5 bucket list adventures in the Bahamas including Kate and William’s top resort

2022-08-21

With its sandy beaches, sunny skies and wonderful wildlife, the Bahamas truly is a paradise on Earth.

Stretching more than 500 miles, the lavish holiday destination is made up of 700 subtropical islands, from the bustling New Providence, home to 70% of the country’s population, to the hundreds of uninhabited islands.

Throughout the year, temperatures typically fall between 32ºC and 25ºC and rarely go below 15.5ºC, making it ideal for anyone looking to bask in the sun.

And given its status as the home to various beaches, reefs and forests, it’s no surprise that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge paid a visit to the Bahamas while on their Caribbean royal tour earlier this year.

So, here’s why you should consider the Bahamas as your next holiday destination…

It’s fit for royalty

Within minutes of arriving in the Bahamas, all memories of navigating busy Heathrow Airport evaporated. The Cove at Atlantis offers a suitably royal welcome with its own serene and aromatic (yes, seriously) car lounge at the airport and a private limo driver provides a stress- free transfer – a taste of things to come!

Perched on the white-sand beach cove of Paradise Island on the Bahamas’ Nassau coast, we quickly understood why the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had chosen the resort for their Caribbean stay, just two weeks before our own visit.

The huge hotel lobby is breath-taking, with views of the ocean and beach at its centre – and the wow effect continued as we headed to one of the 22 VIP suites, surrounded by pretty foliage, cool decor and calming sounds. Even the wait for the lift offered a stunning view across the horizon. We couldn’t wait to hit the beach for a sunset swim.

You’re certain to feel like a celeb

At Kamalame Cay, golf buggies are the only transport. We felt like Brooklyn Beckham’s wedding guests, whizzing past palms to a jetty where a boat waited to take us diving.

Our scuba trip was led by a British free-diver who wouldn’t have been out of place in a Bond film. In fact, he learnt to dive from his MI5 father – one of the last divers to wear a copper helmet!

We visited one of the world’s largest barrier reefs on Andros’ west coast, an area dedicated to ocean conservation. Under the waves, swimming with tropical parrot fish was mesmerising.

The beach houses are paradise

After a calming sail back to shore, we headed to our luxury beach house on the Cay, which featured ceiling fans and floating muslin blowing through the bay windows that open directly onto a private beach.

The interiors were beautiful, too, with details of blue china, artworks on the walls and hand-carved chests in every corner. Walking along the private beach, we noticed the only marks in the sand were our own footsteps. Now we really were in paradise!

You can be at one with nature

After a night at The Cove’s cocktail bar, we took the 8am seaplane for a day trip to Kamalame Cay, a small private island on a barrier reef, joined by the guide who arranged William and Kate’s visit. Our pilot said he’d flown Sir Richard Branson on this very route the day before.

Soaring over the turquoise sea, so clear we could see stingrays, was unforgettable. After our 20-minute flight, we could see white sands and just a single hut, containing the deluxe spa. We were ready for our “barefoot” adventure. This was our island now – that’s how it felt.

You can enjoy Bahamian spritz cocktails and avocado ice cream

Later in the day, we were met under the luxurious Bahamian beach hut by the founders of the Kamalame culinary experience. With WiFi disconnected – “switching off” is its USP – they treated us to Bahamian spritz cocktails. A welcoming table was set out and we all sat together, sharing central dishes of red snapper and Bahamian small plates.

Each divine dish was paired with its own wine and dessert was avocado ice cream served with local spiced brandy. Every ingredient and material was sourced nearby. Even the tablecloth was hand-printed by a local artist.

By the time we headed back on the seaplane to Atlantis Cove, we were pretty heady in all the right ways, feeling like billionaires ourselves! But it was more than dollars that made Kamalame Cay so precious.

How to book

The Kamalame Cay trip at Atlantis Paradise Island starts at around £1,663pp, including airport transfers, ocean-to-table luncheon and all alcohol/wine pairing beverages, plus access to all non-motorised activities. Spa and Bone Fishing experiences have an additional fee. Book via Atlantis Paradise Island’s new Sapphire Services, atlantisbahamas.com/sapphire-services – a bespoke concierge platform dedicated to curating one-of-a-kind guest experiences.

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