Good time in the Abaco's Is

[Smilin' Jack]

My wife and I flew down ahead of the storm that went through Atlanta Saturday, since we got down here a day early we stayed at Marsh Harbour Saturday at the Conch Inn, and then came over to Hope Town on Sunday. We're celebrating our anniversary.
This is the longest trip we have done in our RV7 and she performed flawlessly.
I was surprised that the track showed up on Flight Aware. Of course headwinds the whole way.

Hold down the fort in the States while we enjoy the Islands.

Smilin' Jack and FlyGirl Anita

[RickWoodall]

We just got back from our trip to the islands. Loved the Bahamas.
Couple suggestions..
Staniel Cay is a must stop. Land, talk to the ladies at the golf cart rental building. They will get you hooked up for a boat ride to the swimming pigs bay at a good price. It sounded dumb but was simply amazing and something we will never forget. The boat will then drop you off at the yacht club where you can have a great inexpensive lunch, watch the 80 foot yachts and see dozens of sharks in the harbour before a nice walk back to the airport.

We stayed at hawks nest on cat island, very nice but very quiet. Cool to have your own runway.

Lastly, we used Bimini as exit airport. NEVER again. Worst experience on the islands. No phones, no internet, even the blue customs hotline is dead. People there are very unhelpful and added a lot of stress as you need to file, etc with no connections for customs or flight planning. Anyway will go back to Bahamas again. Marsh harbour was good as were all other stops but bimini.

Fly over david copperfields island...that is simply amazing too. Enjoy!

[MarkW]

Jack,
We want a full report with pictures when you get back.

Rick,
Still waiting on your report with pictures.

[Smilin' Jack]

Mark,
We will get some pictures together when we get back, not doing a lot of different islands this time as we just wanted a place to settle in and enjoy our anniversary, might head up to Man-O-War Cay tomorrow. Going to try to get in the Elbow Cay Light house at night. We now understand this is the last kerosene
Fueled light house. The other one was changed to automatic last year.

It would be cool to be allowed to go up at night.
But ya never know.

Jack

[MarkW]

We have tried to get to the light house by road using a golf cart and you can't get there from here. We have always visited using a boat. I understand there is a water taxi that goes there I just don't know how late but night would be cool.
We have visited a light house North of Cancun while on a sailing adventure. It was on a small island with only the lighthouse keeper as inhabitant. It was also kerosene.
Where are you stating in Hope Town?

[turbo]

Originally Posted by RickWoodall

We just got back from our trip to the islands. Loved the Bahamas.
ay.

Lastly, we used Bimini as exit airport. NEVER again. Worst experience on the islands. No phones, no internet, even the blue customs hotline is dead. People there are very unhelpful and added a lot of stress as you need to file, etc with no connections for customs or flight planning. Anyway will go back to Bahamas again. Marsh harbour was good as were all other stops but bimini.

Enjoy!

just curious how you made the departure work with all the difficulties.

[dmaib]

Originally Posted by RickWoodall

No phones, no internet, even the blue customs hotline is dead. People there are very unhelpful and added a lot of stress as you need to file, etc with no connections for customs or flight planning.

Have never found one of the blue customs phone that works on any of the islands I have visited. We have Verizon cell phone service and rarely get service on the islands. Last couple of times I purchased a Bahamas Tel Co. calling card and used it as necessary at pay phones to call US Customs, etc. I take care of outbound and inbound eapis before I leave home. I usually file flight plans online ahead of time, as well. FltPlan.com works great for IFR flight plans. We have cleared outbound at Andros the last few times with no problems. No fuel at Andros, however.

Glad you enjoyed your trip. Mary and I were discussing last night when to make our next trip to the Islands. We have always gone in the spring, so are thinking about trying in the fall this year.

[Smilin' Jack]

We are back from Hopetown, we had a blast. A couple,of items to help others make their journey easier.

1. As stated complete both an outbound and inbound EAPIS before you go.
2 Outbound from the states you only need an ICAO flight plan and under remarks put your ETA at the ADIZ note there are two boundary lines one out bound and one inbound.

3 if your aircraft is capable of a non stop flight call customs Miami and get their blessings on your trip.

Contact Miami radio if VFR, on the ground and activate you VFR flight plan.
Get flight following from approach and center. If IFR standard procedures. To get your clearance.

4. When Miami drops you from Radar advisories contine inbound to your destination and when still up a couple thousand feet cancel the flight plan with Nassau radio or cancel on the ground.122.4 works good for Nassau

Arriving paperwork islands.
3 general declarations
1 immigration card for each person.
Passports.
50 dollar fee per aircraft
On departure 25 dollar fee per person.
Note the immigration form is also your cruise permit to go to different islands.

Outbound
3 general Declarations.
Turn in your immigration card
File and out bound ICAO flight plan.
Call Miami customs and get blessings on your flight.
VFR activate your VFR flight plan...
IFR you will probably take off VFR and climb to around 6-7 thousand feet before they see you and give you a clearance.

Inbound to states.
Land.
Go to custom building.
3 general declarations.
1 family declaration card per family
passports
The pilot only should get off the plane until agent authorizes others to leave

Have fun.
Smilin Jack

[turbo]

still waiting for full report and pics.

[Smilin' Jack]

Originally Posted by MarkW

We have tried to get to the light house by road using a golf cart and you can't get there from here. We have always visited using a boat. I understand there is a water taxi that goes there I just don't know how late but night would be cool.
We have visited a light house North of Cancun while on a sailing adventure. It was on a small island with only the lighthouse keeper as inhabitant. It was also kerosene.
Where are you stating in Hope Town?

Mark, we stayed at the Hope Town Lodge however we ate several times at the hope town Inn near the light house. We also enjoyed conch chowder at the Sea Spray Resort
Got to up load pictures from the computer when I get home
Jack