Air Journey is celebrating 25 years in 2023 and over past the 25 years I have visited a number of countries. In fact, the Travelers’ Century Club in Los Angeles verified that I qualified to have set foot in 179 countries. I’m proud also to say that I flew my Citation Mustang to 79 countries over a four-and-a-half year period.
People often ask me what my favorite destination is. Honestly, it’s hard to beat the Bahamas as an easy and close adventure. Imagine all of these islands full of palm trees and beautiful color, scenic beaches, fishing, water activities, culture, and history. I highly recommend it as the place to go. And strangely enough, it is also a return to the source for me, since in 1998 Air Journey’s first destination was the islands of the Bahamas.
Every one of them has something to offer. But the most important thing for us pilots is the freedom of flying. We usually stay away from the capital, Nassau, as well as Grand Bahama and Freeport. We love to start the visit from north to south, beginning with the Abacos with the unique places of Green Turtle, Treasure Cay, Elbow Cay, and Marsh Harbour.
Then the next island south is Eleuthera, with Harbour Island basically the same, but known around the world for its unique pink sand beach. The airport of North Eleuthera is very well served. Further south you will have the private airstrip of Hawk’s Nest, and further north New Bight provides access to Fernandez Bay Village. As you move south to Stella Maris, Stella Maris Airport gives access to Stella Maris Club and Cape Santa Maria. Then to the east, the island of San Salvador and the Club Med, which is a unique place to go to.
Further south there is one place I have never flown to—Managua Island. I’ll make a point to visit very soon. We love to take people to Great Inagua. There’s no decent hotel facilities on the island, but the Morton Salt Company with all of its salt collecting and the mound of salt set against beautiful skies waiting to be put on freighters and taken worldwide gives you a feeling of being around some kind of white glacier mountain. Not to mention the 60,000 pink flamingos!
When going back north you’re passing through the Exumas with Georgetown, Great Exuma Airport and then a number of small strips. Some are well known, such as Staniel Cay and Norman’s Cay. And then to the west, the island of Andros, one of the largest islands, and much of which hasn’t been fully explored.
Plenty of destinations, plenty of happenings! Over the last 25 years the hotel scene has changed, with a number of new openings geared towards high-end, but the classics such as Fernandez Bay Village, Hawk’s Nest, Cape Santa Maria, and Stella Maris are still around and worth a visit over and over. The Bahamas are easy in, easy out, very low key, and the perfect place to relax. Enjoy!
If you want more details, call us at Air Journey.
Thierry Pouille is the founder of Air Journey – a leader in escorted flying experiences around the world. Learn more at www.airjourney.com.
