Calm in Kamalame
8/22/2006 10:14:29 AM by Carey Chen
A fisherman’s paradise awaits in this romantic private island getaway just off the coast of Andros in the Bahamas.
Photos by John Running
My marine art career takes me fishing all over with the best captains, mates and anglers in the most exotic locations the world has to offer. One of my favorite places to fish and relax is Kamalame Cay, a private island resort just off the coast of Andros, the largest island in the Bahama chain. My childhood friend from Jamaica, Brian Hew, and I discovered this unique three-mile barrier island just nine miles north of Fresh Creek more than 18 years ago while fishing Andros. Some of the best fishing we’ve done has been in this area, which includes a pair of 70- and 60-lb kingfish caught on the a grander marlin we hooked, schools of thousands of bonefish, the biggest mutton and grouper run I’ve experienced, and huge yellowfin tuna catches.
Brian and his wife, Jennifer, had a dream to purchase this island, build a high-end resort and live on the island for the rest of their lives. Eighteen years later, Brian and Jennifer are living their dream and today Kamalame Cay is the top resort in the Carribbean, according to Robb Report, Vogue and a slew of travel magazines. I can also attest to it.
Because of Brian’s green thumb, on visits we travel in his golf cart a meandering pathway under tropical foliage surrounded by coconut palms and sea grapes to and from his villa. Each of the 15 oceanfront villas and suites on the island are spaced a few hundred feet from each other for privacy. Between Brian and Jennifer’s knowledge of interior design and home construction, they’ve built a unique setting, complete with French doors, deep-tub oceanview bathrooms, dark wood furniture, antique décor and lots of lushly draped white curtains and bedding that exudes a feeling of elegance.
For the fisherman who wants to be close to the action, the four marina rooms are the perfect choice. Each night guests meet at the Great House for a romantic dinner, a meal that rivals five-star restaurants. During full moons, the buffet is set up on the beach under the hue of torches with a local Bahamian Rake ‘n’ Scrape band performing.
Brian and Jennifer’s 7,500-sq-ft private home on a rocky bluff surrounded by two private beaches on its own private peninsula, comes complete with personal chef, house and grounds staff and freshwater pool. The good news is it’s available for rent. Many big-name celebrities (which Brian will not disclose) have stayed there.
For the relaxed fisherman, this is the ultimate place. Stepping out from your villa, you’ll find you can encounter schools of bonefish not more than 100 feet from your door and drive around in your golf cart searching for them during the right tides. On the other side of the villa, while relaxing from your couch in the living room, there’s a view of the quiet, white sand beach with an incredible spa on a jetty out in the ocean that looks like something out of a Bora Bora fantasy. Leisure activities include scuba diving and snorkeling on the world’s third-longest barrier kayaking, tennis, snorkeling, spa service and poolside relaxation by the beach. At the spa, you can get a massage in private rooms with a view of the barrier reef and turquoise waters. Between treatments, relax upstairs in a loft that offers stunning 360-degree views of ocean.
If you want to explore the untouched crystal waters of the Joulter Cays, just north of Kamalame, known for the best bonefishing in the world, you can charter one of the many Hew’s Bonefisher boats with an experienced guide. We once filmed an Outdoor Channel show at the Joulters and taped an incredible show, catching hundreds of bonefish in the process. The water was so clear it looked like we were floating in the air. For the hardcore offshore fisherman, there’s a submarine buoy anchored in about 5,000 feet located just four miles off Kamalame’s beach, making the fishing easy. From about May to December, there lots of yellowfin tuna up to 200 lbs that hang out on the buoy. I have caught live pilchards for bait at the Kamalame dock, leaving at 4 p.m. and returning by 6 p.m. with six tuna in the 50- 80-lb range, all caught on 20-lb spinning reels. The 50-lb dolphin that hang out on the buoy are a nuisance sometimes, but an easily overcome obstacle. Just a few miles north is the famous “pocket” in the tongue of the ocean which is known for blue and white marlin. Twenty-four-foot Pathfinders are available for fishing charters and diving.
If you’re looking for a vacation with lots of nightlife, restaurants and crowded beaches, Kamalame is not the place for you. I recently visited the island during a time when Kamalame booked and saw a “crowded” beach consisting of a lone couple. There are no phones in the cottages but you can get wireless connections and phone lines in the offices. Bookings for Kamalame are all-inclusive, meaning you pay one fee for the whole trip from the time you’re picked up to the time you leave, which includes all meals and drinks. So don’t neglect to visit this work of art at least once in your lifetime - I guarantee it will be an experience you won’t soon forget. For more information, call 1.800.790.7971 or go to kamalame.com.