Miami to Staniel Cay Charter Flights
The thriving social hub of the Exumas, surrounded by the most celebrated waters in the Bahamas.
Staniel Cay is the definitive "out island" experience — a place where the runway acts as the main street and life revolves entirely around the water. Unlike the manicured resorts of Nassau, this cay feels like a private club for yachtsmen and aviators. The vibe is fiercely casual; shoes are optional, but the logistical precision required to get here keeps the crowds away.
Visitors fly here to disconnect from the grid and reconnect with a rhythm dictated by the tides. From the moment the props stop spinning, you're immersed in a world of color-saturated reefs, overwater bungalows, and a social scene that centers on a single, legendary yacht club. It is an outpost of raw luxury, best suited for travelers who prefer open boats to air-conditioned lobbies.
Recommended Aircraft
PC‑12 NGX
Rough Estimate
$24,300 (Round Trip)
Capacity
6 People
Flight Time
2:30 (With Transfer)
Reach Staniel Cay on your own schedule with AvSky
Staniel Cay (TYM) is not a designated Airport of Entry. While many charters route you through busy Nassau, we optimize your itinerary by using Exuma International (GGT) for a rapid immigration stop. This keeps you in the Exumas chain, avoids the Nassau congestion, and gets you to the pigs faster.
Additional aircraft options
All price estimates are for a round-trip, Friday through Sunday itinerary, including the required transfer flight. 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.
Learjet 75 Liberty
8 max
$33,500
Citation XLS+
8 max
$40,400
Gulfstream G280
10 max
$51,900
Falcon 2000LXS
10 max
$61,100
The Best Airports For Chartering to Staniel Cay
Staniel Cay Airport (TYM/MYES) is a VFR (Visual Flight Rules) airfield... We fly you into Exuma International (GGT) to clear customs, then hop back north to Staniel Cay for the final approach.
The Best Airports For Chartering to Staniel Cay
Staniel Cay Airport (TYM/MYES) is a VFR (Visual Flight Rules) airfield... We fly you into Exuma International (GGT) to clear customs, then hop back north to Staniel Cay for the final approach.
Departing Miami
Miami-Opa Locka Exec. (OPF/KOPF)
14201 NW 42nd Ave, Opa-locka, FL 33054
Miami Executive (TMB/KTMB)
12800 SW 145th Ave, Miami, FL 33186
Miami International (MIA/KMIA)
2100 NW 42nd Ave, Miami, FL 33126
Arriving Staniel Cay
Staniel Cay Airport (TYM/MYES)
Staniel Cay, Exuma, Bahamas
Exuma Int'l (GGT/MYEF)
George Town, Exuma
A car-free landscape defined by turquoise waters and unpretentious luxury.
Destination Highlights
The island is physically small — less than 2 square miles — which creates an immediate sense of intimacy. There are no cars on Staniel Cay; transport is exclusively by golf cart or foot. The surrounding waters are the true draw, offering some of the clearest visibility in the Western Hemisphere. This is the gateway to the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, a protected zone where fishing is prohibited, resulting in fearless marine life and pristine coral gardens.
On-Island Basics
The currency is the Bahamian Dollar (BSD), pegged 1:1 with the USD, which is accepted everywhere. The village is quiet, with two small grocery stores (the "Blue" and "Pink" stores) offering basic provisions. Most visitors provision their aircraft with specific dietary luxuries before departing Miami. Electricity is reliable but precious; the island runs on generators, so conservation is culturally expected.
Aircraft Comfort and Options
Because of the customs requirement, the trip has two legs. We often recommend a Light Jet (like a Phenom 300) for the main leg to George Town (GGT), followed by a short 20-minute hop to Staniel Cay in a turboprop.
When to Fly and What to Expect
The Exumas are a year-round destination, but the "yachting season" peaks from March to June. July and August are spectacular for diving due to calm winds, though temperatures are higher. We strictly monitor tropical weather systems from August through October. Because the runway has no instrument approach, we may delay departures if heavy rain or low ceilings are present at the cay.
Iconic adventures in the Exuma chain
From swimming pigs to underwater espionage history
The Swimming Pigs
Just a five-minute boat ride from the yacht club lies "Pig Beach," home to the famous colony of feral, swimming pigs. The best time to visit is mid-morning, before the tour boats arrive from Nassau, allowing you to feed and swim with the animals in relative solitude.
Thunderball Grotto
Located just west of Staniel Cay, this hollowed-out limestone island was the filming location for the James Bond film Thunderball. At low tide, you can snorkel through a hidden entrance into a cathedral-like cave filled with shafts of sunlight and thousands of Sergeant Major fish.
Compass Cay Marina
A short boat run north brings you to Compass Cay, famous for its resident population of Nurse Sharks. These bottom-dwellers congregate on the submerged swim platform of the marina. Unlike other wildlife encounters, here you are encouraged to float among them in shallow water as they brush past you.
Staniel Cay Yacht Club
Established in 1956, the SCYC is the heartbeat of the island. It serves as the hotel, restaurant, and marina for the entire region. The bar is plastered with burgees from visiting vessels, and dinner here is a communal event where billionaires and boat captains share stories over fresh mahi-mahi and Kaliks.
Miami to Staniel Cay Charter Flight FAQs
Do we clear customs directly at Staniel Cay?
No. Staniel Cay is not a Port of Entry. We will make a brief, 20-minute stop at Exuma International (GGT) in George Town to clear immigration before hopping north to Staniel. This is a standard procedure and usually much faster than dealing with the congestion in Nassau.
Is it true there are absolutely no ATMs on the island?
Yes. There is zero banking infrastructure. While the Yacht Club and Fowl Cay Resort accept credit cards, the "Mule" (golf cart) rentals, independent boat guides, and the grocery kiosks often prefer or require cash. You must fly in with sufficient USD or Bahamian currency for your entire trip, as you cannot withdraw cash once you land.
Can we fully provision our villa from the local "Blue" or "Pink" stores?
We strongly advise against it. The "Blue Store" and "Pink Store" are essentially small bodegas with erratic stock. They are fine for chips or emergency beer, but not for a week’s worth of high-end provisioning. We recommend utilizing a "Nassau Shopper" service to fly fresh groceries in ahead of you, or bringing specialized meats and dietary items in your aircraft's cooler.
Can I fly my drone to film the pigs or the marina?
Not legally without a permit. The Bahamas Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA) has cracked down on unregistered drones. You must register your equipment online and pay a fee before travel. If customs finds an unregistered drone in your luggage, they can confiscate it on the spot.
What is the "No-See-Um" situation?
It is a genuine factor at dusk. The Exumas are famous for these microscopic sand flies that appear when the wind dies down. They are immune to standard mosquito repellent; the local insider trick is to use an oil-based barrier (like Baby Oil or Skin So Soft) rather than a spray. We recommend packing this, as the local store often runs out.