Best views of the Bahamas

January 15, 2019

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Turquoise water, tropical temperatures, and a relaxed atmosphere bring tourists from around the world to the Bahamas every year. Pilots in the United States have a unique advantage to be able to fly themselves to the islands to explore Bahamian culture and take in the spectacular views from the air. Here are some of the sights AOPA Senior Photographer Chris Rose has captured.

It’s hard to beat the intimate view an AirCam can give you of the turquoise water and white-sand beaches in the Bahamas. Photography by Chris Rose.
As pilots, we spend a lot of time looking up at the sky, dreaming of flying or analyzing the weather. But in the Bahamas, you’ll be mesmerized by all the shades of blue in the ocean.
When you fly yourself to the Bahamas, you have the freedom to island hop and explore some of the lesser-known areas of the islands.
Landing in the Bahamas is just the beginning of your tropical adventures.
A group of AirCam pilots and employees gather at Stella Maris Resort to film stunning visual feats of the islands from these magnificent twin-engine seaplanes.
Palm trees sway in the breeze behind a Caravan, welcoming passengers to the tropical paradise.
While visiting the islands, take time to explore by boat!
Get up close with swimming pigs in Staniel Cay, part of the Exuma islands. The swimming feral pigs even swim right up to your boat in hopes of getting a bite to eat.
Another plus of the clear waters—you can see what’s swimming around in there!
After a summer shower, you might catch a peek at a beautiful rainbow from the beach.
If you plan to island hop, make sure you do so during the day if you want to fly under VFR. Flying at night in the Bahamas requires pilots to be on an IFR flight plan.
Don’t be surprised if you fly by a yacht. If you’re low in a seaplane, give them a wave!
Go for a dip—the inviting waters won’t disappoint.
Bring your camera. You’ll want to take pictures from sunrise to sunset in the Bahamas, whether you are in the air or on the ground.