Sandy Cay is a natural extension of our vision for private destinations. When we opened Ocean Cay in 2019, our goal was to give guests an experience that's authentic to the Bahamas and reflects the region's natural beauty.
Bawah's waters are home to two of the world's seven species of sea turtles: green sea and hawksbill, which is critically endangered. The resort works hard to protect them: vulnerable nests are relocated to hatcheries and closely monitored.
These reefs are living, breathing snapshots of a watery world that you can peek into: refreshing oases where the noise of the land falls away; in its place, an intricate and utterly at-ease slice of life that you're lucky enough to witness.
The South Florida Reef Tract, once decimated by dredging in the 1950s, has bounced back, a resilient sign of hope in these ecologically depressing times.
Hunte's Garden, with more than 90 percent excellent reviews and year-round accessibility, was the clear winner. A world-renowned botanical garden located in the central hills of St. Joseph, Hunte's Garden consistently ranks as the top thing to do in the country.
In February 2023, an article in the Mexican press announced the capture of a vessel some 195 nautical miles from the port of Lazaro Cardenas in the state of Michoacan. It had been carrying nearly 700 pounds of cocaine packaged in plastic-wrapped bricks, in addition to 1,650 liters of hydrocarbons in 33 plastic containers. Two Ecuadorian fishermen were among the five detainees, and their immigration records showed unusual activity.
Rock iguanas once roamed freely across the islands of Turks and Caicos. Spotting one today, however, requires a bit of planning-and a boat ride. After centuries of hunting and the introduction of predators, the reptiles suffered a steep population decline and were classified as "critically endangered" in the 1970s. Today, things are looking slightly better for the green lizards, and in 2020, their classification was upgraded to simply "endangered." But that doesn't mean it's all smooth sailing for the iguanas.
Located within the Maddalena Archipelago National Park, Rosa dei Budelli is one of the Mediterranean's most closely protected beaches. Its pale pink hue, created by microscopic organisms mixed with crushed coral, has made it famous, but access is tightly regulated. Visitors may arrive only by boat and must admire the shoreline from designated areas offshore.
Easily accessible from major U.S. cities, the Exumas remain refreshingly uncrowded, making them one of the Caribbean's true hidden gems, at least for now. As the wealthy look for privacy in paradise, and the world's most sought-after resort groups like Aman and Rosewood prepare to plant their own flags there in the coming years, everyone seems to have their sights on the Exumas.
Despite decades of jokes and occasional bad publicity, cruise vacations are more popular than ever - just ask the tens of millions of Americans who take one every year and together represent more than half of all annual cruise travelers. Today's ships are massive, complex affairs backed by giant corporations and celebrity commercial sponsorships, all commanding big money. And while to the uninitiated, a ship may just seem like any other ship, experienced cruisers increasingly understand that unique offerings make all the difference.