Bahamas Court to Review Rosewood Exuma Resort Plan

The proposed $200 million Rosewood Exuma resort is planned for East Sampson Cay, a 124-acre private island. The ultra-luxury development is slated to include 33 suites and bungalows, a 20,000-square-foot spa, six food and beverage outlets, and two marinas with 69 slips for yachts up to 150 feet. Construction began in September 2025, with a projected opening in late 2028. The Miami-based developer, Yntegra Group, has committed to developing only half of the island, leaving the rest untouched to preserve the natural landscape. The company also plans to use native plants, grow a 14,000-tree nursery, and source 30% of the resort's power from renewable energy, aiming for LEED certification for sustainable building. The project is expected to generate a $1.6 billion economic impact and create over 500 full-time jobs. The Save Exuma Alliance, a coalition of local businesses and residents, argues the development will cause irreversible environmental damage. Their primary concern is the proposed dredging of a 15-acre seagrass prairie and coral reefs in a bay used for recreational activities like snorkeling and swimming. This legal challenge is seen as the first major test of The Bahamas' 2019 environmental protection laws. In response to community feedback and an environmental assessment, Yntegra announced in November 2025 that it would withdraw and refile its site plan. A key change involves relocating a service dock that had been a major point of contention. Despite this, the Save Exuma Alliance continues to advocate for a smaller-scale project and has gathered over 7,000 signatures on a petition to halt the development.