Powder white sand, blooming bougainvillea, sun-kissed skin, and the taste of salt in the air: These memories are a love letter to the Family Island trips of my childhood.

My first visit to Stocking Island takes me back to those sunny, family vacations. After landing in Georgetown, Exuma, we take a quick ferry ride from the Exuma Yacht Club, across Elizabeth Harbour, to the island and our destination, Baymahni Resort.

Baymahni Resort is the newest luxury resort in Exuma, with 15 rooms and a promise of “The Art of Disappearing.” The introvert in me is eager to see just how much disappearing I will be able to get up to during my short stay, weeks after the resort’s late 2025 opening.

Our beach villa is exactly what it promised to be. Steps away from the ocean, the large French doors perfectly frame the breathtaking beach view. Natural light streams through the windows, highlighting intentional design in the beautifully constructed rooms.

Built on the footprint of the old Kahari Resort, Baymahni developer Steve Harbaugh has created a luxurious property that blends high-end service, Bahamian hospitality and the natural beauty of the Exumas.

Harbaugh fell in love with Exuma about three years ago on a trip to the island with his family. They rented a boat from Bahamian entrepreneur and contractor, Rodney Burrows, who became Harbaugh’s business partner, eventually leading to the birth of Baymahni.

The sunlit rooms, brilliant white beaches and turquoise vistas are stunning, racking up thousands of likes and shares on social media, and making Baymahni one of the most desirable new destinations in The Bahamas.

The outdoor showers give you a view of the starlit sky, unrivaled on the Family Islands. The high ceilings and open-air design of The Beach Club invite chill calypso sounds, conversation, cool cocktails, and a breezy atmosphere.

A boater’s dream, The Beach Club is the perfect spot to grab an afternoon cocktail or take in the evening sunset.

Pinky’s Pool is the perfect pop of color near the center of the resort - a rosy, pink oasis that is the best place to relax with a book or after a trip to the on-property spa.

I soon discovered that disappearing in the daze of a sunny afternoon, poolside or beachside, isn’t the only option at Baymahni. A nature trail takes you down the beach and across the island to one of the highest points, where you can look out into the open ocean or over the island’s lagoon, and spot future homesites for the Baymahni Villas and Estate Homes.

The next phase of development for the resort and residences includes beachfront and lagoon two-bedroom villas with private plunge pools available for purchase, along with five-bedroom estate homes, a 30-slip marina and resort-style amenities.

Back at the resort, high-speed internet and a water taxi running on the hour from morning to night allows you to connect, or disconnect, to your heart’s content.

The intimate atmosphere and luxurious touches feel like a disappearing act, holding true to the resort’s promise.

Choosing whether to stay for a week or a lifetime may be one of the most difficult decisions you make on your trip to Baymahni.