THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Skip long commercial connections and fly from Fort Lauderdale Executive (FXE) to Chub Cay (CCZ) and Staniel Cay with Makers Air. In under two hours you can be on white sand or at a marina, ready to fish or dive.
Skip long commercial connections and fly from Fort Lauderdale Executive (FXE) to Chub Cay (CCZ) and Staniel Cay with Makers Air. In under two hours you can be on white sand or at a marina, ready to fish or dive.
Book with Makers Air
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Makers Air · Fort Lauderdale, Florida
From Fort Lauderdale Executive (FXE) to the Bahamas’ low islands, Makers Air runs daily nonstop flights that compress a Caribbean weekend into an easy morning. Departing from Fort Lauderdale Executive (FXE), this service links South Florida to Chub Cay (CCZ) and Staniel Cay in the Exuma Cays in roughly 90–120 minutes, offering private-terminal convenience, easy online booking, and a streamlined check-in that asks passengers to arrive 60 minutes before departure. This flight is not a tour so much as a practical gateway: it delivers anglers, divers, and beachgoers to bonefish flats, blue-water channels, and small-airport marinas faster than commercial connections. The key scene is the Exuma Cays themselves — a scattering of low, limestone and coral islands ringed by bright sand and gin-clear turquoise. Chub Cay is known locally for deep-water marinas and sportfishing access; Staniel Cay offers sheltered coves and the kind of reef edge that draws snorkelers and small-boat captains. Expect to see coral outcrops, seagrass beds, and the occasional spatter of mangrove along creek mouths. Practical details matter here: Makers Air permits a 40-pound checked-bag allowance per ticket, complimentary valet at FXE, and strict rules on agricultural items and documentation — a valid passport is mandatory and flights close 20 minutes before scheduled departure. Pets travel by permit and fee; excess baggage is charged by the pound and may not be accepted if space is limited. Why this service stands out is how it transforms logistics into part of the trip. Flying from a private terminal trims time spent in queues and customs, so more of your day is on the water or on sand. For anglers chasing chub, or divers aiming to capitalize on high visibility and quick boat transfers, the value is clear: less transit, earlier lines at charters and marinas, and the convenience of simple online booking. Who will love this experience? Travelers who prioritize time on the islands over time in airports — anglers, couples looking for a quick escape, small groups planning a fishing or diving charter. It’s an efficient bridge between South Florida and the Bahamas, and for many itineraries it converts what used to be a full travel day into a morning flight and an afternoon on the water. Before you go, complete the Bahamas digital customs form using the Exempt app and confirm any agriculture permits if you plan to travel with food or plants. Families traveling with minors should carry notarized consent or custody documents when required. Makers Air’s terms caution that delays from weather or customs are outside their liability, so build a buffer into onward transfers. With a clear passport, light bags within the 40‑lb limit, the route becomes a practical start to an island trip.
easy.
1.5–2 hours.
Minimal fitness required; able to handle light carry-on or a checked bag.
All passengers must arrive and check in a minimum of 60 minutes before departure; flights close 20 minutes prior.
Yes — a valid passport is required for travel to and from the United States and the Bahamas.
Each ticketed passenger may check up to 40 lbs. of baggage; excess baggage is charged per pound and not guaranteed on the flight.
Makers Air will transport a pet for a minimum fee of $35 or $2.00 per pound, whichever is greater; a permit from Bahamas authorities may also be required.
Passengers may not bring fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, poultry, eggs, flowers or plants without an Agriculture Permit issued by the government of the Bahamas.
Makers Air disclaims liability for costs due to weather, mechanical issues, customs delays, or other factors beyond their control; plan buffer time for connections.
The Exuma Cays are part of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, long frequented by fishermen and small-boat voyagers.
Respect seagrass beds and coral outcrops when anchoring or snorkeling; obtain agriculture permits and avoid transporting prohibited plants or foods.
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.
Book with Makers Air