International Fly-in to the Bahamas

to keep this going...
It seems a waste to me to fly to the Bahamas and stay at one of the big touristy islands that are easy to get to on comercial airlines. My favorite trips there are when I stayed close to the airport and flew to different islands in the course of a few days. some central place allows easy access to everything from Eluthera/Wwalke's etc down to Long Island.
 
We need to start getting some more details on this trip. Most of the email I have received states voting for a May timeframe, multi-island trip, and with Air Journey (or organized trip with lots of contacts). So, I need to start knowing YES or NO if you want to go.

Thanks,
Doug
N18859
 
suggestions for locations

Marsh Harbour is a big enough airport with lots of nearby hotels.
Norman's Cay should be open by then. This is the best in my mind but only 4 apartments and no gas. Very remote Island experience but close th Nassau.
Treasure Cay Marina is Great with lots of room but 20 min cab ride to the resort to the airport. Very fair prices and one of the top beaches in the world. Not too remote, groceries etc available. Close to Grand Bahama for a day trip. Pilot discount for the asking! (10% If I remember correctly)
Chub Cay has a brand new high end resort that might be amenable to a group discount in this start up year.
I have always wanted to go to Staniel Cay, sounds like a good place but I have never been there.
The places on Long Island Cape Santa Maria and Stella Maris have always advertised in flying magazines and offer pilot discounts but are a few hours farther down the chain.
 
Other points
It really is not a complicated process flying to or from thr Bahamas. Heading down there is almost the same as flying locally. Coming back requires a phone call and a stop for customs. There is nothing like flying over Cuba etc so I don't know what a professional service could offer. The Bahamas Flying guide is worth reading either way for tips and ideas.
Ft. Peirce Fla (KFPR) is a good place to stop on each direction. Food, self service gas, customs all in one place. Room to climb over Palm Beach before turning out over the water. Very little "wet leg" that way with most of the time within glide of land.

Late spring and summer means more thunderstorms.

As discussed earlier. Make sure the plane and pilot have radio licenses. All people need passports, even kids now.
The plane needs full size numbers on each side.
Customs stickers are $25 from the Customs website. One per plane.

Best destination I have ever flown to! All the islands are great.
 
Doug,

I thought from reading the thread that it wasn't going to be a bid deal to do the trip without a guide company.

What is AirJourney going to provide and what does it cost?

Have you nailed down which island(s) will be visited?

Cloyd
 
Doug,

You can ignore my earlier question about cost of the trip and what it includes. I finally poked around some of the links you provided earlier and found the itinerary and cost pages. I have to go back and look to see what the $350 for "aircraft registration" covers. Not sure if that's a registration fee with Airjourney or some sort of governmental registration.

Cloyd
 
The registration fee is for the Bahamas government. I have not been able to nail down any islands. We have 17 people that said Yes they want to go. All I am getting is "sounds fun" and "let me know". I really don't care if we go with Air Journey or design our own trip. I just need some feedback on what islands people want to visit and I will start researching lodging and transportation. That is the only benefit to Air Journey. They take care of everything.

Doug
 
Just want to remind everyone who is planning on the Bahamas (or Baja) to get those passport requests in.

You will notice on the calendar the dates for the Bahamas trip. This is right after Sun-n-Fun. You can catch then end of the show then fly to the starting point for the Bahamas. This will be an ALL-Inclusive trip with food, tours, hotels, etc. at $995 a person. There will be plenty of time to relax, see the sights, snorkel/dive, etc.

If interested in going, please contact me on how to "officially" sign up.

Thanks,
Doug
N18859
 
The $350 Bahamas registrsation fee must be something new. All I remember is $10 for a ''cruising permit'' and a $15 per person exit tax. Some airports do charge arrival fees. Maybe some of these charges are being grouped together instead of a bunch of little fees? Overall the Bahamas Government has a policy of avoiding excess fees to small aircraft to encourage tourism.

Wish I could join the group, but my schedule is not good for after Sun n Fun.
 
Your itinerary looks like a great selection of Islands! I'm sure that this will be a great introduction to the Bahamas for everyone that can make it.
 
Paul,

Sorry you can't make it. I got a better answer on the registration fee. Looks like a one stop shop for everything. Once everyone gets this stuff then our 2nd Annual Bahamas trip will be much cheaper since we all will be "experts" on doing this. :)

Registration fees includes the following:
Service: Hospitality and departure from our departure airport; all Customs expediting; pre-filing of flight plans; ATC expediting; full pre-flight briefing; 24 hour/7 day support during the journey.

Trip Kit: Air Journey bag and shirt and/or hat; color VFR chart, latest Bahamas and Caribbean Pilot's Guide; DOD set of approach plates and navigation charts; binder with nav log, forms to be filled out, authorizations, and other important information.

Authorizations: USA TSA waiver, and all landing and over-flight permissions as requested from the civil aviation of each country. Please note that because a considerable amount of fax exchanges are necessary to obtain these authorizations, Air Journey is always grateful when all pilot, passengers, and aircraft information is available at least 2 weeks before departure.

Discounts: Survival gear rental is available at discounted rates from Air Journey.

Thanks,
Doug
 
Wanted to throw out an option for you all. There haven't been many that have said 100% that they are wanting to go to the Bahamas in Spring. Don't know if it too much is going on, too little time to get passport and such, or everyone wants to go later.

Let me know if you would want to change the date from a Spring trip to a Fall trip.

I understand many want to hit Sun-n-Fun and can't do two weeks off in April/May.

Thanks,
Doug
 
Fall can be a great time to go to the Bahamas. The water is still warm, the crowds are usually smaller and the days are a little less humid and hot. However, the hurricane season can be an issue.

I'd say if you were going to plan fall, make it early fall. Wish I could go along. I've flown from Salt Lake to Marsh Harbour but it's too far for me to tag along this trip.

Fly safe!
Chris
 
Not a bad idea! I'll keep watching to see when the trip is planned. One other word of caution....don't crowd BAC Fest '07! We want all the planes we can get in MB this year!

Chris
 
Sure wish I was in the SoCal region..Hey Steve.
What's up in the NE? .. outsid'a bone chilling cold..at the moment.
 
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