Makers Air Is Adding More Flights to Long Island, a Corner of The Bahamas With Turquoise Water and One of the Best Beaches We’ve Ever Seen 

First there’s the water. If you know Exuma, you’ll recognize the color. But here in Long Island, it’s even bluer. Even brighter. Then there are all the Blue Holes, mysterious and alluring, maritime circles with endless bottoms. And then you get to the beaches, including Cape Santa Maria, a beach that’s one of the best beaches we’ve ever laid eyes upon. 

Long Island is an island far off the radar of even the most adventurous travelers. But it’s starting to get easier to reach. 

Fort Lauderdale-based Makers Air has announced plans to add a third weekly flight to Long Island’s Stella Maris airport. 

The expanded service, which kicks off Nov. 20, will mean service on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

I’ve taken the flight before: Makers is an exceptionally well-run airline, and the trip takes a little under two hours. The best part? You can drive right up to the airline’s hangar in Fort Lauderdale, walk in, check your bag and wait for the flight. It’s one of the benefits of this kind of semi-private service. 

And it helps further open up Long Island, one of the most beautiful corners of the Out Islands of The Bahamas, where you can find that extra degree of quiet, adventure and remoteness. 

It’s a place for bonefishing, hiking, history-seeking (there’s a must-visit Columbus monument marking his 1493 visit here) and good, old-fashioned beach life. 

Where to Stay in Long Island 

That includes the aforementioned Cape Santa Maria Beach, home to the island’s best hotel, a bungalow-and-villa-filled retreat that’s your classic beach resort: not fancy, decidedly old-school, but set on an almost overwhelmingly beautiful stretch of beach. It’s not modern, but it’s got warm service, surprisingly good food and an endearing, barefoot-fun vibe. Here’s more on my most recent stay at the resort.

And guess what? The beach here is one of the best on earth. I really mean it. 

What the Long Island Flights Cost 

The flights right now are bookable, with roundtrips coming in at around $1,000. Given the prices of standard commercial flights, this is pretty good value — and it’s the only nonstop flight to Long Island, a premium that’s priced in. Not to mention the hours you save by flying semi-private.