Your Journey Begins in Exumas

Accessing the Exumas efficiently depends on where you plan to stay or explore. With multiple islands spread across a long chain, private charter allows you to arrive closer to your exact destination and avoid unnecessary transfers.

Commercial travel typically routes through a limited number of airports, while private aviation provides the flexibility to choose the most convenient entry point. With Air Flight Charters, the journey becomes streamlined, adaptable, and aligned with your itinerary.

• Direct Access to Multiple Islands: Fly into the closest airport or airstrip within the Exuma chain.
• Flexible Scheduling: Avoid fixed airline routes and travel entirely on your own timeline.
• Reduced Transit Time: Minimize boat transfers and inter-island connections.
• Seamless Island-Hopping: Easily combine multiple cays within one itinerary.
• Ideal for Yacht & Villa Travel: Coordinate arrivals with marina access or private accommodations.

Airports in the Exumas

The Exumas are served by two primary airports, one on Great Exuma serving as the main international gateway, and a smaller airstrip on Staniel Cay for those heading directly to the central Exumas.

Exuma International Airport: Main Gateway

Located on Great Exuma, approximately 12 miles northwest of George Town, Exuma International Airport is the primary aviation gateway to the Exuma chain. The airport serves both international commercial flights and private charter arrivals from the U.S. and beyond.

• IATA Code: GGT
• ICAO Code: MYEF
• Runway Length: 2,133 meters (7,000 feet) 
• Elevation: 2–3 meters (9 feet) above sea level 

Best For: Great Exuma, George Town, Emerald Bay, Sandals Emerald Bay, Hoopers Bay, Rollins Harbour, Forbes Hill

Black Point Airport (MYEB): Black Point, Great Guana Cay

Located on Great Guana Cay near the settlement of Black Point, this public airport serves travelers heading to the central Exumas. The airport handles private charter arrivals and general aviation traffic.

• IATA Code: N/A
• ICAO Code: MYEB
• Elevation: 10 feet (3 meters) above sea level 
• Location: Black Point, Great Guana Cay 

Private charter passengers benefit from streamlined processing at this facility. The airport provides convenient access to Black Point’s sheltered harbor and is approximately midway between Staniel Cay to the north and Great Exuma to the south.

Hog Cay Airport (MYEY): Hog Cay

Located on Hog Cay in the southern Exumas, this airport serves travelers heading to this private island and the surrounding cays. The airport handles private charter arrivals.

• IATA Code: N/A
• ICAO Code: MYEY
• Elevation: Field elevation information is not available in standard aviation databases
• Location: Hog Cay, Exumas 

Private charter passengers benefit from streamlined processing. This airport serves as a gateway for travelers exploring the southern Exumas’ pristine cays.

Farmers Cay Airstrip / Little Farmer’s Cay Airport (MYXX): Little Farmer’s Cay

Located on Little Farmer’s Cay in the central Exumas, this airstrip serves one of the most charming and authentic settlements in the Exuma chain. The facility handles private charter arrivals and general aviation traffic.

• IATA Code: N/A
• ICAO Code: MYXX
• Runway: Airstrip suitable for light aircraft and turboprops
• Location: Little Farmer’s Cay, central Exumas 

Private charter passengers benefit from personalized service at this remote facility. Little Farmer’s Cay is known for its welcoming community and annual “First Day in the Bahamas” celebration.

Torch Cay Airport (TCV / MYTC): Torch Cay

Located on the members-only private island of Torch Cay in the Exumas, this private airport serves residents and guests of this exclusive island community. The airport features the longest privately owned and operated airstrip in the Bahamas, completed in 2020.

• IATA Code: TCV (awarded in 2022, with V standing for Vector) 
• ICAO Code: MYTC 
• Runway: 5,700-foot (1,700 meters) asphalt runway suitable for light jets, midsize jets, heavy jets, and ultra-long-range jets, including BBJ 737-9, Airbus A220, and ACJ-Neo 
• Elevation: 10 feet (3 meters) above sea level 
• Location: Torch Cay, Exumas 
• Airport Type: Private, for members and guests only 

Private charter passengers benefit from on-site customs and immigration clearance at this facility. The airport operates from sunrise to sunset 365 days per year. Access is restricted to rch Cay members and their sponsored guests.

Norman’s Cay Airport (NMC / MYEN): Norman’s Cay

Located on Norman’s Cay in the central Exumas, this airport serves travelers heading to this historic island known for its white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters. The airport handles private charter arrivals and general aviation traffic.

• IATA Code: NMC (Norman’s Cay) 
• ICAO Code: MYEN 
• Runway: Paved runway suitable for light jets, turboprops, and piston aircraft
• Location: Norman’s Cay, central Exumas 

Private charter passengers benefit from streamlined processing. Norman’s Cay offers a secluded beachfront restaurant and some of the most pristine offshore snorkeling in the Exumas.

Staniel Cay Airport: Central Exumas Access

Located on Staniel Cay in the central Exumas, this smaller airstrip serves travelers heading directly to one of the chain’s most famous destinations. Staniel Cay is home to the iconic Staniel Cay Yacht Club and serves as the launching point for excursions to Thunderball Grotto, Pig Beach, and Compass Cay.

• IATA Code: TYM
• ICAO Code: MYES
• Runway Length: 924 meters (3,030 feet) 
• Elevation: 1.5 meters (5 feet) above sea level 

Best For: Staniel Cay, Thunderball Grotto, Pig Beach (Big Major Cay), Compass Cay, Sampson Cay

With Air Flight Charters, you can arrange direct service to either airport based on your final destination. For travelers staying on Great Exuma, Exuma International (GGT / MYEF) is the primary gateway. For those heading directly to the central Exumas’ iconic attractions, Staniel Cay (TYM / MYES) offers unmatched convenience.

A quick but important note: Staniel Cay Airport has no customs office on site. Arriving flights will need to clear customs at Andros Town / Fresh Creek (MYAF / ASD).

For island-hopping within the Exumas, local ferry services and private boat charters are available from Staniel Cay and Great Exuma, allowing you to explore the 365 cays at your own pace.

The Exumas are relaxed and easygoing, but a bit of planning helps you make the most of your time across the islands. Distances, limited availability, and weather can all shape your experience.

Great Exuma Is Not the Same as the Exuma Cays

Great Exuma has roads, rental cars, grocery stores, and resorts like Sandals. The Exuma Cays, including Staniel Cay, Norman’s Cay, and Compass Cay, have no roads beyond small settlements. Access between them is by boat only. Do not rent a car expecting to drive to the swimming pigs.

Two Airports, Two Different Trip Styles

Exuma International (GGT) on Great Exuma is for mainland explorers, resort stays, and day trips by boat. Staniel Cay (TYM) is for travelers staying in the central cays, waking up steps from Thunderball Grotto and Pig Beach. Choose based on where you sleep, not where you want to visit.

The Swimming Pigs Require a Boat

Big Major Cay is uninhabited. No bridge connects it to anything. You cannot drive to the pigs. You cannot walk to the pigs. You need a boat tour from Great Exuma or a water taxi from Staniel Cay. This is not a spontaneous stop, it is a planned excursion.

Thunderball Grotto Has Tide Windows

The famous James Bond cave is only accessible at low to mid tide. At high tide, the main entrance is underwater. Check tide charts before booking your boat tour or you may arrive to find nothing but waves hitting rock.

Compass Cay Nurse Sharks Are Fed by Hand

The marina at Compass Cay charges an entry fee. The nurse sharks are accustomed to humans and are safe to interact with if you follow instructions. Do not harass them. Do not feed them unless staff offers. They are wild animals, not pets.

The Sandbars Appear at Low Tide

Pipe Creek and other sandbars emerge from turquoise water only when the tide drops. At high tide, they disappear completely. Your boat captain will time excursions around tides. If you rent your own boat, learn to read a tide chart first.

Rental Cars Exist Only on Great Exuma

Staniel Cay and other cays have no rental car agencies. Transportation is by golf cart at best, walking at worst. If your accommodation is on Great Exuma, rent a car at GGT. If your accommodation is on Staniel Cay, do not rent a car.

Cell Service Fades Quickly

Great Exuma has reliable service near George Town. Staniel Cay has spotty service. Once you head to Compass Cay, Pipe Creek, or the Land and Sea Park, expect nothing. Download offline maps and all confirmations before leaving the mainland.

Temperatures by Season

– December to April: 70°F to 80°F (21°C to 27°C). Dry season. Best boating weather. Peak crowds.

– May to June: 75°F to 85°F (24°C to 29°C). Warmer. Excellent water clarity. Fewer boats.

– July to October: 80°F to 88°F (27°C to 31°C). Hurricane season. Still beautiful but risky.

What to Pack Specifically for the Exumas

Reef-safe sunscreen (the water is too clear for chemicals), polarized sunglasses (essential for spotting sandbars and shallow reef), a dry bag (every boat trip gets you wet), water shoes (rocky entries at grottos), and a rash guard for all-day sun exposure.

No Fuel on Outer Cays

Staniel Cay has fuel at the marina. Compass Cay does not. Norman’s Cay does not. If you rent a boat from Staniel Cay, top up before heading south or north. Running out of fuel between uninhabited cays is not a good situation.

The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park Is a No-Fishing Zone

This protected area from Shroud Cay to Cambridge Cay has strict rules: no fishing, no conch, no lobster. You can snorkel, hike, and beachcomb. Rangers patrol. Fines are real. Know the boundaries before you drop a line.

George Town Is the Supply Hub

Stock up on groceries, gas, and supplies in George Town before heading to remote parts of Great Exuma or before your flight to Staniel Cay. Options thin out quickly once you leave the capital.

Sundays Are Quiet on Great Exuma

Restaurants and grocery stores reduce hours or close. On the cays, Sundays are even quieter. Some water taxi services may not run. Plan excursions for Saturday. Save Sunday for beach lounging.

Book Excursions in Advance

Pig Beach tours, Thunderball Grotto trips, and snorkel excursions fill up during peak season (December to April). Do not assume you can walk off the plane and book a boat for the next morning. Reserve before you arrive.

How Long to Stay

Four to five days on Great Exuma allows for mainland exploration and one or two boat excursions. A week on Staniel Cay lets you explore multiple cays at a relaxed pace. Trying to see both Great Exuma and the cays in under 5 days is rushed and unsatisfying.

Private charter routes to the Exumas are designed for efficiency and flexibility, allowing direct access from key departure points.

• Miami (MIA / KMIA) to Exumas: Approximately 49 to 55 minutes. One of the shortest international routes from South Florida to this island paradise.
• Fort Lauderdale (FLL / KFLL) to Exumas: Approximately 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes. A favorite for South Florida travelers heading to Great Exuma and Staniel Cay.
• Fort Lauderdale Executive (FXE / KFXE) to Exumas: Approximately 1 hour. Direct private charter service from this dedicated general aviation airport.
• West Palm Beach (PBI / KPBI) to Exumas: Approximately 50 to 60 minutes. One of the closest Florida departure points to the Exuma chain.
• Orlando (MCO / KMCO) to Exumas: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. Direct access from Central Florida without coastal detours.
• Atlanta (ATL / KATL) to Exumas: Approximately 2 hours. Bypass commercial connection schedules with a direct private flight.
• Northeast Corridor to Exumas: Fly non-stop from New York (JFK / KJFK), Boston (BOS / KBOS), or Washington D.C. (DCA / KDCA) in approximately 3 to 3.5 hours.
• Tampa (TPA / KTPA) to Exumas: Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes, offering Gulf Coast travelers direct access to these legendary waters.

From Nassau (NAS / MYNN), flight time to Great Exuma is approximately 30 to 40 minutes, a quick hop that a private charter makes effortless.

The Exumas connect easily with other Bahamian islands, allowing for broader travel experiences within a single itinerary.

• Nassau: A central hub with resorts, dining, and international connectivity.
• Eleuthera: Known for pink sand beaches and scenic coastal contrasts.
• Andros: A more remote and nature-focused destination with extensive flats and reef systems.