I never met an island I didn't like, and I just met a new one that really rocked my boat.
Actually, the boat literally rocked a bit as I crossed from the "mainland" beach at Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort in Nassau over to Sandals Cay, the resort's private island half a mile across fabled turquoise waters.
The 40-passenger launch/ferry was packed to capacity for the 10-minute ride, confirming what General Manager Patrick Drake had told me earlier.
"The island is the most popular attraction here at the resort, and spending a day on the island is the favorite activity of many of our guests," Drake said.
More than 38% of those who check in at the 404-room Sandals Royal Bahamian are returning guests, and several of them were on the launch that day with me.
"When I come over here to the island, I really feel as if I am getting away and escaping for a day," a New Yorker told me.
She was "unplugging" for a while, leaving her cellphone, laptop, iPad and even her Kindle back in the room. I spotted her later, quite at peace in a hammock.
The complimentary ferry departs hourly; guests can also paddle over in the resort's kayaks or skim across in sailboats.
Sandals Cay, formerly Balmoral Island and part of the Balmoral Club property where the Sandals resort now sits on 13 acres, played an important role in the history of the Beatles: Scenes from their second movie, "Help," were shot on the island in February 1965. I kept hoping I'd stumble upon a guitar pick or a drumstick in the white sands.
There's lots to do and see on this small island, which actually is large enough to explore and find one's own private place in the sun among secluded rock outcroppings, far from the swim-up bar and antics at the pool.
I ducked into Cafe Goombay for a Kalik beer and grouper sandwich and then crossed over to North Beach on the other, more secluded side of the island.
Chaise lounges were plentiful, but I strolled the shoreline and tidal pools, looking for shells and sand dollars (and Beatles artifacts).
Many of the guests had booked spa treatments at Sandals Red Lane Spa on the eastern tip of the island.
I spotted massage tables positioned along the beach under palm trees, a Zen garden with fire pits and a low building that housed treatment rooms.
I needed no spa treatment that day. The island itself truly was therapeutic.
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www.sandals.com.
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