Frequently Asked Questions

Please visit our Coronavirus Travel information page  https://www.bahamasairtours.com/coronavirus-policy/ for the latest Travel Information, Testing and Health Visa requirements.

Tours operate Rain or Shine. Weather in the Bahamas is generally scattered clouds with isolated but fast moving thunderstorms. It is likely you may encounter a rain shower during your tour. 

Tours operate Rain or Shine. We may have to cancel tours ahead of time during adverse weather events. Weather cancellation is rare. If you decide to cancel your reservation or curtail your tour, because you decide not to travel due to weather, you would be subject to our restrictive cancellation policy and may not receive any refund. 

If We/Operator cancel your tour in its entirety, prior to departure, due to weather you will be entitled to a reschedule (subject to availability), a credit or a refund. 

The tour Operator may have to curtail or terminate the tour early due to weather or sea conditions, therefore we can’t guarantee all stops along the tour itinerary. Please refer to Section 6 “Force Majeure” in the Booking Terms and Conditions.

Tours operate Rain or Shine. If you (the Customer) decide you do not want to travel based on the weather conditions or forecast, you may not be entitled to any refund and could forfeit the full amount of the reservation, because you are bound by our normal Booking Terms and Conditions Cancellations Policy (Section 3). For this reason, it would be advised to continue to the Departure Airport location and await further information from a Staff member.
We strongly encourage you not to make decisions about cancelation based on a weather forecast. It is very hard to predict the impact of seasonal stormy or wet weather based on long or short range forecasts, because the Bahamas has a unique unpredictable micro-climate. The weather impact often can only be determined on the morning of departure.

If the weather conditions or forecast weather means We/Operator have to cancel your tour in its entirety, prior to departure, due to weather you will be entitled to a reschedule (subject to availability), a credit or a refund. For this reason, it would be advised to continue to the Departure Airport location and await further information from a Staff member there as to whether the Tour Flight departure will take place as normal, be delayed, or rescheduled or cancelled.

Tours operate Rain or Shine.

In the scenario of seasonal storms, unsettled wet weather or low pressure weather systems; it is very hard to predict their impact based on long or short range forecasts, because the Bahamas has a unique unpredictable micro-climate; It is possible for seasonal storms to impact overnight or early mornings but have no operational impact on the Tour during daylight hours. For this reason the decision to cancel may have to be made at last-minute by the Pilots at the Departure Airport Location at the start time of your Tour. If we/Operator have to cancel your tour in its entirety, prior to departure, due to weather you will be entitled to a reschedule (subject to availability), a credit or a refund.
If you (the Customer) decide you do not want to travel based on the weather conditions or forecast, you may not be entitled to any refund and could forfeit the full amount of the reservation, because you are bound by our normal Booking Terms and Conditions Cancellations Policy (Section 3). For this reason, it would be advised to continue to the Departure Airport location and await further information from a Staff member.

In the scenario of Tropical Cyclones, Hurricanes or Tropical Storms; the accuracy of forecasting means we are generally able to give Customers 1 to 2 days notice that their Tour will be affected. You will be entitled to a reschedule (subject to availability), a credit or a refund.

Bad Weather Policy Summary
Tours operate Rain or Shine. We may have to cancel tours ahead of time during adverse weather events. Weather cancellation is rare. Weather in the Bahamas is generally scattered clouds with isolated but fast moving thunderstorms. It is likely you may encounter a rain shower during your tour.
If you decide to cancel your reservation or curtail your tour, because you decide not to travel due to weather, you would be subject to our restrictive cancellation policy and may not receive any refund.
If We/Operator cancel your tour in its entirety, prior to departure, due to weather you will be entitled to a reschedule (subject to availability), a credit or a refund.
The tour Operator may have to curtail or terminate the tour early due to weather or sea conditions, therefore we can’t guarantee all stops along the tour itinerary. Please refer to Section 6 “Force Majeure” in the Booking Terms and Conditions.

Our Policy regarding travel with Infants and Young Children: We must bring to your attention that the Exumas are a remote island location, far from immediate medical assistance. Any medical attention does require costly medical evacuation to the main islands and you would want to ensure you have a suitable travel insurance policy that covers these eventualities. Combined with the risks of interaction with wildlife and marinelife (pigs, sharks, iguanas) we advise that you do not bring infants, babies or young children with you on our tours. Your children would require constant adult supervision, and where there are activities that young children could not participate in such as the snorkel into Thunderball Grotto, one parent would have to remain onboard the boat to supervise the children not participating.

Our policy for PRICING and ACCEPTANCE FOR TRAVEL varies depending on which Tour departure location you will be traveling from:

FOR NASSAU TO EXUMA DAY TRIPS:
Infants must be aged Less than 2 Years (Between ages 0-1), to Travel as an Infant. Infants travel as Lap Babies and must sit on a Parents Lap throughout the tour, including flights and boat tour. Infants travel Free. Infants must be under constant Adult supervision.
Children, who are aged 2 Years and over, are Priced at the Full Per Person Rate. We do have Children Lunch menu options available for the Lunch Stop. All children within your group must be under constant Adult supervision.
If you decide to proceed with a Nassau to Exuma Day Trip reservation, and you are a large group of family with young children then we strongly advise you take our Private Boat Upgrade option which is $325pp extra. This means you have the benefits of choosing which stops to do or not during the boat tour. You may want to miss the Thunderball Grotto and spend your time elsewhere. On the group tour with other guests you would not be able to skip this stop, just wait it out on the boat for the other guests to participate. Having your own private boat would of course make it easier for you to supervise your children and ensure it is a safer participation for them, you and your boat captain.

FOR MIAMI TO BAHAMAS DAY TRIPS:
Infants must be aged Less than 2 Years (Between ages 0-1), to Travel as an Infant. Infants travel as Lap Babies and must sit on a Parents Lap throughout the tour, including flights and boat tour. Infants travel Free but must pay Fees & Taxes. Infants do not get a luggage or carry-on allowances. Infants must be under constant Adult supervision.
Children, who are aged 2 Years and over, are Priced at the Full Per Person Rate. There are Children Lunch menu options available for the Lunch Stop. All children within your group must be under constant Adult supervision.
If you decide to proceed with a Miami to Bahamas Day Trip reservation, and you are a large group of family with young children then we strongly advise you take our Private Boat Upgrade option (pricing is available by contacting us). This means you have the benefits of choosing which stops to do or not during the boat tour. You may want to miss the Thunderball Grotto and spend your time elsewhere. On the group tour with other guests you would not be able to skip this stop, just wait it out on the boat for the other guests to participate. Having your own private boat would of course make it easier for you to supervise your children and ensure it is a safer participation for them, you and your boat captain.

These are unprecedented times for our industry and the world. Our tour operators have introduced a rigorous cleaning regime aswell as temperature checks for all guests and staff. Please visit our Coronavirus Policy page for the most up to date and full list of details regarding Health and Safety. https://www.bahamasairtours.com/coronavirus-policy/

Contact us for more information about Group Bookings, as we do offer discounts if you want to book the whole plane on one of our Day Trips or Bahamas Island Hopping Tours

We will always try to sit Customers booking together (in the same group) on our Tour boats. However due to aircraft Weight and Balance regulations, it maybe that you are split up on different aircraft for the flights portion of the day trip. We therefore cannot guarantee you will be sat together, or travel on the same aircraft. We will always do our best to sit you together but there maybe very rare occasions where this is not possible.

For customers travelling alone, a Single Supplement may apply. You should contact us prior to reservation to confirm the applicable Solo Supplement Fees.

All confirmed bookings are non-cancellable, non-changeable and non-refundable. Please refer to our Booking Terms and Conditions Cancellations Policy (Section 3). If you need to make a change to a Booking please contact us.

Please refer to our Booking Terms and Conditions.

The tour will depart on time without you. All confirmed bookings are non-cancellable, non-changeable and non-refundable. If you No-Show you forfeit the full amount of the booking. This includes if you booked for the wrong date or tour type or made any mistake during the Booking Process.

All confirmed bookings are non-cancellable, non-changeable and non-refundable. Please refer to our Booking Terms and Conditions Cancellations Policy (Section 3). If you need to make a change to a Booking please contact us.

Yes. Should you wish to make name changes to your existing booking we can only make the changes provided that notification is received in writing at our offices from the lead name and with 7 days notice before the confirmed departure date. You will need to provide all personal details including weights of the amended booking.

The Nassau to Exuma Day Trip is inclusive Taxes but subject to a per person Conservation Fee.
The regular Miami to Bahamas Day Trip is subject to additional Tax and Fees, see the Product Page for more details.
The semi-private Miami to Bahamas Day Trip is subject to 15% fees and taxes.
Tours from Georgetown are subject to extra taxes and fees. These are quoted at time of quotation.
Private Air Charter Flight bookings however are subject to extra taxes and fees. These are quoted at time of quotation.
All accommodation bookings within the Bahamas are subject to Bahamas VAT taxes.

Yes, we use SSL certificate and encryption in our Payment Gateway. Your credit card details are not stored either on our website or in the payment gateway.

In the Tour descriptions we list out all inclusive and exclusive items and activities. Generally, for all  Day Trips and Tours only meals and gratuities are excluded.

During the Bahamas Peak Seasons (December-August), accommodations and excursions get booked up far in advance. You should book atleast 2 to 4 weeks in advance to avoid disappointment.

Once you have completed the booking form including submitting payment you will receive a Booking confirmation within 48 hours.

No, all bookings have to processed online. But please call us at +1 786-289-8977 should you need assistance with this process.

No. Bookings are for selected dates only.

Yes, For Miami Day Trips departing Weds, Fri, Sat & Sun we require a minimum party size of 6. (We rarely have to cancel because the minimum number is not met)
Tours departing from Nassau require a minimum of 5 persons. Solo bookings may be subject to a Solo Supplement.

Yes. The aircraft are operated under regulations which state that the average weight of a person is 170lbs (clothed). Because the aircraft is payload restricted, which means that the overall weight of passengers can be more limiting than the number of seats available. We therefore have a requirement for customers to declare their passenger weights if weighing more than 250lbs. If a passenger’s weight is declared as more than 250lbs, the customer is required to pay for an additional aircraft seat, a “Customers of Size Fee”. The calculation of the “Customers of Size Fee” is based on flight duration and differs between tours and day trips. The customer should contact the operator in advance to discuss the requirements of the Customers of Size Fee and the amount of the fee payable. Failure to pay the fee will result in denied boarding, and their booking will be cancelled without refund.

Differs between tours and day trips. Please contact us with the passenger’s weight and we will clarify if the passenger can be accommodated and if there would be any fees due.  Our Customers of Size Policy can be found in section 13.2 of our Booking Terms and Conditions.

Yes. All guests must complete and sign a Participant Agreement which includes terms as a Hold Harmless and Indemnity Disclaimer. Each guest is required to complete one prior to check-in on the date of departure. It is a mandatory requirement and forms part of the Booking Terms and Conditions.

Flying to the Bahamas requires international flights, insurance, customs and immigration fees. These are all included in the booking inclusive price. Excursions and Hotels are very expensive in the Bahamas. And during Peak Season it may not be possible to get any accommodation availability at short notice. Our tours are exclusive and private. Private Air Charter flights to the Bahamas are comparatively very expensive, so our Tours are very good value.

Due to the small size of our aircraft and lack of support facilities in the Bahamas we are unable to accommodate customers with reduced mobility.

If you are Pregnant it would depend on how many weeks you are. In all cases you would need clearance to travel from your Doctor. A letter from your Doctor confirming fitness to travel may also be required for the airline you will be booked to travel on. It must be noted that the Exuma Islands are remote and are therefore far away from urgent medical facilities. You should be aware of the risks of travel whilst pregnant. It is a condition of travel that you have a suitable Insurance Policy that covers Medical Evacuation.
We recommend that you upgrade to our Private Boat upgrade options. This will be able to better accommodate you and our Captain will be able to offer more assistance and support. Some activities such as snorkeling would be unsuitable for an expectant mother, therefore with the Private Boat you have the opportunity to switch activities.
Please contact us for further information regarding this.

On day trips each guest is limited to 1 carry on day sack or small rucksack with a maximum weight of 10lbs and maximum dimensions of 24x16x12 inches.

WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND YOU TAKE OUT TRAVEL INSURANCE THAT INCLUDES COVERAGE AGAINST IRRECOVERABLE CANCELLATION COSTS.
Please refer to Section 5 “Travel Insurance” in the Booking Terms and Conditions. Employees of Bahamas Air Tours are not qualified or authorized to: answer technical questions about benefits, exclusions, and conditions of any of the insurance offered, nor evaluate the adequacy of the prospective insured’s existing insurance coverage.

Miami to Bahamas Day Trip departs from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE). The exact location of the Private Terminal building will be confirmed in your Booking Confirmation email.
Nassau to Exuma Day Trip departs from Nassau Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS). The exact location of the Terminal building will be confirmed in your Flight Confirmation email sent the evening before your tour.

Car parking can be arranged at the tour departure airport. Please contact us in advance, prior to your tour date to organise this.

The Check-in time varies between departure airports. Check-in time will be confirmed on your Booking Confirmation email.

Our tour finish times vary between tours.
For Miami Day Trips you can expect to be back in Florida between 6pm and 8pm.
For Nassau Day Trips you can expect to be back in Nassau between 4pm and 6pm.

We strongly discourage any passengers from joining our excursion if they have travel/flight plans on the same day. If for any reason we return to the airport later than our scheduled time, we take no responsibility for any travel expenses incurred due to our late return.

English speaking only.

Yes every customer is required to have a basic understanding of English for safety reasons, in order to receive Safety Briefings and instructions from crew members should there be an emergency.

Yes, you must be physically able to embark and disembark our aircraft unassisted. Certain activities like snorkelling require a high level of fitness and swimming ability.

Please visit our Coronavirus Travel information page  https://www.bahamasairtours.com/coronavirus-policy/ for the latest Travel Information, Testing and Health Visa requirements.

Yes, all customers must have a valid passport to travel to and from the United States. You are required to bring a US resident card, VISA or ESTA along with your current passport. For non-US citizens you must bring a paper copy of your ESTA.  Citizens of non-U.S. countries may have additional entry requirements for both the U.S. and the Bahamas, such as visas and notarized authorizations. For information on U.S. entry requirements, we please visit www.travel.state.gov.
IF YOU DO NOT BRING A VALID PASSPORT AND ALL REQUIRED TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TRAVEL AND YOUR BOOKING WILL NOT BE REFUNDED.
All children and infants require their own passports.
Please call us if you have any questions about these requirements.

Citizens of non-U.S. countries may have additional entry requirements for both the U.S. and the Bahamas, such as visas and notarized authorizations.
For information on Bahamas Visa entries, please visit: https://mofa.gov.bs/evisa-online-services/
For a list of Visa Requirements by Country of Passport of the Traveler, please visit: VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR FOREIGNERS TRAVELLING TO THE BAHAMAS
For information on U.S. entry requirements, please visit www.travel.state.gov.

Green card holders do not require visas to visit The Bahamas. They should have a valid green card, a passport that is valid for six months from the date of departure from The Bahamas;
U.S. Permanent Residents (Non-citizens): To enter The Bahamas, U.S. residents who are not citizens need the following documentation:
For visits NOT exceeding 30 days:
An original Alien Registration Card (Green Card) is required, along with a national passport (passport from country of birth).
For visits exceeding 30 days:
A valid national passport and a Bahamas visa are required for U.S. resident non-citizens wishing to stay longer than 30 days

Each Customer is responsible to make absolutely certain to have the proper immunizations and required documentation of such immunizations before travel, and to make the necessary accommodation for security rules imposed by government authorities. Bahamas Air Tours shall not assume responsibility for the accuracy of health requirements or vaccination and/or documentation prior to departure or upon landing at the final destination. See your health practitioner for advice. Prior to travel, required inoculations, if any, must be recorded by Customer’s health practitioner on a valid vaccination certificate, which the Customer must carry for proof of inoculation where required. If you are concerned about taking any medications or receiving certain inoculations, check with your health practitioner BEFORE booking.
For more information please visit:
https://www.bahamas.com/entry-requirements
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/united-states
See Section 4 in our Booking Terms and Conditions.

For Private Air Charter customers wishing to fly with their pet, you must fly with them accompanied. The person accompanying the pet is responsible for all legal paperwork and clearance required by Country of origin and destination country.

For all official most up-to-date information see the Bahamas Government Website

Process:

• Applicant completes and submits Application to Import Domestic Animal Form.
• https://www.bahamas.gov.bs/wps/wcm/connect/7694fa28-0b27-407c-9d09-621ccdeaa104/Import+Application+Revised+July+2023.pdf?MOD=AJPERES
• Applicant pays the relevant fees.
• After approval, the applicant is issued with the Dog Permit.
• The applicant will be given a Veterinarian Form (AGR/VS/1A Form) which must be completed by a registered Veterinarian 24 hours prior to travel.
• Applicant submits the Dog Permit and Completed Veterinarian Form to an Agricultural Officer and Customs Officer at the port of entry or departure
• Bring all of the above with while traveling.

Bahamas Pet Permit offers a managed service for obtaining the Bahamas Pet Import Permit.

 Dogs entering the U.S. must have a certificate showing they have been vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days prior to entry into the United States. These requirements apply equally to service animals such as Seeing Eye dogs.

For more information:

CDC Website: https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/index.html

APHIS Website: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/bring-pet-into-the-united-states

Bahamian Law allows Duty Free (into the Bahamas). $100 total of duty-free items to visitors, 1 qt. of liquor OR 1 qt. of wine OR 1 6-pack of beer. Alcoholic beverages must not be consumed on our aircraft.
You cannot bring alcohol on our Nassau to Exuma Day Trip. It can however be purchased on island during stops along the tour and at lunch time.

No, fruit or vegetable are strictly forbidden entry into the Bahamas or United States

Drone use is strictly regulated in the Bahamas and any customers wanting to bring a drone into the Bahamas are responsible for complying with all legal requirements. It is illegal to bring drones into the Bahamas or to operate them without either Bahamian registration or an authorization to operate a drone already registered in another country, e.g., with the FAA in the USA. A person who wants to use a drone must review the Bahamas drone policy BASR Schedule 27. By law, a drone can be confiscated by the Bahamian government if they find one being operated without either a registration or authorization to operate. They can also confiscate them at customs if not registered or authorized. You will need to contact the Bahamas Ministry of Civil Aviation to receive an application form, as they are not available online. You can contact them at: (242) 328-2701. It is essential that you have the approved registration or authorization in hand before bringing the drone into the country. Travellers may also be required to pay duty and other fees on the equipment. Apply for a permit on their website here: https://caabahamas.com/drone-registration/

Bahamas Air Tours does not accept, and therefore does not transport consumer products or items that are, or contain hazardous materials or dangerous goods as defined by Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Parts 100 to 185; the ICAO Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air; or the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations.
Since offering for transport or attempting to transport undeclared hazardous materials on U.S. civil aircraft is itself a felony punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment and a $250,000.00 fine, or both, in these days of heightened security it is imperative that all passengers scrutinize the items they plan on bringing with them before packing.
Read more about FAA Dangerous Goods regulations.