Getting from Nassau to Andros Island
Apr 14th, 2011, 04:12 AM
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Getting from Nassau to Andros Island
Your experience is greatly needed. I am a total newbie to the Caribbean and am finding *getting there* a real battle. A week ago there were flights to Andros Island (ASD) but now I can find none. The only available flights seem to be to Nassau (NAS).
How does one get to Andros Island from Nassau? Is there a ferry or only a flight? If there is only a flight, what are the logistics of flying into NAS and then getting to another ....airport? domestic terminal? to reach Andros.
Worried that I'm going to have to cancel my rooms because I can't reach the destination.
How does one get to Andros Island from Nassau? Is there a ferry or only a flight? If there is only a flight, what are the logistics of flying into NAS and then getting to another ....airport? domestic terminal? to reach Andros.
Worried that I'm going to have to cancel my rooms because I can't reach the destination.
Apr 14th, 2011, 05:11 AM
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Where are you staying? Where are you coming from? There are at least 3 airports on Andros -- which one do you need to get to?
Your hotel will help you find your way to Andros. Check their website and/or call them to find out how they suggest getting there. Note, also, that going through NAS is not the only way to get to Andros. When I went to Andros (Small Hope Bay Lodge), I flew Watermakers Air from Ft. Lauderdale -- and know that Watermakers covers Congo Town and Fresh Creek/Andros Town, and might cover others as well.
The airports on Andros are tiny, most operate only during daylight hours, and not all of them have customs and immigration, so getting there can be a challenge. But it is most definitely worth it.
Your hotel will help you find your way to Andros. Check their website and/or call them to find out how they suggest getting there. Note, also, that going through NAS is not the only way to get to Andros. When I went to Andros (Small Hope Bay Lodge), I flew Watermakers Air from Ft. Lauderdale -- and know that Watermakers covers Congo Town and Fresh Creek/Andros Town, and might cover others as well.
The airports on Andros are tiny, most operate only during daylight hours, and not all of them have customs and immigration, so getting there can be a challenge. But it is most definitely worth it.
Apr 14th, 2011, 04:56 PM
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Reservations are at Kamalame Cay. I didn't realize the island was so big as to handle 3 airports! We're coming from Philly (PHL) and liked the idea of flying in directly to ASD, which is what the resort mentions on their website.
My concern was that if we had no choice but to go to Nassau, how do we get to LeAir to fly to Andros?
If we fly into the other airports (not ASD) on Andros, how do we get to the resort?
My concern was that if we had no choice but to go to Nassau, how do we get to LeAir to fly to Andros?
If we fly into the other airports (not ASD) on Andros, how do we get to the resort?
Apr 15th, 2011, 03:09 AM
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Andros is the largest of the Bahamian islands, but the real problem is that it is divided by creeks/rivers which makes getting from one part to another difficult if not impossible. So it's important to go to the right airport. For Kamalame Cay, ASD is the one you want.
To get to ASD, you will need to connect somewhere. If you fly into NAS, there are separate international and domestic "terminals" (really, large waiting rooms). It's a small airport, and you will need to officially enter the country through customs and immigration. Once you do that, you'll just walk over to the domestic area and check in for your flight on Le Air or some other carrier.
The other connecting airport is Ft. Lauderdale. Both Continental Connection (in the main airport, FLL) and Watermakers Air (out of the executive airport - you'll need to cab over) offer service to ASD. I've used both carriers for Out Island adventures (as well as having traveled via NAS), and they're all fine.
Although no routing is particularly easy, it's not too difficult either. The tricky part is planning connecting flights whose times are compatible with the commuter. Your luggage will not be checked all the way through except maybe on Continental Connection, so you have to figure in time to collect bags and re-check. Sometimes that requires an overnight in NAS or FLL. You'll want at least 2.5 hours between flights, or a little more if you're going from FLL to the executive airport. The bonus of using the executive airport is that your return is a breeze, since it's got a dedicated customs and immigration station which seldom has more than a dozen passengers arriving at any one time.
To get to ASD, you will need to connect somewhere. If you fly into NAS, there are separate international and domestic "terminals" (really, large waiting rooms). It's a small airport, and you will need to officially enter the country through customs and immigration. Once you do that, you'll just walk over to the domestic area and check in for your flight on Le Air or some other carrier.
The other connecting airport is Ft. Lauderdale. Both Continental Connection (in the main airport, FLL) and Watermakers Air (out of the executive airport - you'll need to cab over) offer service to ASD. I've used both carriers for Out Island adventures (as well as having traveled via NAS), and they're all fine.
Although no routing is particularly easy, it's not too difficult either. The tricky part is planning connecting flights whose times are compatible with the commuter. Your luggage will not be checked all the way through except maybe on Continental Connection, so you have to figure in time to collect bags and re-check. Sometimes that requires an overnight in NAS or FLL. You'll want at least 2.5 hours between flights, or a little more if you're going from FLL to the executive airport. The bonus of using the executive airport is that your return is a breeze, since it's got a dedicated customs and immigration station which seldom has more than a dozen passengers arriving at any one time.
