Skip to content Sandals Ochi and Sandals South Coast are often compared since they are both in Jamaica, both 90 minutes from the airport (in different directions), and some of the cheapest Sandals Resorts.
In this article, we’ll compare the two to help you choose which is best for you.
Overview
If you’re looking for a magical honeymoon destination, you’ll find one at Sandals South Coast, named “Caribbean’s Leading Honeymoon Resort” in the 2019 World Travel Awards. Sandals South Coast is quiet and serene, nestled along a 2-mile stretch of pristine white beach amid a 500-acre nature preserve.
Sandals Ochi is the biggest Sandals Resort in Jamaica covering 100 acres, it offers tons of activities plus 16 restaurants and 11 bars. Whether you like tranquility, excitement, or both, Sandals Ochi really has it all.
Sandals Ochi is also close to popular attractions like Dunn’s River Falls and the Ocho Rios Blue Hole, as well as Sandals Golf & Country Club.
Both Resort are very large and can be a hastle to get around. While Ochi is more spread out, there is a shuttle that runs between the three main areas.
Location
Sandals Ochi is conveniently located in Ocho Rios, close to many local attractions and some of our favorite excursions. If you fly into Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, it’s a 90-minute drive to Sandals Ochi.
You can also fly into Ian Fleming International Airport, which is just outside Ocho Rios so offers a shorter transfer time of about 30 minutes. However, there aren’t as many flights from the U.S. to this airport as there are to Sangster.
Sandals South Coast is located in White House, along the unspoiled southern coast of Jamaica. It’s about 90 miles from Montego Bay airport. The drive to the resort is rough; you may want to take Dramamine beforehand due to potholes and sharp turns.
At both resorts, complimentary airport transfers are included in your stay.
Rooms and Suites
One of the reasons that Sandals South Coast is considered to be one of the best Sandals in Jamaica for honeymoons is that it features uber-romantic accommodations like Over-the-Water Bungalows and Swim-Up Rondovals.
The incredible overwater bungalows at Sandals South Coast are set around a heart-shaped walkway and perched over the stunning turquoise waters of the Caribbean.
The Rondoval Suites at Sandals South Coast feature a private patio with zero-entry access to the river pool plus a private plunge pool, spa-style bathrooms, and a Tranquility Soaking Tub™ for two. These romantic hideaways also come with butler service.
Sandals Ochi offers a variety of luxurious rooms and suites, including some that are in separate villas tucked into a lush hillside. Swanky options here include the Butler Village Honeymoon Romeo & Juliet Bedroom Villa Suite with a Private Pool Sanctuary, featuring a walled courtyard with its own pool and hot tub, as well as an outdoor rain shower.
Both resorts have a variety of rooms, but South Coast wins when it comes to the more expensive, luxury rooms.
Sandals Ochi vs. South Coast: Food and Drink
Sandals Ochi has 16 restaurants (the most of any Sandals resort) and 11 bars, including the Caribbean’s first speakeasy. The restaurants at Sandals Ochi serve a wide variety of cuisine including gourmet French, Italian, Asian, Caribbean, sushi, Southern, Mediterranean, seafood, pizza, and tapas. Many have water views, some are beachfront, and one is even over the water.
Sandals South Coast has 7 bars (including swim-up bars) and 9 “global gourmet” restaurants, many of which overlook the beautiful beach. These include Italian, Asian, and Caribbean cuisines; the beachside Mediterranean and Jamaican seafood restaurants; Sushi on the Sand; the Jerk Shack; and a Parisian café.
Where Sandals South Coast wins out is the new food trucks, one serving tacos and the other grilled or fired chicken tenders.
Activities and Amenities
There are plenty of complimentary activities at both Sandals Ochi and Sandals South Coast, including water and land sports. Even scuba diving is included; certified divers can dive up to twice a day at either resort. Sandals Ochi also offers golf.
Water sports at Sandals Ochi include aqua trikes, kayaks, windsurfing, sailboats, snorkeling, scuba diving, and paddle boards. Land activities include beach volleyball, day and night tennis, table tennis, shuffleboard, lawn chess, bocce ball, squash, horseshoes, rock climbing, pool tables, board games, and a fitness center.
Golf is also included at Sandals Ochi. You’ll get complimentary greens fees at and transportation to and from Sandals Golf & Country Club, where you can enjoy a round or two along the emerald fairway overlooking the sea.
At Sandals South Coast, one major difference is the motorized water sports like water sking and wake boarding.
Pools & Beaches
When comparing pools at these two resorts, its a tie. Both have several pools of different sizes and vibes.
Sandals Ochi offers 7 pools (plus arount 100 private pools, located at some suites).
There are swim-up bars at three of the pools, including the oceanfront pool at the beach club. We love the pools near the beach, especially the one with a brick oven pizza place since you can enjoy both the beach and the pool easily.
Sandals South Coast has several large pools. One has a swim up bar and regular entertainment which the others are more quiet.
For beaches, Sandals South Coast is the winner.
The pristine white sand beach stretches for two miles along crystal clear water. There are shade trees and lounge chairs, or you can book a private cabana. Complimentary watersports at Sandals South Coast include kayaking, waterskiing, windsurfing, sailing, tubing, paddleboarding, wakeboarding, and kneeboarding, as well as snorkeling and scuba diving.
At Ochi, the white sand beach is separated into three different areas, which all feature calm water but have different vibes.
Nightlife
Sandals Ochi is known to have more of a lively atmosphere than Sandals South Coast. It includes the Caribbean’s first speakeasy as well as 2 swim-up bars and a piano bar. It also offers nightly entertainment including shows in an amphitheater, live music, a piano bar, a chocolate buffet, talent night, karaoke, and beach parties with fire dancers.
Sandals South Coast takes on an even more romantic ambiance at night with an overwater bar, sing alongs in the piano bar, and nightly entertainment including live music, talent nights, and theme nights like Carnival Party, Caribbean Night, and White Night.
Comparing Cost
The cost of the two resorts is similar, it really depends on the room you choose. Sandals South Coast gets more expensive if you choose the high end suites that are not available at Sandals Ochi.
As at every Sandals, your all-inclusive rate covers complimentary airport transfers; all dining and beverages including unlimited premium liquors and unlimited Robert Mondavi Twin Oaks wines; a stocked minibar in your room; a coffee maker with Jamaican Blue Mountain Blend coffee; water sports and equipment plus professional instruction; WiFi; daily and nightly entertainment; unlimited land sports; state-of-the-art fitness center; and all tips, taxes, and gratuities.
Our Pick
For us, we would choose Sandals Ochi. We prefer the drive to Ochi since the roads are better. We also like the variety of food available and the bulter village which is a very quiet area of the resort with private and semi private pools.
We also love the Ocho Rios area since there is so much to do off the resort.
If it wasn’t for the drive, I think Sandals South Coast might be our choice since it is really close.
He is an expert travel advisor and enthusiast. He has traveled extensively in the USA, Central America, South America, and Europe. He has visited every Sandals Resort and is one of a select few Diamond Elite members of the Sandals Chairman’s Royal Club.
Dan graduated from Johnson & Wales University with an associate degree in Culinary Arts. Later he graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree in International Studies with a focus on people and culture.
