โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Stella Maris Airport serves as northern Long Island's primary aviation hub positioned 3 miles from downtown Stella Maris at 10 feet elevation, featuring single asphalt runway 13/31 measuring 3,999 feet by 75 feet designed and built by Jack Henry Cordery in 1967 for Stella Maris Estate Company. Designated as an Airport of Entry with customs available 8:30-5:30 winter and 8:30-6:30 summer, the facility handles both retail and operational usage with 100LL fuel available, NDB navigation (526 ZLS), and CTAF frequency 122.8.
Terminal facilities provide basic terminal with shaded waiting area, full-service FBO facilities including customs and immigration clearing for international private flights, and landing fees of $7 for singles/$9 for heavy twins with 25% discount for Stella Maris Resort guests. Ground transportation includes expensive taxis for longer distances, with car rentals from Island Sunshine, Lee's Taxi & Tours, and Unique Wheels delivering directly to airport, while the resort operates frequent shuttle service between Stella Maris, Nassau, and Georgetown, Exuma.
Operational characteristics focus on supporting the Stella Maris Resort and surrounding private villas through scheduled domestic services via Bahamasair, Airstars, Southern Air Charter, and Pineapple Air, alongside international private aircraft operations as a popular point of entry. The pristine turquoise waters approach over the northern Exuma Bank provides one of the Caribbean's most beautiful landing experiences, with windsocks located southeast near ramp and northeast of runway.
Strategic importance encompasses serving as the gateway for Long Island's northern tourism sector including access to Dean's Blue Hole and stunning caves, facilitating private aviation entry to the Bahamas with full customs capabilities, and maintaining essential connectivity for this Out Island community while supporting the resort-centered economy with efficient 60-minute domestic processing times and strategic positioning between Nassau and Exuma.
๐ Connection Tips
Stella Maris Airport (SML) is the primary aviation hub for the northern region of Long Island in the Bahamas, specifically catering to the guests of the Stella Maris Resort and surrounding private villas. Taxis are available at the terminal but can be quite expensive for the long distances required to reach the southern parts of the island; it is often more cost-effective to arrange a pickup through your resort or hotel in advance. Arriving just 60 minutes before your domestic flight to Nassau is generally plenty of time. The landing approach over the pristine turquoise waters and scattered cays of the northern Exuma Bank is one of the most beautiful in the Caribbean.
Connecting from the airport to your final destination requires understanding the island's unique logistics. A critical tip for first-time visitors is that driving is on the left side of the road in the Bahamas. Facilities at the terminal are basic but include a shaded waiting area. Always build some flexibility into your island travel plans, as the smaller regional aircraft used on these routes can be sensitive to localized weather conditions.
Car rentals are the most practical way to explore Long Island's stunning caves and Deanโs Blue Hole; local companies like Island Sunshine, Leeโs Taxi & Tours, and Unique Wheels offer rentals and will frequently deliver the vehicle directly to the airport for your arrival. The airport itself is a small, efficient facility where passenger processing is exceptionally fast. For those flying in on private aircraft, Stella Maris offers full-service FBO facilities including customs and immigration clearing, making it a popular point of entry for international private flights.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
75
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
South Bimini International Airport (BIM) is the primary aviation gateway to the Bimini islands in the Bahamas, currently undergoing a transformative US$80 million redevelopment project. Managed by Bimini Airport Development Partners under a long-term concession that began in 2024, the airport is transitioning from a modest regional airstrip into a modernized international facility. This significant investment is designed to support the region's booming luxury tourism sector and will culminate in the opening of a state-of-the-art terminal building by late 2025, featuring a spacious departures lounge, expanded ticketing areas, and enhanced customs and immigration processing.
The redevelopment includes a major expansion of the aircraft apron to accommodate up to four commercial airliners simultaneously, along with significant upgrades to general aviation parking for private pilots. The facility is being equipped with advanced navigational aids, new runway lighting systems (PAPI), and modernized safety infrastructure to enable more consistent international operations. These improvements have already attracted major carriers, with American Airlines scheduled to launch new nonstop service from Miami (MIA) in early 2026, supplementing the existing regional links provided by Silver Airways and Western Air.
Amenities within the new terminal will include a welcoming central courtyard with diverse concession options, retail boutiques, and premium seating areas. While construction is underway, travelers should expect a functional but basic experience in the temporary facilities, focusing on essential services like baggage reclaim and on-site car rentals. A unique aspect of the BIM experience is its location on South Bimini; upon arrival, most travelers take a short and scenic five-minute ferry ride across the channel to reach the resorts, marinas, and beaches of North Bimini. The airport's modernization is expected to solidify its role as a premier Caribbean gateway for world-class fishing, diving, and marine research.
๐ Connection Tips
Connecting through South Bimini Airport (BIM) is a unique experience that combines standard aviation logistics with a scenic island transfer. As of early 2026, the airport is undergoing a transformative $80 million redevelopment, featuring a modern terminal building and upgraded airfield infrastructure. A landmark development for the region is the launch of American Airlinesโ nonstop service from Miami (MIA) in February 2026, complementing existing regional links from Nassau (NAS) and Fort Lauderdale (FLL) provided by Western Air and Silver Airways. A critical tip for travelers arriving at BIM is to plan for the multi-stage connection to North Bimini, where most major resorts are located.
Upon clearing Bahamian customs and immigration, you must take a short five-minute taxi ride to the South Bimini ferry dock. From there, a government-regulated water taxi or a private resort shuttle will transport you across the channel to Alice Town in approximately ten minutes. For a stress-free connection, it is advisable to allow at least 60 to 90 minutes for this entire land-and-sea transfer, especially during peak afternoon arrival windows. If you are connecting to an international flight in Miami or Fort Lauderdale, ensure you have your return ticket and valid passport ready for inspection before departing BIM.
For those who prefer a more direct route, Tropic Ocean Airways offers seaplane services directly to the North Bimini Seaplane Base (NSB), bypassing the South Bimini transfer entirely. Within the BIM terminal, construction is ongoing through late 2025, so facilities remain functional but basic. Travelers should ensure their electronic devices are charged and carry essential supplies, as the new terminalโs extensive concession areas and retail boutiques are still being finalized.
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