Update — April 21, 2026
The May 31, 2026 Sandals South Coast reopening date has been pushed to November 18, 2026. Sandals Resorts International decided to expand the scope of the post-Hurricane Melissa renovations across all three Jamaica properties under its new “Sandals 2.0” program. This is the second round of revised dates we’ve reported on this topic.
Here is the current reopening picture for the seven Sandals and Beaches properties affected by Hurricane Melissa:
| Resort | Status | Revised Reopening |
|---|---|---|
| Sandals Dunn’s River | Open | Reopened December 6, 2025 |
| Sandals Royal Plantation | Open | Reopened December 6, 2025 |
| Sandals Ochi | Open | Reopened December 6, 2025 |
| Sandals Negril | Open | Reopened December 6, 2025 |
| Beaches Negril | Open | Reopened December 6, 2025 |
| Sandals Royal Caribbean | Closed | Late 2026 (delayed from December 18, 2026) |
| Sandals Montego Bay | Closed | Late 2026 (delayed from December 18, 2026) |
| Sandals South Coast | Closed | November 18, 2026 (delayed from May 31, 2026) |
Why the delay is actually good news for future guests
The reopening dates moved because Sandals committed to a full $200 million reimagination of the three closed properties rather than standard damage repair. The result is that when they reopen, they will not simply be returning to what they were — they will be substantially upgraded properties.
What’s being rebuilt under the Sandals 2.0 program includes:
– Redesigned arrival areas with expanded ocean views
– Brand-new accommodation categories
– Completely reimagined pools and beachfront areas
– Refreshed overwater accommodations at Sandals South Coast
– Updated Italian Village suites at Sandals South Coast
– New restaurant concepts and bar experiences across all three resorts
– Enhanced social and lounge spaces
What this means if you were planning to book Sandals Jamaica in 2026
If your target travel window is January through late November 2026:
– Sandals Dunn’s River, Royal Plantation, Ochi, Negril, and Beaches Negril are all open and booking normally
– These are excellent Jamaica options and are not materially affected by the renovations at the other properties
If your target travel window is November 2026 and later:
– Sandals South Coast reopens November 18, 2026 — consider booking for a post-renovation experience at pre-renovation pricing
– Sandals Royal Caribbean and Sandals Montego Bay are expected to reopen in late 2026 but dates remain subject to adjustment
If you had a booking at one of the closed properties:
– Sandals has been rebooking affected guests to open sister resorts. If you have a pending booking and haven’t heard from your advisor, reach out — we can help you confirm or rework your trip.
Is Jamaica safe to visit right now?
Yes. The five Sandals properties that reopened in December 2025 have been operating normally for over four months. The hurricane impact was concentrated along the South Coast, Montego Bay, and Trelawny areas. St. Ann (where Dunn’s River, Royal Plantation, and Ochi are located) and Negril were both spared the worst of the storm damage.
Want help deciding whether to book now or wait?
As a Sandals Platinum Elite advisor, I can help you weigh the tradeoff between booking a currently-open Jamaica resort versus waiting for the reimagined late-2026 properties. We also watch availability and pricing daily — if a Sandals Jamaica 2.0 sailing date opens up for booking at pre-launch rates, we let our clients know first. Get a quote at PixieVacations.com or call 678-815-1584.
