The Exuma Cays Community Opposes Yntegra & Rosewood Hotels’ Megaresort Plans for Sampson Cay

Protect Sampson Cay from Destructive Development

Miami-based Yntegra plans to develop a high-density Rosewood Hotels megaresort on Sampson Cay, an undertaking that poses serious environmental and safety risks to Exuma’s beautiful, irreplaceable ecosystems.

The Save Exuma Alliance is a coalition of community leaders, local business owners, and residents of the Exuma Cays united in opposition to the Yntegra/Rosewood development.

Yntegra’s proposal would transform Sampson Cay from a pristine island into a dense, overdeveloped luxury destination. To do this, they plan to dredge through coral reefs and seagrass meadows, bulldoze native coastlines, destroy wetlands and sandbars, and carve into the shallow seabed causing irreversible damage to our environment. 

The North Bay of Sampson Cay is a pristine marine sanctuary that supports corals, Caribbean spiny lobster, Queen conch, Nassau grouper, sea turtles, and other fragile species already vulnerable to habitat loss. Yntegra plans to dredge through this area and introduce commercial shipping vessel traffic into shallow recreational waters used by locals and visitors alike.

Exuma’s unique coastal ecosystems draw visitors from around the world. Dredging would throw this delicate system off balance by increasing turbidity, altering water flow, and degrading vital marine habitats. And dredging isn’t a one-time event, once started, it often requires repeated interventions that multiply the damage over time.

Scientists, marine biologists, and conservationists agree: once this natural Bahamian sanctuary is destroyed, it’s gone forever.

What Local Exumians Are Saying

  • “It is time to protect the Bahamians birthrights, their land, and their environment for the future of their generations.”

    - Connie Nassau

  • "The reefs in and around the Bahamas are nearing complete collapse. We no longer visit to snorkel or dive. It's only a matter of time before the lobsters and fish are gone."

    - Greg Ambrose

  • "In my expereince I have found a lot of these cays to be very delicate ecosystems on the land and not just the water. I can't imagine developing the infrastructure for a full scale Resort on a small island."

    - Rebecca Klinck Gill

  • "I'm appalled that anyone would want to destroy this rare and lively ecosystem."

    - Melissa, Jupiter

  • "I support the preservation of this valuable and unique ecosystem and urge policymakers to deny the approval to dredge the seabed at Sampson Cay."

    - Dorsie

  • “They will truly ruin a piece of heaven on earth. Say no to this! It’s magical.”

    - Tina

  • “This type of development is too large for the Exuma Cays."

    - John

  • "Why would you want to permit destruction of an area that is what people come to see and enjoy? The natural beauty of this area is what people flock to the Exumas to see and experience."

    - Connie

  • “Let’s defend the amazing Caribbean from marketing threats.”

    Leom D Ayala

  • "Informative, and the balace with nature should be taken into account."

    - Symon Bridle

  • "Projects should be eco friendly and they should be designed to preserve it."

    - Kimberley Hunt

  • "This must stop."

    - Raquel

  • "Is this approved by our Climate Change activist PM?"

    - Joey

  • "The Bahamian people want to know how much taxes been paid along with the infrastructure in assist in developing the said islands."

    - Barry Gilbert

  • "Get rid of Yntegra."

    - Robert Sands

  • "Time to chase them so out, preserving your natural eco system and way of life is worth more than these hotel chain owners who gets rich while destroying everything around them."

    - Ian G M Charles

  • "When you say "dredging" that's greenwashing and unsustainable."

    - Mark A Richert

Community Leaders Opposed to the Current Yntegra Plan

Our Goals

As a coalition of local businesspeople, leaders and residents, SEA believes that sustainable, low-impact tourism development can make sound economic contributions to our community. 

We’re proud to share Central Exuma’s unique flora and fauna with guests from around the world. Many local businesses and jobs depend on travelers who seek an authentic Central Exumas experience.

However, we believe the scale of Yntegra/Rosewood Hotels’ megaresort project and dredging plans are a poor fit for the Central Exumas. The plans raise serious questions:

  • Is this megadevelopment the best use of Crown Land in the Exuma Cays?

  • Should Yntegra/Rosewood Hotels find a more suitable location for high-density tourism development of this scale?

  • Why will Yntegra/Rosewood Hotels not improve their plans to better suit the land and sea conditions of this special area? 

As Bahamians, we are proud of our Government’s continued dedication to fighting climate change. In that same spirit, we respectfully call on our leadership to thoroughly consider the long-term impact of the proposed Yntegra/Rosewood Hotels megaresort. Before issuing permits or a Certificate of Environmental Clearance (CEC), we urge our leaders to conduct a thorough analysis of seabed dredging and safety issues, and ensure appropriate community review and feedback.

Take Action Today

  • Join The Alliance

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  • Letter To The Editor

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  • Sign The Petition

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Hold Rosewood Hotels & Yntegra Accountable to Our Community

Sampson Cay, Exuma, Bahamas

SaveExumaAlliance@gmail.com