Reviews: Marina at Emerald Bay

Reviewed by: Eric Ramsey , SunBums, on Mar 28, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 39'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 2

Just because you read that this is a Sandals Marina and floating docks, don't expect it to be a high quality marina. All the staff are very friendly and helpful. The staff would receive a 5 star rating. This marina is owned by Sandals but they do not appear to provide any upkeep to the marina. Something breaks..."O well". It is within walking distance to a Sandals Resort but you do not get access to any of the amenities unless you pay $350 per day per person which does not include dinner. You can get a room at Sandals for little over $400 a day per person. The Grand Ile resort is the closest resort which you can get a day pass for $75ish which just gets you towels, 2 pools, and use of beach toys. These both seem high for what you get. There is beach access at the Grand Ile resort which is a beautiful spot. There are also a couple of great restaurants on the Grand Ile Resort that you can eat at. There is a pool on the grounds of the marina but they do not allow marina guests to use it. It is reserved for the Sandals dive shop...so it usually only has people in it of a morning but no one can use it at other times. Would be nice if it would open in the afternoon for cruisers. Most of the docks are in very poor shape. Missing several cleats, many docks don't have access to power or water. There are no dock carts to carry supplies back to your boat. The dock hands are very nice and will help with the golf carts if you ask. A majority of the lights around the marina are not working so be sure to carry a flashlight when walking at night. The docks can be difficult to get around since they are missing cleats. Lines are tied all the way across docks which is difficult to get around during the day and very unsafe at night. It's pretty bad when the security guard asks you to leave the lights on in the top of the club house to provide the light to see outside the marina. This marina gets alot of surge which can be very rolly inside. I have heard about several boats having cleats ripped off from the surge. The club House upstairs had a very nice area to hang out except they do not run the air or it is not working so very hot. Even a few fans would help but heat rises so it get pretty hot in the afternoon. The club house had a TV room, bar room (never open just nice place to hang out when not too hot), and pool table area. The pool sticks are in horrible condition with no tips, broken tips,... Also there is no cue ball. The showers and restrooms are a joke. They are rarely clean. I watch the lady leave from cleaning then went in to shower. The shower drain was still full of hair and bugs on the walls. They are very hot and stuffy from no ventilation. Out of 5 showers only 3 were functioning for the 30+ days we stayed here. They would not even replace the lights in some of them. One of 3 showers barely gets luke warm water. The only positives I can say are the free laundry (which stays very busy) and the great staff. The price listed on the website is not accurate so call to check price before booking. Especially if you are a catamaran. The office said they have requested for Sandals to change the website but Sandals hasn't done it.

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Reviewed by: Jill Terrell on Jul 21, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 50'
Draft: 8.0'

Rating: 4

We have stayed her several times. It is in a great location, has free laundry, and a great restaurant. Everyone is super friendly and helpful. The only negative was the surge that comes in and out of there. It ripped off one of our cleats. You can get stuck in there and have to wait on the weather due to the surge and tricky entrance. Other than that, we enjoyed the marina.

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Reviewed by: Brian Sims , Whatever Bytes, on May 2, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 55'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 4

Very nice staff easy Mariana to get into. They need to do some maintenance but overall we still had a great experience here. We used Marina as a home base and then went to long and cat islands to fish and stay on anchor. With monthly rates as low as .75 a foot it was worth it.

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Reviewed by: Lisa Vidor on May 1, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 3

Even though it's associated with Sandels, it's really not part of it. Best thing is free laundry. Floating docks are nice. Good protection from winds. Staff is helpful.

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Reviewed by: Douglas Way on Apr 14, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Excellent marina, well protected and easy approach. Can use restaurant (Palapa) at Grand Isle resort and even their pool. Restaurant very good with the "best" $6.00 side salad (very fresh). Staff very helpful at Marina and prices reasonable. The have a "no frills" fee (no power) for $1.00/ft. Nice boaters lounge, TV, pool table, coffee. Free laundry! Would definitely go back.

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Reviewed by: Jennifer Nicolai , Friend Ship, on Dec 6, 2017
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 3

I think this is the only pump out service on Great Exuma now. So lovely to have floating docks and free laundry. $2.25/ft for dockage. We paid $0.42/gal for water.

Staff will take guests to the nearby liquor store to restock. There is no convenience store nearby. Restaurants and bars advertised are within Sandals resorts and a pass needs to be purchased to access those amenities.

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