NASSAU, BAHAMAS- World-famous dive operator and National Geographic collaborator Stuart Cove today urged a halt-and-review of plans by a Miami-based investment group to build a Rosewood resort in the heart of the Exuma Cays—a development he warns could destroy “one of the last great undersea wonders in the Western world.”
Cove, owner and operator of Stuart Cove Dive, issued the plea after exploring reefs, sea grasses, and waters around Sampson Cay in the Central Exuma chain, where fish, crawfish, and conch spawn, hatch, and thrive.
“I was stunned by what I saw and reminded of how rare the beauty of the waters in that area are and how pristine they remain, and also by the number of conch and mature conch,” Cove said. “Within the park (the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park) and around Big Sampson, including the North Bay and the cut, there were more mature conch than I have seen anywhere in years. It was like a haven.”
Cove added: “If we are serious about saving the underwater environment we boast about to the world, the one we show in photos and videos, we need to save the Exuma Cays. This is truly a special place on earth and we cannot, must not, allow it to be destroyed.”
Since opening Stuart Cove Dive in 1979, Cove has introduced more than two million visitors to the Bahamian undersea world. He stressed that the vibrant marine life he witnessed could be wiped out in a single day, taking hundreds of years to restore.
The area at the center of the controversy—where turquoise, blue, and golden waters have been described as “more beautiful than a postcard could portray”—is drawing growing attention from the public. Thousands have signed a petition calling for a review of Yntegra’s Rosewood plans.
The Save Exuma Alliance (SEA), a coalition of local operators, residents, and business leaders has called for halting the project, arguing it is “too big and too great a risk” for a small cay. Members say the proposed development could harm the local economy, disrupt culture, and destroy the quality of life tied to the natural environment.
In late September, the Planning and Subdivision Appeals Board began hearing appeals against Yntegra’s project approvals. The appeals were filed by Turtlegrass Resort & Island Club, under construction prior to Yntegra’s announcement, and by Over Yonder Cay operators. Combined, these parties have invested nearly $200 million, with Turtlegrass warning it may halt construction and cancel a further $50 million investment if the massive Yntegra project proceeds.
The proposed Rosewood project includes two marinas, a cargo dock, and more than 90 structures to accommodate over 500 people. It would rely primarily on diesel generators and generate more than 100,000 gallons of sewage and 2.8 tons of garbage daily. Dredging for megayacht marinas would occur in protected wetlands, while the seawall and service dock in North Bay could destroy coral reefs, displace protected sea turtles, wipe out conch populations, and obliterate extensive sea grass meadows, which the government has promoted as valuable for carbon credits.
The Save Exuma Alliance urges careful consideration and consultation with environmental experts. A petition to halt environmental clearance for the Rosewood/Yntegra Sampson Cay project has garnered over 6,800 signatures.
