THE BEACHES
WHITE, SANDY
SHORES
There are a number of beaches, facilities and attractions for visitors in close proximity to the resort and plenty more a boat trip away from the resort’s marina. Emerald Bay is one of the most beautiful natural bays in the archipelago of islands that stretch 100 miles south from New Providence Island all the way down to the Exumas. Of the many beautiful beaches on the island and the surrounding islands of The Bahamas, Emerald Bay Beach is amongst the best.
BEACHES AT ROKERS POINT SUBDIVISION
Beach access and beach facilities are essential ingredients for guests and help provide a truly enjoyable resort experience. There are several accessible beach options, providing guests with a “menu” of choices for beaches and beach facilities. In addition to the new beach and beach facilities at the Rokers Point subdivision, it is possible to provide facilities on three of the existing smaller beaches at the subdivision, to which hotel guests would have access. Guests may well wish for a more private beach experience and the beaches at the Rokers Point subdivision can potentially provide that. As yet, no facilities have been developed for these beaches – giving Waterside and its neighbor, JFB, a ‘clean sheet’ to develop beach facilities designed to perfectly suit resort guest needs. Together with JFB, we can ensure a high standard that will maximize the impact of capital investment and ensure sensible operational costs whilst delivering a great beach experience for guests. In the absence of historic names, we refer to these below as beaches 1 to 3, for identification.
Beach 1 – New Beach & Beach Facilities
On the instruction of both Waterside and Waterside’s neighbor’s, JFB Limited, Waterside’s coastal and civil engineers have completed an initial desktop analysis and conceptual design for the creation of a new beach at the Rokers Point subdivision. Heads of Agreement have been signed by Waterside and JFB in relation to this beach and beach facility. These Heads of Agreement provide for Waterside’s acquisition of 3 lots (totaling nearly 35,000 sqft) – lots 30 to 32 of the Rokers Point subdivision, which are approximately 800 yards from the resort’s main site.
These three lots protrude into the bay to the north of Rokers Point. The intention is to construct a new beach and new, high-quality beach facilities for guests of the resort and guests and residents of JFB’s Rokers Point Residences at the subdivision. This new beach could also be made available to other visitors with boat access being feasible – creating a new hotspot for the island.
Civil engineering works are required to re-profile the site to create the beach itself and to build sea defenses to protect the beach from high waves and erosion. The new beach facilities will include a beach bar, toilets, showers, storage and golf buggy parking on lot 30, and use lots 31 and 32 together with JFB’s adjacent lots 26 to 29, to create a new beach. As this would be a new man-made beach on private land, its ownership would be retained, and the development of such facilities is expected to be easier to implement than on public beaches.
The design of the beach will attempt to mimic the characteristics of other similar and existing pocket beaches in the surrounding area. The beach will slope at a gradient of approximately 1:8 (vertical to horizontal) which has been chosen based on experience with similar beaches and environments. Additional nourishment will be provided to the low water areas to create a comfortable bed of sand for waders.
The area between the planted dune leading up to the beach facilities and the crest of the beach will be relatively flat – ideal for sunbathing and lounging. This area will be approximately 21,000sqft and, assuming a comfortable usage density of 100sqft per person, the new beach would have the capacity for over 200 guests.
Beach 2 – existing beach
The beach adjoining lots 16 &17 of the Rokers Point subdivision, with access from the existing estate roadways, has potential. The sand quality is good, and it is sufficient in size to support a small beach facility.
Beach 3 – existing beach
The beach adjoining lot 21 of the Rokers Point subdivision has access from the existing estate roadways. This beach is more secluded and has the potential for more private beach facilities.
EMERALD BAY BEACH
This beautiful and beckoning crescent-shaped beach takes its name from the translucent emerald-green shallow waters that make up the bay. With over a mile of beautiful pale sands stretching the full width of the bay, it is ideal for walking, swimming and a range of water-based activities.
The northern end of Emerald Bay beach is approximately a ten-minute walk or three-minute golf buggy journey from the resort. With our beach buggies being made available to guests, this beach will be highly accessible. Emerald Bay beach also serves guests and residents of the neighboring resorts – Grand Isle Villas and Sandals. Like most beaches in The Bahamas, it enjoys public access, but its sheer size means it is seldom busy.
23 North – GIV’s beach club at Emerald Bay Beach
23 North Beach Club is owned and operated by Grand Isle Villas (GIV) and is adjacent to Emerald Bay beach. This recently completed $3m beach club, close to GIV’s resort, opened in 2019. It offers significant capacity for dining and club facilities. The club itself is currently for GIV members only – in relation to its pool and spa. Waterside has initiated discussions with GIV with a view to providing access to these club facilities for resort guests. The bar and dining areas are open to walk-in customers; fine dining can be booked in the evenings. Whilst such walk-in customers are welcome, Waterside will consider proposing the possibility of a more formal reciprocal arrangement with GIV – with the possibility of certain facilities at Waterside’s resort being available to GIV guests.
Grand Isle Villas resort
The main Grand Isle Villas resort adjoins both Waterside’s resort and Emerald Bay beach. The beach bar and restaurant of GIV welcomes walk-in customers to its bar and restaurant although, at peak times, table bookings are needed. Their main bar area provides an enticing facility when visiting the beach. GIV also operates a small beach bar at the resort – near the high-water line.