Flying in and around the out islands of the Bahamas, FAQ's.
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Flying in the Bahamas.

The skies above the Out Islands of the Bahamas are gorgeous and clear, almost every day of the year weather conditions are "severe clear," which makes for excellent visibility for private pilots flying to Exuma, Long Island, Rum Cay and other exotic locations. Private pilots frequently enjoy flying in the Bahamas as they can cruise over the gorgeous waters and scenic landscape of the Out Islands at a comfortable altitude. In the morning, cumulus clouds drift by at about 2,500 feet, but by the afternoon they've risen to 7,500 feet.
With so many Bahamas vacation spots to choose from, airports are plentiful and at your disposal. Just about every major Bahamas vacation spot has its own airport where you can safely land including Nassau, Grand Bahama, Abaco, San Andros, Andros, Governor's Harbour and North Eleuthera, Eleuthera, Exuma International, Exuma, Great Inagua and Stella Maris International, Long Island (Stella Maris Airport was totally resurfaced and reopened July, 2006)
Flying in The Bahamas is also extremely affordable. Single engine planes usually aren't subject to a landing fee, while twin engine planes incur a charge between $6 and $15. The many landing strips throughout the Out Islands enable you to safely reach your favorite vacation spots in The Bahamas.
For the traveler who wants to avoid the hassle of arriving at a commercial airport, catching a ride on a charter has become commonplace for lots of tourists flying in these islands. These limo services of the sky are popular options for flying the friendly skies here.
One of the most coveted airspace for pilots and passengers alike is, and around, the Exumas and Long Island. Visitors flock to the Great Exuma's International Airport which caters to small crafts and jet airliners, it's loaded with all of the amenities, including 8,000 feet of paved runways and state-of-the-art fuel facilities. When flying into Exuma, Bahamas, you'll enjoy the breathtaking site of 365 cays and islands surrounded by turquoise seas.
When you are planning to fly in The Bahamas, you can feel safe knowing that facilities are plentiful to guarantee pilots and passengers a safe and happy landing.

Facilities for pilots
Flying in the Bahamas is easy for private pilots as recent improvements have been made to lots of airports throughout the islands.
Phones have been installed at all airports for free calls to customs and solar operated emergency lighting is being installed at all government airports. There are also three FBOs at North Eleuthera Airport on Eleuthera Island, Marsh Harbour Airport on Abaco Island and Stella Maris Airport on Long Island. The Stella Maris runway on Long Island was totally resurfaced and after lots of work reopened in July, 2006.

Private pilots
The Islands Of The Bahamas invite exploration from the air as well as the sea. Skies are gorgeous and clear with the weather being severe clear, nearly every day of the year. Puffy cumulus clouds generally dot the island skies at around 2,500 feet in the morning, rising to 7.500 feet in the afternoon. High ceilings and excellent visibility are the norm.
Landing fees are usually waived for single engine planes and range between $6 and $15 for twins.
Fuel Is available at the airports in Nassau, Grand Bahama, Marsh Harbour International, Abaco. San Andros, Andros, Governor's Harbour and North Eleuthera, Eleuthera, Exuma International, Exuma, Great Inagua and Stella Maris marina and airport at Long Island.
It is advisable to check with the airports for availability and prices.

Latest developments... Long Island, southern Bahamas.
A new marina and golf resort development named Port St George is to be constructed in the Stella Maris area of Long Island. Although this development is aimed primarily at the leisure boating and vacation market, it does include two or three home-sites which overlook the airport, this may be of interest to private pilots who are seeking a quiet island retreat for both the family and the airplane, see the Port St George website for more details.

General information about Long Island.
Less than 300 miles from Fort Lauderdale Florida and only 145 miles from Nassau lies an island named "Long Island", it has a population of less than 4000 people who enjoy a slow, old fashioned way of life.
Long Island is a safe, clean and perfect hideaway far from the busy world most people know, with lots of beautiful white beaches, crystal clear waters and a natural sea breeze.
The contrasting coastlines here make Long Island one of the most scenic Out Island destinations in the entire Bahamas, the western coast has soft white sandy beaches and the eastern side falls down to the ocean with dramatic rocky cliffs and private coves with hidden shell beaches. No more than 4 miles wide, Long Island really lives up to its name. The Queens Highway runs for almost 80 miles as it meanders through some 35 settlements and farming towns. The scenery on the road changes from old buildings surrounded by dry-stone walls with shallow bays on the lee side and rugged headlands on the east coast.
The northern end of the island has sea cliffs unique to The Bahamas. Columbus named the island's northern tip Cape Santa Maria, to honor of one of his ships. The area has truly stunning beaches, in fact Cape Santa Maria has one of the worlds top ten beaches. Columbus Point, located half a mile north of the primary beach resort in Cape Santa Maria offers tremendous views of the protected harbour Columbus sailed into.
Stella Maris, which means Star of the Sea, is another major resort area on Long Island. It is located 12 miles south of Cape Santa Maria.
Pilots headed to either Cape Santa Maria or Stella Maris have the option to land in either the private runway at the Cape, or fly into the newly refurbished Stella Maris International Airport.