I Flew This Semi-private Airline’s New Route From Palm Beach to the Bahamas’ Out Islands — and Airfare Was Actually Affordable

I’ve always sung the praises of West Palm Beach, and one of my favorite things about living here is the ease of access to the Caribbean. From Miami International Airport (MIA), you can hop to almost any island in an hour or less; Palm Beach is so close to the Bahamas, you can practically swim there (no, seriously, people paddleboard to Bimini every year to raise money for charity).

Thanks to long-standing routes to Nassau (Silver Airways) and Marsh Harbour (Bahamasair), it’s always been easy to jump from Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) — consistently rated one of the best U.S. airports by Travel + Leisure readers — to the Bahamas. But with the arrival of a new semi-private route from Palm Beach’s private terminal to Marsh Harbour, the trip is more VIP than ever.

With a fleet of 14 aircraft, Fort Lauderdale–based Tropic Ocean Airways is the largest commercial seaplane airline in the world, offering private charters, yacht transfers, and scheduled flights throughout Florida, the Bahamas, and the Hamptons.

Beginning May 2024, the airline made its first venture into Palm Beach with the launch of additional operations out of Atlantic Aviation (a private fixed-based operator across the tarmac from the PBI), offering nonstop trips to the Abacos. It’s a shared private flight experience that’s bookable by the seat — and, round-trip, only a couple hundred dollars more than commercial prices. As if that weren’t enough, the pet-friendly airline even allows you to bring your dog.

“Expanding our operations to Palm Beach is a natural progression for us, and we are looking forward to providing travelers in this region with the same exceptional service and convenience that our passengers in Fort Lauderdale and Miami have received for the last 13 years,” Rob Ceravolo, former United States Navy fighter pilot and CEO and founder of Tropic Ocean Airways, said in a release.

I recently tried the new route with a friend, and it was the perfect way to begin and end our girls’ weekend in Hope Town. The appeal of flying Tropic is obvious before you even get to the airport: You’re directed to arrive a mere 30 minutes before the scheduled international departure time. The private side of PBI is a far cry from your standard commercial experience.

After parking right out front (for free), you’ll enter Atlantic Aviation and find a plush seat to await the arrival of your pilots, who double as your gate agents. There are nicely stocked vending machines if you get peckish, but you won’t be waiting long, plus there’s no security line or crowds to navigate.

A pair of pilots arrive shortly before your flight and introduce themselves, check your passport against their manifest, take your luggage (there’s a generous 50-ound allowance per person), and then walk you out to the nine-seat Cessna Grand Caravan EX to load up.

Sit anywhere — they’re all single window seats except for a two-person bench up front. The pilots provide a safety briefing, and before you know it, you’re airborne over the remarkable blues of the Atlantic, then touching down in Marsh Harbour.

Even my friend — who was apprehensive about the small plane — remarked how pleasant the flight felt. She paged through a book, then drifted off to sleep, lulled by the gentle drone of the engines and smooth air.

Marsh Harbour on Great Abaco is the final destination for some, but it’s also the main hub connecting to other Out Islands in the Abacos — like Hope Town and Man-O-War Cay, both accessible via all-day scheduled ferries by Albury’s Ferry Service.

I grew up visiting the Abacos, but sadly many islands and settlements were decimated by Hurricane Dorian in 2019. While Hope Town and Elbow Cay haven’t been fully restored to their former glory, there are several hotels, restaurants, and shops up and running and eager to welcome visitors.

We stayed at Elbow Reef, a boutique eight-room hotel that was completely rebuilt after the hurricane and reopened in 2023. Our room faced the Atlantic Ocean (it stormed for most of our trip, but thanks to the view, we didn’t mind the forced relaxation). Within a few steps, you can be lounging at the infinity pool or strolling the soft-sand beach.

The hotel’s vibe is laid-back, though also an ideal setting for a group trip or family reunion.

In addition to minibars in each room and a rack of surfboards, the property offers a shared main space with a kitchen and bar featuring professional-grade appliances so you can cook a meal or shake up poolside drinks (or recruit a chef to come do it for you).

It also has a 130-foot dock across the street if you choose to BYOB (bring your own boat) or charter a private ferry instead of scheduled service.

While Tropic will get you from West Palm Beach to Marsh Harbour in a swift 60 to 80 minutes, to reach Elbow Reef, you’ll still need a 15-minute taxi from Cherokee Aviation to the ferry dock, a 15-minute ferry to Hope Town, and a 10-minute golf cart ride to the hotel.

Renting a golf cart is nonnegotiable in Hope Town; there’s no other way to get around. Low Cay Cart Rentals will deliver and pick up your golf cart wherever you please, making the process seamless.

Due to the success of the route, Tropic Ocean Airways is doubling the frequency and will begin flying every Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday, and Monday beginning Oct. 16. Prices range from $237 to $450 per seat.