The Bahamas

[Scott Ducey]

[Tom Corell]

Scott,
I live in S.E. Fla & fly the Bahamas & Caribbean in my PA 30
frequently,call Me @ 561-376-8960 I,ll share the good, bad &
ugly with you.late evening is best for us since we are nocturnal
down here.
Tom c. Boca Raton Fl.

[Alan Cheak]

[Bill Verellen]

Alan; Have been to Cat Island for a week at a private cottage right beside Fernandez Village Resort. You'll want to fly-in to New Bight, where customs will meet you. We had no problems with customs or the airport. You might want to call ahead and see if they have Avgas available, as they may not. We took a morning trip to Stella Maris Long Island to top off for the return to Fort Pierce FL.
We had a pick-up truck included in our rental cottage , and the owner's caretacker was at the airport to meet us and drove us and friends to the cottage about 2 miles from airport. Remember if you drive to drive on the left as this is former British colony.
Went into bar at Fernandez village and checked some of their buildings. Looked like a really nice place. The beach there is about 1-1/2 mile long and is really pretty, great place to stretch out and relax, or swim, Kayak, etc.
Cat island is a very poor island and no night life as such. You would likely need to rent a car to get around the island, if you do be careful to stay left, and be particulary careful not to run over a chicken in the villages as the locals will find out who did it, and they will want reimbursement for that chicken and it's offspring for a few generations. Likely in the area of $50.
All aside was a great week and beautiful trip. Leaving be sure to file your Eapis and DVFR flight plan if your VFR. Phone service on the island can and was very spotty, and we had problems getting in contact with US Customs at Fort Pierce the morning we left, so we called Miami and they took the call for us. Just plan ahead and arrange customs and flight plans well in advance.
Also a very good source of info is the Bahamas & Caribbean Pilot's Guide, available at : www.flytheislands.com

If you or anyone wants more info, you can email me at : billverellen@golden.net

Bill V C-GXVN PA24-250

[N8632Y]

Bill, I"m with the group from ICS that is going to the bahamas in 3/26.
Thinking of Cat Island, Fernandez village, a villa on beach, they look nice on the website. But until you are there.
Are the rooms clean, food ok, things to do on cat island (we are adventurous).
We are also thinking of 2-3 days on briland, Harbour island, but that place is expensive. A nice place on beach is
twice anywhere else, but we've never been there? Is harbour as nice as they say?
any thoughts....
Also, rafts? I believe they are not required, we are in twins, so i'm thinking just vests, if i was in single, then raft would not be an option.
thoughts, or anyone else
ps: NORTH HARBOUR IS EXPENSIVE, but anyone ever stay at Cocodimama's????? cottage on beach looks appealing,
steve PA30
steve

[Alan Cheak]

My plan is to go to Sun-n-Fun for a couple of days and then head to Cat Island for 3 days. I too wanted to spend a couple of days on Harbour Island but the hotel rates made that option a no go. I have looked at Cocodimama and contacted them. There rates were also around $200.00 a night. About the same as Fernandez Village. I think for our first trip down were going to do just Cat Island and get a feel for the whole thing. Probably do a day trip over to Hawk Nest on Cat Island just to check it out and have lunch. This island is more of the laid back crowd. No casino, no dolphin excursion, but plenty of peace and quite. I also checked with the FBO Volo out of Ft. Pierce which has a new name. ABB but it sounds like the same great people are there. They have a raft for about $18.00 a day and life vest for $4.50 a day. Plus they will help with all the forms need to get to and from the states. I also have a airline friend who flies there quite a bit in his Baron. He really enjoys it.and will lend me his raft and vest and emergency kit if I want. Just don't want to be a mouch, but if I do I'll certinely bring him back a bottle. I have already set up my EAPIS account and ordered my customs decal. If this turns out a cool as I think it will I hope to make it at least a yearly event.

Alan

PS What about security for you airplane Anybody............