Put simply, it’s the best way to get from South Florida to Nassau. Period. 

Tropic Ocean Airways has launched its first regularly scheduled service between Fort Lauderdale and Nassau in The Bahamas. 

The carrier kicked off its inaugural Fort Lauderdale-Nassau service on Thursday, creating a new way to travel to The Bahamas’ ever-popular capital. 

And it’s a new standard for the Florida-Bahamas crossing. 

So what makes it so special? 

Tropic Ocean Airways, which operates scheduled and charter flights from Florida across The Bahamas, runs the flight out of Sheltair at Fort Lauderdale International Airport — meaning it’s a semi-private flight. 

And that means you get the private aviation experience — like an easy check-in and none of the hassles and long lines of commercial aviation. 

More importantly, you only have to be at the airport 45 minutes before the flight time, dropping off your car with complimentary valet parking. 

The flight takes about an hour — and it’s a throwback to the jet set age, a journey where you can marvel at the aquamarine wonders of islands like Bimini and Andros along the way from your seat in the Cessna Caravan EX.

And when you get to Nassau, it’s the same experience, thanks to Tropic Ocean Airways’ partner, Odyssey, which operates the FBO at Lynden Pindling International Airport. 

And that means you have more time to spend at your final destination, whether it’s a boutique getaway to Graycliff or a resort vacation at Atlantis or Baha Mar.

For now, Tropic is operating the service on Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays and Mondays, although that’s likely to expand, according to Rob Ceravolo, CEO of Tropic Ocean Airways.

“We have our eye toward adding flights with demand already very strong,” Ceravolo told Caribbean Journal. “I think it’s a great market.”

The move expands Tropic Ocean’s regularly schedule Bahamas service, which currently includes regular flights to destinations including Great Harbour Cay in the Berry Islands; Cat Cay and the North Bimini Seaplane Base.

The launch comes as travelers have placed an increased premium on private and semi-private flights amid the pandemic. 

“The shift toward private aviation has been great for us,” Ceravolo said. 

Indeed, amid the pandemic, flying away from the crowded experiences of major airports is a luxury — and with base rates starting at $350, it’s accessible — and at times even more affordable than some of the rates major carriers are charging to Nassau right now. 

For more, visit Tropic Ocean Airways. 

— CJ