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Bahama Laid Back Spots - Recommendation

Michael Boyd

Michael Boyd

New member
Owensboro, KY
Aircraft Year
1973
Aircraft Type
112/A
Reg Number
1039J
Serial Number
101
Can anyone recommend your favorite Bahama spot. I might be able to head down that way on Thursday. I don't gamble. Just want a nice couple of areas that you like.
 
Re: Bahama Laid Back Spots - Recommendation

Depends what you're looking for.

LAID back could mean different things to different people. Hence :


I've been to :
- Nassau : Nightlife + Restaurants. Not a GET AWAY FROM it spot.
- Grand Bahama : Same as Nassau - less choice.
- Stella Maris : No one there except private homes and a hotel. Rustic.
- Treasure Key : Nice beaches. Have dinner by 8 pm or rely on power bars. Definite get away from it all spot.
- Spanish Cay : Has a resort on it. Was under construction when i went, so there was no one there - perfect.

I haven't been to Bimini but like the looks of it from the air. But proximity to Florida would imply a lot of the boating crowd. So not sure how the laid-back would hold up.

http://www.bahamas.com/out-islands/bimini

If i were to go and stay in the caribe, i would venture a but further to Provo in the Turks. But you can't file direct since 2002. You have to go to the Bahamas, land and refile the turks.

I assume you're aware of eAPIS ? Flights out/in are a no-go since last yr without APIS.
You need APIS via internet on the way back in as well - which makes direct from some islands harder.
 
Re: Bahama Laid Back Spots - Recommendation

Thanks for the post. Less commercial is what I had in mind - I don't need a casino. I might need to stay in the nothern islands but would certainly welcome any accommodations that you really liked.
 
Re: Bahama Laid Back Spots - Recommendation

i'll look up where i stayed at Treasure Cay. Will advise.
 
Re: Bahama Laid Back Spots - Recommendation

Go to Stella Maris on Long Island, good life, slowly.
 
Re: Bahama Laid Back Spots - Recommendation

Michael,

Eleuthra (south end like Rock Sound over the northern end) and Cat Island also have some nice spots to stop where, depending upon where you stay, can be very quiet or offer some signs of civilization (not as rustic as Stella Maris) w/o being Nassau type nonsense.

Sounds like a great trip. eAPIS is a PITA but once you get properly registered is manageable. Get hopping on that right away so it will be ready when you are.
 
Re: Bahama Laid Back Spots - Recommendation

Eluthra - Governors Harbor - Cocodimama - Great secluded, nice owners, almost walking distance from the airport. http://www.cocodimama.com/rates.html
Cat Island - New Bight - Fernandez Bay - Great place , great beach, secluded, honor bar. 5 minutes from the airport. http://www.fernandezbayvillage.com/
Cat island again - Hawks Nest - Has their own runway, park your plane and walk to your room, great beaches secluded, good food, honor bar, http://www.hawks-nest.com/

Can recommend more if you would like a specific island. Been down there 5 times in the last 6 years.
 
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Re: Bahama Laid Back Spots - Recommendation

I'm working on eAPIS now. These are great recommendations! Exactly what I was looking for. Yea, I've thought that it might not be worth the hassel of flying out of the country but your ideas are changing my mind. Great ideas and links! I thougth CAT might be too far but these links are so neat. Thanks so much.
 
Re: Bahama Laid Back Spots - Recommendation

Michael

Once you go there you will always long to go back. It is a wonderful place with very friendly people. They appreciate us visiting and spending our dollars. Customs is generally very easy to get through in the islands and they are quite friendly. US customs is a different story and can be a pain in the ___ . If you are going north , I have had good luck with customs at FPR. Going south try TMB.

Hope to go back there again this spring. Have fun.
 
Re: Bahama Laid Back Spots - Recommendation

Your checklist for this flight :

- you need a customs DECAL : cpb.gov. look for DTOPS.
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/pleasure_boats/user_fee

- you need eAPIS registry
https://eapis.cbp.dhs.gov/

- you need to know phone numbers for INGRESS back into a port of entry (within +/- 1 hr ETA) : CUSTOMs + OFFICER BADGE ID

- LIFERAFT
- LIFE VESTS
- GPIRB or PLB
- MARINE + AVIATION VHF RADIOS
- RADIO OPERATOR LICENSE (while you will not get checked for this, this is a legal requirement). You don't need this in the US.

- You NEED GENERAL DECLARATION FORMS : 3 IN/ 3 OUT of the BAHAMAS.
- WILL NEED TO FILE AN INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT PLAN OUT of the US and an ICAO STANDARD one for flights out of the BAHAMAS (different format).


Stay in TREASURE CAY :
- Banyan beach club. Laid back.
- TREASURE CAY HOTEL RESORT and MARINA. More upscale $$ but worth it ? Dunno. was there 4 yrs ago.


My travel log ;

http://journals.fotki.com/alim10004/SJU-MIA-Bermuda-Triangle/
 
Re: Bahama Laid Back Spots - Recommendation

test !

Since i got this :

alim
Thank you for posting! Your post will not be visible until a moderator has approved it for posting.

[/QUOTE[
Click to expand...
 
Re: Bahama Laid Back Spots - Recommendation

trying to repost (not sure why original got flagged) :

Checklist
You'll need a DTOPS ID - search under cbp.dhs.gov
You'll need an eAPIS ID - search under cbp.dhs.gov
You'll need an FCC Issued RADIO STATION LICENSE for the airplane
You'll need an FCC issued RADIO OPERATOR RESTRICTED license
Lift Raft + Vests
GPIRB
Marine + Aviation band VHS ( i carry 2 + handheld GPS + MREs in a ditch bag)
6 x GENERAL DECLARATION FORMS : 6 IN / 6 OUT of the Bahamas.
Be able to file an ICAO flight plan in the Bahamas
 
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Re: Bahama Laid Back Spots - Recommendation

to Stay : Treasure Cay : Banyan Beach Club - has discount for pilots. 3.5* but nice enough - very nice beaches outside

Treasure Cay Hotel Resort : didn't stay there but looks nice
 
Re: Bahama Laid Back Spots - Recommendation

Although Ali is correct I have never been asked for any documents in the islands other than my passport and the required C7's.

Pass on Treasure Cay. Not on the beach (beach is across the road) pretty dull place.

Raft not required but nice to have. (can be rented at FPR)

3 C7's will replace the 6 Gen Dec forms and are better if you plan on visiting more than 1 island.

Handheld 406 EPIRB with GPS is comforting to have along.
 
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Re: Bahama Laid Back Spots - Recommendation

here is a copy of the C7. (take 4 just in case - usually need 3)

By the way 1 life vest per occupant is required.
 

Attachments

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Re: Bahama Laid Back Spots - Recommendation

Joel is correct - i've never been asked for the radio station license or the operator license.

While i've found the caribe to be generally very friendly, i prefer to technically be within the letter of the law. It may take that one day with the wrong inspector in the wrong mood at the wrong airport and that won't make your day.


On your way back into the US, have a photocopy of your Standard Airworthiness Cert + MEDICAL + Pilot's license pre-printed on a piece of paper.
You'll also need to fill in an international arrivals report - FORM I-78.


I should probably put a post in the international OPS section with all the forms and get a mod to make it a sticky thread.
 
Re: Bahama Laid Back Spots - Recommendation

alim said:
I should probably put a post in the international OPS section with all the forms and get a mod to make it a sticky thread.
Click to expand...

A good idea - why not write the whole thing up in a document and we'll post it in the main site with other documentation. Appreciate the effort!
 
Re: Bahama Laid Back Spots - Recommendation

Ali

I know you are right about carrying the radio license, etc, and I do have them all and carry them.

I think it is more of an issue if you are planning to go into Nassau or Freeport. Going to the out islands like Cat or Eluthra it isn't an issue. The folks there could care less.

Just didn't want to see Michael not take the trip because he did not have the radio license. Can't get one very fast and to the out islands it wont matter.

If it was me I would file for the license and go anyway.

One other point - With EAPIS no forms are required on the way back.
 
Re: Bahama Laid Back Spots - Recommendation

gmores said:
A good idea - why not write the whole thing up in a document and we'll post it in the main site with other documentation. Appreciate the effort!
Click to expand...

ok. I'll put it together. Will advise in a PM.

I have all the forms (from 2006). I 'll check if they're still current.
 
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