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Bahamas is one of those beautiful countries where people could enjoy the cool breeze and take a walk along the sandy beaches. Getting there is not a Herculean task for people who wish to do that. |
Airline
The Islands of Bahamas is well connected by air and its proximity to Florida makes it quite a popular Caribbean holiday destination. Several large airlines and charter carriers provide frequent services for passengers flying into these islands. Flights are available to Nassau, and also Freeport and The Out Islands. There are no direct flights from Europe to Bahamas, but services with a stopover in Miami are conveniently available. Daily flights on major carriers originate from both airports in New York, Newark, Philadelphia and Atlanta in USA.
Flying time from Los Angeles to Nassau is 7 hours, from New York is 3 hours and from Singapore is 33 hours. Nassau International Airport is 16km or 10 miles west of the city. An airport bus and taxi services are available.Freeport International is 5km (3 miles) from the city. A recent international airport has been added at Moss Town, Exuma Islands.
The national airline of Bahamas is Bahamasair (UP). Other airlines with regular flights to the Bahamas include American Airlines, Air Canada, Air Jamaica, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, British Airways, AOM, French Airlines, USAir and United Airlines. Funjet, Conquest Vacations/Signature Vacations, Apple Vacations/Funjet, Apple Vacations, Chalk's Ocean Airways, Nassau/PI Express, Comair, American Eagle, Air Europe, Air Florida Express Inc., Air Sunshine. There are scheduled turbo-prop services between several airports in Florida and Treasure Cay and Marsh Harbour in Abaco Island; Rock Sound and Governor's Harbour in Eleuthera; and Georgetown Exhuma Islands. Charter services are available from Bahamasair Charter (UP), Pinder's Charter Service, Lucaya Beach Air Service, Taino Air, Major's Air Service and Congo Air.
Cruise Ferry
Discovery Cruise Line offers a "Bahamas Day Cruise" that sails daily from Fort Lauderdale to Grand Bahama Island. The ship departs Fort Lauderdale for Grand Bahama Island at 7:45 a.m. – arriving at 1:00 p.m.; it departs Grand Bahama Island for Fort Lauderdale at 4:45 p.m. – arriving at 10:00 p.m. There's also the option to turn your day cruise into a vacation. Discovery's Cruise 'N Stay programs offer vacation packages of one night or longer at a choice of resorts, ranging from modest to deluxe budgets.
Port Authority Department
Nassau
Tel: 242-322-1596 or 242-326-7354
Fax: 242-322-5545
Private Boat
Visiting boaters must clear Customs and Immigration at the nearest designated Port of Entry. As you enter port, fly the yellow quarantine flag and notify Customs of your arrival. No one other than the captain is permitted to leave the boat until your vessel has been cleared. Customs and Immigration will come to your vessel. Everyone on board must have proof of citizenship and fill out an immigration card. U.S. citizens can present a passport or birth certificate (original or certified copy) and an official photo I.D., such as a driver's license or voter's card. Before leaving The Islands of the Bahamas, be sure to surrender your copy of the immigration card at the last Bahamian port you visit. If you have a firearm on board, you must declare it with Customs. You must provide the serial number and manufacturer, plus an exact count of ammunition. Though you are allowed to have a firearm on your boat, you cannot take it off the boat unless you obtain a permit from the Bahamian police ahead of time. Weapons must be under lock and key at all times. Any infraction of this law is dealt with severely.
Entry Fees
The fee for boaters for boats up to 35 feet is $150.00 and the fee for boats over 35 feet is $300. These fees are inclusive of a cruising permit, fishing permit and departure tax for up to four persons with no overtime charges for Customs or Immigration. Each additional person above four will be charged additional departure tax. Regular hours for Bahamas Customs and Immigration Officers are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Officers are on call during holidays and weekends. There is no overtime charge.
Private Plane
The Islands Of The Bahamas invite exploration from the air as well as the sea. Skies are gorgeous and clear with the weather being "severe clear", nearly every day of the year. Puffy cumulus clouds generally dot the island skies at around 2,500' in the morning, if at all, rising to 7,500' in the afternoon. High ceilings and excellent visibility are the norm.
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