Getting to the Bahamas

I hope this isn't too far off-topic, but planes and boats go together . Traditionally we fly private into Nassau to met the boat, then on our way merry way. Traditionally, the Exumas.

However, we're looking to explore more of what the Bahamas have to offer. Thus, starting in Nassau with time zone changes, plus reposition time makes for a long day of travel.

Due to flying from the mid-west, we fly a midsize jet and thus Airports runways compliance is an issue for some of the smaller island. For example, I checked into flying into Norman's Cay. While the runway is long enough, it hasn't been authorized by my provider. I looked into flying out of Chub Cay, but it's a dry runway (no fuel), thus the cost sort of went through the roof as the plane had to land in Nassau for refuel then go to Chub Cay, then return to St. Louis.

Our next trip is starting in Staniel Cay,then Cape Elthera, Habor Island, and depart from Chub Cay.

So, in a quest to figure out the logistics. It seems the easiest and most economical method is charter a plane out of Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport and charter a plane to Staniel. And doing the doing the reverse out of Chub.

Upon research, I've found the following companies.

Maker's Air
TIA Aero
Flamigo Air

But, am really very interested and hearing from others on what they've found works best for them. No reason to reinvent the wheel. I'm not opposed to doing commercial, I just found with this trip it was hard to match up departure times.

Thanks. I didn't see that. That is very helpful.

Owning a boat, is sort of like opening up a little travel agency that makes no money. My family & guests have no idea of all the research it takes to make the "magic" happen.

Just trying to pull everything together in a single message. I wish I could edit the original message.

Good Resource from Bahamas Travel - Getting There

Maker's Air

• Both commercial (Scheduled) and charter flights available
  
• US: Fort Lauderdale Executive (FXE)
• Bahamas: Andros Town (ASD), Chub Cay (CCZ), Congo Town (COX), North Eleuthera (ELH), Exuma International (GGC), Great Harbour Cay (GHC), Marsh Harbour Abaco (MHH), Rock Sound Eleuthera (RSD), San Andros (SAQ), New Bight Cat Island (TBI), Staniel Cay Exumas (TYM)

TIA Areo

• Looks to be only Chartered
• US: I don't see any mention of departures from the states.
• Bahamas: Lots of options, looks like it has an airport they can get you there.

Flamingo Air

• Both commercial (Scheduled) and charter flights available
• US: I don't see any mention of departures from the states
• Bahamas: Lots of various options available options.

Aztec Airways

• Both commercial (Scheduled) and charter flights available
  
• US: Fort Lauderdale Executive (FXE), Key West (EYW), Marathon Key (MTH)
• Bahamas: South Bimini (BIM), North Eleuthera (ELH), Governoors Harbour Eleuthera (GHB), Marsh Harbour Abaco (MHH), Treasure Cay Abaco (TCB)

Tropic Ocean

• Both commercial (Scheduled) and charter flights available
  
• US: Fort Lauderdale
• Bahamas: Bimini, says Andros and Berry Island (coming soon) -

Silver Airways

• Looks to be only commercial (Scheduled)
• US: Lots of various options
• Bahamas: Several Options, plus includes deep Caribbean locations (St. Croix, St. Kitts, St. Maarten, St. Thomas)

Staniel Air

• Looks to be only Chartered
  
• US: Ft. Lauderdale, and Miami
• Bahamas: Chub Cay (MYBC), San Andros (MYAN), Fresh Creek (MYAF), Congo Town (MYAK), Staniel Cay (MYES)

Yes, St. Louis is home for me. Which in terms of commercial air travel, has become increasing difficult or least inconvenient. Thank God for Southwest. After TWA sold, and American moved most operations to Chicago, you can't get anywhere from here without going through Chicago (nightmare) or Atlanta.

Good Point on Norman's (or any other smaller island) in terms of customs. Since we've been mostly been flying into Nassau, it's never been a concern or thought. On this trip, I was reminded that of that little sticking point. In fact, I'm looking at Maker's Air at the moment, and we have to stop (sorry I forget where) to clear customs before going to Staniel.

You raise an interesting point about flying into GTown and motoring up. I'll look into that option.

Long and short of Chub and the Exumas. We have a charter going from Nassau to Staniel next week. Then our usage, and the next Charter starts in Nassau. So, it's sort of a round about way to returning to Nassau

So, in a effort to keep engine times down. (Let's just say, our first couple of years we were just sending the boat everywhere without regard to reposition hours operations and associated costs. Out of sight, out of mind sort of thing. We're trying to balance our repositioning to more cost-efficient manner. My guess, we'll go to far the other way. And eventually find a balance. It's a learning curve for me. We're coming up on 4 years, and still fine tuning the program.

As for the Exumas. Love them. But, truthfully we've been there a lot on recently. We just want a change and explore. At the end of the day, I'm sure we'll find it's hard to beat the Exumas. But, new fishing spots, different dive locations, and well sometimes you got to change things up to keep it fresh and exciting.

We're bring some friends that have never been. So, we plan on doing a day of "highlights" of the Exumas, Pigs, Lizards, Sharks, Aquarium, and Thunderball. Then head to Eleuthera to fish the bridge. Last week, I was in the Exumas (Compass Cay) went out 4 times out and didn't catch a **** thing. Arg! I've been told there are some good diving along the way.

This has been all very helpful. FYI, I contacted my plane charter broker and got a bid, and one from Makers Air. There price was very competitive and the equipment was superior from what the broker was able to provide.

My only comment is you submit your request to Makers for a charter, then they send you a quote. I signed it, and I thought I was done. However, that’s doesn’t mean you have a plane yet. They told me they gets a lot of requests that die on the vine. So, signing that, starts the next step of them making sure they have a plane and a pilot available. Not a big deal, but the process seems to take a few days, which tells me it’s to plan ahead. Again, not a big deal once you know the process.

I apologize, but I'm not sure I understand. I'm very familiar with the Bahamas Health Visa Process & 5 day rapid test. Is this new process above and beyond that requirement. Or is just for "locals" or you Captains that are in the Bahamas for extended period of time.

On a completely different note, or list of airlines in the Bahamas just found this one

Titan Air

• Private Charter Company for The Bahamas and the Caribbean with daily flights to Andros Town according the website
• Bahamas: Staniel Cay, Black Point, Nassau