Bahamas Bound: Flying the islands in your plane!

I have several buddies who sail and share exotic tails of their maritime travels in the Bahamas.  I know, sailing is all about the journey.  But it’s too slow for me frankly and a lot of work. 

End of a perfect day of flying in the Bahamas!

For me what sounds nonpareil is hopping in your RV-8 and getting there faster (175 kts), listening to Jimmy Buffet or John Mayer through the headset and best of all…without the time-consuming  and these days, expensive hassles of commercial airline travel.

Try a Split-S over Staniels Cay in a catamaran. Try cruising at 175 kts. over sugary white Carribean beaches at 500′ AGL in a 40 foot sloop. No can do dude.

Yes to get there fast at the controls of your own plane (relatively economically I might add) with jaw-dropping panoramic vistas, more beach time to spare and freedom to explore the islands on your time table.  Well, sounds like an easy decision to me.

But before you put on those Tevas, your favorite 10-K t-shirt and yell “Clear prop, master on!”, read on…

Here is the process briefly explained by our own Smokey Ray who just returned from a great trip to the Bahamas with his wife Teena in his highly modified (single engine) RV-6 he calls the RVX (seen above).

PRE-DEPARTURE

“I filed my E-apis request online listing Teena and I as crew members with no pax.

I picked Andros Town as my port of entry (MYAF) which is closest to the Exumas. You don’t have to report to customs on departure or leave from a departure point, just your coastal crossing estimate on E-apis.

You could easily refuel at ZPH and one hop it to Andros Town but St. Lucie Airport in Ft. Pierce (FPR) is my favorite stop to and from as they have the Tiki hut restaurant, rental survival gear and self serve gas back behind the Tiki.Here’s what I carry:

1. I bought horse collar type LPU’s at SNF which rock and are very comfortable.
2. I also installed a Rosen sunshade from Vans Aircraft which Teena loved, really keeps the sun in check.
3. I also carry a PLB and small survival kit,
4. Bear Grylls knife with fire-starter and canopy breaker feature
5. Sea dye and
6. Lightweight 2 man rental raft. An inflatable kayak from Wal Mart would work.

We packed very light with backpacks and light rain gear

DEPARTURE

Left bank at 500 AGL over beautiful Bahamian beaches in your own plane! Wow (Click to enlarge)

I took off in time to make my coast crossing. I filed a VFR flight plan the standard way and activated it with Miami Radio after takeoff then flight followed with Miami all the way [to and from].

Above 4500 feet, you can receive them all over even the most out islands. I climbed to 7500 feet and pressed south, landed at MYAF and went inside their little customs office.

There you will:

1. Fill out a Bahamas customs declaration form,
2. Show your passports and
3. Fill out a cruising permit showing your intended destinations while in BHS. They are not really strict, just their way of showing they care I guess.

Once through, we cranked back up and headed for Staniels Cay. It’s a short flight across the water to the Exumas, breathtaking views considering how close it is to the US.

By the way, Staniels is where they filmed Thunderball so it’s popular with lots of sights.

We stayed at 3 N’s guest house for $150 a night, the yacht club is nice as well.

I think the best destination however is Norman’s Cay, a very quiet spot, but FWIW, a former drug kingpin hangout!

They were full though, so we will go another trip. We ended up flying the length of the Exumas at 500′ and landing at Georgetown for gas then hopping over to Pittstown Point to visit our friends there for 3 days. Another great stop.

Fuel management is key, just make sure you keep enough gas to go 100 miles when you land as most fuel is 100 miles away from each other.

RETURN

Coming back you simply reverse the procedure.

We stopped at Stella Maris (watch this video!) as our departure point then went into the Bahamas customs office

1. Filled out the back of our customs form
2. Paid $50 “handling fee”
3. Stuck on my electrical tape 12″ numbers
4. Sadly said “Good bye”.
5. $20 each re-entry fee.

We then put on gas and departed back for the US.

I filed my E-apis back before I left. You can modify it anytime and call them with questions.

Call customs to activate your arrival time.

I wrote the Ft Pierce Customs office phone on my map and if they aren’t around, the Miami office will help you, they are on the rotation when you call.

Call Miami radio to activate your flight plan, then Miami center to flight follow.

It’s 366 NM from Stella Maris to FPR (Ft. Pierce) and a gorgeous flight. It goes right over Nassau. NOTE: I avoid Nassau and Freeport as they have landing fees.

After we landed at Ft Pierce, taxied to customs and cleared I filled out a form, show your passports and smiled a lot. We grabbed lunch at the Tiki and headed for home.”

TIPS

• For safety you may want to consider doing this with other pilot friends.  It’s always good to have a wingman at your side just in case.
• Take lots of cash, credit cards have fees there (5-9%).
• Set your phones roam feature off as there are fees as well.
• Most resorts have wi-fi.
• Bring sandals for walking and riding, lightweight comfortable clothes.
• We brought bottled water and snacks.

There you have it.  Have you done this?  Got some good tips to share? Please comment below.

Fly safe!

See Ya!

Here are some websites for you:
Norman’s Cay  www.ncbcmacduffs.com/
Staniels: www.3ns-stanielcay.com/
Crooked island: www.crookedisland.biz/

AOPA Bahamas Flying Guide