Been thinking about this trip for a couple of years and this winter come hell or high water I'm going to fly to the Bahamas!

Just checking to see if there would be any interest in a few other BCP ers going along.
It would just be funner to have a few other planes along.

While not really much of a Back Country type flight I am most interested in visiting smaller unpaved strips that are not on the Cruise Ship itineraries.


I realize not everyone would want to go the same places at the same times so If we had a few meet up points there for BCP lunch flyouts or dinner etc and did our own thing at other times that would be good.

Probably either a December or January departure
In the interest of fuel economy etc I will be taking the "Forked Tail Doctor Killer"


Thinking Airport of Entry in Bimini then go from there.

Here are a few informative links

http://pilotgetaways.com/flight-planning/bahamas
https://www.aopa.org/travel/international-travel/bahamas
https://www.aopa.org/travel/international-travel/bahamas/bahamas-airports-of-entry
https://www.bahamas.com/enter-leave-checklist

To order a customs sticker: (They are only good til the end of the year so I ordered one for 2018 and 2019)
https://dtops.cbp.dhs.gov/main/#%20

Ohhhh, a wannabe Jimmy Buffet! You will have to write a book of musings "A bush pilot looks at 60", or, "One foot in the grave, and one on a poptop" or write songs "I wear my sunglasses at night, so Trent's bare non-tanned legs don't blind me"

Lend me the 207 and me and the entire crew will come down, nothing like trying to pick up girls in bikinis with one of my sons hanging off your arm and the other drooling on your flipflop, while Angela and I are running full speed to the beach.

The entire BCP crew should be hopping in their planes and setting up shop for the winter!

Just came through there on a flight up from Brazil. You don't need a sticker to leave the US, just to re-enter. We entered the Bahamas at Exuma, exited at Nassau and cleared at KPBI. Compared to the rest of the Caribbean it is pretty civilized and easy flying, especially now that we're past hurricane season. Remember your Gen Dec's.

Might be heading down there the day after Christmas from Ohio. Been down twice, once in the cub and once in our 182. This next trip will be in the 206. We will be heading to MYAT...treasure cay.

Tim

Following... please keep me in the loop as you make plans. 10% chance I can make it but 10% > 0%. And I'm definitely curious/interested.

Did that trip in April for years ago or so. By far, our favourite spot was Coco de Mama’s Charming Resort, I believe the Island is Eleuthera. We’re going back this year with a stop at Sun-n-Fun either outbound to or inbound from the Bahamas. Taking the 185 on wheels.

Its a great trip, I've done it about 5 times. I'm planning on going again this winter so please keep me apprised of your departure dates and I'll see If mine match. I go there to fish so February or March works best for me.

Its kinda hard figuring out which places are the best to go.

I think it is almost required to go see the swimming pigs

Once customs is cleared and you have cruising papers should a guy stay at a hotel or camp once in a while on a beach near the airstrips???

Does anybody know if it is allowed or practical at any of the out of the way airstrips?
Or would it be too much of a PIA to even bother with dragging supplies along?


Also as far as transportation I’m sure lots of places have taxis but what about those that dont?

The Bahamas Guide now published by AOPA is a great resource that will help you figure out where you might like to go. I usually start with a plan for the first few days and wing it from there. Some of the best places take some work getting to. Hope Town, Elbow CAy, Abacos is one of our favorites. Land at Marsh Harbour, take a taxi to the ferry landing. The Hope town Harbour Lodge has their own dock. Once there you don't need a car. Rent a boat and go island hopping.



Staniel Cay Yacht Club in the Exumas is a short walk from the airstrip.



Hawks Cay on Cat has a lodge next to the airstrip. Farmer's in the Exumas has a bar/restaurant on the beach next to the runway.

Little Fowl Cay? Exumas.

Search YouTube for AFC Bahamas Flight to see a video diary of our group vacation. 3 airplanes, 12 people. Older of the 2 T210’s is me. T210R is a buddy. Third airplane is a turbo Arrow.

I just ordered up the Bahamas AOPA pkg.

Staniel cay looks like a good place, its definitely on the stop list.

I've flown to Treasure Kay and Governors harbor. Both awesome!

Staniel Key is a must see. You can rent a villa on the water near the airstrip. The villa comes with a pretty nice Boston Whaler with a 90hp Honda 4-stroke. Leave your fishing rods in the plane, the bonefish are spooked, but the snorkeling, food and social aspect is worth the stop!

If you are an AOPA member, check out the Forums and look for the Bahamas section in International Flying. Lots of posts to explore and people who do 3 trips a year down there. Like this guy - https://family-flying.blogspot.com

I'd like to do this trip but its on hold for a few.

Is the runway at Greenie back up and open? If so, how did it come out?


LG

Mudwagon gave you some great choices towards getting started. It is the prettiest flying I’ve ever done. I’ve done it in a Cj, P46, and the 182 on floats. Just an incredible sense of freedom from the world. I’m here now!

On one trip we flew about 150miles down the Exuma chain at about a 100’ off the water in formation, what a blast. Just crank up some music and enjoy the views.

Camping is kinda frowned upon and doing it at an airport would be unheard of to me. Jan, Feb are great flying months.

Let me know if your going to do it maybe I can host a couple nights!

Ya hadn't seen much on camping in the Bahamas but thought maybe.

I got the AOPA Bahamas guide in the mail yesterday.
It looks like a good resource with lots of runway info and pictures.
It also has good descriptions of each place with a list of places to stay etc.

The Bahamas travel and aviation chart that comes in the bundle looks more like a delorme atlas than an aviation chart but may be of some use.

Maybe of interest: http://www.eaavideo.org/detail/videos/webinars/video/5855870262001/webinar--flying-to-the-bahamas?autoStart=true

I thought it was interesting to listen to, I listen to the webinars like a podcast rather than watch them. It at least provides a point of contact for more information.

A good last stopping point when departing the US for the Bahamas is Ft Pierce FL. The folks at the Tiki Hut FBO will help out with your international flight plan questions and rent you a 4 person life raft for about $75. I wouldn't go without the raft. No doubt you could survive a ditching, but the Bull sharks in the Bahamas SUCK.

The people of the Bahamas want your tourism dollars, and they don't want you camping. There are a lot of remote airstrips and great camping sites where you can sleep with one eye open, but theres also some great B&B's for as low as $50/night with good hospitality within an easy ride on your fold up bike.

The people are mostly friendly with a very low crime rate. Food, hospitality, flying and fishing are great. Such a great winter-time play ground!

Ron

Tango Foxtrot,

I believe we actually met last spring in Green River when I had my family and Super Stinson out in the Moab area. My 8-year-old son was in love with you Super Cub if I recall correctly....He kept asking you questions about takeoff performance while you were trying to get the 207 ready to head to Alaska.

As for the Bahamas, I can recommend Green Tuttle Cay in Abaco...We took 32K down last Christmas and had a blast. We cleared out in Vero Beach and landed in Treasure Cay. From there we took a water taxi over to Green Turtle Cay Resort where we had a 21-foot center console, golf cart, and room at the resort waiting. We cleared outbound from the Bahamas at Spanish Cay. Spanish was just about deserted so we had a Grouper sandwich at the bar while doing customs paperwork. We brought back fresh lobster tails and Wahoo but be sure to make a copy of the boat captain's (or someone from the rental company) ID card if you're bringing back anything that is out of season in Florida.

Anyway, we are based at 14A, just north of Charlotte, NC if you need a place to stop for the night on your way south. I also have airline type life jackets and plenty of fishing, diving, and spearfishing gear if you need anything. Your welcome to it.

Cheers,

William