Excellence Oyster Bay has officially been back open for a few weeks after Hurricane Melissa, and I have to tell you, the newest photos coming in stopped me in my tracks.
Not because it looks “perfect” again (nature does what it does), but because it looks… different in a way that might actually matter to how you vacation there.
If you’ve been eyeing Jamaica and you’ve had that little question in the back of your mind, “Is it too soon?” or “Did the resort change?” this is for you. Here’s my real-world, advisor perspective on Excellence Oyster Bay Post-Hurricane Melissa, based on what I’m seeing and the feedback starting to roll in.
The biggest change: the beach looks noticeably bigger
Before Melissa, one of the things that made Excellence Oyster Bay feel so special was how lush it was along the shoreline. The vegetation was spread across nearly the entire beach line, and it gave the resort this tropical-island vibe that felt very “private escape.”
But if I’m being candid with you the way I would be on a planning call, that greenery also came with a trade-off: less usable, “true beach” space. I’ve heard this from clients and from other travelers for a while, especially from people who love long beach walks, want plenty of room to spread out, or just prefer that open, wide-beach feel.
After the storm and the cleanup, the shoreline looks much more open. Translation: there’s a lot more beach.
That’s not something I ever thought I’d say after a hurricane, but the reality is that the resort seems to have cleared the damage and, in the process, you can now see wider stretches of sand that simply weren’t as accessible before.
The “tropical island” feel: slightly different, still very EOB
This is the part where travelers are going to land in different places.
If you loved that super-vegetated, jungle-meets-ocean look, you may notice the resort feels a little less “wrapped in greenery” right along the beach line for now.
But from what I’m seeing so far, it still reads as Excellence Oyster Bay: bright, airy, adults-only, with that relaxed luxury vibe that makes it so easy to settle in on day one. And for a lot of my clients, having more beach in exchange for a little less shoreline vegetation is a trade they’d gladly make.
I’m genuinely excited to get back because this is the kind of change you can’t fully judge until you’re standing there with your feet in the sand.
Quick update on what’s still in progress
Cleanup clearly isn’t 100 percent finished yet. The big item I’m watching is the Magna Excellence Club pool area, which is still being rebuilt. Last I’ve heard, the expectation is that it should be ready later this year.
If you’re the type who:
- always books Club level,
- spends a ton of time at the “best” pool,
- or you’re choosing dates specifically to use that Magna space,
…then timing matters, and I’d plan carefully.
My advice if you’re deciding whether to book
Here’s how I’m guiding clients at the moment:
- If your top priority is a great beach setup: This is the most encouraging post-Melissa update I’ve seen. The beach looks more spacious, and that’s a real quality-of-trip detail.
- If you’re worried about the resort being “back to normal”: From the photos and early feedback, the resort has done a strong job cleaning up. It’s not like the property is sitting in disarray.
- If you want everything to be 100 percent finished and polished: Consider traveling later in the year once that Magna pool area is confirmed complete.
And if you have any of those “but what about…” questions (seaweed season, room locations, Club level value, airport transfers, best time of year for Jamaica), that’s exactly what I’m here for.
Want me to help you plan it the smart way?
If you’re considering Excellence Oyster Bay Post-Hurricane Melissa and you want a recommendation tailored to your travel style, dates, and priorities, I’d love to help.
You can reach out here and I’ll walk you through the best options, what I’m seeing right now, and any timing considerations: Start planning here.
And a quick thank you to Kim Fisher for the newest photos, they’ve been incredibly helpful in seeing how the shoreline is evolving.