I’ve Visited Turks and Caicos Many Times — This Private Island Resort Was Unlike Anywhere I’ve Stayed

The author was a guest of Ambergris Cay Private Island Resort, Turks & Caicos. All opinions expressed here are the author’s own, and Ambergris Cay Private Island Resort, Turks & Caicos, had no input in any part of this review.

I’ve been visiting Turks and Caicos for years, as living in South Florida makes it easy to reach the islands. After many times, I was curious to see how spending 2 nights on a private island would compare to my usual hotel or Airbnb on Providenciales. This time, I visited Ambergris Cay Private Island Resort, Turks & Caicos, which spans more than 1,100 acres, much of it undeveloped.

I’d never experienced Turks and Caicos quite like this before, and it didn’t take long after landing on Ambergris Cay’s private runway for me to realize this wouldn’t feel anything like my typical trip to the islands.

Here are 9 things I loved about my stay in August 2026, and whether Ambergris Cay’s private island resort might be the right Turks and Caicos escape for you.

Booking Ambergris Cay

Ambergris Cay has villas with 3 to 11 bedrooms, beachfront bungalows with 1 to 2 bedrooms that face the Atlantic Ocean or Caribbean Sea, and recently opened 1- and 2-bedroom waterside bungalows that face the lagoon. Bungalows have plunge pools and direct water access. The waterside bungalows come with paddleboards and kayaks, while the beachfront ones have hammocks.

That said, the accommodations come at a cost. The least expensive option is the bungalows, which start at around $2,500 per night, depending on the dates.

The 4-bedroom villa I stayed in starts at around $7,000 per night. However, that rate covers all food and drinks (including top-shelf liquor), round-trip air transportation to and from the island, and activities such as nonmotorized water sports and a visit to the Hangover Tiki Bar.

Ambergris Cay is one of the most genuinely all-inclusive resorts I’ve experienced, and I never needed to carry my wallet with me to meals or activities. There are some extras, including spa treatments and certain boat excursions, such as the conch-diving trip I took. But on a typical day, I could eat, drink, swim, and explore without pulling out my wallet. At this price point, I appreciated that.

1. The Resort Flew Me to Its Private Island in Just 20 Minutes

The Ambergris Cay experience began at Providenciales International Airport (PLS), where an SUV arrived to pick me up for the roughly 5-minute drive to a private aviation terminal next to PLS.

Ambergris Cay operates aircraft exclusively for resort guests, with round-trip flights between Providenciales and the island included in the cost of a stay.

While waiting for the flight, I relaxed in a comfortable, air-conditioned lounge with plenty of seating, bathrooms, snacks, and refreshments. Once the aircraft was ready, the other passengers and I walked directly outside and boarded.

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I was greeted with a cool towel at the private aviation terminal.

About 20 minutes later, we landed at Ambergris Cay. The private island has an impressive 5,700-foot runway. As an aviation geek, I thought it was incredibly cool to land there.

2.  I Sometimes Felt Like I Had the Entire Island to Myself

There were usually a handful of other guests around, but Ambergris Cay more than lived up to the “private” in its name.

The island spans more than 1,100 acres, with just 30 bungalows and villas. At lunch, I typically saw fewer than 10 other people. At the beach, I was either alone or there were often just 2 or 3 guests in the water, while the bar typically had only a small group.

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At times I had the beach to myself.

The resort never felt empty, but it never felt crowded, either. I didn’t have to search for a beach chair, wait for a table, or compete for space like at larger Caribbean resorts.

I’ve always visited Providenciales for its quiet, laid-back atmosphere, but it almost felt chaotic compared with Ambergris Cay. Here, the whole point of the stay is to feel secluded, slow down, and actually relax.

The golf cart provided with my villa made it easy to get between my villa, the restaurants, and the beaches. I also used it to explore the island, much of which remains untouched.

3. My 4-Bedroom Villa Could Have Easily Fit 2 Families

I shared a 4-bedroom villa with just 1 other person, which was almost comical considering how much space we had. The villa had a huge living area and a full kitchen with everything from a Ninja blender to a Nespresso machine. The refrigerator was stocked with drinks, there were snacks on the counter, and the liquor was included as well.

Each bedroom had its own bathroom, and some had outdoor showers. Outside, we had a pool overlooking the Atlantic. We had far more space than we needed, but I could see the setup working well for 2 families or a big group of friends.

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My cute 4-bedroom villa.

4. The Beaches Had the Turks and Caicos Water I Keep Coming Back For

I’ve always said that, outside of perhaps the Bahamas, you won’t find prettier water in the Caribbean than in Turks and Caicos. After this stay, I can add Ambergris Cay to the list of islands that prove my point.

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The waters I know and love.

Around the property, I found quiet beaches with clear turquoise water, as well as a calm lagoon that was perfect for swimming. The Atlantic side was rougher and had some sargassum during my visit — something I regularly see on my local beaches in South Florida and across the Caribbean — but it was still beautiful, especially from my villa.

5. I Had Drinks at a Tiki Bar in the Middle of the Ocean

The Hangover Tiki Bar was, by far, my favorite activity of the entire stay. The bar was about a 10-minute boat ride from the resort’s marina and felt like it had been dropped right into the middle of the ocean.

I visited during one of the resort’s scheduled group trips. When we arrived, there was music playing, a full bar, lounge chairs, towels, and snorkeling equipment waiting for us. I ordered a drink, chatted with the other guests, and then jumped into the water for a relaxing swim. We had a few hours to enjoy the bar, but the time went by quickly, and soon the boat was back to take us to the resort’s marina.

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A fun 10-minute boat ride took me from the resort marina to the tiki bar.

The entire outing was included as part of the resort’s all-inclusive program, so there was nothing extra to pay once we got there. It was a fun break from the resort’s otherwise quiet, upscale atmosphere.

6. The Food Completely Changed My Expectations for an All-Inclusive

The food was one of the biggest surprises of my stay. Over the course of 2 nights, I mentioned several times to the people traveling with me how impressed I was with what we ate. My favorite dishes included the lobster tail and tuna ceviche, though even the pizza we shared was well-prepared. Every cocktail I ordered was well made, too.

Most importantly, none of my meals had the mass-produced feel that food at larger all-inclusive resorts sometimes can have. That was even more impressive because almost everything, including produce, meat, and dairy, has to be imported to the island. Despite those logistics, everything I tried tasted fresh.

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Every dish was thoughtfully prepared.

The all-inclusive rate covers à la carte meals and snacks, premium spirits, beer, house wine, juices, and espresso drinks. While 2 nights weren’t enough to try everything, the food was easily one of the highlights of my stay.

7. Service Was Personal

The service throughout the resort was warm and professional. Most staff live on the island, and because the resort is small, I often saw familiar faces at meals and around the property. Even after just 2 nights, it was nice to feel like the staff knew who I was.

Final Thoughts

After numerous trips to Turks and Caicos, Ambergris Cay showed me a different side of a destination I thought I knew well.

It isn’t for everyone. It’s expensive, and travelers who want nightlife or a long list of off-property restaurants may feel limited. But I definitely think it’s ideal for honeymooners, families, or groups who want a special getaway with tons of privacy, without having to plan every detail.

My host kept track of my schedule, the food and drinks were included, there were plenty of activities, and the beaches were nearly empty. Switching off felt almost effortless, and I left feeling like I’d actually had a vacation.