I’ve Been to the Bahamas Nearly 10 Times—Nothing Compares to Kamalame Cay

Welcome to Rebooked, a Condé Nast Traveler column where we share the properties our editors and contributors loved so much, they’ve booked them over and over (and over!) again. Travel journalists have their pick of the litter—so you know these are something special.Property name: Kamalame CayLocation: Andros, BahamasNumber of times visited: 4Best for: Couples, solo travelers, small groups, familiesWhy 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 was 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 celebrities like the Kardashians and grew in popularity seemingly overnight.Kamalame CayUnfortunately, an increase in tourism in Turks ushered in a rise in commercialization. And while there’s no denying its sustained beauty, I’ve always made it a mission to seek places that continue to feel new and special—even better if they're dedicated to preserving the natural habitats that surround them. That's how I ended up itching to go somewhere beyond Turks and booking a stay at Kamalame Cay in Andros, Bahamas, for a May 2023 trip with my mom.Kamalame CayJoey SkladanyThe resort, which sits on its own 96-acre private barrier island, touted every feature and amenity on my 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 menus dictated by nature’s bounty. But for me, Kamalame’s biggest draw was its isolation. Guests must either fly into Nassau and take a 10-minute flight to Fresh Creek Airport, or book one of the property’s Coco seaplanes from Fort Lauderdale with a direct route to its iconic shoreline. All in all, Kamalame epitomizes the phrase “going off the grid,” and seeing as my ideal vacation vibes have always been more Wilson from Cast Away than family member from National Lampoon, my first visit more than lived up to expectations. I knew I'd be back. And I was right—in the three years since, I've been back three more times.What you can expect from a stay:This is a property that lets nature do most of the talking. While there is an on-site restaurant, bar, meeting house, freshwater pool, and gift shop, the grounds themselves are rustic, palm tree-lined, and a refuge for thousands of adorable, unobtrusive hermit crabs. Guests are provided a golf cart to get to and fro, as sandy paths are unmarked and unpaved to exude the look and feel of being marooned.Kamalame CayLyndah Wells / Kamalame CayThe barefoot-chic accommodations include 21 seaside rooms and suites. Perfect for solo travelers, couples, and even small families, there’s a bungalow for every type of party and personality, designed meticulously with the comforts of a cozy home, though intentionally minimalist in decor through whitewashed woods, linen curtains, and accent pieces that pay homage to the surrounding marine life. But where Kamalame Cay really shines is with its portfolio of villas that can house between 4 and 12 guests, ranging in size, architecture, and vantage point to meet the needs of every type of vacationer.I love that Mongoose fat tire bikes, paddleboards, and kayaks are available to borrow, should you want to get your heart rate up. And sea turtles, birds, stingrays, and tropical fish will be guaranteed sightings, no matter the journey.What’s nearby:Not too much, which is precisely the point of a visit. Even the population of Andros, the Bahamas' largest island by land mass, is less than 8,000 residents. All meals, activities, and adventures will be limited to the resort, though I always tell other guests to take full advantage of Kamalame’s on-site boat offerings—anyone up for a reef fishing, lionfish spearing, or bonefishing excursion?Snorkelers and divers are in luck as well, as Andros is home to the third-largest barrier reef in the world, stretching nearly 200 miles along its eastern coast. The island also houses over 200 blue holes (the highest concentration of sinkholes and cave systems in the world) that demand exploration, both in its forests and offshore anchor points. For the less adventurous, a quick cruise to neighboring islands, some of which get washed away by high tide, is a must-do for intimate picnics, shelling, or special soirees.Joey SkladanyJoey SkladanyWhy I keep coming back:On the heels of Dolly Parton’s death and all of 2026’s unexpected curveballs, Kamalame is the one place I can completely detach from the world’s hardships. This separation from reality is healthy, especially as someone who works in media and is often consumed by the headlines that have me reaching for a bottle of Rogaine or Pinot Noir.Staff members treat patrons like family, a welcome departure from the pretentiousness that sometimes comes with more luxurious bookings. Sure, it may be nice to dabble in stays where butlers are at my beck and call, but I don’t always need the VIP treatment—just someone who's hospitable, gregarious, passionate about what they do, and skilled with rum.Every sojourn to Kamalame has felt like I’ve genuinely had the entire beach to myself, and I've spent literal hours in the ocean, bobbing like the ice in my mojito, admiring the seemingly endless horizon, and allowing the Bahama sun to bronze a body plagued by Chicago winters. We may all have different ideas of paradise, but for me, this is as close as it’s going to get.Kamalame CayGold ListGold List 2018, 2020Readers' ChoiceReaders' Choice Awards 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025Andros, BahamasRead Full Review