Which Sandals Resort Has The Best Beach
If you’re like me, having a pristine white sand beach with crystal clear water is a MUST when heading to the Caribbean. Although it’s hard to go wrong with any Sandals Resort, the beaches do indeed have some differences to be aware of.
Depending on if you want a long beach that’s great for walks, a private beach for romantic occasions, or one that’s nice and calm for swimming and snorkeling – we’ve got you covered.
I’ve been to all 17 Sandals Resorts and picking the best beach is not an easy task. That said, there are some stand out beaches that I absolutely love. I rounded up my top 7 personal favorites to help you decide on the perfect destination for your next Caribbean getaway!
7 Best Beaches At Sandals Resorts
1. Sandals Negril
NEGRIL, JAMAICA
Negril is one of my favorite spots in the Caribbean. It’s a quaint fishing village on the west coast of the island that really embodies the laid-back Jamaican spirit.
Sandals Negril is situated on 7 Mile Beach, which is arguable the best beach in Jamaica (and I fully agree). I would wake up in the morning before it got too busy and go for long walks along the coast to watch the sun come up over the mountains. That said, the sunsets here are even better!
Essentially the whole resort hugs the shoreline so you’re never far from the sand whether grabbing a drink at one of the beach bars, lounging at the pool, or in one of the many beachfront suites. Our Skypool Butler Suite was just a few feet away. Here’s the view from our patio!
The beach is cleaned daily so the fine white sand feels super soft under your toes. It gradually leads into the crystal clear water which makes it perfect for swimming. There’s also plenty of seating with thatched roof umbrellas. One extra bonus is the motorized water sports like skiing, wakeboarding, or tubing – this is not available at most resorts.
There are two runner ups for Sandals in Jamaica worth mentioning. Sandals South Coast is located in a 500 acre nature reserve that’s a bit more intimate if you want something off the beaten path. Conversely, if you want a location that’s closer to the airport, Sandals Montego Bay features the longest private beach in Jamaica and is just 10 minutes from the airport.
2. Sandals Grande Antigua
ST. JOHN’S, ANTIGUA
Sandals Grande Antigua is ideal for couples where a barefoot beach getaway is the top priority. Antigua is famous for having over 365 beaches on the island, so claiming the best beach is high praise!
The resort is located on Dickenson Bay with over a mile long stretch of pristine white sand and glowing turquoise waters. We stayed in one of the Beachfront Rondoval Suites where you have a panoramic view of the Caribbean. It was amazing to have a patio right on the beach where we could enjoy the sunsets every night.
The beach is perfect for water activities and swimming, but it’s not the best for snorkeling right off the shore. There are still plenty of options for excellent snorkeling and scuba diving if you take one of the catamaran cruises just a few minutes out.
All of the beaches in Antigua are public so you may see some vendors walking by. It was hardly noticeable for us, but if you don’t like that kind of stuff, maybe check out the other beaches on this list. Overall though, you certainly can’t go wrong here if you’re a beach lover like I am!
3. Sandals Royal Bahamian
NASSAU, BAHAMAS
Sandals Royal Bahamian is perfect if you’re on a tighter schedule. Flights from Miami are only 45 minutes and the resort is about a 10 minute drive from the airport.
The Bahamas are hard to beat when it comes to dreamy beaches. It’s actually made up of over 3,000 islands and cays, most of which are uninhabited. The resort itself is on Cable Beach, a 2.5 mile white sand paradise. I have never seen water that glows fluorescent blue like it does here.
Even better, there’s a private offshore island just for resort guests. A short water taxi ride takes you out. On the island there are several absolutely pristine white sand beaches and a pool with swim-up bar. We got a couples massage right by the water in a cabana – it’s so relaxing to hear the waves splashing in the background. Check out my drone view below.
This is why Sandals Royal Bahamian earned a top spot for my favorite beach locations. Convenient location, multiple beautiful beaches, and excellent snorkeling.
4. Sandals Grande St. Lucian
GROS-ISLET, ST. LUCIA
The Grande St. Lucian is simply one of a kind. The property is situated on a private peninsula that offers incredible 360 degree views of Rodney Bay. Right when we entered the main lobby you peer out into the glowing azure water with rainforest covered mountains in the distance. Pictures don’t do it justice.
The beach has soft sand that is kind of rare for St. Lucia because a lot of times there will be little pebbles and rocks. Not here though. It has rows of loungers to choose from so we never had an issue finding a spot. Off to the left of the beach is a little peninsula with overwater bungalows – unfortunately they were sold out when we were here!
The Grande St. Lucian also has some of the best snorkeling. My wife and I went out only about 50 yards north of the beach toward Pigeon Island to see really nice reefs, tropical fish, and even a little squid!
It’s also worth noting that you get full access to the other 2 Sandals in St. Lucia (Halcyon Beach and Regency La Toc). We took a day trip to Halcyon Beach to relax on the beach and have dinner at Kelly’s Dockside. It’s more of a laidback vibe which was fun to mix it up a little.
5. Sandals Royal Barbados
ST. LAWRENCE GAP, BARBADOS
Barbados has that postcard perfect scenery we all imagine when thinking of the Caribbean. Sandals has two locations that are actually right next to each other so it’s like two vacations in one. Sandals Royal Barbados has only higher end suites while Sandals Barbados has room options at all price levels. Regardless of which one you pick, you get full access to both.
The beach is nice and wide with soft white sand. The water color blew me away with the listerine blue color. There are rock wave-breakers out from the beach about 100 yards that make the water very calm. It’s perfect for swimming, kayaking, or paddleboarding. Since the two resorts neighbor each other, it’s a long stretch just for Sandals guests.
6. Sandals Grenada
ST. GEORGE’S, GRENADA
Sandals Grenada is my wife’s favorite beach at Sandals. Pin Gin beach may be the biggest, but it’s peaceful and private. There are no vendors walking around either. The water has a unique emerald color that’s unique to this area. A rock wall surrounding it makes it very calm.
There’s plenty of area off to the right of the beach where we went kayaking. That’s where you can rent all of the water equipment like sailboats, paddle boards, and water trikes. Daily scuba diving outings are also included for free if you’re certified.
I love that it’s secluded in its own private cove. It feels like your own little slice of paradise. Looking out into the distance you see beautiful green mountains and cliffs. I would highly recommend Grenada for couples looking for a more intimate destination.
7. Sandals St. Vincent
BUCCAMENT BAY, SAINT VINCENT
Sandals St. Vincent is the newest of all the Sandals locations, so aside from the amazing beach, all of the amenities, restaurants, and entertainment are top-notch.
The private beach has bright white sand with rock barriers that wrap around the edges. It feels a bit like a huge natural swimming pool! The Parisol Beach Club has a pool right up by the shoreline which is perfect for relaxing the day away with a cocktail in hand.
On the left of the cove, where the water meets the cliffside, there’re spectacular overwater bungalows. We stayed in one of these during our visit and they are definitely worth the money! Here’s the view from the first floor (there’s also a second floor).
I also highly recommend taking the catamaran cruise out to the smaller islands of Mustique and Bequia where there’s fantastic snorkeling and some of the most incredible beaches I’ve seen. The excursions can be booked right at the Island Routes desk in the main lobby.
BEST SANDALS RESORTS
Our favorite all-inclusive resort brand.
Sandals Grande St. Lucian
Sandals Grenada
Sandals Royal Barbados
Sandals Grande Antigua
