).
Transfer time to resort: 20 minutes.


Best Sandals resort for:
Sandals Emerald Bay is a laidback resort featuring an amazing spa and a Greg Norman designed golf course with incredible vistas. When it comes to powdery white sand beaches, turquoise waters and snorkeling: look no further, Exuma is second to none!

Atmosphere: Sophisticated.
Restaurants: 11 restaurants.


See all Sandals Emerald Bay deals here.


Overall review of Sandals Emerald Bay

all-inclusive resort in the Bahamas

You can hardly go wrong with choosing a resort on the ‘out islands’ in the Bahamas, and Sandals Emerald Bay enhances the magic of vacationing in that part of the Caribbean with a luxurious and intimate experience that’s hard to beat.

In fact, of over 5,000 guest reviews, 82% (!) vote their stay at Sandals Emerald Bay as ‘Excellent’ or ‘Very good’. That’s not surprising considering it is the largest Sandals resort in the Bahamas, set in a beautiful beachfront location, with amazing swimming pools as far as the eye can see. The luxury resort also features a state-of-the-art golf course (18-hole, par 72) designed by Greg Norman, tennis courts and a spa.

golf course in Exuma Bahamas

Here are the three things guests love most about Sandals Emerald Bay:


Three things guests love about Sandals Emerald Bay

Based on real customer reviews.

1. Guests love the private beach and swimming pool

Sandals beach in Exuma

Guests can never get enough of the sugary white sands on this beach, brought to life by unbelievably clear, turquoise waters. If you can tear yourself away from the beach you’ll be able to enjoy an equally amazing time frolicking around the various pools at the resort, some of which include a swim up bar. Considering that Sandals was the resort that introduced the swim up bar concept so many years ago, you can be assured that this will be an unmatched experience.

2. Guests love the restaurants

guests enjoying dinner at il cielo restaurant in sandals emerald bay

Date night anyone? There are so many restaurants to choose from at Sandals Emerald Bay that you’ll almost have to be eating for your entire trip to enjoy them all. If that were in fact the case, it wouldn’t be half bad as Sandals Emerald Bay, much like the other Sandals resorts offers world-class themed dining options that enable guests to have pretty much anything they desire on any given day. Favorites at this resort include La Parisienne (French), Il Cielo (Italian), and the Drunken Duck, a British Pub which is also great for a night of drinks and meeting other couples.

Insider tip: The most popular restaurants at Sandals Emerald Bay require a reservation. Make sure to make some dinner reservations on arrival, especially during peak season! For dress-codes and opening times, see: restaurants at Sandals Emerald Bay.



3. Guests love the Red Lane Spa

couple enjoying relaxing massage at red lane spa in sandals emerald bay

A Sandals vacation is incomplete without indulging in the amenities available at the spa. If you’re yet to experience a couple’s massage, this is the place to do it. Or you can try something that’s just for you, like the Passionfruit Agave Massage (full body), Raindrop Dreams, a massage and essential oil experience that will help you realign physically, and energetically. You can also try the Slow Beauty Pedicure, Happy Hour Manicure, or a Mother-2-Be Massage. There are plenty of options at the Red Lane Spa, and at Sandals Emerald Bay, you’ll be able to treat yourself with no reservations.

For all these reasons and more, Sandals Emerald Bay is the perfect choice for an all-inclusive couple’s vacation. If you’re looking for a getaway that includes romance, a stunning resort, amazing golf course and an out-of-this-world beach, you don’t have to look any further than this.

Looking for a good deal? See all Sandals Emerald Bay deals here.


Popular tours and excursion at Sandals Emerald Bay

Exuma Swimming Pigs Adventure.

guests petting pig in pig island

Enjoy a fun filled, action packed excursion aboard a 35-foot custom designed PowerCat while you snorkel, beach comb and experience all the beauty of the Exumas in one tour. Your captain and first mate will entertain you with excellent knowledge and first-class service as you cruise in and out of over 20 magnificent, little known cays with several stops along the way.

Take incredible photos atop an island with 360-degree views of the Exuma cays; visit the endangered Bahamian rock Iguana at an island, which the original natives of the Bahamas once called home. Circle past the million dollar privately owned islands of celebrities, and speed across waters only inches deep as Stingrays race across the bottom.

No journey into the cays is complete without feeding the always hilarious Swimming Pigs, swim through a lively reef with magnificent colors while a nearby virgin sandbar awaits your exploration.

Insider tip: Sandals Emerald Bay repeat guests often recommend to spend at least one (half) day outside of the resort to explore the island. Make sure to book tours and excursions before arrival to ensure availability.



Moriah Sea Park Adventure.

guest posing on the moriah harbor cay beach

Head over to the Exuma’s famous Moriah Harbor Cay National Park and become one with Mother Nature! Spanning across 10-miles of diverse land and sea, this park is home to reef fish, stingrays, turtles, dolphins and more! Bask in the Bahamian sun while keeping your eyes on the water, for you never know which ocean animal will swim by to say hello! Then, come face-to-face with these exotic sea-creatures as you cool off in the aquamarine sea and snorkel to your hearts content!


Exuma ATV Explorer.

guests having fun on atv ride

Explore the Exumas ATV style! Your journey begins in a convoy as you follow an experienced guide to one of the oldest churches on the island - St. Margaret's Anglican Church, which was built on April 13, 1848. Next, hop back on your ATV and go on a journey back in time to the island's first prison where Pompey, one of the country's most infamous slaves was jailed. During your time spent at this stop people enjoy exploring and learning interesting facts while taking in the stunning view of the Exumian coastline.

Then it's back on your bikes as you head to the caves at Rolleville where you will get to explore and learn about its past use by pirates. Here, you will also get to enjoy a freshly cut coconut along with baked Bahamian treats. Lastly it's off to Cocoplum Beach where you will be mesmerized by one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean and its pristine waters, all while learning about the nearby beacon formerly used by pirates to sabotage passing ships!

Expert tip: Still not sure which Sandals resort is right for you? Read ‘Which Sandals resort is best for you? The ultimate guide’ and find out!



Recent Sandals Emerald Bay Awards

Awards Sandals Emerald Bay won in the past 5 years alone, not counting the awards that were won by Sandals Resorts as a chain:

  • Islands All-Inclusive Awards: Best Butler Service: Editors' Choice and Readers' Choice 2019.
  • World Travel Awards: Bahama’s Best Golf Hotel 2018.
  • Travel Weekly Magellan Awards: Gold – Overall Golf Resort 2015, 2016, 2018.
  • Travel Weekly Magellan Awards: Silver – Overall Conference Resort 2017.
  • American Academy of Hospitality Sciences: Six Star Diamond Award 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018.
  • American Academy of Hospitality Sciences: Six Star Diamond Award 2017, 2018 (Red Lane Spa).
  • American Academy of Hospitality Sciences: Six Star Green Diamond Award 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018.
  • American Academy of Hospitality Sciences: Six Star Green Diamond Award 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 (Red Lane Spa).
  • World Travel Awards: Caribbean’s Leading Luxury All-Inclusive Resort 2014, 2016.
  • Condé Nast Traveler's Annual Readers’ Choice: Top Resort in the Atlantic 2014, 2015, 2016.
  • World Travel Awards: Caribbean's Leading Conference Hotel 2015.
  • Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards: Top Hotel Spa in the Caribbean 2015.
  • Travel Weekly Magellan Awards: Silver – Overall Golf Resort 2014.

Guests love Sandals Emerald Bay! Select a room and book online, or call us at +1 888-726-3257.



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Kylie Morrow

About Kylie Morrow

Born on the tropical island that is Saint Lucia affords a never-ending source of inspiration. In the past 13 years, Kylie loved to work with various newspapers, magazines and blogs in the Caribbean.