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A boutique, two-hour Cessna flight links Staniel Cay Exumas (TYM) with Fort Lauderdale Executive (FXE). Expect wide ocean views, strict passport and check-in rules, and a small-aircraft service ideal for travelers who value speed and scenery.
A boutique, two-hour Cessna flight links Staniel Cay Exumas (TYM) with Fort Lauderdale Executive (FXE). Expect wide ocean views, strict passport and check-in rules, and a small-aircraft service ideal for travelers who value speed and scenery.
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Operated by Makers Air · Staniel Cay, Exuma
Staniel Cay Exumas (TYM) to Fort Lauderdale Executive (FXE) — a two-hour hop over the Bahamas' scatter of limestone cays — is a compact, scenic transfer operated by Makers Air that bridges remote island life and South Florida. Departing Staniel Cay Exumas (TYM), this boutique flight uses a Cessna Grand Caravan (208-B) to ferry up to nine passengers across vivid turquoise seas, sandbars, and coral gardens en route to Fort Lauderdale Executive (FXE). Photographers and island-hoppers prize the window seats: from 3,000 feet the water reads like a map of channels, with Thunderball Grotto and Big Major Cay’s famous swimming pigs often visible on clear days.
This trip is as much logistics as it is landscape. Typical total travel time is around two hours, including customs and immigration; a valid passport is mandatory. Check-in is strict: arrive at least 60 minutes before departure and note that flights close 20 minutes prior. Makers Air includes a 40-pound checked-baggage allowance per passenger and complimentary valet parking; overweight items incur an excess fee and are not guaranteed to accompany you. Pets travel for a minimum fee or per-pound rate, and special crate options are available.
The flight stands out in the local outdoor scene because it turns transit into part of the adventure. The Exuma Cays are a chain of low, pale limestone islands rimmed by living coral where sea turtles, rays, and small reef sharks patrol channels and where low-lying mangroves cradle birdlife. From the air you’ll see distinctive coral heads, sand spits, and the patchwork of private cays that make this region ecologically sensitive and visually singular. Makers Air’s small-aircraft service is tailored to that sensitivity: fewer passengers, more flexibility, and a human-scale rhythm that larger carriers can’t match.
Ideal travelers include yacht crews, charter guests, and short-stay tourists who value time savings and vistas; photographers and pilots will appreciate the clarity of light and low cruising altitude. Note family rules: infants or children traveling without both parents must carry notarized documentation or custody papers. Excess baggage is charged at $2.00 per pound and Makers Air offers crate rental ($25 each way) for special cargo. Always reconfirm schedules—weather and customs can reshape plans. Plan accordingly, travelers.
Practical notes: Bahamas customs now requires digital form submission via the Exempt app for many travelers. Do not attempt to carry fresh produce, meats, or plants without a government-issued Agriculture Permit. Makers Air disclaims liability for delays beyond its control, so build cushion time into onward connections.
easy.
Around 2 hours.
Minimal: able-bodied for boarding and handling light luggage
Typical total travel time is around two hours, including clearing customs and immigration.
All passengers must present a valid passport at check-in to travel between the Bahamas and the United States.
Each ticketed passenger may check up to 40 lbs. of baggage; items over 40 lbs. are charged at $2.00 per pound and are not guaranteed to make the flight.
Makers Air will transport a pet for a minimum fee of $35 or $2.00 per pound, whichever is greater; crates can be rented for an additional fee.
Flights close 20 minutes prior to departure; passengers who arrive after this deadline forfeit their seat and will not receive a refund for missed flights.
Yes—Bahamas Customs requires digital submission via the Exempt app for many travelers and prohibits bringing fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy, poultry, eggs, flowers, or plants without an Agriculture Permit.
The Exuma Cays are part of the Bahamas, and features like Thunderball Grotto gained fame after appearing in film and popular tourism guides.
This area is ecologically sensitive—avoid bringing prohibited agricultural items, minimize marine disturbance, and follow local customs and park rules.
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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