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Flying to Treasure Cay (Marsh Harbor)

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NCherches

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 13, 2006
Posts
691
Flying to Marsh Harbor

Just curious if anyone has been down to Marsh Harbor, Abacos Island in the Bahamas... Any recommendations on crew hotels, transportation, customs info, etc.

Also does Fltplan.com work fine when making the return trip from Marsh Harbor / Bahamas back to the States?

Thanks!
 
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Never stayed so can't comment on the accommodations, however I have operated in and out many times. Keep you eyes and ears wide open as there is a lot of traffic in and out of there. Fltplan.com will file both ways for you now. Easiest way out is to leave VFR and call Miami Center climbing through 7000' and they will give you you clearance back to the states.

Did I mention keep you eyes and ears open?;)


X
 
As of a week or so ago, the new runway is open at MYAM 6000ft - however I don't believe lights are operative yet - daytime only ops. Treasure Cay is the alternate - MYAT. 45min taxi ride down to Marsh.

Miami may simply drop you at about 15K feet over the airport. VFR from there. Essentially, there is no getting an IFR on the ground. Airborne you can reach MIA through about 6000ft.

Abaco Beach Resort is fine. Walking dist to the good restaurants. There is not much hotel choice on Abaco..http://www.abacobeachresort.com/?src=ppc_google_brand

Customs window is 15ft from the FBO.

FBO is Cherokee Aviation. Claude Sawyer is the Ops manger. 242-367-1900. [email protected].

Prior to arrival fax/email them your GenDec and they will fill out your inbound. That and the Bahamas cards and your pax will walk right through.

FBO has lav/fuel/water etc. They can get you a taxi on arrival to hotel - $20.

We dont use fltplan.com but never had any issues, we just ADCUS and use SBOF.

If you have a few days to kill there catch the ferry and hit a few of the local smaller islands - good restaurants/bars...http://www.nippersbar.com/

And yeah, as XTW said, the airport is a F'n zoo.

Enjoy.
 
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Miami will usually want to cut you lose above 7k, as they cant seen any lower. The weather is usually VFR, but if not you can get Miami to hand you off to Nassau and they can get you down to 3k, but then you are on your own. Previous advice about looking out for traffic is right on. Some guys in the area are good. The Gulfstream Kids (CONX 1900’s) will make about 50 calls; Bahamas Air Dash 8’s might make a short final call if you’re lucky. The runway is really nice for the Bahamas, if you look careful you can see many crashed airplanes in the vicinity or treasure and marsh. I used to go there several times a month, but only stayed overnight once. This place was nice but kind of pricey

http://www.abacobeachresort.com/index.cfm

Also check out Petes’ Pub in Marsh Harbor if you make it down to the other end of the island.
 
If you have a few days I recommend hoping the ferry ($25rt.) from town to Elbo Cay. It's a 15 minute ferry ride. Stay at the Hope Town Harbour Lodge. Google it for the web site. Tom the manager is fabulous. If the budget can stand the pressure the cabins by the sea are quaint. But the rooms in the lodge are fine too. Lots of places to eat and drink. Car is not necessary but a golf cart one day to explore beyond walking distance is worth the expense. Rent a runabout and head to Crackers (I forget the name of the island but it's not far). If you can stomach all the Georgia Bulldog Bullsh!t it's almost as much fun as Nippers on Sunday afternoons. The latter is not a place for children ;-) Previous comments regarding Cherokee, Customs, Bahamas Air Dash 8 radio silence are all confirmed.

Marsh has a couple of ok places for an overnight but if you are there for more than 24 hours I really recommend getting out of Marsh.

Go Gators
 
Are you overnighting on Treasure Cay or Marsh Harbour? If you're flying into Treasure Cay, I'd reccomend just getting a cab to Marsh Harbour or as the others have said, get off Abico. Spent 5 days there last June, and if you don't have a boat, there's really nothing to do but sit on the beach and drink overpriced beer. Only place to eat is the resort, which is the only place to stay on the island. Its OK, but overpriced for what it is.
 
Are you overnighting on Treasure Cay or Marsh Harbour? If you're flying into Treasure Cay, I'd reccomend just getting a cab to Marsh Harbour or as the others have said, get off Abico. Spent 5 days there last June, and if you don't have a boat, there's really nothing to do but sit on the beach and drink overpriced beer. Only place to eat is the resort, which is the only place to stay on the island. Its OK, but overpriced for what it is.


Are you talking about Abaco?

There are probably 5 restaurants within walking distance of the Abaco Beach Resort, a few of which are very good.

There is also great diving, snorkeling, etc...also Abaco is about as good as it gets for game/bonefishing. Boat rentals for self-exploring can be had for about $100/day.
 
The locals and those that travel to the Abacos have a saying...'Abaco is not for sissies'. Having said this you may understand that this beautiful island it is not wrought full of plentiful restaurants and accomodations, however, there are many very good places to eat as long as you don't plan on eating at unusual hours.

Boat Harbour has both a place to eat and sleep as well as 'community showers' that are in the pool house in case you plan on sleeping on your yacht and don't want to mess up the shower. If you take the Ferry Boat, for about $15.00 each way you can get to many of the accomodations on the smaller islands surrounding the main island. Watercolours Cottages on Lubbers Quarters has one and two bedroom waterfront cottages (www.watercolourcottages.com) PH: 242-375-8313.

If you are pressed for time (don't be in the islands) it'll just get you frustrated...another good place to eat is Curly Tails @ the Conch Inn ([email protected]) owned by some really nice folks...Alistair and Harriet McDonald. If you like fish, try the 'grouper bites'. Inexpensive and very tasty fresh morsels of the local grouper.

Either way, if you have a question about anything, just ask a cabbie. They know the most popular and often the best places to bed down and eat and won't often steer you wrong. Most of them respect pilots and try to treat them right b-cuz after all they are on an island...if they don't take the boat (most don't) then they fly to get places. Besides, when they drop you off...they usually want to also pick you up when you leave and will almost always leave you with their business card, so their reputation rests upon providing you with accurate information. They are prompt and courteous and even if their car breaks down, they will get another person to come get you at your designated spot on time.

As far as aircraft business...listen to Gulfstream 200 above. That information is as good as it gets and it is the most hassle free way of making your trip to the islands an easy affair.

Have fun and enjoy it. The locals are very friendly and speak to everyone. Crime is almost non-existant. As long as you like seafood the fare is great and the sights on most days is simply beautiful.
 
"Abaco is not for sissies" is true. If your idea of a great trip is a poolside meal at the Atlantis, you will not like the Abacos. On the other had, if you love the water, fishing, snorkeling, diving, beach, boating, and just need to bring a t shirt, bath suit, sunglasses and flip flops, Abaco is for you. Shirts and shoes are optional in most restaurants.

Have fun and fly safe.
 

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