Bahamas Trip Report

12 Jan Bahamas Trip Report

Destination: San Salvador a.k.a. Columbus Isle

There has been some confusion and backlash over the Bahamian Ministry of Tourism’s recent slapped on surcharge for private aircraft. In addition to the customary $25 per person departure tax, the Ministry is now collecting a $50 handling fee per aircraft upon arrival. This is paid to customs, during the immigration and cruise permit paperwork. While the 50 bucks is significant and represents several gallons of fuel or a decent meal, it’s not the $100 that had been previously rumored, or at worst, is just the $100 they exact on a couple visiting the Bahamas.

That said, we left VNC at 0900 Saturday following Christmas and were refueling and paying our $50 at Stella Maris (MYSL) just under four hours later. Fuel was expectedly pricey at $7.35 a gallon and the 5% surcharge for credit card payment added a bit more sting. Still, we were greeted courteously, cleared quickly, fueled happily and airborne expediently in under 30 minutes for the remaining 45 miles of our trip. Our final destination, MYSM, has an 8,000 foot runway but no 100LL. The 8,000 feet accommodates an Airbus 330 from Paris and the 737 charters that come from Canada and Ft. Lauderdale. 

San Salvador is at the southeastern reaches of the Bahamas and home to a Club Med resort and not much else. There is a resort, of sorts, known as Riding Rock Resort with an adjoining marina. But as a local suggests, it’s “sort of open.”

The Club Med destination is part of our “Fly In, Dive In” vacation approach. Weather on the trip out was CAVU and the trip out went off without a snag. Another benefit of personal aircraft transport is the gorgeous sightseeing and island hopping. Cat Island is just 20 minutes away and has a wonderful beachside resort and restaurant we have visited in the past.

Columbus Isle is 35 miles around, with its own lighthouse and fantastic wall diving in every direction. But you don’t have to be a diver to enjoy all that the resort has to offer. It’s the perfect place for sailing, fishing, windsurfing, bicycling, bocce and snorkeling. Of course the waterside dining and New Year’s Party were added bonuses.

The weather cooperated right up until the very last day, when it deteriorated to IMC down to 2000′. Our stay had ended, the holidays had ended and like everyone else it was our time to go home. We took to the skies VFR earlier rather than later in order to get a jump on things. Everyone else had the same idea and we all met at Odyssey Aviation in Nassau for  fuel and a more detailed weather report. It was like having 100 people in your living room, with all their bags. Charter pilots yelling into cell phones. Pilots in the weather room trying to radio in a clearance. It was shear mayhem.

Flight Service was reporting IMC all the way to Venice with moderate to heavy rains  all throughout the southern peninsula. The outlook for Sunday was worse, although it turned out to be CAVU. We pressed on and filed for 6,000.

I’ve never understood the value of STARs in GA, as they rarely save any time on the radio or make arrivals any less confusing. But I got to learn the Flipper 3 arrival which was fun and ended up with the visual into Ft. Lauderdale Exec. 

The Customs guys looked weary from a busy day of arrivals and processed us right through. Since our departure out of Nassau included a 45 minute ground delay, we were at least an hour past due our scheduled arrival time. In light of today’s sensitivities, I’ve always held apprehension and mild anxiety over not making times. So I asked the customs officer about the eAPIS and ADCUS notifications and gained a great deal of relief.

To paraphrase his comments, eAPIS is good for the entire calendar day, despite your departure, arrival and ADIZ crossing times. “As long as you arrive on the same date you filed, we don’t have a problem.” If you miss your day, you have to refile with eAPIS as your old record washes out of the system. This would be especially good to know if you are departing late in the evening and you arrive in the U.S. after midnight. To be safe, file for the next day as well if there is any doubt. The unused record washes out.

It was interesting to note that we beat the Ft. Lauderdale charter (which we could have taken) on the way in due to a mechanical issue and on the way back due to a weather delay. Both flights were several hours behind schedule.

Things to Consider

There is no 100LL or FBO on San Salvador. Stella Maris is the nearest fuel stop. Refueling there is highly recommended, especially following a non-stop.

Don’t expect any tie-down. There are limited tie-downs, but it was unclear as to who had access to them. Possibly first come, first serve. The ground is sand-covered rock and offers no tie down if you bring screws.

The airport is secured and there was little need to worry about the security of the aircraft. I chalked it and covered it and that seemed to be good enough. Access is only possible during customs hours. Customs keeps a watchful eye on the field and no one goes on the ramp without passing through the customs house.

Although AWOS is listed in the aeronautical charts, there isn’t any. Foreflight does not list any approaches for Nassau, either, but there are some in the GPS. Best to carry a set of paper for your trip south. Sporty’s has everything you’ll need.

Bring as many basic tools and spares as practical. Oil, recharging cables, a tool set, survival gear, and the like. The closest mechanic is 150 miles away.