We recently returned home after spending a week at Club Med Columbus Isle, located on the beautiful island of San Salvador in the Bahamas. Known for its untouched beaches, crystal-clear turquoise water, and world-class diving, Columbus Isle offers a different kind of all-inclusive vacation—one centered around nature, water sports, and the laid-back Club Med lifestyle. After experiencing the resort firsthand, here’s everything you need to know before booking your stay.
Getting There
One of the unique aspects of Club Med Columbus Isle is that travel to the resort is built around a limited flight schedule. For guests traveling from the United States, BahamasAir operates one inbound and one outbound flight each Saturday, making the standard stay a seven-night vacation. Additional weekly flights operate from Montreal on Tuesdays and from France on Thursdays, making the resort easily accessible for Canadian and European guests as well.
Our journey began at Miami International Airport, where we checked in at the BahamasAir desk. After receiving our boarding passes and seat assignments, we boarded a quick 50-minute flight to San Salvador Island. Upon arrival, Club Med staff welcomed us outside the airport with refreshing cold towels and our Club Med wristbands, which conveniently serve as your room key throughout your stay. From there, it was just a two-minute transfer to the resort, allowing us to begin enjoying paradise almost immediately.
Accommodations
Club Med Columbus Isle offers several room categories, including Superior Rooms, upgraded Deluxe Rooms featuring amenities such as a stocked non-alcoholic mini bar, bathrobes, slippers, snacks, as well as refurbished bungalows situated a bit farther from the beachfront.
While the accommodations are comfortable, the rooms are not the main reason travelers choose Columbus Isle. This is a destination where the beach, the ocean, and the outdoor experiences take center stage. If your priority is spending every possible moment enjoying some of the clearest water you’ll ever see, you’ll feel right at home.
The Beach: The True Star of the Resort
As travel experts, we can honestly say this is one the most beautiful beaches we have ever experienced. The powder-soft white sand and unbelievably clear turquoise water almost don’t look real. The calm, shallow water is perfect for swimming, floating, paddleboarding, or simply relaxing while surrounded by incredible scenery.
Every day we swam alongside colorful tropical fish, and if you’re lucky, you may even spot a manta ray passing through the crystal-clear water. It’s one of those places where you constantly find yourself stopping just to admire the view.
Although the resort has a spacious main pool, we found ourselves spending nearly all of our time at the beach because it’s simply that spectacular.
Activities On and Off the Water
One of the things that makes Club Med unique is the number of included activities available throughout the day. Guests can enjoy snorkeling, Hobie Cat sailing, sailing lessons, kayaking, paddleboarding, pickleball, tennis, yoga, Pilates, aqua fitness classes, and water skiing or wakeboarding (weather permitting).
Whether you’re looking to stay active or simply try something new, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
World-Class Diving
One of the biggest reasons people visit Columbus Isle is for its incredible diving. San Salvador is home to some of the best scuba diving in the Bahamas thanks to its dramatic wall dives, thriving coral reefs, exceptional underwater visibility, and abundant marine life.
The resort’s Only Blue Diving Center offers certification courses, guided boat dives, refresher courses, equipment rentals, and excursions for both beginner and experienced divers. Many guests return year after year specifically for the diving, making it one of the resort’s defining experiences.
Dining
Dining exceeded our expectations throughout the week. Christopher’s, the main buffet restaurant, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with an impressive variety of international favorites alongside Bahamian and nightly theme inspired dishes.
La Pinta Beach Lounge offers a buffet for breakfast and lunch before transforming into an elegant sit-down restaurant in the evening, allowing guests to enjoy dinner with beautiful ocean views.
The Club Med Spirit
One thing that truly sets Club Med apart is its famous G.O. team, short for Gentils Organisateurs (French for “gracious organizers”). Unlike traditional resort staff, G.O.s are involved in nearly every aspect of the guest experience. You may see the same G.O. teaching a fitness class in the morning, organizing games in the afternoon, performing in the evening shows, and later joining guests on the dance floor during the nightly celebrations.
Their energy, enthusiasm, and friendliness create the fun, social atmosphere that has made Club Med unique for decades.
Evening Entertainment & Theme Nights
Each evening featured a different dress theme, including White Night, Bohemian Chic, Glow Night, Blue & White Night, Tropical Night, Elegant Night, and Club Med’s signature “45 Spirit” celebration.
The G.O.s transformed the resort each night with themed decorations, live entertainment, performances, music, and interactive activities. White Night was especially memorable, with beautifully decorated dinner tables surrounding the pool, creating an unforgettable open-air dining experience before the evening festivities began.
Exploring San Salvador
For guests looking to explore beyond the resort, Club Med offers a variety of optional excursions. We chose the ATV/Buggy Island Tour, which quickly became one of the highlights of our trip.
The excursion took us to the site traditionally recognized as Christopher Columbus’ first landing in the Americas, the monument featuring the torch from the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games, scenic overlooks with panoramic island views, the marina where we fed nurse sharks, and several breathtaking beaches that showcased just how untouched San Salvador truly is.
Final Thoughts
Club Med Columbus Isle is best suited for travelers who prioritize breathtaking beaches, crystal-clear water, water sports, and some of the best diving in the Caribbean over lavish accommodations.
If your dream vacation includes snorkeling with tropical fish, learning to sail, experiencing the unique Club Med atmosphere, and spending your days on what may be one of the most beautiful beaches in the Bahamas, Columbus Isle is a destination that deserves a place on your travel list.
