If you look at a map of the Bahamas, you’ll see San Salvador sitting way out there on the eastern edge, basically dangling in the Atlantic. It’s isolated. That is precisely why Club Med Columbus Isle exists where it does. Most people think "Bahamas" and envision the high-rise sprawl of Nassau or the cruise ship crowds of Freeport, but this place is a total pivot from that. It’s where Christopher Columbus allegedly first hit land in the New World back in 1492, and honestly, the coastline hasn't changed as much as you'd think.
It’s remote.
Because it’s so far out, the water clarity is different. It’s that piercing, electric turquoise that looks fake in photos but ruins your eyes for any other beach for the rest of your life. This resort isn't some brand-new glass-and-steel mega-complex. It’s a colonial-style, colorful spread of bungalows that feels more like a Mediterranean village got lost in the Caribbean. You’ve got the Out Island vibes mixed with that weirdly specific French flair that defines Club Med.
The Scuba Diving Reality at Columbus Isle Bahamas Resort
Let’s be real: if you aren't coming here for the water, you're missing the entire point. Most guests at the Columbus Isle Bahamas Resort are divers or want to be. The shelf drops off incredibly fast here. You go out a few hundred yards and suddenly the floor disappears into a 3,000-foot abyss.
This creates some of the best wall diving in the Western Hemisphere.
You’ll see hammerheads. Not every day, maybe, but they’re around, especially near the sites like Telephone Pole or High Cay. The resort’s Scuba program is professional, but it’s busy. Unlike some chill Caribbean spots where you roll out of bed at 10:00 AM, the dive boats here are a military operation. If you want the good spots, you’re up early. The visibility frequently hits 100 feet. It’s like swimming through gin.
One thing people get wrong is thinking this is a "party" resort. While Club Med has that reputation, Columbus Isle is the "grown-up" sibling. It’s technically a family resort, but it doesn't have the massive "Mini Club" infrastructure of their other locations. You see fewer toddlers and more couples in their 40s or solo travelers who just want to see a grouper the size of a Volkswagen.
📖 Related: The Gwen Luxury Hotel Chicago: What Most People Get Wrong About This Art Deco Icon
The Logistics of Getting to San Salvador
Getting here is a bit of a pain. Let's just say it.
Unless you’re on a chartered flight organized by Club Med—which usually run out of Miami or New York depending on the season—you’re likely flying into Cockburn Town (pronounced Ko-burn) on a small prop plane. The airport is basically a room with a fan.
- You might face delays.
- Your luggage might arrive on a different plane.
- You will definitely be sweating within five minutes of landing.
But once you’re on the bus to the resort, it’s a ten-minute ride. The island is tiny. Only about 1,000 people live here full-time. There’s one main road that loops the island, and if you rent a bike or a scooter, you can see the whole thing in a few hours.
Why the Food and Vibe Might Surprise You
Honestly, the food is better than it has any right to be on an island this remote. Everything has to be shipped or flown in. Yet, because it’s a French company, they take the bread seriously. The white chocolate bread is a legitimate cult object among Club Med regulars. People talk about it like it’s a religious relic.
You eat a lot of fresh fish, obviously. Mahi-mahi, snapper, conch. The main restaurant, Christopher’s, is buffet style, but it’s high-end. Then you have the specialty spots like La Pinta, which is more of a lounge vibe by the water.
The rooms? They’re "charming." That’s travel-writer speak for "they aren't ultra-modern." They have bright colors, carved wooden furniture, and tile floors. If you’re looking for a room with a 75-inch smart TV and automated curtains, go to Vegas. Here, the room is just a place to crash after you’ve spent eight hours in the sun. The air conditioning works—and that’s the most important metric on San Salvador.
👉 See also: What Time in South Korea: Why the Peninsula Stays Nine Hours Ahead
Beyond the Beach: What to Actually Do
Don't just stay in the "village."
Go see the Dixon Hill Lighthouse. It’s one of the last hand-operated kerosene lighthouses in the world. It was built in 1887. You can climb to the top, and the view shows you exactly how vulnerable this little spit of land is in the middle of the ocean. It’s sobering.
Then there’s the Columbus Monument. It’s a simple white cross on the beach at Long Bay. It marks the spot where the Santa Maria supposedly dropped anchor. Is it the exact spot? Historians argue about it constantly. Some say he landed at Samana Cay instead. But standing there, watching the waves hit the reef, you get a sense of the sheer isolation those sailors must have felt.
The resort also offers sailing and tennis. The sailing is legit because the wind on this side of the island is consistent. You’ll see Hobie Cats flipping over quite a bit because people underestimate the Atlantic gusts. It’s fun to watch from a lounge chair with a drink in your hand.
The Hidden Costs and Realities
We need to talk about the bugs. It’s the Caribbean. Specifically, it’s a low-lying island with lots of salt ponds. The "no-see-ums" (sand flies) can be brutal at dusk.
- Pack high-quality repellent with DEET.
- Don’t hang out on the beach at sunset without protection.
- Avoid the grassy areas after rain.
Also, the Wi-Fi. It’s gotten better over the years, but you’re on an island 200 miles from the mainland. It’s spotty. If you have a high-stakes Zoom call, you’re gambling. This is a place to disconnect. Most people who love Columbus Isle Bahamas Resort come here specifically because their boss can’t reach them easily.
✨ Don't miss: Where to Stay in Seoul: What Most People Get Wrong
The pricing is all-inclusive, which covers your food, drinks, and most activities. However, the "extras" add up. Scuba diving is an extra cost. High-end wine is an extra cost. Spa treatments—which are excellent, by the way, especially the ones overlooking the ocean—will set you back a bit.
Is It Worth It?
If you want a manicured, Disney-style Caribbean experience, you’ll hate it. It’s too raw for that. But if you want to feel like you’ve actually traveled somewhere—somewhere distinct and slightly wild—it’s one of the best spots in the Bahamas.
The staff (the G.O.s) are usually young, international, and high-energy. They’ll try to get you to do a group dance by the pool. You can join in, or you can do what I do and retreat to the far end of the beach where the only sound is the water hitting the sand. There’s enough space for both types of people.
San Salvador is a limestone island. It’s porous. There are inland lakes that are actually connected to the sea through underground caves. It’s a strange, geological wonder that most tourists never bother to learn about. Taking a nature walk or a boat tour of the inner lagoons is worth the afternoon away from the bar.
Actionable Steps for Your Trip
Before you book, check the seasonal schedule. The resort often closes for a month or two in the late summer/early fall for maintenance and to avoid the peak of hurricane season.
- Book the Charter: If Club Med is offering a direct charter from your city, take it. Do not try to piece together your own flights through Nassau unless you want to spend six hours sitting on a plastic chair in a tiny terminal.
- Get Certified Early: If you want to dive, get your PADI Open Water classroom work done at home. Don't waste your precious island time reading a manual in your room. Do your "check-out" dives at the resort so you can get straight to the walls.
- Pack Light: You don't need fancy clothes. It’s "island chic" at best. A few linen shirts, a couple of swimsuits, and decent reef-safe sunscreen are all you really need.
- Check the Reef: Bring your own snorkel gear. The resort provides it, but having a mask that actually fits your face makes a world of difference when you're looking for sea turtles.
- Respect the Sun: The sun hits different on San Salvador. You're closer to the equator and there’s very little shade on the water. A rash guard is a mandatory piece of equipment, not a fashion choice.
When you leave, you’ll likely fly out on that same tiny plane, looking down at the reefs and the white cross on the beach. You’ll realize that for a week, you were basically a castaway in a very comfortable, French-run colony. It’s a weird niche, but it works.