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Skip the long connections: Makers Air’s direct FXE→TBI service gets you from Fort Lauderdale to New Bight on Cat Island in about two hours, with customs handled en route. Pack light, bring your passport, and prepare for limestone ridges, quiet beaches, and good bonefishing.
Skip the long connections: Makers Air’s direct FXE→TBI service gets you from Fort Lauderdale to New Bight on Cat Island in about two hours, with customs handled en route. Pack light, bring your passport, and prepare for limestone ridges, quiet beaches, and good bonefishing.
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Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Makers Air · Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Two-hour hop from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE) lands you in New Bight on Cat Island, a low-traffic Bahamian island where Makers Air runs direct scheduled service. This short flight is more than a connection — it’s the easiest way to swap South Florida pavement for coral sands and hill-country quiet. Fly with Makers Air, check in at FXE at least 60 minutes before departure, and bring a valid passport: flights include customs and immigration so arrival is straightforward when you follow the rules.
Cat Island feels different from the resort strips. Its highest point, Mount Alvernia, rises modestly above the sea and rewards hikers with an old stone hermitage and sweeping views. Geology here is largely oolitic limestone and ancient coral, carved into low ridges, pocketed coves, and broad, often pink-tinged beaches. Fishing, shore-walking, and quiet exploration are the island’s draw; bonefish flats and free-roaming iguanas are common sights, and seabirds thread the skyline.
Practical details matter on this route. Makers Air accepts one ticketed bag up to 40 lbs per passenger; overweight items are charged at $2.00 per pound and may not make the flight. Pets travel for a minimum fee of $35 or $2.00 per pound, and passengers should secure any required Bahamas agriculture permits before travel — fruits, vegetables, plants, meat, dairy and similar items are restricted. Check-in closes 20 minutes before departure: late arrivals forfeit seats. Makers Air offers complimentary valet parking at FXE; self-parking is not available.
The timing is ideal for travelers after a weekend in Miami or business in Broward who want to pivot quickly to a low-key island experience. Bring lightweight luggage, good walking shoes, and a sense of curiosity. On arrival at New Bight (TBI), local operators and guesthouses can arrange fishing charters, 4x4 rentals, or guided walks to Mount Alvernia and nearby limestone caves. The island’s small communities retain a strong cultural presence: family-run eateries, boatyards, and simple churches give a clear sense of place.
This service reduces travel friction — no multi-leg commercial schedule, quick customs handling, and a baggage allowance that suits most island trips. For photographers, morning light across the flats and late-afternoon golden sun on limestone outcrops are highlights. For anglers, short drives reach productive flats and reef drops.
Makers Air’s FXE→TBI flight is a practical, fast ticket to a quietly rewarding Bahamian island where geology, solitude, and low-key culture replace resorts and crowds.
Plan for short customs windows and bring receipts for cargo; Makers Air disclaims liability for delays outside its control, so leave buffer time for your and return flights. Whether you arrive to bonefish, spend a slow beach week, or climb the hermitage stairs, this direct flight makes Cat Island reachable.
easy.
2–3 hours.
No special fitness required for the flight; basic mobility needed for boarding and light luggage handling.
Yes. All passengers must present a valid passport at check-in for travel to and from the Bahamas.
Each ticketed passenger may check up to 40 lbs. Items over 40 lbs are charged $2.00 per pound and are not guaranteed to travel on the flight.
Makers Air will transport pets for a minimum fee of $35 or $2.00 per pound; pets must meet Bahamas Department of Agriculture permit requirements.
Arrive and check in a minimum of 60 minutes before scheduled departure. Flights close 20 minutes prior and late arrivals forfeit seats.
Yes. Fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, poultry, eggs, flowers or plants require an Agriculture Permit to enter the Bahamas and cannot be brought without it.
Makers Air provides complimentary valet parking for passengers; self-parking is not available at the valet area.
Mount Alvernia hosts a small stone hermitage and marks the Bahamas’ highest natural elevation, reflecting local history and island culture.
Respect agriculture and biosecurity rules; avoid removing shells or coral and follow local fishing regulations to protect fragile flats and reef habitats.
Makers Air is a Fort Lauderdale, Florida–based regional airline that operates scheduled and charter flights between Fort Lauderdale Executive (FXE) and multiple Bahamian destinations. The airline offers a mix of nonstop scheduled services and private charter options that connect travelers to islands including Chub Cay (CCZ), Staniel Cay (TYM), San Andros (SAQ), Congo Town (COX), Fresh Creek (ASD), Governor’s Harbour (GHB), and Great Harbour Cay (GHC). Makers Air emphasizes convenience and a boutique travel experience: many routes are marketed as quick nonstop flights (often around 60 minutes or under two hours depending on route), private-terminal departures at FXE, and straightforward online booking. Passengers are advised to arrive about 60 minutes before departure and travel with a passport for international clearance. Specific services referenced in route details include weekly flights for Chub Cay and daily service to Fresh Creek, as well as a cozy Cessna experience on some island departures. For travelers booking private charters, the experience can include lounge amenities through Ascend’s facilities, with complimentary valet, fresh foods, and outdoor lounging mentioned for pre‑ or post‑flight comfort. Makers Air positions its flights as a practical link between South Florida and the Bahamas for travelers seeking direct, time-efficient connections, private-terminal convenience, and both scheduled and charter options. All booking details, route availability, and specific flight timings should be confirmed directly with Makers Air at the time of reservation.
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