Makers Air: Quick International Hop from Stella Maris (SML) to Ft. Lauderdale Executive (FXE)

Flying between the Bahamas and South Florida has a rhythm all its own, and Makers Air's scheduled service from Stella Maris Long Island (SML) to Ft. Lauderdale Executive (FXE) makes it remarkably straightforward. This short international hop shaves hours off island travel logistics: check in at Stella Maris, board, and at FXE the aircraft taxis directly to U.S. Customs so you clear without the long terminal shuffle. The experience is defined by efficient, small‑aircraft travel — think expedited processing, a smaller passenger cabin, and close contact with the crew rather than a sprawling airport crowd.

Plan to arrive at Stella Maris a full sixty minutes before departure; flights close twenty minutes prior and late arrivals forfeit seats. Makers Air includes complimentary valet parking for ticketed passengers and allows up to forty pounds of checked baggage per person. Note carefully: excess baggage is charged per pound, and certain agricultural items require a Bahamas Agriculture Permit. Pets are accepted for a fee and must meet Bahamas Department of Agriculture requirements. Passports are mandatory for both directions and digital customs forms may be required on arrival to the Bahamas via the Exempt app.

Why book this route? For travelers moving between Long Island’s limestone shores and South Florida’s urban access, the route is a practical connector. It transforms multi-legged ferry and commercial schedules into a predictable, single-seat journey. For photographers and nature lovers the window seats offer an unfolding geography: shallow turquoise banks, coral outcrops, and the elongated ribbon of Florida’s coastline as you descend into FXE. For business travelers it’s an early morning lifeline that lands you near Fort Lauderdale offices, marinas, and road connections without the congestion of larger commercial airports.

The service also plays a quiet but meaningful role in local mobility. Smaller island communities depend on reliable flights to access specialized medical care, business meetings, and tourism flows. Makers Air’s policies and baggage allowances reflect that practical, community-minded service model.

Practical tips: keep receipts for any cargo or excess luggage, secure an agriculture permit before traveling with produce or plants, and pack essentials in a carry-on since small cabins can feel tight. Expect minimal ground time at FXE before customs processing begins. Whether you’re stepping off Stella Maris to return to the mainland or arriving in the Bahamas for a shoreline stay, this short international crossing is one of the most efficient ways to bridge Long Island and Fort Lauderdale.

Long Island showcases dramatic coastal limestone ledges, expansive white sand beaches and Dean's Blue Hole, one of the deepest marine sinkholes in the world—features visible from low altitude on clear days—making this route not only a transport link but a scenic gateway that highlights the Bahamas’ geology and coastal wildlife.