Travel Information & FAQ

• No later than 30-minute pre-flight arrival time
• Complimentary valet
• Baggage handling
• No long TSA lines
• Pre-filled departure forms (Fort Lauderdale and Miami seaplane base)
• Comfortable waiting area
• Convenient boarding 10 minutes prior to scheduled departure time

• All international flights must clear in and out of the country
• Clearing customs is painless when flying between private terminals
• On the way to your destination outside of the U.S. we may require a stop to clear customs before arriving to a beach, dock, or yacht
• We will make sure your route to clearing customs and starting your vacation is as fast and smooth as possible
• Speed up the Customs Declaration process upon arrival in the Bahamas with Exempt by estimating total duty, tracking exemptions, and discovering things to do.
• Passports other than US and Canada: Please have supporting documents for foreign passports.

Tropic Ocean Airways will take your bags from your car, to the aircraft, and through customs with care. Just one less thing to worry about.

Soft-sided baggage is preferred on our flights. No hazmat or dangerous goods can be shipped in baggage or cargo, and the total weight for the flight includes passengers and baggage.

Scheduled By-The-Seat Service:

• Bimini – 30lbs per person
• Nassau – 50lbs per person
• Great Harbour Cay – 50lbs per person

Private Charter:

• 208 Seaplane (Up to 8 guests): 1,500 to 1,800 total lbs (varies with location)
• Wheeled Caravan (Up to 9 guests): 1,700 to 2,500 total lbs (varies with location)

If your baggage exceeds these dimensions 14″H x 41″L x 27″D, please contact us to accommodate your requirements.

Each plane has weight restrictions for the safety of our guests and therefore we reserve the right to refuse baggage exceeding the weight limit.

*Additional weight may be permitted if traveling via private charter.

If you require additional baggage for your trip, please consult our cargo department Monday–Friday 10 am–4 pm EST at 1-800-767-0897 X293 or email: [email protected].

Children under the age of 18 traveling alone are considered an unaccompanied minor. Tropic Ocean Airways requires that all unaccompanied minors have a letter of consent from the absent parent(s)/legal guardian giving the child permission to travel outside of the country. The letter must state who is dropping off the child for their flight and who will be receiving them when they arrive in their destination. The letter must be signed by both parents or the legal guardian. Download the required form here >> Minor_Letter of Consent Form

• Tropic Ocean Airways is a pet-friendly airline. If you are bringing a pet on a private charter, please notify us immediately and make sure any necessary permits are obtained prior to flight. Information on permits for The Bahamas can be found here.
• There is a limit of two pets per scheduled by-the-seat service flights. Dogs 25lbs and under are free of charge; over 25lbs will be charged $1.00 per pound over the limit at time of booking.
• All guests traveling to the Bahamas with pets are required to complete appropriate forms directly with Bahamas Agriculture and have the approved stamped copy at time of travel (copies of forms can be found in section III). If the pet has an accident onboard or if we need to have the aircraft detailed, due to the pet, there is a $200.00 cleaning/detaining fee. Traveling to the United States – the Passenger must have the Pets Vaccine Records and Valid rabies tag.

• Unaccompanied Pets: Tropic Ocean Airways will transport an unaccompanied animals with the following conditions:
  • Must have appropriate paperwork (as outlined above)
  • Must buy a seat
  • Must be in a dog/pet kennel
  • Must provide information (name, phone number, email) for pick up person
  • Must sign Shipper Indemnity and Hold Harmless Agreement and Waiver
  • Must be approved by all guest on board flight (see steps above)

• Our number one core value – above all else we want to make sure our guests arrive safely to paradise.
• Although our operation is all-weather capable, we may have to divert or delay a flight due to adverse weather conditions. We only do that to offer the safest flights for our guests but we will make sure to be by their side every step of the way so you can get where you are going.
• Every employee, even the most senior, participates in weekly training exercises.
• Our highly skilled maintenance team inspects and cleans our aircraft after each flight.
• We have two pilots aboard every leg, even though we are only required to have one.

A private charter is a non-scheduled flight or on-demand flight. They can not be booked online. To inquire about the cost of a private charter fill out this form and we will contact you with a quote.

• Private charter gives you access to the entire aircraft and allows you to choose your arrival and departure locations and time.
• Scheduled flights are weekly scheduled with service to select destinations. Click here to view the schedule.

Fort Lauderdale Sheltair is located at 1050 Lee Wagener Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315 in General Aviation (note: we are not in the main terminal at Fort Lauderdale International).

*Tropic Ocean Airways private charter can be repositioned to pick you at your departure or arrival destination of choice. Contact our Charter Specialists to learn more at [email protected]

• You can book a flight the same day you want to fly, pending availability. However, please note all charter requests are subject to aircraft availability, so it is advised that you book out as far in advance as possible.
• By the seat experience: Due to paperwork which must be filed with Customs and Border Patrol, flights close two hours prior to departure time.

• Scheduled flights:
  • Regular tickets are non-refundable/non-transferable. Changes are allowed up to 72 hours prior to the flight. Within 72 hours of travel changes are not allowed. A change fee of $200 per passenger will be charged for any changes.
  • With the Refundable ticket upgrade you have the ability to cancel your flight up to 2 hours prior to departure and receive a full refund to your original form of payment.
• If you have a private charter, outside of a 30 day window, you are entitled to a full refund. If the cancellation is within 30-15 days, you can retain the full amount paid as credit on file for any future charter flight. If it is inside a window of 14 days, the flight is non-refundable, but can be moved to another time and date pending availability for a fee.

• For any changes made to a scheduled flight booking it will inquire and $200 fee and is based on availability. The change can be made by calling our customer service line at 1-800-767-0897 option 4.
• Private charters can be changed pending availability for a fee. Please note that the closer it is to the day of flight, the less likely it is that we are able to accommodate a change. If you have a charter flight and wish to change your time of travel, please speak with your charter specialist.

• Guests should arrive no later than 30 minutes prior to their flight. Check in begins at 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time and boarding time is 10 minutes before the scheduled departure time.  Anyone not checked in prior to the boarding time will be denied boarding.

• Yes. We provide complimentary valet parking at Fort Lauderdale Sheltair.
• Miami Seaplane Base has a free parking lot. However, the gate is closed daily at 5:00 P.M.

• Yes. We do not have restrictions for liquids. However, we do have a weight restriction. If you are worried about the size and/or weight of your liquid containers, please contact our cargo department Monday–Friday 10 am–4 pm EST at 1-800-767-0897 X293 or email: [email protected].

• Alcoholic beverages may be carried when they contain 24% to 70% alcohol by volume (48 to 140 proof). Each container cannot exceed 5 liters. And, each passenger cannot bring more than 5 liters onboard. Items under 24% or 48 proof (most beer and wine) are unlimited.
• There is a Duty Free shop on site, and you are allowed to bring 2 bottles per person.

• Most islands are ok with one day’s worth of food as long as it is not raw meat or fresh produce. To bring in larger amounts, raw meat, or fresh produce you will need an agricultural permit. One can be obtained here. 

• U.S. Citizens require a valid U.S. passport book to enter The Bahamas. Non-U.S. Citizens may require a visa, in addition to their passport book. Be advised that international flights cannot be boarded with a Passport Card.
• Speed up the Customs Declaration process upon arrival in the Bahamas with Exempt by estimating total duty, tracking exemptions, and discovering things to do.

• Restrictions apply, contact us for more information.

• From The Bahamas to U.S.

• • U.S. Requirements
  • ESTA
  • Apply for a new ESTA

• To enter The Bahamas
  • Entry requirements differ depending on what country you are a resident and citizen of. Click here to find out the necessary documentation you will need to insure a smooth entry into our country.

• Must be approved by your doctor.

• Upon arrival at the Miami Seaplane Base to the U.S., you may be taken to the Port of Miami for fingerprinting due to your foreign passport. The entire process takes about 30 minutes. We recommend you plan your connecting flights taking this into account.
• Upon arrival in Fort Lauderdale, the guests will be cleared in customs and fingerprinted as well.

• Infants under 24 months at the time of flight are only required to pay taxes and fees. Over 24 months would not be considered a lap child and would pay full fare. We do require infants to have a passport.
• FFA Approved car seats / supervised installation

• The child must be under 24 months old (2 years old) at the time of flight.
• If the child is over 24 months requires their own seat.
• If guest is travelling with a lap child, the following restrictions apply:
  • Lap Child must be held on lap for the duration of the flight.
  • One lap child is permitted for each ticketed adult.
  • All persons on board require a life vest in the event of an emergency. Crew must ensure additional vests are provided for flight.

• Absolutely! Our company was founded and operates under the leadership of a Naval TOPGUN fighter pilot, who flew 41 missions and earned two air medals in Operation Iraqi Freedom. All Cessna Caravan flights operate with two pilots, most of whom have a military or seaplane instructor background.

• Our Caravan seaplanes seat 8 and our wheeled Caravans seat 9.

• We accept cash, credit, debit and checks.

• When flying in from other cities we recommend arriving in Fort Lauderdale or Miami two hours prior to your flight. Let us know ahead of time and we can arrange transportation from Fort Lauderdale International to our private terminal. (Any delay on the commercial flight is the sole responsibility of the guest).

• Book a flight with us and we can assist with hotel bookings. We can also extend exclusive rates and specials at some of our partner properties.

• By emailing: [email protected], calling: 1-800-767-0897 opt 2 or filling out the contact form on our website: www.flytropic.com.