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Bahama Laid Back Spots - Recommendation

Re: Bahama Laid Back Spots - Recommendation

Almost a complete list.
Doesn't mention the DTOPS issued DECAL - from cpb.gov.
Add that and it's a nice checklist.


For those who're daunted by all these systems, its fairly straightforward. The tricky part now is eAPIS and the +/- 1 hr negotiated window of arrival time back in the US.

Writing "ADCUS" for "Advise Customs" in the Remarks section of the flight plan (while mentioned all over the place, doesn't work and is obsoleted by eAPIS).
When in use, i made that mistake the first time and had to deal with an irate customs official in San Juan. I did produce my flight plan which said "ADCUS" as proof and while it stopped him from writing me up a huge fine ($5k), didn't sit well with him. The ONLY procedure he was going to accept was a phone call.

Since then, I usually get the Customs official badge number or name as part of the time contract.
 
Re: Bahama Laid Back Spots - Recommendation

Ali

Agreed - I had a similar experience a few years back. Ever since then I call customs at the airport I am coming into, an hour or more in advance. Funny but since I started doing that I never get hassled about lack of advance notification.

I buy the DTOPS sticker each year but if you get there and don't have one they just make you fill out the paperwork on the spot and submit it.
 
Re: Bahama Laid Back Spots - Recommendation

Thanks so much! It looks like a short delay in my trip but now I feel really prepared. At first I thought it might not be worth all the trouble. But I can borrow the float gear from a local corporate flight department and can follow your instructions to the 't'. You guys have made this possible. I really appreciate the recommendations!!!!!!
 
Re: Bahama Laid Back Spots - Recommendation

Michael Boyd said:
Can anyone recommend your favorite Bahama spot.
Click to expand...

There's an article in the December AOPA Pilot about visiting the Bahamas.
 
Re: Bahama Laid Back Spots - Recommendation

Timely!
 
Re: Bahama Laid Back Spots - Recommendation

IFR (or IFR Refresher? the blue one) has an article about eAPIS and going 'off-shore' as well...
 
Bahama Hotels?

Bahama Hotels?

Has anyone stayed at one of these places? These hotels participate in the $300 incentive currently being marketed by the Bahamas marketing group. I would like a place that I can get to and from the airport fairly quickly so I can fly the islands a little.

Thanks for any input.

http://www.myoutislands.com/flyfree-promo-credit.cfm


-----------------------------------------------

Call The Bahamas Out Islands Reservations Service at 1.866.689.5505
or any of our participating Resort Direct Hotels listed below. Participating Hotels


Abaco
Abaco Club On Winding Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Managed Club

Green Turtle Club Resort and Marina
1 866.528.0539

Pelican Beach Villas
1 877.326.3180

Treasure Cay Hotel Resort & Marina


Acklins & Crooked Island
Chester’s Highway Inn Bonefish Lodge

Tranquillity On The Bay Resort


Andros
Emeralds Palms Resort
1 242.369.2713

Small Hope Bay Lodge 1 800.223.6961

Swain’s Cay Resort


Bimini
Bimini Big Game Club
1 800.867.4764

Bimini Bay Resort and Marina

Cat Island
Fernandez Bay Village

Greenwood Beach Resort
1 242.342.3053

Island HoppInn

Pigeon Cay Beach Club
1 242.354.5084

Sammy T’s Beach Resort

Shanna’s Cove Resort


Eleuthera
Cape Eleuthera Resort & Marina
1 888.270.9642

Sky Beach Club
1 800.605.9869


Squires Estate

Exuma
Staniel Cay Yacht Club Resort
954.467.8920
242.355.2024

Sandals Emerald Bay
Unique Vacations, 1 800.Sandals

Long Island
Gems at Paradise Private Beach Resort

Stella Maris Resort Club
1 800.426.0466
 
Re: Bahama Hotels?

Re: Bahama Hotels?

Michael Boyd said:
Has anyone stayed at one of these places? These hotels participate in the $300 incentive currently being marketed by the Bahamas marketing group. I would like a place that I can get to and from the airport fairly quickly so I can fly the islands a little.

Thanks for any input.

http://www.myoutislands.com/flyfree-promo-credit.cfm


-----------------------------------------------

Call The Bahamas Out Islands Reservations Service at 1.866.689.5505
or any of our participating Resort Direct Hotels listed below. Participating Hotels


Abaco
Abaco Club On Winding Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Managed Club

Green Turtle Club Resort and Marina Nice Secluded old Bahamian island - not near an airport
1 866.528.0539

Pelican Beach Villas
1 877.326.3180

Treasure Cay Hotel Resort & Marina -Beautiful beach but across the road and not much to do here.

Acklins & Crooked Island
Chester’s Highway Inn Bonefish Lodge

Tranquillity On The Bay Resort


Andros
Emeralds Palms Resort
1 242.369.2713

Small Hope Bay Lodge 1 800.223.6961

Swain’s Cay Resort


Bimini
Bimini Big Game Club
1 800.867.4764

Bimini Bay Resort and Marina

Cat Island

Best place on Cat island is Hawks nest. - Land on their runway and walk in the front door to check in or get a drink. Beautiful beach Owners are wonderfull folks if they happen to be there.


Fernandez Bay Village Wonderful Property right on the ocean great cabins good food - Near new Bight airport

Greenwood Beach Resort The owners of this place are the most wonderful folks. You will meet many locals here. Very basic and not the Ritz. Pretty beach. 1Hour from the airport.
1 242.342.3053

Island HoppInn

Pigeon Cay Beach Club
1 242.354.5084

Sammy T’s Beach Resort

Shanna’s Cove Resort


Eleuthera

Check out Cocodimama http://www.cocodimama.com/rates.html

Owners are from Italy and gourmet chefs. Great location and near the airport.


Cape Eleuthera Resort & Marina
1 888.270.9642

Sky Beach Club
1 800.605.9869


Squires Estate

Exuma
Staniel Cay Yacht Club Resort
954.467.8920
242.355.2024

Sandals Emerald Bay - Used to be a four seasons but went bankrupt. Large resort. Large resort experience - I prefer the smaller resorts and more of a real island experience.
Unique Vacations, 1 800.Sandals

Long Island
Gems at Paradise Private Beach Resort

Stella Maris Resort Club -Did not like this place - left a day early - not on the beach and pretty boring.

On Long island try Cape Santa Maria resort - Great place right on the beach - Make sure to get the meal plan it is a deal. One of my favorite stops.
1 800.426.0466
Click to expand...


Note all my info is current - we were there last year and 8 times in the last 9 years. If you want to talk live let me know.

By the way the 300 dollar offer is if you fly in commercial. Most of these resorts will give you a 15% discount if you tell them you are a pilot and flying a private plane in.
 
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Re: Bahama Laid Back Spots - Recommendation

Great info,definitely on my to do list. Was wondering where do you get the pubs for a trip like this? How about the GPS. Will a North American database in my Garmin 430 and 495 know where the heck I'm trying to get to? Also, how's the phone service? do you use your cell to call customs or do most airports have a land line you can use to call?
 
Re: Bahama Laid Back Spots - Recommendation

For Pubs the Bahamas pilot guide is the best. http://www.pilotpub.com/

The north American Data Base will cover you most of the way down. CH25 and the Miami South sectional will get you down past Cat Island.

Many small island Runways are not in the database and you will have to enter a user waypoint for them.

Cell Phone service is spotty, and you would need to have them activate international service before leaving.. Many of the airports have a phone that goes directly to FSS. ( especially the ones that have customs available).

Going into the Bahamas you have to land at an airport of entry first to clear Customs. (and last when leaving the islands) Easy to do and they are much nicer than ours. You don't need a phone, just land and walk in the door.
 
Re: Bahama Laid Back Spots - Recommendation

Thank you so much! I'm a bit overwhelmed about this trip because of the hassels but you have made it much easier with these recommendations!!!!!!!! I really appreciate it!
 
Re: Bahama Laid Back Spots - Recommendation

Flying the Bahamas is easy and quite a hassle free experience. Friendly and very accommodating people everywhere down the outer islands. Stop in Fort Pierce before you hop over the water and they will help you with everything you need, just ask and they'll take good care about you.
 
Re: Bahama Laid Back Spots - Recommendation

I thought that I would go there for departure and back. Thanks for the encouragement.
 
Re: Bahama Laid Back Spots - Recommendation

atjudge said:
Great info,definitely on my to do list. Was wondering where do you get the pubs for a trip like this? How about the GPS. Will a North American database in my Garmin 430 and 495 know where the heck I'm trying to get to? Also, how's the phone service? do you use your cell to call customs or do most airports have a land line you can use to call?
Click to expand...

Foreflight on the iPad's got 'em!
 
Re: Bahama Laid Back Spots - Recommendation

I agree that Fort Pierce is a great jump off point. Go to APP Jet center (the old TIKI hut.) http://www.appjetcenter.com/fortpierce.html

Just tell them when you land that you want to go to the Tiki hut - Cant miss it. Their raft rentals are pretty reasonable too. I suggest flying down the coast to the Palm beach VOR before heading out. This route gives you the least amount of time over open water.
 

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Re: Bahama Laid Back Spots - Recommendation

Thanks, thanks, thanks! I wish you guys would come with me!!!!!!! I hope to fly from Western Kentucky to Fort Pierce with a fuel stop in Georgia next Wednesday. I certainly have been doing some checks on the 300 hour engine that is in 39J. I might just do the Palm Beach elbow route.
 
Re: Bahama Laid Back Spots - Recommendation

Michael

Don't forget filing through eAPIS is required. Both the outward and inward legs can be filed prior to departure.
 
Re: Bahama Laid Back Spots - Recommendation

If your an AOPA member, check their website. Current and useful info to help you on you flight.
 
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