GPS Coordinates: 25°75’64.69″N 77°85’14.85″W
Trip Questionnaire: Please click on the link below. This will take you an electronic questionnaire form that we ask you to complete and submit to The Fly Shop®. Please be sure to click the “Submit” button at the end of the form. The information provided will help us — and the outfitter best coordinate your trip.
THANK YOU! CLICK HERE
Getting to Soul Fly Lodge
Now that you’re booked, it’s time to reserve your flights to Great Harbour Cay. Booking flights is the responsibility of each guest but we’re here for you and happy to help. The newly rebuilt Great Harbour Cay Airport is only 120 miles East of Miami. Great Harbour Cay (GHC) is an official port of entry and can accommodate private aircraft both large and small. Soul Fly Lodge will provide your transfer to and from the airport.
LeAir – Nassau to Great Harbour Cay (20 min flight):
Suggested to arrive in Nassau at least 2 to 3 hours prior to LeAir flight departure time. LeAir typically flies twice a day to Great Harbour Cay. You’ll clear customs & immigration in Nassau.
Departure Location: Lynden Pindling International Airport, Windsor Field Road, Nassau, Bahamas
Tropic Ocean Air – Ft Lauderdale to Great Harbour Cay (1 hour flight):
Comfortable flight, a more expensive option than LeAir but gets you to GHC faster and more easily. You’ll clear customs & immigration right on GHC.
Departure Location: Fort Lauderdale International Airport, Sheltair Terminal, 1050 Lee Wagener Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315
Makers Air – Ft Lauderdale to Great Harbour Cay (1 hour flight):
Comfortable flight, a more expensive option than LeAir but gets you to GHC faster and more easily. You’ll clear customs & immigration right on GHC.
Departure Location: Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, 2331 Northwest 55th Court, Hangar 19, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
Contact Information
Should any problems occur during your travel, including significant flight delays please be sure to have the following emergency contact information with you. Please feel free to contact the lodge or The Fly Shop® directly.
Soul Fly Lodge
Lodge Email & Kitri Schaefer | soulflylodge@gmail.com
Kyle Schaefer | kyle@soulflyoutfitters.com
US Sales & Service | +1 (603) 969-3050
Bahamas Landline | +1 (242) 367-8785
The Fly Shop®
(800) 669-3474 | (530) 222-3555 | travel@theflyshop.com
Emergency Assistance
In case of emergencies involving the death, injury, welfare, or arrest of an American citizen in The Bahamas or the Turks and Caicos Islands, please call (242) 328-3496 or (242) 311-1181 x9 during business hours, and (242) 357-7004 at all other times. (Please note that the Duty Officer who answers this number will not be able to assist with visa or routine passport matters.)
General Travel Information
Passport & Visas:
A passport is required for all travelers, and must be valid for six months beyond the arrival date. A visa is not required for U.S or U.K. passengers. Residents of other countries should contact the Bahamian embassy in their country for travel requirements.
You will complete an immigration card upon arrival. It will be checked at your first point of entry and a copy will be given to you. Please be careful not to lose this copy as it must be returned to Immigration upon your departure.
General Information
Communications:
Wireless internet will keep you as connected to the outside world as you wish. Cell service is available across the majority of the island (check with your provider: typically, an international pass costs about $10/day). A landline telephone is also available.
Currency:
The Bahamian Dollar and the US Dollar are interchangeable in the Bahamas. There’s no need to exchange currency for your trip, US Dollars will suffice.
Guide Gratuities:
We recommend tipping at the end of each day so that the tip is directly connected to the hard work that your guide just put in. We rotate guides each day so it’s possible that you won’t fish with that guide a second time. We recommend a standard of $100 – $120 per day, per boat. If your guide did a phenomenal job, worked exceptionally hard or connected you with a memorable fish it’s absolutely reasonable to tip more than the recommended amount.
Lodge Staff Gratuities:
We recommend settling up on your Chef & House Staff tip at the end of your stay. $20 – $30 per person per night is the average tip that we recommend. This tip should be given to managers to disperse to the staff appropriately. The chef, wait staff, kitchen help, maintenance staff, etc. will all get a cut of this tip.
Laundry:
Laundry service is not available. They do have a clothesline available if you choose to wash and rinse your fishing clothes.
Fishing Licenses:
Fishing licenses are included in your package and will be issued on site upon arrival.
Clothing & Sun Protection:
Soul Fly Lodge may be the most informal place on the planet. Comfortable, casual wear is accepted and encouraged. Flip-flops, sandals, shorts, T-shirts…casual is king. Expect air temperatures in the mid-80s during the days and high 60s to low 70s in the evening and early mornings. We recommend long-sleeved shirts and long pants while on the flats. Apply a waterproof sunblock of at least 30 SPF to all exposed skin including your ears and lips each morning. Re-apply occasionally throughout the day, and consider wearing a wide-brimmed hat and/or Buff. After applying sunscreen, scrub your hands with a scoop of sand and water as bonefish can smell lotion on your fly resulting in refusals. Applying sunscreen with the back of your hands minimizes transferring sunscreen to your fly and leader.
Although casual tropical attire will generally work great during your time on the water, there are three fishing specific items that are critical for each angler to bring: a raincoat, for boat spray or the occasional cloudburst, polarized sunglasses to help you see the fish, and flats boots for wading. Since the flats that we wade vary greatly in their composition (hard sand, soft sand, grass, coral) we do not recommend wading sandals; boots are greatly preferred. Even on sunny days we suggest including a rain jacket in your boat bag. Boat spray can occur at any time and a cloudburst can form when least expected.
Personal Gear
You’ll need an assortment of personal gear for your days on the flats, and a boat bag to keep them in.
Boat Bags:
Your boat bag will contain all your gear for the day in the boat and in transfer to and from the dock.
Anglers often prefer some organizing dividers inside, and quick access pouches on the outside. It needs to be large enough to hold your rain jacket, fly boxes, sunscreen, extra leaders and tippet, camera/phone, and back up glasses and fly lines. Fishpond, Umpqua, Patagonia and Simms offer quality boat bags.
Wading Pack:
You may be wading for hours and the boat will be just a spec on the horizon. Be sure to bring a wading pack to carry your flies, leaders, tippet, clippers, a water bottle, snack bars, etc. The design is your choice, with sling, fanny and backpack the most common. Fishpond, Umpqua, Patagonia and Simms offer proven models in these designs.
Tools:
Pliers, hemostats, leader snips, hook sharpener, and release tool.
Rain Gear:
Lightweight and breathable is the best for warm climates. Bring your rain gear with you on the boat everyday no matter how clear it looks. Squalls pop up quickly and the boat ride can be wet.
Sunglasses:
Polarized glasses with amber or copper lenses are the most popular for flats fishing, and having an extra pair in your boat bag is a darn good idea.
Tackle & Equipment
Lodge Equipment:
A limited supply of rods, reels, flats boots, etc. are available at the lodge. To reserve equipment, please note that on your online questionnaire so the lodge will know what you are expecting to borrow.
Tackle & Equipment Lists by Species (click on links below):