Staniel Cay is located in the Exuma Cays of the Central Bahamas
Positioned approximately 75 miles south of Nassau and 250 miles southeast of Miami, Staniel Cay offers easy access to visitors by air or sea. Either way, you will enjoy the journey over the spectacular shades of blue of the Exuma Cays.
How to get here by air
Staniel Cay’s 3,030 foot airstrip accommodates private pilots, charter flights, and daily airline service from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA and Nassau, Bahamas. The aerial views as you fly over the Exuma Cays and descend to Staniel Cay are simply stunning.
Staniel Cay Airport Identifier: MYES-TYM
Via Florida/USA
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Airline: Makers Air
Location: Fort Lauderdale Executive airport (FXE), Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
Schedule: Multiple flights every day of the year except Christmas Day. Flight departures generally between 6:45am and 4:00pm (a bit earlier in the winter when it gets dark earlier).
Flight Time: 2 ½ hours door to door from FXE to Staniel Cay, including a brief stop on another island to clear Customs.
Aircraft: A fleet of 8 Cessna Grand Caravan airplanes. Each flight operated by two pilots. Up to 9 passengers.
My preferred option because: Pristine 20-year track record of safety and reliability. Solid customer service. Super simple check-in – no security lines! Comfortable lobby with snacks, beverages, island slide shows, free WiFi and clean restrooms. Much easier to clear Customs on both sides, saving time and hassle.
PRO TIP: If you are a group of 5+, or if you plan to visit The Bahamas more than once in a year, ask Makers Air about their Travelpaks – bulk discounted packages and no change fees!
PRO TIP: If you are flying commercially to Fort Lauderdale, you will fly into FLL Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Makers Air is about a 15 minute uber/taxi from FLL to its location at FXE Fort Lauderdale Executive.
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Private Pilots
Flying the Exuma chain to Staniel Cay is a pilot’s dream! Many private pilots enjoy island hopping–and many find themselves returning to Staniel Cay as their favorite! That’s how it started for my family!
Staniel Cay Airport Identifier MYES-TYM
3,030 foot runway, good condition. VFR flying only. No control tower. Open tarmac, no tiedowns. No fuel, plan accordingly.
Please consult the most recent Bahamas Pilots Guide for navigational details.
Charter Services from Florida/USA
Makers Air offers an upscale charter experience via Ascend.
Other charter services are available, but we are unfamiliar with them and unable to offer any insight here.
Via NASSAU, BAHAMAS
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Service Days/Routes:
Flamingo Air operates twice daily, 7 days/week
Flamingo serves Staniel Cay, Nassau and other islands of The Bahamas.
There are no direct Flamingo flights to/from Staniel Cay except via Nassau.
Flight Times:
Approximately 30 minutes.
AM flight: Flamingo leaves Nassau for Staniel Cay approximately 8:00am every morning. Flamingo leaves Staniel Cay for Nassau approximately 8:30am every morning.
PM flight: The standard afternoon flight is earlier in the winter (e.g., 3:00pm) and later in the summer (e.g., 4:00pm) due to daylight savings and daylight-only flying in the Exumas.
Consult the airline for specific timing on your travel dates.
Location:
Located in the domestic terminal right next to the international terminal
Walkable with wheeled luggage or a porter.
Aircraft:
Propeller planes for up to 15 passengers (with an occasional smaller plane substituted).
Most flights operate with two pilots.
PRO TIP: Your flight may include a quick stop in Black Point, Staniel Cay’s next door neighbor. If so, it is just a 5-minute flight between the two islands. You have no control over this. It is set by the airline depending on if they have BlackPoint passengers that day.
PRO TIP: Round-trip tickets on the same airline are more affordable, but you can split into two different one-way tickets on Titan/Flamingo if a particular flight is sold out on your preferred schedule.
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Service Days/Routes
Titan Air operates twice daily, except for Saturday.
Titan serves Staniel Cay, Nassau and other islands of The Bahamas.
There are no direct Titan flights to/from Staniel Cay except via Nassau.
Flight Times:
Approximately 30 minutes.
AM flight: Titan leaves Nassau for Staniel Cay approximately 8:30am every morning. Titan leaves Staniel Cay for Nassau approximately 9:00am every morning.
PM flight: The standard afternoon flight is earlier in the winter (e.g., 2:00pm) and later in the summer (e.g., 4:00pm) due to daylight savings and daylight-only flying in the Exumas.
Consult the airline for specific timing on your travel dates.
Location:
Located at “General Aviation” on the international airport campus.
This is NOT walkable from the international terminal, but is a fairly easy 5-minute taxi ride.(No ubers.)
Aircraft:
Titan Air operates Cessna 404 Titan aircraft which seat up to 9 passengers.
Titan may have a larger plane returning to service soon also.
PRO TIP: Your flight may include a quick stop in Black Point, Staniel Cay’s next door neighbor. If so, it is just a 5-minute flight between the two islands. You have no control over this. It is set by the airline depending on if they have BlackPoint passengers that day.
PRO TIP: Round-trip tickets on the same airline are more affordable, but you can split into two different one-way tickets on Titan/Flamingo if a particular flight is sold out on your preferred schedule.
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Private Charter
The private charter flights operate out of Odyssey Aviation, consistently voted the best FBO in the Bahamas. Odyssey is a 5-minute taxi ride from the international terminal of the Nassau airport.
Graceful Wings
Ph: 1-242-359-1573Graceful Wings is a Staniel Cay-based charter flight company providing flight service to/from Nassau and all islands of The Bahamas. Founder Captain Dreko Chamberlain has over 10 years of experience and is fully licensed with multiple ratings and USA training. Captain Marcio Wallace, another Graceful Wings pilot, boasts similar stellar credentials. Graceful Wings operates two Cessna 402C twin-engine aircraft, carrying up to 9 passengers each.
Other
Other charter flight services are available, but the above services are Staniel Cay-based. They also happen to be wonderful human beings and are my favorite personal pilots. 😉
Private Pilots
Staniel Cay Airport Identifier MYES-TYM
3,030 foot runway, good condition. VFR flying only. No control tower. Open tarmac, no tiedowns. No fuel, plan accordingly.
Please consult the most recent Bahamas Pilots Guide for navigational details.
VIA OTHER ISLANDS
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There are NO commercial flights to/from Staniel Cay from any island except Nassau.
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Private Charter pilots are available for transport to/from other Bahamas islands. See info in the Nassau section.
Allow buffer time
For ALL connections via Florida or Nassau, allow PLENTY of buffer time with your commercial flights. Consult Makers Air or your Nassau airline/pilot for specific guidelines.
No Night Flights
The Bahamas prohibits VFR (visual) flying in the Out Islands, so all flights to/from Staniel Cay operate only during daylight hours (with medical/emergency exceptions).
FLIGHT TIMES
30 minutes from Nassau
2 ½ hours from Fort Lauderdale in Makers Air
Private flights from USA depend on aircraft
How to get here by SEA
Staniel Cay and the surrounding Exuma Cays are ideal for boaters. If you are a first-time boating visitor, please consult the most recent charts to assist in navigating the fabulous, but nuanced, waters of the Cays.
No ferry service is available for Staniel Cay.
BoatING Regulations
All boaters should consult bahamas.com for the most current entry requirements, permits, fees and navigational updates.
DOCKAGE & Moorings
Private dockage is available at Staniel Cay Yacht Club Marina and some private vacation rental homes. Moorings are also available through SCYC. View rates, additional info and local nautical charts on their website.
Latitude/Longitude of the SCYC dock is 24’10.359 N 76’26.747 W