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Bahamas Recommendations

flybill7

Well Known Member
So, I'm planning for a trip from Maryland down to the Bahamas in the spring. I'll pick up a high school buddy in South Carolina.

The idea is to fly to a different island every morning, and spend the rest of the day & overnight there just hanging out at a beach with a nearby bar/restaurant and living the laid back good life. As for lodging, I just want a place to stay; nothing fancy, or expensive. The resorts seem very expensive $250+ per night and they seem geared to multiple nights.

Has anybody been down there before that can tell me if there are places to stay that don't cost too much. More like $100 or less per night? Also, any recommendations on islands that would fit well into my plan? I've searched through the archives, but most RVers seem to have stayed at a single resort for the entire time. Not that there's anything wrong with that, just not what I'm looking for on this trip.

Thanks, Bill
 
So, I'm planning for a trip from Maryland down to the Bahamas in the spring. I'll pick up a high school buddy in South Carolina.

The idea is to fly to a different island every morning, and spend the rest of the day & overnight there just hanging out at a beach with a nearby bar/restaurant and living the laid back good life. As for lodging, I just want a place to stay; nothing fancy, or expensive. The resorts seem very expensive $250+ per night and they seem geared to multiple nights.

Has anybody been down there before that can tell me if there are places to stay that don't cost too much. More like $100 or less per night? Also, any recommendations on islands that would fit well into my plan? I've searched through the archives, but most RVers seem to have stayed at a single resort for the entire time. Not that there's anything wrong with that, just not what I'm looking for on this trip.

Thanks, Bill

Bill,
Send a PM to Rosie. He's been down there so many times, they're about to elect him President... :D

From Rosie: I always tell my travelers: "We didn't fly all the way here to save money...." No suggestions for what you are wanting to do. Be sure to add up all the extra taxes because they can really add up (to near double the room cost).
 
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i copy pasted some info from one of my clubs. you might try and use this info to try and get the same deal in the spring. good luck.



Grand Bahama International Airport, Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas
Is Debuting A Brand New 8,000 Square Foot State Of The Art FBO!!!!

Pre-Opening Fly-In
'Come And Experience The Sizzle'

Only 65 Miles From Florida
Get A First Hand Tour The New FBO

Let me know if you?re interested and we can caravan!

Hotel: Grand Lucayan Special Rates
? Single Occupancy $197.59
? Double Occupancy $234.39 Or $117.20 Per Person
Note: **Rates Are Inclusive Of Room, Taxes, Airport Fees, Round Trip Transfers**

Visit Grand Bahama Airport.....
See What The Locals Describe As ?The Grand Life?

Will this be the first time you?ve flown your plane to the Bahamas?

There is lots of info at
http://www.bahamas.com/bahamas/vfr-flight-planning

Including checklists to enter and leave the Bahamas
http://www.bahamas.com/bahamas/enter
http://www.bahamas.com/bahamas/checklist-leave-0
 
trip

keep on going about 140 more miles east to Marsh harbour stay on an out island like Hope town or Guana rent a runabout for a fun time
 
Out islands are a completely different experience than Nassau or Freeport. My two most recent experiences are Stella Maris Resort on Long Island, and the Staniel Cay Yacht Club on Staniel Cay, in the Exuma chain. Both very general aviation friendly. I don't have any experience with the lower priced places, but It looks like the Exuma chain might have lots of possibilities for you. Several airports along the chain. This place looks interesting and Normans Cay has some interesting history. It might not be a place you would want to spend the night, but you can stop in for lunch and some beach time. The Bahamas Tourism website should help you find some of those places, if word of mouth doesn't.
Great flying, friendly people, beautiful water, and good food.
Looking forward to our next visit!
 
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So, I'm planning for a trip from Maryland down to the Bahamas in the spring. I'll pick up a high school buddy in South Carolina.

The idea is to fly to a different island every morning, and spend the rest of the day & overnight there just hanging out at a beach with a nearby bar/restaurant and living the laid back good life. As for lodging, I just want a place to stay; nothing fancy, or expensive. The resorts seem very expensive $250+ per night and they seem geared to multiple nights.

Has anybody been down there before that can tell me if there are places to stay that don't cost too much. More like $100 or less per night? Also, any recommendations on islands that would fit well into my plan? I've searched through the archives, but most RVers seem to have stayed at a single resort for the entire time. Not that there's anything wrong with that, just not what I'm looking for on this trip.

Thanks, Bill

Treasure cay is nice it has a Great Beach
Pilot discount is around 129 when we went a couple years back.
Have Fun it is awesome over there!
 
Bahamas vs S. Florida

I have a question about the allure of going to the Bahamas. Having vacationed in the Bahamas a few times and had a good time (via airlines or day ship) and flown around S. Florida, I haven't really realized the drastic difference in beaches or temperature between the two. Flying out of the country and going to remote locations are fun but are there, in your experiences, differences in beaches, etc to justify the additional cost and some risk in flying that 65+ miles over water to get there vs staying at FLL or Naples? I have flown to plenty of "exotic" places with the USAF so maybe my appreciation of safe water/food, reasonable crime levels and security might be skewing my questioning. Just asking.

Thanks,
John
RV-8
 
Very expensive but a must see regardless, is the Graycliff Hotel in Nassau. Perhaps dinner, tour of the cigar factory or tour one of the best wine cellars in the world...
 
I have a question about the allure of going to the Bahamas. Having vacationed in the Bahamas a few times and had a good time (via airlines or day ship) and flown around S. Florida, I haven't really realized the drastic difference in beaches or temperature between the two. Flying out of the country and going to remote locations are fun but are there, in your experiences, differences in beaches, etc to justify the additional cost and some risk in flying that 65+ miles over water to get there vs staying at FLL or Naples? I have flown to plenty of "exotic" places with the USAF so maybe my appreciation of safe water/food, reasonable crime levels and security might be skewing my questioning. Just asking.

Thanks,
John
RV-8

Safe water/food and low crime levels are the norm in the Bahamas. I have not been to Nassau or Freeport for a few years now, but I think you will probably find them to be a bit more "big city" like as far as crime goes, but, nothing like the MIA/FLL area. My experience the past three years at the out islands has been really great. I find most Bahamians to be kind and friendly as well as scrupulously honest. The diving, snorkeling, and fishing are some of the best in the world. However, one can find some of that in the Florida Keys, as well.
It is hard to put my finger exactly on what the allure is for my wife and I, but both of us have traveled quite a bit to exotic destinations and we have come to believe that the Bahamas are as good or better than most of them, and only a short flight from the US. Of course, the fun of going in our own RV is a piece of it, too. The Bahamas govt. is extremely friendly to GA (more so than the US, it seems at times!).
Not sure I got the question answered, but that is my take on it.
 
John

I also spent some time in exotic places courtesy of Uncle Sam. But I never saw the safe water, good berthing thing. I guess that is the difference between you Zoomies and us Squids!!!!

If you are looking for rustic, try looking for fishing guides. On some of the smaller islands they are hooked into more of the "local economy" that often means cheaper, more rustic (but in my opinion) still safe, and more fun (also IMHO) accommadations.

Oh yea, while your at it, try a day of bone fishing - the best island experience you can have!!!! Local guide, up close and personal with the food chain!!
 
John

Im going to second the Marsh Harbour recommendation. We flew the RV7 from Texas there this past Aug. Took the ferry out to Guana Cay where we rented a house and boat. Spectacular beaches and snorkeling. Do a google search you won't be disappointed.
 
Effective Oct 1, 2011, the departure tax increased from $20 to $25 per person for all visitors to the Bahamas, pilots included.

This fee was increased only last June from $15 to $20. At the same time, hotel taxes were increased from 6% to 10%.

The departure tax applies anytime you leave the airport. Going to Bimini for lunch? Add $100 to the bill if you are four.

If this becomes an annual event, the Bahamas could price itself out of the private aviation tourism market.

Meanwhile, there is NO departure tax for pilots in:
The Cayman Islands
Jamaica
The Dominican Republic
Turks & Caicos and
Puerto Rico.

this is from............
http://www.caribbeanflyingadventures.com/
 
Turbo, the departure tax is anytime you take off from a Bahamas airport to leave the country. Correct? I want to make sure I understand this. If I am going to fly from Staniel Cay up to Normans Cay to have lunch, and then return to Staniel, there won't be any departure taxes. Correct? I hope so!
 
if you are in and around the bahamas there is no fee. only when you clear out to another country. you are correct. the exumas are the most picturesque islands i have ever flow over. 100 miles of bliss.

img1016u.jpg
 
Effective Oct 1, 2011, the departure tax increased from $20 to $25 per person for all visitors to the Bahamas, pilots included.

This fee was increased only last June from $15 to $20. At the same time, hotel taxes were increased from 6% to 10%.

The departure tax applies anytime you leave the airport. Going to Bimini for lunch? Add $100 to the bill if you are four.

If this becomes an annual event, the Bahamas could price itself out of the private aviation tourism market.

Meanwhile, there is NO departure tax for pilots in:
The Cayman Islands
Jamaica
The Dominican Republic
Turks & Caicos and
Puerto Rico.

this is from............
http://www.caribbeanflyingadventures.com/

As Turbo noted, the departure fees have increased twice this year.
We've been to the Bahamas several times but I'm not sure whether I will return as they've over priced the trip. IMHO.
When you consider the hotel rate, you'll also need to consider all the add-on fees: Resort tax, utilities fee, activities fees and the high priced dinners. The islands are beautiful as well as the people. It's a shame they don't make it affordable.
 
Great Inagua

Great Inagua does not have any Tourist. It does have some rooms / hotel.
You will be laid back there, only locals and Mortan Salt people go there.
I used to stop in when I was a yacht delivery guy. I like that island!
 
I have a question about the allure of going to the Bahamas. Having vacationed in the Bahamas a few times and had a good time (via airlines or day ship) and flown around S. Florida, I haven't really realized the drastic difference in beaches or temperature between the two. Flying out of the country and going to remote locations are fun but are there, in your experiences, differences in beaches, etc to justify the additional cost and some risk in flying that 65+ miles over water to get there vs staying at FLL or Naples? I have flown to plenty of "exotic" places with the USAF so maybe my appreciation of safe water/food, reasonable crime levels and security might be skewing my questioning. Just asking.

Thanks,
John
RV-8

You want to get out of Nassau etc. Anywhere cruise ships go, you don't want to.

Find places that you can only get to by small boat or airplane. The "out islands" and the "family islands" are a completely different feel. The people are wonderful, which is more of a draw for me than any beach. If all you want to do is lie in the sand and fry or go to a casino, you can do that in any old dump, if you want to meet great people and have an open mind then get off the beaten track. Isn't that one reason why we have airplanes?

I've stayed at Stella Maris several times, once in the hotel and once staying at a private villa. Great place. I've also stayed in the Marsh Harbor/Hope Town area, also great.
 
Flying the Caribbean.

This spring a friend of mine and I plan to join the International Air Rally in my RV-10 http://airrally.com/2/rally.htm on a flying trip to the Caribbean beginning in Ft Lauderdale Fl. on April 13th. and returning on the 27th. Planned stops include The Turks and Caicos, Anguilla, Grenada, Martinique, San Juan Puerto Rico and Constanza Dominican Republic.

This looks like a well organized group which has been doing these trips for quite a number of years.

I would love to see a few of you RV guys out the join us and this group on what is shaping up to be a fantastic flying experience.

Check out my web album http://ivankristensen.phanfare.com/5431631 and send me a PM if you like more information.

Ivan Kristensen
 
Some airport info for Bahamas/Caribbean

:mad:Lots of info in this book:
http://www.pilotpub.com/

Here's some info gathered by one of my friends at Bahamas Habitat. Prices as of June 2011:

BAHAMAS:

Governor?s Harbour, Eleuthera (MYEM)

This our home in the Bahamas: Camp Symonette operated by our sister organization, Bahamas Methodist Habitat. They are family and if you go there, tell them you know Bahamas Habitat. If you need a place to stay and/or want to volunteer, you are welcome!

Airport of Entry/Exit ? Customs is available 9 am-5 pm.
Services: EleuAv ? Fuel only (cash/credit cards) $6.15/AvGas, $5.40/JetA.
Fees (cash only): $8 Landing fee for twins, no landing fee for singles; $20/person departure fee to Immigration.

North Eleuthera, Eleuthera (MYEH)

Airport of Entry/Exit ? Customs is available 9am-5 pm.
Services: White Crown Aviation is very helpful. You may avoid landing fees if you buy 30+ gallons of fuel.
Fees (cash only): $8 Landing fee for twins, no landing fee for singles; $20/person departure fee to Immigration.

Nassau, New Providence (MYNN)

Airport of Entry/Exit ? Customs is available 9 am ? 5 pm.
Services: Odyssey Aviation is the way to go.
Fees: $8 Landing fee for twins, no landing fee for singles; $20/person departure fee to Immigration (cash only) + airport fees which vary but included with your expenses at Odyssey for services.

Great Exuma (MYEF)

This is my favorite fuel stop flying to/from Haiti at it is right at halfway between the US and Haiti. Food is also available at a restaurant at the airport, and Odyssey next door is happy to make your order for that too.

Airport of Entry/Exit ? Customs is available 9 am ? 5 pm.
Services: Make sure to see Diatra or Katie at Odyssey Aviation when you fly to MYEF. To make your fuel stop more efficient, you may call ahead to Odyssey and your documents will be prepared and you will be escorted through the Customs process, 242.345.0308. AvGas and JetA are available, both cash and credit cards are accepted.
Fees: $8 Landing fee for twins, no landing fee for singles; $20/person departure fee to Immigration.

Great Inagua (MYIG)

Great Inagua is the southern-most island in the Bahamas. It is a good option and the fuel manager, Customs and Immigration have a very good understand of supply and demand economics ? they know you need them and will charge you for it.

Airport of Entry/Exit ? Customs is available M-F 9 am ? 5 pm or overtime when you fly over in daylight hours.
Services: AvGas ($7.45/gal) and JetA are available ? cash only.
Fees: Which way is the wind blowing?

TURKS & CAICOS:

Providenciales (MBPV)

Airport of Entry/Exit ? Customs is available 8:30 am ? 6 pm.
Services: Provo Air Center is very helpful through the Customs process and getting fuel and transportation to accommodations if you need to stay. It is really nice at Provo. AvGas and JetA available.
Fees: handling, parking, Customs, Immigration, Airport for light planes estimated at total of about $100.


FLORIDA:

Orlando Executive (KORL)

KORL is not an Airport of Entry; although, Showalter Flying Service is very helpful on your departure from the US to obtain Bahamas forms, life vests and rafts, and fuel at a reasonable cost. An overflight permit is also available and made easy by Showalter on your request.

Ft. Pierce/St. Lucie Co. (KFPR)

KFPR is ideal when flying to/from the Bahamas as it is more direct in relation to more southern airports, basically it is as far south as you need to go before going east to the Bahamas. APP Jet Center/Volo Aviation is a great resource for life vests and rafts and a packet of forms for the Bahamas. Airport Tiki has a delicious restaurant ? you can pre-order on your way in on APP Jet Center?s unicom 122.95. As an Airport of Entry, Customs is just next door to APP Jet Center/Volo Aviation so it is very convenient. Customs hours ? 10 am-6 pm/7 days; phone: 772-461-1733, 800-973-2867 (after hours).

Ft. Lauderdale Executive (KFXE)

KFXE is ideal when flying to/from Haiti. Banyan Air Service will provide a generous fuel discount on flights to Haiti. Life vests and rafts and a packet of forms for the Bahamas are available. Jet Runway Cafe is open for breakfast and lunch everyday except for Sunday. KFXE is an Airport of Entry with Customs on the opposite side of the field from Banyan Air Service. Customs hours ? 9 am-9 pm/7 days; phone: 954-356-7412; 954 356 7411 or 800-973-2867 (after hours).

Hollywood/Ft. Lauderdale International (KFLL)

KFLL is typically reserved for commercial services, hence KFXE for private aviation. The only reason I utilize KFLL due to the busier airspace and more expensive fees is Customs 24 hour/7 days availability, phone: 954-356-7411. With its convenience in relation to Customs? location on the field, SheltAir Aviation Services is the FBO to utilize.
 
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