All right, after research and asking questions from the wonderful people on this board (the knowledge is truly awe inspiring), we've finally booked our trip. One week at Cape Santa Maria and one week at Palm Bay Beach.

We fly from SFO Saturday night through CLT to Nassau arriving at about noon on Sunday. It looks like I have a choice between Pineapple Air and Southern Air as they both have 2 pm flights. Does anyone have a recommendation between the two?

Also, we do have to get from Long Island to Exuma. Any suggestions?

Once again, thanks for all your help!

Dave

Island Wings flies from Stella Maris airport to Georgetown, Exuma. But you have to charter the entire plane ($375ish, one way, I think). This carrier comes highly recommended, but I've never flown them myself as my CSM trip was cancelled last year and I haven't had a chance to re-book.

We flew from NAS to LI, Stella Maris airport last year on Bahamas air and back to NAS from Deadman's Cay airport. The flights stopped in Exuma both times. I would call Bahamas air to see if they can break up your return leg with a small charge. May be worth trying.

We flew Southern Air and they were great. Hope that helps some. Did you see my TR on Long Island by any chance? I have lots of pics and info on it. You'll love CSM. Did you rent a villa or bungalow? enjoy!

Kelly,

Of course I read your book, er, TR on Long Island!

We're staying in the bungalows. We don't need a kitchen,there's only two of us, and the cost was 3 to 4 times more than the bungalow.

We are planning on getting the breakfast and dinner meal plan just because it's so far from anything else. That doesn't mean that we won't eat elsewhere, we just wanted the ease of it all.

As for flights, I think we're going with Pineapple Air and figure out how to get from LI to Exuma once we're there. Heck, maybe we can hop on a freighter!

I promise to post a TR once we get back!

Dave

Awesome! Definitely get the grouper fingers at CSM-one of the best things I've ever had! And the conch salad at Max's conch bar was amazing too. Are you renting a car? Dean's blue hole is definitely worth checking out, but it's a haul from CSM.

Don't wait to get there to figure it out-you might get stuck!
Call Stella Maris and see about possible flights, you are probably going to either have to charter your own plane, or go back to Nassau and back.

You can also email Captain Lewless on Exumas. He sometimes has day trips from Exumas to Long Island. You may either try to catch a ride or see how much he'd charged. The excursion stops at small cays of Exumas along the way-they are gorgeous. Of course, weather permiting. For example, Hurricane Bill, while predicted 500 miles away, will probably still chrun up the water.

http://www.exumabahamas.com/masterharbour.html

If you have problems reaching him, he used to eat breakfast every morning at Club Peace and Plenty beach Resort....I bet he still does....

Definitely getting a car. One of the things we like best is to go visit beaches! Chances are we'll have cruised the entire island by the time we leave.

We are looking forward to Dean's Blue Hole. Are there other snorkeling beaches?

This ferry link is dated but may be worth pursuing:

http://chezpierrebahamas.com/ferry.htm

Wow, ok, with about 5 weeks, 2 days and 11 hours to wheels up from SFO, we finally got our inter-island flights booked. Southern Air, Nassau to Stella Maris on November 1, Stella Maris Air Service to Exuma on November 8, and back to Nassau on Sky Bahamas. I can hardly wait to write the TR for this journey!

Big props to Jill Smith at Stella Maris! We aren't staying there but was very helpful in figuring out which airlines flew where and when. We'll check out their resort and if/when we come back, we just might have to stay there. The power of great service!

Have a great time! I can't wait to read your TR and see pictures!