The Residences at Secret Bay, The Residences at Secret Bay, Dominica’s award-winning luxury resort and branded residential real estate offering, has surpassed US$7.80 million in cumulative returns distributed to individual villa owners since the programme’s inception.
The milestone underscores 15 years of operational excellence, sustained owner confidence, and a development strategy that continues to deliver measurable growth across ownership, occupancy, and inventory.
Year-over-year results from Q1 2025 to Q1 2026 show continued outperformance across sales, ROI distributions, and operational performance. Shareholder participation increased by more than 20%; total ROI payouts for the period rose nearly 70% to US$1.1 million; occupancy exceeded 81%; and the number of villas available for occupancy grew by nearly one-third.
“These results demonstrate the strength of Secret Bay’s long-term vision and our commitment to delivering value to our owners,” said Marvlyn James, Director of Sales and Marketing at The Residences at Secret Bay. “Our consistent ROI distributions, growing ownership community, and continued expansion reinforce Secret Bay’s position as one of the most compelling luxury real estate investment opportunities in the Caribbean and beyond.”
Performance highlights from Q1 2025 to Q1 2026 include:
- More than US$7.8 million in cumulative ROI distributions paid to owners since Q4 2019.
- Sales grew by more than 20% year over year, rising from 208 shareholders in Q1 2025 to 251 in Q1 2026.
- Average occupancy increased from 73% to 81.1% year-over-year, while average ROI distributions rose from 5.28% to 6.08%, and total ROI payouts increased nearly 70% to more than US$1.1 million year-over-year.
- The number of villas available for occupancy increased by nearly 32%, growing from 23 in Q1 2025 to 27 in Q1 2026, with the resort remaining on track to reach 42 villas upon completion of its final development phase in 2030.
Lifestyle ownership continues to gain momentum, with more than half of recent buyers’ sales over the past year driven by luxury real estate ownership and lifestyle rather than citizenship. Since inception, approximately 35% of owners have been lifestyle purchasers, and 65% have been citizenship-related buyers.
“Increasingly, we are attracting buyers who are choosing Secret Bay because of the quality, the proven record, the strength of the investment, and Dominica itself, “ said James. “Lifestyle ownership has become the primary driver of new sales.”
Momentum continues across the property, spanning villas and amenities. In Q3 or this year, Secret Bay launched Phase 7, the Cliffside Enclave, the final chapter in Secret Bay’s master plan. Upon completion, the development will bring the resort’s total villa count to 42. The Cliffside Enclave will comprise six residences, including three two-bedroom Ti-Fèy+ Villas and three three-bedroom Kampesh Villas.
The Ti-Fèy+ villas span 2,649 square feet, with two bedrooms and three bathrooms, accommodating four to six guests, from USD $2,950,000. The new Kampesh design brings a treehouse-style layout of 3,618 square feet, with three bedrooms and three bathrooms, accommodating six to ten guests, from USD $3,950,000. Both open through walls of glass to the gourmet chef’s kitchen, the jungle-steeped bedrooms, and the sea beyond.
Each villa is fully appointed with Siemens kitchen appliances, a De’Longhi Eletta espresso maker, a CDA wine fridge, a Culligan water filtration system, a Sonos wireless sound system, high-speed WiFi, and smart home technology.
Further, construction on the nine Waterfront Villas is on target to be completed in Fall 2027, with three residences already sold, including two whole-ownership villas and one fractional ownership offering. Inspired by the iconic Mapou Villa design, the collection features dramatic cantilevered architecture and uninterrupted ocean views.
Complementing the residential expansion, Secret Bay is also developing two new wellness facilities: the Wellness Spa and the Analog Spa. Both are scheduled for completion in 2027. Together, these additions will significantly expand the resort’s wellness programming and provide guests with more diverse and personalized therapeutic experiences.
Adding to the resort’s growing list of guest experiences, Secret Bay welcomed back its iconic Zing Zing restaurant this year. The Caribbean’s most intimate dining experience, the beloved open-air venue now hosts just 20 guests each evening for a six-course Discovery Menu, celebrating Dominica’s freshest seasonal ingredients.
The return of Zing Zing marks another milestone in Secret Bay’s continued evolution, complementing the success of Bwa Denn and reinforcing the property’s reputation as one of the Caribbean’s leading culinary destinations.
Secret Bay’s strategic partnership with Sotheby’s International Realty continues to elevate the global profile of The Residences programme. Led by Caribbean luxury real estate specialist Dan Merriman, Sotheby’s has successfully connected Secret Bay ownership opportunities with qualified buyers across North America, Europe, and key emerging markets, driving strong sales momentum following the launch of the Waterfront Villas in 2025.
Sotheby’s will continue to lead sales efforts for the upcoming Cliffside Enclave, further expanding awareness of Secret Bay’s unique blend of luxury hospitality, ownership, and investment.
Secret Bay is situated in Dominica, renowned as the “Nature Island of the Caribbean” for its unparalleled natural beauty and commitment to sustainability. The island boasts 365 rivers, the world’s second-largest boiling lake, subterranean volcanoes, mountains, waterfalls, hot springs, black and white sand beaches, and is home to the world’s only resident pod of sperm whales.
As one of the last truly unspoiled islands, Dominica fosters complete immersion in the healing powers of nature, allowing modern-day travelers to reap the nourishing rewards of a lush, sparsely populated ecosystem. This last-of-its-kind destination offers bucket-list experiences such as swimming with whales, world-class scuba diving, and canyoning through pristine landscapes.
In July 2026, Dominica was named the No. 1 Island in the Caribbean, Bermuda, and the Bahamas in Travel + Leisure‘s ‘World’s Best Awards,’ bolstering its captivating appeal for those seeking an off-the-beaten-path paradise.
The Residences at Secret Bay has a proven record of ongoing ROI payouts, a demonstrated exit pathway, and a history of delivering luxury hospitality experiences at the highest level. And, Secret Bay continues to distinguish itself through a rare combination of environmental stewardship, architectural excellence, and financial performance.
From its beginnings as a six-villa resort to its current status as a 27-villa destination, Secret Bay has grown alongside a rapidly expanding ownership community while maintaining the exclusivity and service standards that have earned global recognition.
Dominica’s only property affiliated with Relais & Châteaux, the resort has consistently achieved industry accolades, including recognition from Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Caribbean Journal, and the residences have been featured in publications like The Wall Street Journal, Mansion Global, and Robb Report.
Today, Secret Bay represents one of the Caribbean’s leading examples of luxury hospitality integrated with branded residential real estate, combining world-class resort operations with long-term ownership opportunities and a proven investment track record.
Fractional ownership begins at US$220,000 for two weeks and ranges up to US$1.1 million for ten weeks. Whole Ownership real estate opportunities are available for Villas starting at US$1.4 million and Multi-Villa Estates at US$4.5 million. For more information, visit: https://secretbay.dm/residences/ or email residences@secretbay.dm.
*Please be advised that the coverage of annual fees as well as Return on Investment (ROI) payments are contingent upon market conditions and LLC/Villa performance, and we do not provide any guarantee of specific returns. This disclaimer serves as a notice that ROI payments are subject to change and may not be consistent or predictable. We strongly advise all parties to obtain their independent professional advice.
