Amazing Sandals resort in Emerald Bay, where the Sandals brand sets the stage for an amazing experience. The Exumas are located in the Bahamas and consist of over 360 islands. The Great Exuma which is the island we visited, is the larger one, but still very small as it is only 37 miles long. This was our 4th visit to a Sandals resort.
TRAVEL & TRANSIT TO SANDALS RESORT
As the island is very small, the airport can only accommodate smaller flights. If you prefer traveling with a wide-body aircraft, this destination may not be for you. We flew from Miami on a very small prop plane, and my head almost touched the ceiling of the aircraft. The configuration of seats was 1 on one side of the aisle with 2 seats across on the other side.
Our journey started with a delay, a technical scenario. This was followed by crew time, but luckily in the end, we were able to depart with a significant delay. The flight is only about 1 hour long, and as you fly in over the Bahamas, the ocean is amazingly turquoise. The airport at Georgetown is inside a very small building and customs clearance was smooth and very quick. As the resort is only 10 mins away from the airport, you will be able to start enjoying your vacation fast.
THE SANDALS RESORT
Sandals Emerald Bay is an amazing resort. It has a gorgeous pool, very lush tropical gardens, and the beach is very private. The vibes at this resort are very calm as well as relaxing. You can find more details here.
THE BEACH & THE POOL
The Beach at Emerald Bay is simply amazing. I could have stayed at the beach all day long. There are hammocks, where you can lay down relaxing & feel the waves come in under neat you.
The pool is very inviting, and you can use the floats to take you across to the pool bar to have a drink of the day.
SANDALS RESORT FOOD & DRINKS
This resort has 11 restaurants, so there is something for everyone. I always love the Barefoot by the Sea restaurant, where you can have your bare feet in the sand while eating. What can be better than enjoying a lobster tail overlooking the ocean?
There is the traditional white night with a chocolate buffet as well as the return guest dinner.
LA PARISIENNE
ENTERTAINMENT & NIGHTLIFE
The nightlife at Sandals Emerald Bay is a bit more laid back compared to other resorts. They still have evening shows, a pub, a chocolate buffet, etc. One of the highlights was listening to the sax player by the pool. So amazing.
BOAT TOUR
We did one excursion with an outside vendor, Robert’s Island Adventure. It was such an amazing experience, and I can highly recommend them. Click here for their website.
They sent a mini-van to take you to the boat. Our first stop was on a sandbar where we had a “Goombay Smash” What an amazing feeling standing in ankle-deep water in the middle of the ocean with a cup of a really good drink.
We then continued to Thunderball Grotto, where we could snorkel inside the cave, and this location is famous as one of the Bond movies was filmed here.
Our next stop was Compass Cay – a close encounter with sharks followed by Major Cay. This is where you can swim with the pigs. What an amazing experience. Some of the pigs are quite big and may come after you looking for treats. At Leaf Cay, we got surrounded by Iguanas and in addition, our Captain also stopped to say hello to a sea turtle. Lunch was not included, but we stopped at a restaurant where the food was very good. I will always remember this special day.
EXPLORING THE ISLAND
We decided to rent a car for the day and decided to head north, where we ended up at Coco Plum Beach. My first thought was that “We had arrived in Paradise”. An amazing beach with white sand, clear water, and a sandbank that went on forever.
After a few hours, we drove south, past the airport to Little Exuma. A rumor had it that Santanna’s Bar & Grill on the beach in Williamstown was serving up the best deep-fried lobster. OMG. This is one of the best things I have ever eaten. Sitting on the patio enjoying the food, we had sightings of sharks in the turquoise water.
After lunch, we drove a little bit north and ended up at another beautiful beach, the tropics of cancer. It was worthwhile renting a car for the day as we would not have been able to see some of these amazing beaches.
GOLF
There is a golf course at this resort. You will have free green fees when you stay at the resort. It has a walking trail next to it, and I can highly recommend walking it early in the morning.
TRIP COMING TO AN END
As always, time flies when you are having fun, and before we knew it, the day had come to go back home. This trip ended as it started, with an irregularity. We made it to Miami, and then Mother Nature decided to throw us a curb ball with major thunder & lightning. It got so bad, so eventually all flights were canceled for the evening, and we ended up having to rent a car and drive home.
With memories of a lifetime, we are already looking forward to our next Sandals adventure.
To read more of our Sandals vacations, click here.
