Ambergris Cay, a secluded islet in Turks and Caicos, is enveloped by the sapphire blue- and cobalt-colored waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the aquamarine and teal blue waters of the Caribbean. Once you embark on a brief 20-minute plane journey (the island can be accessed via one of the island’s private aircraft) from Providenciales, the third largest island in Turks and Caicos, you are welcomed on Ambergris Cay by the general manager and introduced to your personal island host. You are equipped with a mobile phone that allows you to contact your island attendant for another bottle of wine, transportation to any part of the island, a meal delivered to your villa, or to organize an excursion.
The verdant isle is the location of Ambergris Cay, a private island sanctuary in Turks and Caicos, boasting 32 villas with more currently under construction. This inclusive resort offers villas for rent (along with privately owned villas available for varying lengths of time) with some situated directly on the beach while others are positioned across the island, offering captivating views. Each villa (ranging from 3 to 6 bedrooms) showcases a distinct style, size, an outdoor shower, and a private pool. Guests have access to their own golf cart for island exploration, a well-equipped kitchen with a fully stocked refrigerator of water, soda, and beer, and a daily supply of red and white wine. Prior to your journey, you can liaise with your travel advisor to arrange any special requests upon your arrival or during your stay.
The Dream Pavilion, an ocean-facing six-bedroom/seven-bath privately owned villa, is an ideal setting for occasions like birthday celebrations with friends, family reunions, or bachelor/bachelorette parties. Offered for rent, this villa stands as the “gem” of the island, complete with a dedicated gourmet chef and butler. Accommodating 12 adults and two children, this villa encompasses 3,900 sq. ft. of indoor space and 6,450 sq. ft. of outdoor space. As the largest and most lavish residence on the island, it features a lush private garden, two pools, and is just a 10-minute golf cart ride from Columbus Beach.
Calico Jack serves as the al fresco main dining venue, surrounded by lush greenery, the Caribbean Sea, Mahoney’s Bar, and a communal pool. It presents a delightful setting to relish delectable meals crafted by a diverse international culinary team. For a more intimate dining experience, you can opt for private dining on the seashore or at various locations adjacent to the outdoor cocktail lounge and bar area. If a quiet dinner in your villa or by your private pool beckons after a day of tennis, sunbathing, fishing, kayaking, and water activities, simply use the resort-provided mobile phone to place your order. The chefs can cater to all dietary preferences.
An idyllic way to spend a leisurely day is to embark on a boat trip from the marina to Little Ambergris Cay, an uninhabited nature reserve. Here, you can indulge in activities like snorkeling, birdwatching, and unwinding on the beach while enjoying a packed picnic lunch. For a more upscale experience, the culinary team can prepare island delicacies such as conch, grouper, chicken, and lobster. Another engaging activity is a brief ten-minute boat trip to the Hangover, a floating bar, where you can partake in swimming, snorkeling, and relishing tropical concoctions by the skilled mixologist Jose. If the waters are shallow, you can seamlessly transition from the floating bar into the stunning sea and at times onto the uninhabited isle.
Between the months of February and April, the Atlantic side of Ambergris Cay transforms into a splendid locale where you can observe and immerse yourself in the annual migration of humpback whales. A magnificent villa fashioned as a lighthouse pays homage to this historic journey of these colossal mammals, positioned at the tip of the Atlantic side of the island. This distinct encounter is one that visitors hold dear, prompting many to make annual return visits.
The newly inaugurated Fitness Pavilion, launched in January, offers guests and residents access to a modern gym, Pilates studio, and wellness center featuring massages and facials, alongside a rooftop yoga studio affording unparalleled vistas of the island. While on the island, you can join daily classes and schedule individual sessions with the trainers or Pilates and Yoga instructors.
Guests and residents can also relish the revamped Club House which is home to Salt Rakers restaurant and serves as an ideal setting for weddings. Post the ceremony, you can host your guests in the glass-enclosed banquet hall or the outdoor terrace. This section of the island will also host a distinctive dining experience incorporating tapas, a pizza oven, and a veteran mixologist offering wines and beers from across the globe.
Nestled just 600 miles south of Miami, Ambergris Cay grants guests access to over 1,100 acres of predominantly untouched terrain and a dedicated staff trained to ensure you are embraced, nurtured, and spoiled in this paradisal sanctuary.
Image Source: Amber Griscay
