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
35
minutes
Domestic โ International
65
minutes
International โ Domestic
65
minutes
International โ International
80
minutes
Interline Connections
100
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Chub Cay International Airport (CCZ), also known by its ICAO code MYBC, is a prestigious private aviation facility located on the southern tip of the Berry Islands in the Bahamas. Serving as the primary gateway for the ultra-exclusive Chub Cay Resort & Marina, the airport acts as a critical link for high-net-worth individuals, sportfishing enthusiasts, and luxury travelers. The airfield is situated on a private island and is renowned for its discreet and efficient service, providing a seamless entry point to what is often called the 'Billfish Capital of the World.'
The airport features a modern, functional terminal building specifically designed to manage the high standards of its clientele. As an official Bahamas Airport of Entry, the terminal houses dedicated rooms for customs and immigration, allowing international arrivals to clear formalities quickly and privately. Facilities include a comfortable passenger waiting lounge, administrative offices, and a dedicated pilot's briefing area. Operational support is provided by world-class Fixed Base Operators (FBOs), including the Chub Cay Resort FBO, which offers comprehensive services such as aircraft handling, fueling (both Jet A and Avgas), and concierge support. The airfield's primary infrastructure is centered around a 5,000-foot asphalt runway (11/29), capable of accommodating a wide range of private jets and regional turboprop aircraft.
Commercial and charter services at CCZ are tailored to the resort's needs, with regular flights operated by boutique carriers like Aztec Airways and Makers Air. These airlines provide crucial non-stop links to international hubs such as Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE) and regional destinations like Great Harbour Cay and Staniel Cay. The airport's role is fundamental to the island's luxury tourism economy, facilitating the rapid movement of guests between the US mainland and the resort's deep-water marina and beachfront villas. Ground transportation on the island is uniquely served by electric golf carts and resort shuttles, which meet every arriving aircraft to transport passengers directly to the clubhouse or their private accommodations.
๐ Connection Tips
Chub Cay International Airport (CCZ) operates as a premier private aviation gateway, serving the exclusive Chub Cay Resort & Marina in the Berry Islands. As a private island and official Bahamas Airport of Entry, the connection process is uniquely streamlined compared to major hubs like Nassau (NAS). For travelers connecting from international locations, boutique carriers such as Makers Air and Aztec Airways provide the most reliable links, typically departing from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE) or Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). These flights take between 45 to 60 minutes. If your itinerary involves a connection to or from a major commercial flight in Florida, it is highly recommended to use Makers Air or Aztec, as they offer private terminals and concierge services that bypass standard TSA queues, allowing you to arrive just 45 minutes before departure.
Upon arrival at CCZ, passengers will find an efficient customs and immigration setup within the small terminal. For those arriving on private vessels, using the Bahamas Customs "Click2Clear" (C2C) digital portal in advance is essential for rapid processing. If you are staying at the resort, a representative is often waiting at the airport to handle luggage and provide a complimentary 1.
6-kilometer transfer to the clubhouse. For inter-island connections, such as to Great Harbour Cay or Staniel Cay, private charters are the primary option and should be booked at least 48 hours in advance. Be mindful that tropical weather during the summer months can occasionally delay small aircraft operations, so it is wise to maintain a flexible window when connecting to long-haul international flights in Nassau or Florida. Always confirm your FBO handling and customs arrival window at least 24 hours prior to landing.
โ Back to Stella Maris Airport