Golf Resorts & Luxury Stays in Exuma, The Bahamas
INTRODUCTION
Exuma has become one of the leading golf and luxury resort destinations in The Bahamas, combining oceanfront championship golf, marina access, beachfront accommodations, and boating experiences across Great Exuma and the surrounding Exuma Cays. Travelers searching for golf vacations in Exuma are typically looking for a quieter alternative to larger Caribbean resort destinations while still having access to luxury resorts, turquoise-water beaches, marina facilities, and high-end waterfront dining.
The golf and resort experience in Exuma is centered primarily around Emerald Bay and Rokers Point on Great Exuma, where luxury accommodations, the Greg Norman-designed golf course, yacht marinas, and resort communities are located near some of the island’s most recognizable beaches. The region attracts golfers, couples, honeymoon travelers, yacht owners, sportfishing visitors, and travelers seeking a more relaxed resort atmosphere connected to boating and beach culture.
Unlike a full Exuma island guide covering every settlement and attraction broadly, this Exuma golf and resort guide focuses specifically on golf travel, marina resorts, waterfront accommodations, luxury travel infrastructure, and the coastal resort corridor surrounding Emerald Bay. Travelers exploring a complete Exuma beaches and boating guide often include the golf resort district because it connects upscale accommodations, marine tourism, and resort recreation into one of the most developed luxury travel areas in The Bahamas.
THE EMERALD BAY GOLF COURSE
The centerpiece of golf travel in Exuma is the Emerald Bay Golf Course, an 18-hole championship course originally designed by Greg Norman and widely recognized as one of the premier ocean-side golf courses in the Caribbean. The course stretches approximately 7,001 yards across coastal dunes and peninsulas overlooking Emerald Bay and the surrounding waters of Great Exuma.
Several holes run directly along the shoreline, creating panoramic ocean views and wind conditions that significantly affect play throughout the course. Golf publications and Bahamas tourism sources frequently describe the course as one of the defining luxury attractions in Great Exuma because it combines championship golf with direct ocean scenery and relatively low crowd density compared to larger Caribbean golf destinations.
The course has also hosted professional events connected to the Bahamas Great Exuma Classic, further reinforcing its reputation among international golf travelers.
LUXURY RESORTS IN EXUMA
The golf and resort district of Great Exuma centers largely around Emerald Bay and Rokers Point, where several luxury resorts and waterfront properties operate close to beaches, marinas, golf facilities, and boating excursions.
Major accommodation options in the area include:
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Grand Isle Resort & Residences
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Beaches Exuma (formerly Sandals Emerald Bay)
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Oceanfront villas and private residences
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Marina-front accommodations
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Luxury vacation rentals near Emerald Bay
The former Sandals Emerald Bay property is currently undergoing redevelopment into Beaches Exuma, a family-focused resort destination expected to continue strengthening the luxury tourism sector in Great Exuma.
Travelers staying in this area often prioritize:
Compared to Nassau or Paradise Island, Exuma’s resort corridor remains lower density and more closely connected to boating culture and beach recreation.
MARINA RESORT LIFE IN EXUMA
The Marina at Emerald Bay plays a major role in Exuma’s luxury boating and golf tourism sector. Located beside the golf course and nearby resort properties, the marina accommodates yachts up to approximately 240–260 feet and provides floating docks, fueling services, utilities, and direct access to nearby resort facilities.
The marina supports:
Boaters frequently use Emerald Bay as a departure point for trips to Staniel Cay, Compass Cay, Pig Beach, Highbourne Cay, and the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park.
The combination of marina access and golf facilities is one of the defining characteristics separating Emerald Bay from many other resort destinations in The Bahamas.
BEST BEACHES NEAR EXUMA GOLF RESORTS
Several beaches surround the Emerald Bay and Rokers Point resort corridor. The most recognizable is Emerald Bay Beach, known for calm turquoise water, soft white sand, and broad ocean views connected directly to nearby resorts and golf facilities.
Nearby beaches commonly visited by resort travelers include:
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Emerald Bay Beach
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Coco Plum Beach
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Flamingo Bay
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Hoopers Bay
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Jolly Hall Beach
These beaches support activities such as:
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Swimming
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Paddleboarding
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Kayaking
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Beach walks
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Snorkeling
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Resort beach relaxation
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Sunset photography
Water conditions in the Emerald Bay area are generally calmer than more exposed Atlantic-facing coastlines elsewhere in The Bahamas.
WHO SHOULD VISIT EXUMA FOR GOLF & RESORT TRAVEL?
Exuma golf and resort travel is especially suitable for:
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Golf travelers
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Couples and honeymoon visitors
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Luxury travelers
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Yacht owners and boaters
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Fishing travelers
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Families staying near Beaches Exuma
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Travelers seeking quieter Caribbean resorts
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Beach-focused vacations
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Marina travelers
Unlike nightlife-centered Caribbean resort zones, Exuma’s golf and marina district is more closely connected to beaches, boating, golf, and relaxed waterfront experiences.
BEST THINGS TO DO NEAR EXUMA RESORTS
Travelers staying near Emerald Bay and Rokers Point commonly combine golf and resort travel with other Exuma experiences such as:
Many excursions can be arranged directly through resorts, marinas, or local tour operators throughout Great Exuma.
BEST TIME TO VISIT EXUMA FOR GOLF
The busiest golf and resort travel season in Exuma generally runs between December and April when temperatures are slightly cooler and rainfall is lower throughout Great Exuma. These months are especially popular for golf vacations, boating, and beach travel.
Summer months often bring warmer temperatures and calmer water conditions but also coincide with hurricane season, which officially runs from June through November.
TRAVELER PLANNING INFORMATION
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Main golf area: Emerald Bay & Rokers Point
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Closest airport: Exuma International Airport (GGT)
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Best for: Golf, beaches, marinas, luxury resorts, boating
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Transportation: Rental car, taxi, resort shuttle
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Family friendly: Yes
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Marina access: Yes
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Golf style: Championship ocean-side course
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Accommodation types: Resorts, villas, marina properties
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Dining style: Resort restaurants and waterfront dining
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Best season: December–April
FAQ SECTION
Does Exuma have golf courses?
Yes. The Emerald Bay Golf Course on Great Exuma is one of the most recognized championship golf courses in The Bahamas.
What is the main golf resort area in Exuma?
The primary golf and resort district is located around Emerald Bay and Rokers Point on Great Exuma.
Who designed the Emerald Bay Golf Course?
The course was designed by Greg Norman and is known for several oceanfront holes overlooking Emerald Bay.
Is Exuma good for luxury resort travel?
Yes. Exuma is widely recognized for beachfront resorts, marina accommodations, golf travel, and quieter luxury experiences compared to larger Caribbean destinations.
Does Exuma have marina resorts?
Yes. The Marina at Emerald Bay connects yacht travel with nearby golf courses and luxury resort accommodations.
What happened to Sandals Emerald Bay?
Sandals Emerald Bay closed and is being redeveloped into Beaches Exuma, a family-focused resort property.
Is Exuma good for golf vacations and boating together?
Yes. Emerald Bay combines marina facilities, island-hopping excursions, golf, beaches, and resort accommodations within one coastal area.
EXPLORE MORE EXUMA GUIDES
LOCAL & DESTINATION CONTEXT
The Emerald Bay and Rokers Point corridor connects travelers to beaches, marinas, golf facilities, waterfront dining, boating excursions, and nearby cays throughout the Exuma island chain. The surrounding marine environment supports yacht travel, snorkeling, fishing, island-hopping, and luxury resort tourism that collectively reinforce Exuma’s reputation as one of the leading golf and boating destinations in The Bahamas.
CONCLUSION
Exuma offers one of the most distinctive golf and resort experiences in The Bahamas because it combines championship ocean-side golf, marina access, luxury beachfront resorts, and boating culture within a quieter island setting. Travelers looking for golf vacations connected to beaches, yacht marinas, and relaxed waterfront environments often consider Emerald Bay and Rokers Point among the best luxury travel areas on Great Exuma.
Whether visiting for golf, marina travel, honeymoon vacations, or beach-focused resort stays, Exuma provides a strong balance between upscale amenities and the laid-back coastal atmosphere that defines the islands. Travelers building a complete Exuma travel guide itinerary frequently include the golf and resort corridor because it connects luxury travel with the marine environments, beaches, and boating culture that make The Bahamas internationally recognized.
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