Bahamas Air Tours5 Stars - Based on User Reviews
$999 $849
Per Person
Miami to Bahamas Day Trip
Discover the beauty of the Exuma Cays on this Miami to Bahamas Day Trip to the famous Swimming Pigs at Staniel Cay
Day Tour highlights:
Swimming Pigs
Swim with the famous Exuma Pigs at Pig Beach
Exotic Wildlife
Visit the Bahamas Rock Iguanas at Bitter Guana Cay
Thunderball Grotto
Snorkel into the James Bond Thunderball Grotto Cave
Swim with Sharks
Swimming with nurse Sharks at Compass Cay
Sand Bars
Discover the amazing Sand Bars at Staniel Cay
Private Flights
Small group sizes mean you’ll be flying private class
Welcome to one of the most beautiful places on Earth: Staniel Cay and the Exuma Cays
This is the world’s first Miami to Bahamas Day Trip, by plane, from Southern Florida to Bahamas. There is no other way to visit the Bahamas Out Islands on a day trip from Florida. Currently, visiting Staniel Cay and the swimming pigs is one of the most sought after excursions in the world.
Flights to Bahamas from Southern Florida
You will fly on the Staniel Cay Tour from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE) in a private charter aircraft. You will need to arrive at the airport for check-in at 6:45am. FXE Airport within the Miami Metropolitan area, is to the North of Miami and is approximately a 1 hour drive from South Beach or Downtown Miami. The flights depart promptly at 7:30am. The flight from Florida to the Bahamas is approximately 1 hour. We have a short stop at the International Airport on Andros Island in the Bahamas for all customers to clear immigration and customs before we set-off on a 45 minute flight to our destination Staniel Cay in the Exumas.
Staniel Cay Tour by Boat
On arrival at Staniel Cay Airport, you will be transferred to the dock. You expert local tour guide will take you on a guided tour of Staniel Cay and the Exuma Cays. This is a private boat excursion just for our customers with a maximum group size of 9. Our boat tour lasts approximately 5 hours. Because of the time spent outdoors in the sun and on the water we advise all customers to wear appropriate clothing and bring sun protection.
The Famous Bahamas Swimming Pigs at Pig Beach
Pigs can Swim? Welcome to Pig Beach on Big Major Cay, home to the famous swimming pigs of the Bahamas. You’ll have the opportunity to go swimming with the pigs! We provide food for feeding these Exuma Pigs, but follow directions from you Guide. Pigs can bite!
There are a number of interesting stories of how these pigs got here at Pig Beach. Some say they were shipwrecked and swam ashore or that sailors brought them here then left and never returned for them. But the real reason is that the villagers of Staniel Cay put them there to avoid smelling out the village. Unlike some operators, we ensure that the welfare of the pigs are looked after by our local partners. For example ensuring they have a supply of fresh water.
Snorkelling into the James Bond Thunderball Grotto
Welcome to the exotic world of James Bond. You can snorkel into the Thunderball Grotto, a cave, made famous as a filming location in the James Bond film Thunderball. We provide all snorkel equipment including vests. Its a short swim (approximately 50m) to reach inside the Thunderball Grotto. You will need to be proficient at swimming and snorkelling to take part in this activity. Very restrictive tide levels and weather conditions can affect this activity so you may be given another snorkelling activity as a substitute.
Exotic Wildlife: Bahamas Rock Iguanas
We visit Bitter Guana Cay, home to the endangered species of Bahamas Rock Iguanas. When you first step foot on the beach during your Bahamas Day Trip, you will feel as if you’ve travelled back in time to the prehistoric era. Dozens of large Bahamian Rock Iguanas emerge from the vegetation at the top of the beach. The early inhabitants of the Bahamas saw the Iguanas as a source of food, and almost hunted them to extinction. Fortunately, they are now protected by the Wild Animals (Protection) Act, allowing them to thrive in this marvellous habitat.
Swim with Sharks at Compass Cay
We take you to Compass Cay, the most northerly point on our boat excursion. At Compass Cay you have the opportunity to swim with Sharks. The type of shark here is the nurse shark, which are for the most part harmless to humans.
Sunken Plane Wreck*
The plane was used in drug trafficking and ditched here in the 1970’s. Local legend has it the plane ditched here during a practice run when the traffickers were practising with bags of flour. The Sunken Plane Wreck is a time permitting activity and upon request from the Guests. It is not a guaranteed stop for either Sightseeing or Snorkelling.
Exuma Cays Sand Bars
These stunning sand bars with very shallow waters are a unique feature of the Exuma Cays. Enjoy time exploring this paradise of white sand bars and turquoise blue water around the Pike Cay Sand Bars located close to Compass Cay. (see Staniel Cay Tour Map below)
Staniel Cay Tour
You will visit the beaches around Staniel Cay and visit the Staniel Cay Yacht Club or Local Fish-fry Restaurant for lunch (to see the Lunch menu at the *Yacht Club click here), set alongside the Staniel Cay Marina which is home to luxury super yachts. The Yacht club has a lively bar and full service restaurant. Be sure to visit the Staniel Cay Yacht Club gift shop!
Flights from the Bahamas back to Florida
At the end of the Boat Excursion, in the late afternoon, you will be transferred back to Staniel Cay Airport. From here we will fly back to United States and land back at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport FXE (or another International Airport on the east coast of Florida if you are on a private charter), where you will go through the US Customs and Immigration process required for entry back into the United States.
Bahamas Day Trip: Tour Map of Staniel Cay
How to Book this Miami to Bahamas Day Tour
Please make an enquiry using our booking form in the sidebar or contact us here.
To travel on this tour, Unvaccinated Travelers require a valid COVID-19 Swab Test; Fully Vaccinated Travelers require Proof of Full Vaccination
Important Information relating to Coronavirus / COVID-19
There are restrictions on entry into the Bahamas and US. See here for the latest Coronavirus Travel information.
*Pricing and Availability
Price Per Person is $849 plus $48.40 Taxes ($39.40 Federal International Head Tax plus a $9pp Security Scan Fee)
Prices are Per Person, fully inclusive of flights, entrance fees, boat excursion, transfers in the Bahamas. See list below for what’s not included.
Payments by card have an additional 3% Card Processing Fee.
Private Boat Upgrade: We offer Private Boat upgrades for an extra fee. Enjoy our group day trips but from the comfort of your own private boat. Have the added benefit of choosing where and for how long you want to spend at each tour attraction. Contact us for private pricing and availability.
Private Day Trips: For private group charters contact us for group pricing and availability. If you do not see the date you would like to book then please contact us.
Minimum Party Size for Tour to be Confirmed
This tour only operates if there are at least 5 customers booked on. In the case that we don’t reach 5 customers you will receive a full refund or option to reschedule to a later date. Private day trips have no minimum requirements.
Do I need a Passport to fly to Bahamas from Florida?
Yes! Passports are a requirement for all guests. US ID Cards or Birth Certificates are not an adequate substitute for a passport because these are international flights requiring entry to both the Bahamas and re-entry into the United States.
Bahamas Day Tour Departure Location
The tour departs from Hangar 11 at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport. Street Address: 2201 NW 55th Ct., Hangar 11, Fort Lauderdale FL 33309. Free Car parking available. The airport is approximately a 1 hour drive from South Beach or Downtown Miami.
Day Trip Itinerary Timings
6:45 AM: Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport check-in (at Hangar 11). Arrive by 7:00am.
7:30 AM: Flight Departs to Staniel Cay
8:30 AM: Arrival at Bahamas Immigration and Customs on Andros Island
9:45 AM: Arrival at Staniel Cay
10:00 AM: Boat Tour (Boat Tour map here)
1:00 PM: Break for Lunch at Staniel Cay Yacht Club (SCYC Lunch menu here)
4:30 PM: Flight Departs Staniel Cay back to Florida
6:30 PM: Arrival back in Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport
What to Bring
You are allowed to bring a small day bag per person, weighing upto 10lbs. What to pack:
- Face mask or covering (to be worn on the aircraft and indoors).
- Copies of your COVID Proof of Vaccination or COVID Swab test result.
- Passports & Travel Documentation (Entry Visas, etc)
- Money for tips ($US accepted in the Bahamas), the Yacht Club accepts credit cards for Lunch
- Cameras
- Battery pack phone charger if you take photos on your phone, you will take alot!
- Sun protection; shirt, hat and sun cream
- Swim shorts
- Towels
- A change of dry clothes
- A warm layer if you don’t like air-conditioned aircraft!
- Snacks, if you have any specific dietary needs
Important Notes
We can’t guarantee all stops along the tour due to weather, sea conditions and progress of the group along the tour itinerary.
Children under 3 years of age can only be accepted on a private tour.
Expectant mothers will require a Doctor’s clearance to fly letter.
Please book atleast 1 month in advance of Spring Break or Summer Months, as we have exceptional demand for Tours in 2022.
Day Trip to Staniel Cay from Nassau
We also have the same itinerary Day Trip available which departs from Nassau within the Bahamas.
Learn More
Discover more about Staniel Cay and the Exumas in our informative destination guides or Download our FREE Bahamas Guidebook!
- DepartureHangar 11 at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport. Street Address: 2201 NW 55th Ct. , Fort Lauderdale FL 33309.
- Departure TimePlease arrive by 06:45 AM for check-in, flight departs promptly at 07:30 AM.
- Return TimeApproximately 6:30 PM
- IncludedRoundtrip Flights from FXETransfers at Staniel CayBoat ExcursionLocal GuideSnorkel EquipmentDrinks (Alcoholic & Soft Drinks)Entry FeesLocal Taxes
- Not IncludedLunchGratuityTransfers from Miami to AirportAir Taxes ($48.40pp)Credit Card Fees (3%)COVID Entry Requirements
July 15, 2018 at 10:23 am
Exuma has been on our wish list for a while and this tour certainly met all our expectations. We would like to bring our parents back for a tour to a different island next time!
July 17, 2018 at 2:42 pm
Exceeded all my expectations! The tour has so much great value and it’s so well organised. I never felt rushed and was able to just relax in paradise. The tour guide is great fun, let us choose the music and is very knowledgeable. We were taken to the pigs at the end of the day when the pig beach is less crowded. I had no concerns over safety, the Pilot was amazing and the guide very experienced. Brilliant customer service and very accommodating for a late notice tour. I’ve already recommended you to 3 of my friends. Thank you.
July 24, 2018 at 7:21 pm
Thank you for an amazing day out to Staniel Cay. My girlfriend had always wanted to go to Pig beach, so that is when I had the idea to propose to her. Thank you for everything, Zac and Bernie were very accommodating with getting photos of me proposing to my now fiancé!
April 18, 2019 at 2:54 am
Thank you for this amazing experience, we really enjoyed our day, relax atmosphere, perfect organization, we highly recommend this premium tour to Exuma which is the cherry on the cake of a 3 week trip to the Caribeeans and Florida roundtrip.
Malou and Romain from Luxembourg Europe
June 1, 2019 at 1:11 pm
They flew us into the Bahamas from Fort Lauderdale and then took us out on the boat to see the piggies. We also visited thunderball grotto (very cool but the currents are strong!!), iguana island, the sandbar (stunning!!), swam with nurse sharks and then finally stopped off to see the underwater plane wreck (it’s very small but still cool). We also had lunch at the yacht club which was delicious (get the fresh catch of the day, grilled) and it was well air conditioned too which was nice.
Overall it was an amazing day. Our tour guide was strict with rules and explained the pigs are wild animals and how to treat them respectfully and how to avoid being bitten (stay facing them and give an open hand to show you have no food!). I really appreciated the guides being respectful of the animals and not allowing them to be treated like toys.
The scenery was INCREDIBLE, the water is totally clear and just amazing. Truly a dream come true!
10 Reviews
This was a really great day out and found it very convenient to visit the Bahamas when we only had a few days to stay in Miami. We really enjoyed the Sharks at Compass Cay because we had no expectation that it would this amazing. The sand bar was amazing soft sand just like the Whitsundays. All of the staff were great including the guide and the pilot was very good. We will be recommending this day trip to all our friends!
We’ve been before to the Bahamas and knew that if we were going to come back it would have to be by plane after bad experiences with long boat rides and lots of queuing. The Bahamas Day Trip absolutely met all our expectations. Our least favourite part was having to leave! The boat and plane are looked after in great, clean condition. Even the snorkelling equipment is brand new, which is what you expect on a premium tour like this. Our guide Bernie was super good and the pilot was very friendly, it’s great that they didn’t rush the tour. Thank you to all the team, the customer service and responses were all very quick.