Welcome to Rebooked, a regular column where we share the properties our editors and contributors loved so much, they’ve booked them over and over again. Travel journalists have their pick of the litter—so you know these are something special.
Why I First Visited
As a beach-obsessed Floridian, I grew up venturing to the Caribbean for family vacations. This may seem odd considering the Gulf of Mexico was practically in my backyard, but the massive archipelago of islands, cays, and reefs was only a short flight away, and it continues to boast some of the most electrifying turquoise water and talcum-powder-like sand in the world. My family became so infatuated with the region, in fact, that we ultimately purchased a condo in Turks and Caicos, long before it lured high-profile celebrities like the Kardashians and grew in popularity seemingly overnight.
Unfortunately, an undeniable spike in commercial tourism in Turks ushered in a rising tide of development. And while there is no denying its sustained natural beauty, I have always made it a professional and personal mission to seek out destinations that continue to feel genuinely new, untouched, and special—even better if they are deeply dedicated to preserving the delicate natural habitats that surround them. That is how I ultimately found myself itching to venture somewhere well beyond the familiar shores of Turks and booking a stay at Kamalame Cay in Andros, Bahamas, for a restorative trip with my mom.
The resort, which sits proudly on its own 96-acre private barrier island, effortlessly ticked every single feature and amenity on my strict travel short list: private villa accommodations, a long stretch of practically waveless beaches, an overwater spa stocked with Osea Malibu products—one of my all-time favorite skincare brands—and dining menus dictated entirely by nature’s daily bounty. But for me, Kamalame’s single biggest draw was its profound sense of isolation.
Guests must either fly into Nassau and catch a short 10-minute connecting flight to Fresh Creek Airport, or book one of the property’s private Coco seaplanes directly from Fort Lauderdale for a seamless route right up to its iconic shoreline. All in all, Kamalame epitomizes the phrase "going off the grid," and seeing as my ideal vacation vibes have always skewed more toward a quiet castaway existence than a bustling family-style mega-resort, my first visit more than lived up to every lofty expectation. I knew instantly I would be back. And my intuition was right—in the years since that initial trip, I have returned three more times.
What You Can Expect from a Stay
This is a property that deliberately lets nature do most of the talking. While there is a charming on-site restaurant, a welcoming bar, a central meeting house, a freshwater pool, and a gift shop, the physical grounds themselves are intentionally rustic, palm-tree-lined, and serve as a thriving natural refuge for thousands of adorable, unobtrusive hermit crabs. Guests are provided with an electric golf cart to navigate the property, as the sandy pathways are left unmarked and unpaved to exude the authentic look and feel of being entirely marooned on a deserted island.
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The barefoot-chic accommodations include 21 seaside rooms and suites. Perfectly suited for solo travelers, couples, and even small families, there is a bungalow tailored for every type of travel party and personality. They are designed meticulously with the comforts of a cozy home, though they remain intentionally minimalist in decor with whitewashed woods, soft linen curtains, and accent pieces that pay subtle homage to the surrounding marine life. But where Kamalame Cay truly shines is within its exclusive portfolio of private villas, which can comfortably house anywhere between 4 and 12 guests, ranging widely in size, architectural style, and ocean vantage point to meet the unique needs of every type of vacationer.
I love that Mongoose fat-tire bikes, paddleboards, and kayaks are readily available to borrow should you want to get your heart rate up amidst the tropical scenery. Furthermore, sea turtles, vibrant shorebirds, graceful stingrays, and darting tropical fish are virtually guaranteed sightings, no matter what aquatic journey you embark upon during your stay.
What’s Nearby
Not very much at all, which is precisely the point of a visit to this remote corner of the world. Even the total population of Andros, which stands as the largest island in the Bahamas by land mass, totals less than 8,000 permanent residents. Virtually all meals, daily activities, and excursions are naturally centered around the resort. However, I always advise fellow guests to take full advantage of Kamalame’s exceptional on-site boating offerings—whether anyone is up for an afternoon of reef fishing, lionfish spearing, or specialized bonefishing across the flats.
Snorkelers and scuba divers are in exceptional luck as well, as Andros is home to the world’s third-largest barrier reef, stretching nearly 200 miles along its dramatic eastern coast. The island also houses over 200 blue holes—representing the highest concentration of sinkholes and underwater cave systems anywhere in the globe—that practically demand exploration, both within its dense interior forests and across offshore anchor points. For travelers seeking a more relaxed pace, a quick boat cruise to neighboring sandbars, some of which completely vanish beneath the waves at high tide, offers an unforgettable setting for intimate beach picnics, extensive shelling, or special celebrations.
Why I Keep Coming Back
On the heels of life’s unexpected curveballs and the relentless noise of the modern news cycle, Kamalame remains the one rare place where I can completely detach from the world’s daily hardships. This profound separation from reality is remarkably healthy, especially for someone who works in media and is often deeply consumed by the digital headlines that normally have me reaching for a remedy.
The staff members treat patrons like visiting family members, providing a deeply welcome departure from the stifling pretentiousness that can occasionally accompany more traditional luxury bookings. Sure, it can be pleasant to dabble in stays where butlers are standing at your beck and call, but I do not always require the rigid VIP treatment—just people who are genuinely hospitable, gregarious, deeply passionate about what they do, and exceptionally skilled at pouring a proper rum cocktail.
Every sojourn I have taken to Kamalame Cay has felt as though I genuinely had the entire stretch of beach entirely to myself. I have spent literal hours suspended in the ocean, bobbing peacefully like the ice in my afternoon mojito, admiring the seemingly endless horizon, and allowing the warm Bahamian sun to restore a body worn down by long winters. We may all carry entirely different definitions of paradise, but for me, this tranquil sanctuary is as close as it is ever going to get.
