Beaches Exuma is a brand-new family-friendly all-inclusive resort opening in Great Exuma, Bahamas. The resort is a $100 million transformation of the former Sandals Emerald Bay property into a full Beaches Resort, complete with a Pirate Island Waterpark, Kids Camp, Sesame Street characters, 12 restaurants, and a Greg Norman-designed championship golf course. Here is everything we know so far about Beaches Exuma, including the expected opening date, amenities, rooms, and what families can look forward to.
What Is Beaches Exuma?
Beaches Exuma is the newest addition to the Beaches Resorts family and will be the brand’s first property in the Bahamas. Sandals Resorts International announced that Sandals Emerald Bay — a couples-only, adults-only resort that originally opened as a Four Seasons in 2003 before Sandals acquired it in 2010 — would close its doors and undergo a complete transformation into a family-friendly Beaches resort.
This is part of a nearly $1 billion expansion plan for the Beaches brand, which currently operates three other resorts: Beaches Turks and Caicos, Beaches Negril in Jamaica, and Beaches Ocho Rios in Jamaica. Beaches Exuma will be the fourth Beaches property and the first new Beaches resort location in over a decade.
The conversion is significant because it opens up one of the most stunning destinations in the Caribbean to families with children for the first time under the Sandals umbrella. Previously, Exuma was only accessible through the adults-only Sandals Emerald Bay.
Where Is Beaches Exuma Located?
Beaches Exuma sits on 500 acres of oceanfront property along a pristine, mile-long white sand beach in Great Exuma, Bahamas. The Exumas are a chain of 365 islands and cays stretching across 130 miles of some of the clearest turquoise water in the world.
Great Exuma Island is served by Exuma International Airport (GGT), which receives flights from Nassau, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Atlanta, Charlotte, and Toronto, making it accessible for families across the U.S. and Canada.
The setting is truly spectacular. Unlike the busier resort destinations in Jamaica or the Dominican Republic, Exuma offers a more secluded, private-island feel while still being easy to reach. The water here is famously crystal-clear, and the beaches are consistently ranked among the best in the Caribbean.
When Does Beaches Exuma Open?
Sandals Emerald Bay closed to guests on August 15, 2024 to begin the transformation. Construction mobilization was targeted for Q1 2026, with the project going to tender during that same period.
As of April 2026, no firm opening date has been announced, but Sandals has stated the goal is to complete the transformation by the end of 2027. We expect more specific timeline updates as construction progresses through 2026.
If you are considering Beaches Exuma for a 2027 or 2028 family vacation, now is the time to start planning. A Sandals and Beaches Certified travel advisor can monitor availability and help you book as soon as dates open up.
What Will Beaches Exuma Include?
Based on official announcements and what we know from the Beaches brand, here is what guests can expect at Beaches Exuma.
Rooms and Accommodations
Beaches Exuma will feature 249 rooms and suites, reconfigured from the original Sandals Emerald Bay layout into family-friendly accommodations. This includes multi-bedroom villas, suites, and connecting rooms designed specifically for families of all sizes.
The original Sandals Emerald Bay was known for its spacious, upscale rooms — many with ocean views, private balconies, and direct beach access. We expect Beaches Exuma to maintain that level of quality while adding the family-oriented layouts that Beaches properties are known for, similar to what you find at Beaches Turks and Caicos with its village-style accommodation categories.
Dining — 12 Restaurants
Beaches Exuma will offer 12 restaurants, a significant upgrade from the seven that Sandals Emerald Bay previously operated. While specific restaurant concepts have not been announced yet, Beaches resorts typically offer a wide range of cuisines including Italian, Japanese, French, Caribbean, seafood, and American grill options — all included in the all-inclusive rate.
If Beaches Exuma follows the pattern set by Beaches Turks and Caicos (which now has over 20 dining options across its villages), we can expect a mix of sit-down restaurants, casual beachside dining, and grab-and-go options that cater to both adults and kids.
Pirate Island Waterpark
Every Beaches resort features a Pirate Island Waterpark, and Beaches Exuma will be no exception. The waterpark will include swimming pools, waterslides, splash zones, and potentially a lazy river. This is always a highlight for families with kids, and the Exuma setting — surrounded by that famous turquoise water — will make this one of the most scenic waterparks in the Caribbean.
Kids Camp and Sesame Street
Beaches resorts are the only resorts in the world with an exclusive partnership with Sesame Street, and Beaches Exuma will carry on this tradition. Kids can expect character appearances from Elmo, Cookie Monster, Abby Cadabby, and the rest of the Sesame Street gang throughout the resort.
The Kids Camp will offer supervised, age-appropriate activities for children, giving parents the freedom to enjoy the resort’s adult amenities — like the spa or golf course — while knowing their kids are having a blast.
Red Lane Spa
The existing Red Lane Spa from Sandals Emerald Bay will carry over to Beaches Exuma. Red Lane Spas are known for blending classic European spa rituals with Caribbean flair, using botanical products and offering treatments like couples massages, facials, and body wraps. The spa also includes a fitness center, beauty salon, yoga and Pilates studio, steam room, and plunge pools.
Greg Norman-Designed Golf Course
One of the standout features of Beaches Exuma is the Greg Norman-designed 18-hole championship golf course. This 7,001-yard course, known as the Emerald Bay Golf Club, is widely regarded as one of the most scenic oceanside golf courses in the Caribbean.
The course has hosted the Korn Ferry Tour’s Bahamas Great Exuma Classic since 2015, so this is a legitimate championship-caliber layout — not a resort mini-course. Green fees will be complimentary for resort guests, which is a tremendous value for golfers.
For families where one parent golfs, this is a dream setup: one parent on the course, the other at the waterpark or beach with the kids, and everyone meets up for dinner at one of the 12 restaurants.
Beach and Water Activities
The Exumas are known for some of the best water in the world, and Beaches Exuma will take full advantage. Expect included water sports like snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, and glass-bottom boat rides. Scuba diving may also be available, as Sandals and Beaches resorts are known for including PADI-certified diving in their all-inclusive packages.
Why Exuma Is Special for Families
Beyond the resort itself, the Exuma destination adds something truly unique for families. Here are a few experiences that set Exuma apart from other Caribbean resort destinations.
Swimming with the Famous Exuma Pigs
The swimming pigs of Big Major Cay are one of the most iconic attractions in the entire Caribbean. About 20 friendly pigs and piglets live on this uninhabited island, and visitors can swim right alongside them. Excursions to Pig Beach are available as day trips from Great Exuma, and this is the kind of experience kids (and adults) will never forget.
Thunderball Grotto
Named after the James Bond film that was partly filmed here, Thunderball Grotto is a stunning underwater cave near Staniel Cay where you can snorkel through crystal-clear water surrounded by colorful tropical fish. It is best visited at low tide and is one of the most photographed spots in the Bahamas.
Nurse Sharks and Iguanas
At Compass Cay, families can swim with gentle nurse sharks in shallow water — a safe, thrilling experience for older kids. Nearby Allen’s Cay is home to the endangered Bahamian Rock Iguana, and kids love getting up close with these gentle, prehistoric-looking creatures.
The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park
This protected marine park covers nearly 130,000 acres of pristine waters, deserted cays, and thriving coral reefs. It is one of the oldest marine protected areas in the world and offers incredible snorkeling and nature experiences.
How Does Beaches Exuma Compare to Beaches Turks and Caicos?
This is the question many families will ask, so here is an early comparison based on what we know.
Beaches Turks and Caicos is the flagship Beaches resort — it is massive, with six villages, over 20 restaurants, and the brand-new $150 million Treasure Beach Village that just opened in 2026. It sits on the famous Grace Bay Beach, consistently ranked as one of the top beaches in the world.
Beaches Exuma will be a smaller, more intimate resort with 249 rooms compared to the 750+ rooms at Beaches TCI. For families who want a more secluded, less crowded experience, Exuma may be the better fit. The golf course is also a major differentiator — Beaches TCI does not have one.
The Exuma destination itself is more remote and adventurous, with the swimming pigs, Thunderball Grotto, and pristine cays offering a completely different type of Caribbean experience. Beaches TCI is more of a classic luxury beach resort, while Beaches Exuma will have more of an exploration and adventure vibe.
We will publish a detailed side-by-side comparison once Beaches Exuma announces its full amenity list and room categories.
How to Book Beaches Exuma
Beaches Exuma is not yet open for bookings, but that does not mean you should wait to start planning. Availability at new Beaches resorts fills up quickly, especially for the opening months when travel advisors and loyal Beaches guests rush to be among the first to visit.
Here is what you can do right now:
Get on the list early. Contact our team at Pixie Vacations and let us know you are interested in Beaches Exuma. As a Sandals Chairman’s Royal Club Platinum Elite agency — one of fewer than 100 worldwide — we get early access to booking windows, promotional rates, and insider updates before they are publicly available.
Start planning your dates. If you are thinking about a 2027 or 2028 family vacation, consider what time of year works best for your family. The Bahamas has great weather year-round, but December through April is peak season with the driest weather and most comfortable temperatures.
Consider pairing with another resort. One of the perks of booking with a Beaches-certified travel advisor is that we can help you combine Beaches Exuma with other Sandals or Beaches properties. Imagine a few days at Beaches Exuma with the kids, followed by a couples-only escape at Sandals Royal Bahamian in Nassau.
Request a free quote. Our vacation planning service is completely free — no fees, no obligations. We handle everything from flights to room selection to special occasion planning, and we have personally visited every Sandals and Beaches resort.
Get a free Beaches Exuma quote from Pixie Vacations →
We Will Keep You Updated
Beaches Exuma is one of the most exciting new resort openings in the Caribbean, and we will be covering every update right here on CaribbeanMag. As a Sandals Platinum Elite agency that has visited all 17 Sandals and all Beaches properties, we will be among the first to tour Beaches Exuma when it opens — and we will bring you the full review, room tours, restaurant guides, and honest take on whether it lives up to the hype.
Bookmark this page — we will update it as new details are announced, including the official opening date, room categories, pricing, and first-look photos.
Have questions about Beaches Exuma? Call us at 678-815-1584 or email steve@pixievacations.com. You can also request a free vacation quote here.
Steve Griswold is the founder of Pixie Vacations and a Sandals Chairman’s Royal Club Platinum Elite advisor who has personally visited all 17 Sandals and Beaches resort properties. He is also the host of the Mouse Chat podcast and creator of CaribbeanMag.com.
