Bahamas Trip in July

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Skylark23

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I've been considering a trip to Bahamas in mid-July. I know not the best time of year, hot, thunderstorms, etc. Any tips for hitting up the Bahamas in July?
 
There is a great face book page called Flying the Bahamas. A lot of great info there.

I fly over about every three weeks myself. July does have a few storms but the weather is not that bad honestly. Are you looking to explore more by plane or to explore the islands themselves?

Most first time folks will jump over to Abaco to test the waters for a first trip. I personally would stay away from Bimini, Freeport and Nassua.
 
I am planning to go by airplane. We have roughly 10 days to get down and back with buffer so I think a few islands would be a good trip.
 
My first trip to Bahamas (thread is on here somewhere) was KFPR->MYEF (then I island hopped a bit). I bought the AOPA guide, watched some youtubes (some guy in an Aztec laid it out very well), got FlashPass (worth every penny). VFR down, IFR back dead simple. I picked MYEF because it was away from the busy-ness of the bigger places, it was AOE, and Odessy down there is fantastic.

But I went in March. I went to a conference in Orlando once in August - I'm never going back south during the summer again. I'm of the North, and the North remembers.
 
Flocker said:
Just curious... why Bimini?
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Bimini has become Miami east. With the big resort and the fast ferry everybody and their brother runs over.
You have an airplane, use it to go more than 50 miles off Florida.

My suggestion for the OP, since you have the time - Fly to MYAT (Treasure Cay) and go over to Green Turtle Cay. Spend 2 nights at the Bluff House or the Green Turtle Club. Hop over from Treasure Cay to Marsh Harbour (MYAM) to grab gas. Overnight in Marsh but take a ferry to Elbow Cay and stay 2 nights on Elbow. I suggest the Abaco Inn or Hopetown Inn and Marina there. Tour the lighthouse and make sure to hit Firefly Resort.

From Marsh, fly down to Eleuthera (MYAH) and spend 2 nights exploring down there (side note, I just had a pineapple that was brought back to be from there that was absolutely amazing.

From MYEH, fly direct back to KFPR and then home.

I'm here until 7/7 if you get this way.
 
I can second the recommendation for Treasure Cay. One of the best beaches you will ever see, and not many people. With an airplane you can get to out of the way places like MYAT that the big cruise ships and airlines don't service.16795768897_e6f2fca32e_o.jpg16795768897_e6f2fca32e_o.jpg
 
I ended up on Green Turtle Cay. Great trip.

Also of note customs is now charging $150 incoming aircraft fee for processing.
 
Be aware that it's not just the customs fee that has rocketed. They are privatising many of their airports and, just like when the same happened in Greece, the new commercial owners appear determined to wring hundreds of dollars out of every aircraft.
 
Katamarino said:
Be aware that it's not just the customs fee that has rocketed. They are privatising many of their airports and, just like when the same happened in Greece, the new commercial owners appear determined to wring hundreds of dollars out of every aircraft.
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Treasure Cay was still government run out of a small travel trailer. I paid $4 per night.
 
The FBO's are not charging the fees. It's Bahamian customs. If you are being charged more than $150 for your entry fee and $31/ person departure then you are being overcharged.
 
At $150 for private aircraft, the Bahamas can stick it in their collective a$$s! Enough places to fly to in the good’ol US of A! Guess they don’t want private aircraft, only commercial. $25 would be much more palatable. Maybe even $50.
 
Don’t trust their ILS, go RNAV, expect lots of taxi delays regardless of the level of traffic, try to land as close to your FBO as possible, wash after you get back to get all the salt off, food isn’t too good but prices are high, conch salad is the best bet, file your flight plan and generate a PDF to send that to the FBO to send to tower regardless of VFR or IFR

When it comes to their ATC trust BUT VERIFY
 
Roller said:
Don’t trust their ILS, go RNAV, expect lots of taxi delays regardless of the level of traffic, try to land as close to your FBO as possible, wash after you get back to get all the salt off, food isn’t too good but prices are high, conch salad is the best bet, file your flight plan and generate a PDF to send that to the FBO to send to tower regardless of VFR or IFR

When it comes to their ATC trust BUT VERIFY
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Why would you even want to fly into Freeport or Nassau anyway?
 
Rcmutz said:
At $150 for private aircraft, the Bahamas can stick it in their collective a$$s! Enough places to fly to in the good’ol US of A! Guess they don’t want private aircraft, only commercial. $25 would be much more palatable. Maybe even $50.
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I don't like paying the extra $100, but come on. You're talking about flying a private airplane to the Bahamas. Given all of the associated costs with such a trip, an extra $100 is really the breaking point?
 
bradg33 said:
I don't like paying the extra $100, but come on. You're talking about flying a private airplane to the Bahamas. Given all of the associated costs with such a trip, an extra $100 is really the breaking point?
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Exactly

We are talking flying an aircraft to a country that would be nearly uninhabitable were it not for rich tourists.

Some areas of the Bahamas are pretty, but you’ll get more bang for your buck staying stateside or going to Mexico
 
Roller said:
Exactly

We are talking flying an aircraft to a country that would be nearly uninhabitable were it not for rich tourists.

Some areas of the Bahamas are pretty, but you’ll get more bang for your buck staying stateside or going to Mexico
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Depends entirely on what you're expecting. If you want a VRBO/AirBnb on an isolated beach where you can just be kind of on your own in a beautiful environment, Bahamas is hard to beat. If you want a fancy "resort" with lots of amenities, activities, etc., agree, Mexico (Cancun, etc.) via the airlines will be much more "value."

But I've been to Eleuthera and Exuma on trips there I did want the isolated beach experience, and it's very, very hard to beat from that perspective.
 
bradg33 said:
Depends entirely on what you're expecting. If you want a VRBO/AirBnb on an isolated beach where you can just be kind of on your own in a beautiful environment, Bahamas is hard to beat. If you want a fancy "resort" with lots of amenities, activities, etc., agree, Mexico (Cancun, etc.) via the airlines will be much more "value."

But I've been to Eleuthera and Exuma on trips there I did want the isolated beach experience, and it's very, very hard to beat from that perspective.
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I worked all over that area, lots of places in Mexico too, keep going south and it gets even better.

Bahamas major benefit is it’s easy, English speaking, currency is locked 1-1 USD, very close to the US, and if you get hurt their default is medevac to FL.

It’s like going to bass pro for a bow, it’s easy, but the value and quality will always be better elsewhere
 
Roller said:
I worked all over that area, lots of places in Mexico too, keep going south and it gets even better.

Bahamas major benefit is it’s easy, English speaking, currency is locked 1-1 USD, very close to the US, and if you get hurt their default is medevac to FL.

It’s like going to bass pro for a bow, it’s easy, but the value and quality will always be better elsewhere
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Bahamas is also super, super easy for GA. I don't think I'd fly myself to Mexico (in part because my airplane is uninsured, which in and of itself is a ban from Mexico).
 
bradg33 said:
Bahamas is also super, super easy for GA. I don't think I'd fly myself to Mexico (in part because my airplane is uninsured, which in and of itself is a ban from Mexico).
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And, FWIW, they do check the insurance. There are plenty of rules in Mexico that are published, but not enforced. Most of the aviation stuff is actually enforced.

pro-tip: When you print out your policy to be able to show it to the officials, find the part that lists Mexico in the coverage and highlight it so that it's easier to find when you are being processed.
 
Probably too long a haul for most GA pistons, but USVI is a great spot

We had a air bnb surf shack type deal, bought some spiny lobsters the size of a small dog from a local on the beach we were swimming, highly recommend
 
I'm over to the Bahamas quite often and the fee increase certainly caused an uproar. It's funny that pilots will die on this hill but will happily give hundreds to FBOs just for a short stay. I will happily go to the Bahamas just to be away from thousands of people. If I am on a beach and there are more than 3-4 people there, I can find another beach!

Here is a real world example for a 6 night stay for 2 people to the Bahamas versus going to Marathon or Key West (TLDR, Bahamas is almost $100 cheaper) -

My location to MYAT is 25nm further than if I were to fly to Marathon for the weekend. Key West is another 40nm for me if I wanted to go there.

MYAT fees: $244 total
Parking = $24 ($4/ night)
Customs = $158
Immigration = $62
Fuel (if needed) $8.86

KMTH fees: $330
Parking =$270 ($45/ night)
FBO fee = $60 (includes $5.00 security fee)
Fuel (if needed) $9.12/ gallon

KEYW fees:$410
Parking = $342 ($57/ night)
FBO fees = $68
Fuel = (if needed) $9.94/ gallon
 
@k9medic Exactly ^^^^^. However, the quality of the experience in the Bahamas, in my opinion, far outweighs that of the Keys unless one wants a short getaway and nightlife. Even if the Bahamas trip cost more overall, it is worth it.
 
robin ardoin said:
@k9medic Exactly ^^^^^. However, the quality of the experience in the Bahamas, in my opinion, far outweighs that of the Keys unless one wants a short getaway and nightlife. Even if the Bahamas trip cost more overall, it is worth it.
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The food is better stateside

Town is cleaner

Also less cruise ship type tourists
 
Roller said:
The food is better stateside

Town is cleaner

Also less cruise ship type tourists
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You talking Bahamas or Key West???


Where I go in the Bahamas you only see a cruise ship as it passes by 25 miles off shore and town is always cleaner. Food is 100 times better as well.
 
k9medic said:
Where I go in the Bahamas you only see a cruise ship as it passes by 25 miles off shore and town is always cleaner. Food is 100 times better as well.
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You must not be going to Bimini. When we went there last year, there were many things we liked about the island - but certainly not the food. We learned later that if you want to eat well on Bimini, you have to bring all your groceries in from the States. Not my idea of a vacation...

- Martin
 
k9medic said:
You talking Bahamas or Key West???


Where I go in the Bahamas you only see a cruise ship as it passes by 25 miles off shore and town is always cleaner. Food is 100 times better as well.
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I got to strongly disagree

Outside of some seafood getting anything fresh in the Bahamas is a pain, the cooking and worker/service culture there is also very lacking.

Many look down at Americans and non bohemians, which is odd because we’re it not for that demographic they would be living in squalor

Key West is just better from a service and food standpoint, slightly less “exotic” feel, but a short boat ride and you can have the same feeling as the Bahamas without having to deal with the Bahamas


Or compare to Mexico, where you get really good food and really good prices
 
Martin Pauly said:
You must not be going to Bimini. When we went there last year, there were many things we liked about the island - but certainly not the food. We learned later that if you want to eat well on Bimini, you have to bring all your groceries in from the States. Not my idea of a vacation...

- Martin
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Correct.

Bimini is Miami East…
 
After flying into MYAT and seeing the conditions the customs and airport people work in(travel trailer), I do not have an issue with the fees. The airport was destroyed by a hurricane several years ago and the rebuild crew I saw was just 3 guys working progressing slowly. If we want to be able to have usable services and runway we will need to pay for it.

Labor is cheaper than the US but supplies are much more expensive.
 
Skylark23 said:
After flying into MYAT and seeing the conditions the customs and airport people work in(travel trailer), I do not have an issue with the fees. The airport was destroyed by a hurricane several years ago and the rebuild crew I saw was just 3 guys working progressing slowly. If we want to be able to have usable services and runway we will need to pay for it.

Labor is cheaper than the US but supplies are much more expensive.
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Labor isn’t really cheaper when the guys work at 1/2 speed at best and when factoring the corruption and expenses of getting anything done over there

Look at the “taxes” on a car for example

Lots to like about the islands, but they have some not so small issues

I’d wager not as much of those fees as you think are going into actually fixing the airport, some of the most baller lifestyles on the island are people who are connected with government
 
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