Private Aviation in the Bahamas: How to Maximize Your Time

by | Bahamas

One of the biggest mistakes travelers make when planning a Bahamas yacht charter is underestimating travel time between Nassau and the Exumas.

While Nassau is the primary gateway to the Bahamas and where the majority of yachts are based, the reality is that your charter experience in the Exumas doesn’t truly begin until you arrive in the islands themselves.

If you start your charter in Nassau, your first and last charter days are often partially consumed by repositioning the yacht between Nassau and the Exumas.

For travelers booking a 7-night luxury yacht charter, understanding the aviation options can dramatically improve the overall experience — and help maximize your actual time enjoying the Exumas.

private airports in exumas

Most luxury yacht charters in the Bahamas begin in Nassau because:

  • Nassau has the largest international airport
  • Most charter yachts are based there
  • There are abundant direct flights from the U.S.
  • Customs and provisioning are easier

However, the Exumas begin roughly 35–40 nautical miles from Nassau, with many of the most iconic destinations located much farther south.

Typical cruising times:

  • Nassau → Highbourne Cay: 3–4 hours
  • Nassau → Staniel Cay: 6–8 hours
  • Nassau → Georgetown: full-day cruise or overnight reposition

That means:

  • Your first charter day is often spent cruising into the Exumas
  • Your final charter day is spent returning to Nassau

On a 7-night charter, this can remove nearly two full days from your itinerary.

The Smartest Way to Maximize Your Charter Time

The best way to maximize time in the Exumas is simple:

Fly directly to where you want to spend your time.

Instead of boarding in Nassau and cruising for hours, many experienced charter guests choose to:

  • Fly commercially or privately into Nassau
  • Then take a private flight, seaplane, or regional aircraft directly into the Exumas
  • Meet the yacht already positioned there

This allows guests to:

  • Start swimming, snorkeling, and enjoying the islands immediately
  • Avoid long cruising days at the beginning and end
  • Spend more nights in the central and southern Exumas
  • Create more relaxed itineraries

Private Aviation Options in the Bahamas

Nassau (NAS)

The Main International Gateway

Lynden Pindling International Airport

Nassau remains the easiest arrival point for most travelers.

Advantages:

  • Direct flights from major U.S. cities
  • Multiple private aviation terminals (FBOs)
  • Easy customs clearance
  • Majority of yachts positioned nearby

Most guests arriving commercially will fly into Nassau before continuing onward into the Exumas.

Seaplane Transfers

The Fastest & Most Scenic Option

For luxury travelers, seaplanes are often the most seamless option.

Benefits:

  • Direct delivery to yachts throughout the Exumas
  • Incredible aerial views of the islands and sandbars
  • Avoid additional marina transfers
  • Fast access to remote anchorages

Important considerations:

  • Daylight-only operations
  • No flights after sunset
  • Typically, depart from Nassau
  • Weather dependent

For guests chartering in remote Exuma anchorages, seaplanes can completely transform the arrival experience.

Nassau (NAS) – The Main International Gateway

Most Bahamas yacht charters begin in Nassau because it offers the easiest international access and the largest concentration of charter yachts.

Airport Details

  • Airport Code: NAS
  • Runway Length: Approximately 10,500 ft
  • Customs Available: Yes
  • Private Aviation: Full-service FBOs including Odyssey Aviation and Jet Nassau
  • Commercial Flights: Extensive direct service from major U.S. cities

Best For

  • Guests flying commercially from the U.S.
  • Last-minute provisioning and concierge services
  • Travelers wanting the widest yacht selection

Important to Know

While Nassau is convenient, most guests chartering in the Exumas will spend:

  • The first charter day cruising into the Exumas
  • The last charter day cruising back toward Nassau

For example:

  • Nassau → Highbourne Cay: ~3–4 hours
  • Nassau → Staniel Cay: ~6–8 hours

This can remove nearly two full vacation days on a typical 7-night charter.

Norman’s Cay (NMC) – Closest Exuma Access from Nassau

Norman’s Cay is one of the best arrival points for travelers wanting to maximize time in the northern Exumas.

Airport Details

  • Airport Code: NMC
  • Runway Length: Approximately 4,700 ft
  • Customs Available: Yes
  • Commercial Flights: Limited
  • Private Aviation: Excellent option for private charters and smaller aircraft

Best For

  • Northern Exuma itineraries
  • Shorter 7-night charters
  • Guests wanting to avoid a long first cruising day

Why It Matters

Flying directly to Norman’s Cay can save hours of cruising time and allow guests to begin enjoying:

  • Sandbars
  • Snorkeling
  • Beach clubs
  • Water sports

…almost immediately upon arrival.

Staniel Cay (TYM) – The Heart of the Exumas

Staniel Cay is one of the most popular arrival points for luxury yacht charters because it places guests directly near many of the Exumas’ most iconic attractions.

Airport Details

  • Airport Code: TYM
  • Runway Length: Approximately 3,030 ft
  • Customs Available: No
  • Commercial Flights: Available from Nassau and select Bahamas islands
  • Private Aviation: Popular for turboprops and smaller private aircraft

Best For

  • Swimming pigs
  • Thunderball Grotto
  • Compass Cay sharks
  • Central Exuma itineraries

Important to Know

Because Staniel Cay does not have customs, guests arriving internationally must clear customs first in Nassau or another approved airport before flying onward.

For many travelers, however, the convenience is worth it because it eliminates an entire day of cruising from Nassau.

Georgetown (GGT) – Best for Southern Exumas

George Town is the primary aviation hub for the southern Exumas and offers one of the easiest ways to maximize time aboard.

Airport Details

  • Airport Code: GGT
  • Runway Length: Approximately 7,000 ft
  • Customs Available: Yes
  • Commercial Flights: Direct flights from Nassau, Miami, Atlanta, and Charlotte
  • Private Aviation: Can accommodate larger aircraft

Best For

  • Southern Exumas itineraries
  • One-way itineraries
  • Guests wanting less cruising and more exploration

Why Guests Love It

Starting farther south allows guests to:

  • Spend more time in remote anchorages
  • Avoid backtracking north
  • Enjoy a more relaxed itinerary pace

Harbor Island & North Eleuthera (ELH) – Luxury Add-On Destination

Harbour Island is often paired with a yacht charter for travelers wanting a luxury resort experience before or after their charter.

Airport Details

  • Airport Code: ELH
  • Runway Length: Approximately 6,000 ft
  • Customs Available: Yes
  • Commercial Flights: Direct flights from multiple U.S. cities
  • Private Aviation: Excellent access for private jets and turboprops

Best For

  • Pink sand beaches
  • Boutique hotels
  • Pre- or post-charter stays
  • Combining resort luxury with yachting

Should You Start Your Charter in Nassau?

There are still advantages to beginning in Nassau:

  • Easier logistics
  • More yacht selection
  • Simpler provisioning
  • Potentially lower transfer costs

And for many guests, the cruise from Nassau into the Exumas is part of the adventure.

However, if maximizing island time is the priority, flying directly into the Exumas is often the better strategy.

Our Recommendation

For most 7-night Exumas yacht charters:

Best Overall Strategy:

  • Fly commercially into Nassau
  • Connect privately or commercially into Staniel Cay or Norman’s Cay
  • Begin the charter directly in the Exumas
  • End the charter in the Exumas and fly back to Nassau afterward

This approach:

  • Maximizes time at anchor
  • Reduces long cruising days
  • Creates a more relaxed itinerary
  • Allows guests to spend more time enjoying beaches, snorkeling, sandbars, and water sports

Final Thoughts

The Bahamas may look small on a map, but distances between Nassau and the Exumas can significantly impact your charter experience.

The difference between boarding in Nassau versus boarding directly in the Exumas can mean:

  • More beach time
  • More snorkeling
  • More island exploration
  • More flexibility in itinerary design
  • Less time cruising open water

At Sanderson Yachting, we help clients coordinate not only the yacht itself, but also the smartest arrival strategy — whether that means private aviation, seaplane transfers, or direct commercial access into the islands where you’ll actually spend your vacation.