Where to Book Kamalame Cay The Bahamas:
kamalame.com
What’s Special About This Resort
Kamalame Cay sits on a remote part of the eastern shore of Andros Island – the largest in the Bahamas. There are two very special things about this place: first, the Andros Barrier Reef, one of the biggest in the world, is just offshore from the resort, making it the ideal choice for scuba divers and snorkelers.
Second, the rugged island interior has unique natural wonders to explore, unlike many other Bahamas islands, including natural swimming holes, a national park, mangrove forests, fishing flats, and much more. Kamalame Cay is your place to enjoy it all, with nearly 100 acres of untouched nature, a handful of oceanfront residences, and the Bahamas’ only overwater spa.
There are three different rate plans at Kamalame Cay: Standard Suite, with à-la-carte (paid) dining; Standard Guest of House, with all meals and drinks (except alcohol) included; and Premium Guest of House, with all meals, drinks, and resort wines and spirits included. Non-motorized water toys and land sports are included for everyone.
Things we like:
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Location in front of the Andros Barrier Reef makes for excellent diving and snorkeling
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Secluded spot in northeastern Andros is quiet but with quick access to beautiful spots around the island
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All bungalows and residences are oceanfront, large, and well-equipped; just a handful of them makes the resort small and intimate
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Highly acclaimed spa, and the only overwater spa in the Bahamas
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Great fishing experiences for guests who want to fish
Things we don't like:
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Very large “tax and gratuity” percentage fee tacked on to your room rate
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Two of the three restaurants are only open on special occasions, which are not specified
Where to Book Kamalame Cay The Bahamas:
kamalame.com
What to Do
We couldn’t decide whether Kamalame Cay was better for divers or nature lovers, so we gave it the title for both. But there are many more types of activities to enjoy at the resort and around Andros Island. And many guests prefer not to enjoy any of them – after all, there are miles of empty white-sand beach in either direction, plus a freshwater pool.
Andros Barrier Reef, the third-largest in the world, is just a mile offshore. The on-site PADI dive center can make sure certified divers see the best spots with colorful coral, big marine life, and deep blue holes. Those who need to certify can take care of that first, and there are many PADI continuing education courses for experienced divers who want to go further; snorkeling and freediving are always options, too.
Another activity this resort capitalizes on is fishing. Rod and bait rentals are available for anyone who wants to cast a line from the cay, while daily bonefishing and reef fishing boats can take you out further. Guests can also join the resort team as a first mate on the boat attempting to catch dinner!
A trip into the interior of the island reveals blue holes, phenomena similar to cenotes in Mexico. In West Side National Park, visitors can snorkel, paddle, or boat around in search of wildlife like iguanas, flamingos, and turtles. Of course, the shorelines around Andros provide plenty of opportunities for a secluded picnic or swim.
What to Eat & Drink
There is one main restaurant, two specialty restaurants, and two bars at Kamalame Cay. The 200-acre on-site farm produces much of what they serve, with game imported. Menus change daily.
The Great House is the main dining outlet open for all meals. It’s wrapped in French doors that open to surrounding gardens and an ocean view, making for a casual place to enjoy West Indies-style food. Breakfast is full of classics, lunch is a small and simple menu, and dinner is a candlelit fine dining experience.
More lunch is served at Tiki Bar & Beach Club, which is close to the pool. A handful of other luxury resorts on other islands have guest privileges here, making it a social gathering hub of the afternoon. Of course, this is where you can get your poolside drinks all day; Monkey Bar is where you’ll go for that in the evening.
Two restaurants are open for special occasions only, so unfortunately, if they sound interesting to you, you’ll need to check with the staff to see if they’ll be available during your stay. Sugarcane serves food from Jamaica, Cuba, the Bahamas, and Haiti mixed with things from Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand. The Grove focuses on East Asian cuisine as a tribute to the owner’s heritage.
Room Guide
Kamalame Cay has a few smaller identical beach bungalows that are great choices for couples or small families. On the other hand, there are some much larger one to four-bedroom residences that are each unique, representing the best solution for large families and groups.
Beach Bungalows & Cottages: There are just 22 bungalows and cottages along the northern beach of the resort. They are charming stand-alone units built in the island style, with whitewashed woods, linen curtains, and furnished verandas looking at the sea. Standard bungalows can accommodate couples, one-bedroom Cottage Suites can accommodate a third person, and the one-bedroom Jasmine House sleeps up to four.
Villas: Each villa is unique and occupies beachfront locations from the south to the north of the beach. They are large homes away from home ranging from one-bedroom to four-bedroom, the latter being able to accommodate up to 10 guests. Luxurious amenities of some of these include private plunge pools, giant verandas, and egg chairs.
Special Experiences
You can start your stay at Kamalame Cay in a very special way by chartering a small airplane to land on the crystal-clear water fronting the resort after your arrival to Nassau. It’s a quick hop, but a very scenic one, and prices aren’t unreasonable. Private speedboat charters are available as well.
Once a month, Kamalame Cay hosts its Luncheon, an event that brings local villa owners, outer island residents and visitors, and in-house guests together for an afternoon of drinking, dancing, and dining. There’s a crafted multi-course, wine-paired menu, and hotel guests enjoy a nice discount on the price.
Guests coming to Kamalame Cay in search of peace and relaxation may be interested in the Silver Linings Retreat. This is a multi-night package with included yoga and wellness activities in a set program led by experts. Of course, the overwater spa is available during any stay as well.
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