Amber Isle Goes to Sandals Resort
Ambler Isle
V and S
Mon 28 Mar 2011 19:57
March 25
Leaving the marina, we drove around the point and
entered Ocean Bight. There were no boats anchored here. The
huge crescent beach was rimmed with beach bungalows, a hotel, beach chairs,
umbrellas, and more. Welcome to Sandals Resort at Emerald Bay. On
the other rocky side were a few huge manor houses and a big condo development,
complete with golf course. I felt every eye in the place on us as we
dropped anchor. We would not have been surprised if security came out and
asked us to move, or if the Royal Bahamian Defense Force arrived to check our
documents. Had anyone ever anchored there before?
The Marina at Emerald Bay was built in 2004 assuming
there were 100s of huge megayachts just waiting for them to open their
doors. Everything, from the $8 local beer, the $14 sandwiches, and the
$250,000 dockomeniums was geared to this customer. They also sold home
sites and condos; some were even built. Sadly, many places here in the
Bahamas were planned on such expectations, and failed. The Marina at
Emerald Bay would fail, too, in 2008. The nearby 4- Seasons Resort also
announced they would not reopen about that same time. The entire project
seemed doomed. Then a ray of hope appeared when Sandals Resorts bought the
old resort. This year they also took over operation of the marina.
This time they offered "no service" docks for $1.00 per foot per night. No
water, no electric. They threw in free laundry, free showers, free shuttle
to the market. At first the sailors were hooked. They carted in sail
covers, dock lines, sumbrella cushions, and everything not attached to their
sailboats for free wash and dry. The marina also offered full service
docks and yesterday we noted about 12 power boats enjoying the dock. But
only 6 "no service" docks were occupied. Guess the magic wore off.
This big, modern, beautiful marina is a ghost town. The restaurant is
closed, the torn awning covers blowing in the breeze. It is rumored that
Sandals wants to sell it off. I bet they do.
But the Sandals resort seems busy, lots of vacationers
walking the beaches, sailing hobie cats, kayaking, swimming. A couple
oared over to say hi.
We launched the dinghy and toured the shoreline leading
to Georgetown about 10 miles south. There were a few homes along the
water. Coral reefs and rocks peppered the water. After a hot ride,
we came back to Amber Isle for a refreshing swim off the platform in the
inviting water. What a great Bahamas day we had.
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