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Ambergris Cay Private Island Resort, Turks & Caicos - All-Inclusive

Big Ambergris Cay, Turks and Caicos

4.7(35 reviews)

Family

Ambergris Cay is a private island at the southeast edge of the Turks and Caicos, over 1,100 acres and more than 60% preserved as habitat for rock iguanas, flamingos and migratory birds. It reaches you by air: a complimentary 20-minute flight from Providenciales, or a 10-minute hop from South Caicos now that American Airlines flies there from Miami. Private jets land on a 5,700-foot runway with on-island customs. With just 31 bungalows and 12 villas, the place feels less like a hotel than a very quiet island you happen to share with a few dozen people, and the twelve Waterside Bungalows that opened in 2026 grew the inventory without changing that feel. Every unit, from a beachfront bungalow to an eleven-bedroom villa, has its own heated plunge pool.

Traveler Insights

Pros

+Getting there is part of the rate: from Providenciales a 10-minute ground transfer takes you to the Atlantic Aviation private-jet lounge, then a complimentary 20-minute flight lands you on the island's own airstrip
+A second way in now exists, too. American Airlines flies Miami to South Caicos twice a week (Wednesdays and Saturdays), and the onward hop to the island is a complimentary 10-minute flight
+Only 43 rentable units on over 1,100 acres: 31 bungalows plus 12 villas of three to eleven bedrooms, and every single one has its own private heated plunge pool
+The twelve Waterside Bungalows opened in 2026 with direct calm-water access and a kayak and paddleboard at the door, a short golf-cart ride from the Club House
+Non-motorized toys are included rather than metered: Hobie cats, kayaks, paddleboards, water trampolines, onshore fishing, bikes, and snorkeling straight off the beach in very clear Caicos Banks water
+Drinks are genuinely premium-inclusive, with premium spirits, house wine and a curated wine list covered, plus an in-room fridge restocked daily with water, soft drinks, beer and wine
+More to do than most private islands: complimentary yoga on the Yoga Deck at sunrise or sunset, tennis and pickleball with lessons, a 24-hour Fitness Pavilion with Pelotons, hiking and e-bike trails, and bonfire evenings at the Club House
+Each villa and bungalow gets its own golf cart and an Island Host who plans activities, and there is a clinic with a nurse on site around the clock, which matters on an island this remote

Cons

−Among the priciest all-inclusives in the Caribbean, and the add-ons are real money: guided whale watching starts at $480 per person for the group trip, and spa treatments, motorized water sports, deep-sea fishing and private dining all cost extra
−Food is the weak spot in guest accounts. Breakfast variety and ingredient quality draw the most complaints, and some guests find the wine and spirits less top-shelf than the price implies; that is guest opinion, not something the resort concedes
−You are committed to the island for the whole stay. There is nowhere else to eat or drink, no ATM, and boat transfers are not regularly offered because of channel conditions
−Evenings are quiet by design. Live music is offered only on special occasions, so expect sundowners, stargazing and the occasional bonfire rather than a show
−The connecting flight has logistics attached: the resort asks that arrivals be scheduled before 4:00 p.m. for daytime connections, and the recommended baggage allowance is 40 lbs per passenger
−Room service carries a tray charge ($15 for bungalows, $30 for villas), which grates at this price point
−Hurricane policy is strict: if a storm is confirmed to be approaching, every guest is evacuated, so a late-season trip carries more disruption risk than a mainland resort

Dining is a la carte with menus that change daily by season. Lobster is on in season (August through March), and vegan, gluten-free, kosher and other diets are handled with notice. Meals are served at Calico restaurant and bar, the Club House, Mahoney's Bar and the Hangover Tiki Bar, with poolside bites and beach picnics on top. Premium spirits and a curated wine list are included. Food is still the most criticized part of the stay in guest-written reviews, mainly breakfast variety and ingredient quality at this price, while service, beaches and rooms draw near-universal praise. Each villa and bungalow comes with an Island Host and a golf cart, and Elevate Spa sits next to Calico, though treatments cost extra.

The guest mix is mostly couples and milestone trips, with more families than you might expect. The Explorer's Hut runs supervised games and treasure hunts for kids 5 to 12, babysitting is $50 per child per hour, and cribs are available on request. Against Turks and Caicos rivals like Parrot Cay and Amanyara, Ambergris Cay trades Parrot Cay's wellness focus and Amanyara's architecture for space, a more casual barefoot feel and a more fully inclusive rate. Beyond the beach, the published options include guided whale watching in season, sunset cruises, deep-sea and reef fishing, and private picnics on Little Ambergris Cay, mostly as paid excursions. Scuba diving is arranged through outside operators rather than run on the island.

Common Questions

How do I get from Providenciales or South Caicos to the island?

From Providenciales (PLS), resort staff meet you outside arrivals for a 10-minute transfer to the Atlantic Aviation FBO, then a roughly 20-minute flight to Ambergris Cay International. From South Caicos (XSC), which American Airlines serves from Miami on Wednesdays and Saturdays, it is a 10-minute flight. Both round trips are complimentary, the resort asks for arrivals before 4:00 p.m., and the recommended bag limit is 40 lbs per passenger.

What is actually included, and what costs extra?

The rate covers a la carte meals and snacks, premium spirits and wine, a daily restocked in-room fridge, golf carts, bikes, kayaks, paddleboards, Hobie cats, onshore fishing, yoga, tennis and pickleball, plus taxes and service charges. Spa treatments, motorized water sports, scuba diving, private dining, room-service tray charges and most excursions, such as whale watching and deep-sea fishing, are extra.

Is the food as underwhelming as some reviews suggest?

Guest accounts consistently call the food good rather than exceptional for the price, and breakfast takes most of the criticism. Dinner menus change daily and there are several venues (Calico, the Club House, Mahoney's Bar and the Hangover Tiki Bar), so it is not a single-dining-room setup. If food matters most to you, read recent reviews and send dietary requests ahead, since the kitchen works best with notice.

Does it work for families with young children?

Better than most private islands at this level. The Explorer's Hut runs supervised games and treasure hunts for children 5 to 12, babysitting costs $50 per child per hour, and the Club House has arcade games, ping pong and water trampolines. Two-bedroom bungalows and villas of three to eleven bedrooms give families space, and cribs and rollaway beds are available on request.

Is there any nightlife or entertainment?

Very little in the conventional sense. The resort lists sundowners at Mahoney's Bar, bonfire evenings, star and full-moon gazing and floating-deck dinners, with live music only on special occasions. Every unit has books, games, cable TV and a good sound system, and most guests treat evenings as quiet time by the pool.

What about Wi-Fi, medical care and storms?

Wi-Fi covers every bungalow and villa plus the restaurants, Club House, pool, gym and tennis courts; cell coverage depends on your carrier. There is a clinic with a resident nurse 24/7 and a doctor on call. If a hurricane is confirmed to be approaching, all guests are evacuated, so travel insurance is worth considering for August through October dates.

Amenities

Heated Swimming Pool

Hiking

Bicycle Rentals

Fishing

Babysitting

Yoga Classes

Diving

Tennis

Show 8 more amenities

Kids Club

Snorkeling

Room Service

Water Sports Rentals

Free Wi-Fi

Spa

Gym

Beach

Style & Rooms

Atmosphere

BusinessRomantic

Room upgrades

VillasPlunge Pool RoomsBeachfront Rooms

Seaweed & sargassum

Turks and Caicos gets sargassum, typically worst July through October.See the month-by-month guide →

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Google Reviews★ 4.7 · 35 reviews

Master (.

5 months ago

“Review Ambergris Cay is such a wonderful resort! We had the pleasure of experiencing the sunset cruise, couples massage, personal bonfire dinner over the water, glass bottom kayaking and the hangover bar twice! The chef makes fresh and beautiful meal...”

Tom W.

11 months ago

“Ambergris Cay is an incredible and unique getaway—a private island that offers a level of seclusion, relaxation, and luxury that’s hard to find anywhere else. From the moment we arrived, we felt like we had stepped into a peaceful, untouched paradise...”

Coralee V.

3 years ago

“We enjoyed everything about our stay at Ambergris Cay - from the moment of our arrival to this stunning island to our last minute in the breathtaking paradise. There was so much to be thankful for about our experience - friendly, accommodating, and...”