Out Islands Transportation

Getting There

By Air

Flights are available to the following sites throughout the Out Islands. Charter and commercial flights are provided to Treasure Cay Marsh Harbour (Abaco Island), Andros Town Airport (Andros), the Bimini Airport (Bimini), the Bight Airport (Cat Island) North Eleuthera Governor's Harbour (North Eleuthera), Georgetown Airport (Exumas), and Stella Maris Airport (Long Island). For information on flying to specific islands visit http://www.bahama-out-islands.com/. Some of the most common providers that operate throughout the Out Islands Are:

Air Flight (+1 954 359 0320) Bahamasair (http://www.bahamasair.com/) Western Air (+1 242 377 2222 / http://www.westernairbahamas.com/) Professional Air Charter (+1 888 938 9508 / http://www.professionalaircharter.com/) American Airlines (+ 1 800 433 7300 / http://www.aa.com/) Continental (+1 800 525 0280 / http://www.continental.com/) US Airways (+1 800 428 4322 / http://www.usairways.com/)

There are no car rental agencies on the Out Islands. However, the following rental agencies operate out of Nassau and Freeport:

Avis (+1 800 831 2847 / http://www.avis.com/) Budget (+1 800 527 0700 / http://www.budget.com/) Hertz (+1 800 654 3131 / http://www.hertz.com/)

Getting Around

Ferries and charter boats are the most common method of transportation on the Out Islands.

The following companies offer transit services:

Abaco Bahamas Charter (+1 242 626 5690) Bluff House Club & Marina (+1 242 355 4247) Green Turtle Club & Marina (+1 242 365 4271) Island Marine Boat Charters (+1 242 366 0282) Exuma Fantasea (+1 242 336 3483) The Moorings (+1 800 334 2435) Sampson Cay Colony (+1 242 355 2034)

Taxi Services

Taxi services meet arriving planes at the airports to transport visitors to resorts or any other destination. Water-taxis are numerous, and necessary if you're staying on one of the Cays. Some hotels will arrange taxi service free of charge. If your destination is Green Turtle Cay or other neighboring cays, Treasure Cay airport will probably be your best bet. The Tourism office can provide you with up-to-date information: +1 242 367 3067.

Planning a Trip

Getting There

Great Harbour Cay is an official point of entry for The Bahamas if you're flying from a foreign territory such as the U.S. You can get here only via charter flights from South Florida, making these some of the most inconvenient islands to reach in all of The Bahamas.

Island Express (tel. 954/359-0380; www.flyislandexpress.com) operates charters from Fort Lauderdale, winging in to both Great Harbour Cay and Chub Cay. You can also try calling Gulfstream Connection (tel. 954/985-1500; www.gulfstreamair.com), Yellow Air Taxi (tel. 888/YELLOW4; www.flyyellowtaxi.com), or Southern Air Charter (tel. 242/377-2014; www.southernaircharter.com).

If you're contemplating the mail-boat sea-voyage route, the MV Captain Gurthdean leaves Potter's Cay Dock in Nassau every Tuesday at 7pm, heading for the Berry Islands. For up-to-date departure details, call the dock master at Nassau's Potter's Cay Dock at tel. 242/393-1064.

Fast Facts -- The Great Harbour Cay Medical Clinic is at Bullock's Harbour on Great Harbour Cay (tel. 242/367-8400). The police station is also at Bullock's Harbour (tel. 242/367-8344 or 367-8104).