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Flying between Islands in the Caribbean

PostPosted: 29 Aug 2006, 17:37
by Vrocking
Hi,

Apologies if this sounds a stupid question [?] but...

Could anyone tell me if there are any restrictions about flying between islands in the Caribbean. Im off to ANU shortly and am planning to connect to BGI to get the best of both islands.

I am 98% sure there are no further immigration documents I require other that the usual landing cards, but thought I would double check with you well travelled people before I took the plunge and booked it.

Thanks for you time.

P.s. Has anyone done this type of journey and have any experiences (good or bad) to share?

PostPosted: 29 Aug 2006, 17:47
by pjh
Originally posted by Vrocking
Hi,

Apologies if this sounds a stupid question [?] but...

Could anyone tell me if there are any restrictions about flying between islands in the Caribbean. Im off to ANU shortly and am planning to connect to BGI to get the best of both islands.

I am 98% sure there are no further immigration documents I require other that the usual landing cards, but thought I would double check with you well travelled people before I took the plunge and booked it.

Thanks for you time.

P.s. Has anyone done this type of journey and have any experiences (good or bad) to share?



One tip - ISTBC but I think each Caribbean island has a departure tax that has to be paid in cash when on a flight out of the island (regardless of the destination). So remember to have around USD25 cash per person per island.

Paul

PostPosted: 29 Aug 2006, 17:49
by Decker
We've done St Maarten to Saba with WinAir. Quite an experience. It stopped at Statia on the way - we got off (not having been told it would do this) and couldn't find our bags. Eventually found the ground agent hiding in her office who told us that our bags were in Saba.

"Where are we then?"

"Statia"

"You flew with two pax short and extra bags?"...

Transpired she was MEANT to do a head count but was too busy doing her nails or chatting to the Boyfriend on the phone. She then tried to rebook us but had no availability. To cut a VERY long story short we ended up chartering a plane to get off the island.

Expensive trip.

PostPosted: 29 Aug 2006, 19:07
by Guest
We used Liat in July to go BGI-SXM-ANU via just about every other island they could find.Hugely entertaining.I think they rely on divine intervention to get the right passengers to the right places.So,no extra paperwork,just departure taxes,landing cards,and keep your wits about you at the gates.

PostPosted: 29 Aug 2006, 19:24
by mitchja
I remember doing a day trip from Barbados to St Lucia. We flew from BGI to a SLU (Vigie Field) which is a very small domestic airport on St Lucia. I remember having to ask to get a stamp in my passport so I don't think there were any immigration issues although obviously we did need our passports. Don't remember paying any departure fees but these could well have been included in the trip cost.

It was quite an experience. The back row of the very small prop plane was just like the back row of a bus with the row of seats going all the way across :D I think it was about a 10 seater A/C.

I can recommend doing something like this though [y]

Regards

PostPosted: 31 Aug 2006, 21:16
by Vrocking
Thanks for your replies, very informative as ever :D

I have booked my flights now and am looking forward to the experience.
For info, anyone heading to this part of the world in the near future might want to take a look at Liat's website, as they are currently offering "buy one get one free" on most flights!

Thanks Again!

PostPosted: 31 Aug 2006, 21:23
by Decker
oh yes and Saba is the shortest commercial airstrip in the world allegedly. They can only land Otters there.

PostPosted: 01 Sep 2006, 18:43
by pjh
Originally posted by Decker
oh yes and Saba is the shortest commercial airstrip in the world allegedly. They can only land Otters there.


Hope they put parachutes on them...