SUMMARIZED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING INFORMATION - Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	$ 18,791	$ (15,743)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation loss	(558)	(573)
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges	728	(1,492)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	170	(2,065)
Comprehensive income (loss)	18,961	(17,808)
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	32	32
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Sabra Health Care REIT, Inc.	18,993	(17,776)
Elimination [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	(62,040)	7,294
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation loss	0	0
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges	0	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	(62,040)	7,294
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Sabra Health Care REIT, Inc.	(62,040)	7,294
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	18,823	(15,648)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation loss	0	0
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges	285	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	285	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	19,108	(15,648)
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Sabra Health Care REIT, Inc.	19,108	(15,648)
Issuers [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	23,436	(10,759)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation loss	(953)	(2,643)
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges	443	(1,492)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(510)	(4,135)
Comprehensive income (loss)	22,926	(14,894)
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Sabra Health Care REIT, Inc.	22,926	(14,894)
Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	37,087	1,691
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation loss	299	1,516
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges	0	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	299	1,516
Comprehensive income (loss)	37,386	3,207
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Sabra Health Care REIT, Inc.	37,386	3,207
Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	1,485	1,679
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation loss	96	554
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges	0	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	96	554
Comprehensive income (loss)	1,581	2,233
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	32	32
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Sabra Health Care REIT, Inc.	$ 1,613	$ 2,265