Sandals and Beaches Resorts Are Expanding! Here's What's Coming to the Caribbean

If you're a fan of Sandals and Beaches Resorts, there's a lot to be excited about over the next few years.

Sandals and Beaches have announced plans for several new resorts throughout the Caribbean, including new family-friendly properties in the Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

This expansion comes at an interesting time for the brands. Royal Caribbean Group recently announced plans to purchase a 50% stake in Sandals and Beaches Resorts for approximately $3 billion, bringing together two major names in the vacation industry.

For travelers, the exciting part is the opportunity to experience the Beaches brand in destinations where it hasn't previously been available.

Let's take a look at what's coming.

Beaches Exuma, Bahamas: A Major Transformation

One of the projects we're most excited about is Beaches Exuma, which will take over the former Sandals Emerald Bay property in Great Exuma, Bahamas.

If you've ever seen pictures of Exuma, you know why we're excited about this location. The island is known for its incredible turquoise water, white-sand beaches, and a more laid-back atmosphere than some of the Caribbean's busier destinations.

Sandals Emerald Bay closed in August 2024 to make way for a major transformation into a family-friendly Beaches resort.

Plans for the new property include:

• Redesigned accommodations for families

• Expanded restaurants and dining options

• Kids' and teens' activities

• A new splash deck

• Access to the property's Greg Norman-designed golf course

  
  

What makes this property particularly interesting is that Exuma already has so much natural beauty to offer. Bringing the Beaches all-inclusive experience to this island could make it much easier for families to enjoy the destination.

An official reopening date has not yet been finalized, although the redevelopment is moving forward.

Beaches Runaway Bay, Jamaica: Another Option for Families

Jamaica has always been an important destination for Sandals and Beaches, and the brand plans to expand its family resort offerings with Beaches Runaway Bay.

Located along Jamaica's north coast, Runaway Bay offers beautiful beaches and access to some of the island's most popular attractions.

For families who enjoy venturing outside their resort, Jamaica offers plenty to explore, from waterfalls and river excursions to cultural experiences and local cuisine.

We're looking forward to learning more about the resort's accommodations, dining, activities, and overall layout as additional details become available.

With families often looking for a balance of resort activities and opportunities to explore a destination, this could become another great option.

Beaches Barbados: A New Luxury Family Resort

Barbados is already home to Sandals Barbados and Sandals Royal Barbados, two popular adults-only all-inclusive resorts.

Now, Beaches plans to bring its family-focused experience to the island.

Beaches Barbados is expected to be a substantial new resort development, with plans for approximately 600 rooms and suites.

The proposed design includes a variety of accommodations, including spacious multi-bedroom suites that could be especially appealing to larger families and multigenerational groups.

Plans also include a central resort area with restaurants, shopping, entertainment, and family activities.

Barbados itself offers a different Caribbean experience, with a great combination of beautiful beaches, dining, island culture, and sightseeing.

For travelers who love the idea of visiting Barbados but prefer the convenience of a luxury all-inclusive family resort, this is one to keep an eye on.

Beaches St. Vincent and the Grenadines: A Destination Worth Watching

Of all the announced projects, Beaches St. Vincent and the Grenadines is one we're particularly interested in.

St. Vincent is one of those Caribbean destinations that feels a little different from the traditional all-inclusive vacation spots.

The island is known for its lush mountains, beautiful coastline, natural scenery, and access to the surrounding Grenadine islands.

Sandals opened its adults-only Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines resort in 2024, introducing more travelers to this incredible destination.

Now, plans are moving forward for a Beaches resort that would bring a family-friendly all-inclusive option to the island.

For families who have already visited destinations like Jamaica, Punta Cana, or Cancun and want to try something different, St. Vincent could be a really interesting option.

We're especially excited to see how Beaches incorporates the destination's natural surroundings into the overall resort experience.

What About Beaches St. Kitts?

St. Kitts is another Caribbean destination that has been mentioned in discussions about potential resort development.

With its volcanic mountains, historic sites, beaches, and beautiful scenery, we think it would be a fantastic destination for a Beaches resort.

However, a Beaches-branded resort in St. Kitts has not yet been officially confirmed in the announcements we've reviewed.

We'll continue watching for further developments and share updates if a formal announcement is made.

What Does Royal Caribbean's Investment Mean for Sandals and Beaches?

In September 2026, Royal Caribbean Group and Sandals Resorts announced an agreement for Royal Caribbean to acquire a 50% interest in the Sandals and Beaches business.

The proposed partnership is expected to close in early 2027, subject to approvals and closing conditions.

Royal Caribbean is one of the largest names in cruising, while Sandals and Beaches have spent decades specializing in Caribbean all-inclusive vacations.

The partnership is intended to provide additional resources to support resort development and future growth.

Importantly, Sandals and Beaches are expected to maintain their brand identities and resort operations, with existing reservations and loyalty programs continuing as usual.

For travelers who already love these brands, that continuity is important.

And for those of us in the travel industry, it's going to be interesting to watch how this partnership shapes future vacation experiences.

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Should You Wait for One of the New Beaches Resorts?

That's a question we'll probably hear quite a bit as these projects move forward.

The answer really depends on what you're looking for in your vacation and when you want to travel.

If you're planning a family vacation in the near future, there are already some excellent Beaches options, including Beaches Turks & Caicos and Beaches Negril in Jamaica.

Beaches Turks & Caicos has also expanded with its new Treasure Beach Village, adding more luxury accommodation options for families.

If you're interested in one of the upcoming properties, keep in mind that construction timelines, opening dates, resort amenities, and booking availability can change.

We generally recommend waiting until official booking details are released before building firm travel plans around a new opening.

Let Global Expeditions Help You Plan Your Next Sandals or Beaches Vacation

At Global Expeditions, we love seeing the Caribbean continue to grow and offer travelers more choices.

Whether you're planning a romantic adults-only getaway at Sandals, a family vacation at Beaches, or simply exploring which Caribbean destination might be the best fit, our team can help you sort through the options.

We'll be following these new resort developments closely and sharing updates as more information becomes available.

Which new Beaches resort are you most excited about: Exuma, Barbados, Runaway Bay, or St. Vincent?

Ready to start planning? Contact us and let our team help you find the right resort for your next Caribbean vacation.

Email us at: vacations@travelglobex.com or call us at 610-905-4577

Resort developments, amenities, timelines, and opening dates are subject to change. Information reflects announcements available as of October 2026.