Fort Lauderdale to Abaco
Escape to the islands in under an hour
Fly Private to Abaco With AvSky
Just 55 minutes after leaving Miami, you’ll descend into the crystal-blue waters of the Abaco chain — home to vibrant coral reefs, bonefishing flats, and pastel-painted marinas. The short hop from South Florida brings you to a destination that feels worlds away, with secluded cays and breezy harbors waiting just beyond the customs gate.
Private jet charters to Abaco are ideal for travelers seeking a fast, flexible way to reach the northern Bahamas. With no need to connect through Nassau or wait for ferry schedules, you’ll arrive ready to step onto a boat, check into a villa, or unwind in town. It’s the quickest path from city to sea.
Recommended Aircraft
Pilatus PC‑12 NGX
Rough Estimate
$17,100 (Round Trip)
Capacity
6 People
Flight Time
1:10 Minutes
Simple, direct island access
We make getting to Abaco easy
Forget the Nassau layover. A Pilatus PC‑12 NGX lifts off from Fort Lauderdale Executive and, about 70 minutes later, eases onto the 6,000‑foot runway at Leonard Thompson International. Passports are stamped beside the airplane, and you're out of the airport before most airline passengers have reached a jet bridge.
Additional aircraft options
All price estimates are for a round-trip, Friday through Sunday itinerary. Actual quotes vary depending on factors like season, available aircraft and more. Your quoted price may be more or less than the estimates on this page.
Phenom 100EV
5 people
$26,300
Citation CJ3+
7 people
$26,300
Citation XLS+
8 people
$33,100
Challenger 350
9 people
$35,900
The Best Airports For Abaco-Bound Charters
Fort Lauderdale Executive (FXE) is our first choice, thanks to curbside parking and 24‑hour customs that keeps ground time to minutes. Travelers linking from airline flights may prefer Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International (FLL), whose GA lounge sits a short walk from commercial gates. On arrival, Leonard Thompson International offers freshly resurfaced pavement, rental carts beside the lobby, and a 15‑minute drive to the Hope Town ferry dock.
The Best Airports For Abaco-Bound Charters
Fort Lauderdale Executive (FXE) is our first choice, thanks to curbside parking and 24‑hour customs that keeps ground time to minutes. Travelers linking from airline flights may prefer Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International (FLL), whose GA lounge sits a short walk from commercial gates. On arrival, Leonard Thompson International offers freshly resurfaced pavement, rental carts beside the lobby, and a 15‑minute drive to the Hope Town ferry dock.
Departing Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale Executive (FXE/KFXE)
6000 NW 21st Ave., Fort Lauderdale FL 33309
Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood Intl (FLL/KFLL)
100 Terminal Dr., Fort Lauderdale FL 33315
Arriving Abaco
Leonard Thompson Intl (MHH/MYAM)
Great Abaco Hwy., Marsh Harbour BS
Getting Around the Cays and Great Abaco
Destination Highlights
Kayak the glass‑clear mangroves of Cherokee Sound, climb Hope Town’s candy‑striped lighthouse, then finish the day with a Goombay Smash as harbour lights flicker on — all realistic options the very day you arrive.
Aircraft Comfort & Options
The PC‑12 NGX seats six in leather club chairs, streams Wi‑Fi, and loads paddleboards through a 53‑inch cargo door. Parties needing eight seats and a separate baggage hold can step up to a Phenom 100EV for about twenty percent more.
When to Fly & What to Expect
Bonefish tail November through March; early‑morning slots see the calmest flats. Regatta Time in Abaco every July doubles apron demand — file four days ahead. Summer showers flare after 2.m.; late‑morning departures typically beat the buildups.
On‑Island Basics
Ferries from Marsh Harbour run to Elbow Cay (Hope Town) and Man‑O‑War. Boats from Treasure Cay connect to Green Turtle Cay. Golf carts are standard on the cays, and cars are practical on Great Abaco. Keep cash for small fares and tips. Distances are short, so days stay relaxed.
Four experiences that define the cay chain
Why Abaco Keeps Sailors and Divers Coming Back
Albert Lowe Museum
An 1862 Loyalist cottage on Green Turtle Cay preserves shipbuilder tools, sponge‑diving helmets, and hurricane diaries, offering a quiet hour of island history for any visitor.
Sunday Sailor’s Service
St. James Anglican in Hope Town rings its 1878 bell at nine a.m.; crews anchor outside the reef, row ashore for hymns, and share bread pudding on the lawn before returning to sea.
Abaco Parrot Flyover
At first light endangered parrots burst from pine hollows south of Crossing Rocks, their jade wings flashing gold as they sweep across the Queen’s Highway.
Little Harbour Blue Hole
A tidal lagoon reachable by skiff hides an 80‑foot sinkhole rimmed with elkhorn coral; sea turtles and tarpon cruise the sapphire throat at slack tide.
Fort Lauderdale to Abaco Charter FAQs
How quickly can we clear outbound customs at Fort Lauderdale Executive?
Once your eAPIS manifest is filed, a CBP officer meets the aircraft door. For groups of six with standard luggage the inspection averages 10 minutes: IDs checked, bags scanned, and you're escorted straight back to the lounge. Because FXE is GA‑only, there are no TSA lines, and fuel is already loaded, so wheels‑up follows almost immediately.
Do I need to reserve a Hope Town golf cart in advance?
Yes — especially November through April, when cart fleets sell out days ahead. AvSky connects you with the ferry office; a reservation form and credit card hold secure the cart, and keys wait in a lockbox on the dock. If you skip pre‑booking, you may be limited to bicycles until the next rental turnover.
Can I bring frozen lobster tails back to Florida?
U.S. Customs allows up to 10 pounds of cooked, vacuum‑sealed lobster per adult duty‑free. Pack tails in a soft cooler, declare them on the agriculture form, and ensure ice packs are leak‑proof. Raw tails or whole lobsters are confiscated upon arrival.
Is mobile data reliable across the outer cays?
BTC 4G covers Marsh Harbour and Elbow Cay, but signal weakens north of Cooper’s Town and near Sandy Cay Marine Park. A local SIM costs $15 and delivers better speeds for chart downloads and WhatsApp calls. For offshore days, consider a rental hotspot with an external antenna.
What aircraft baggage limits apply for fishing gear?
The PC‑12’s 40‑cubic‑foot hold fits six roll‑aboards, two rod tubes up to seven feet, and a medium cooler. Hard cases longer than seven feet exceed the door height; ship them ahead via FedEx to the marina or rent gear on island. Upgrading to a Citation CJ4 adds pressurized baggage space if you need rigid rod holders or dive tanks.