For American citizens, you will require a valid US passport expiring 6 months beyond the date you plan to enter the Bahamas. For a complete review of Bahamas entry requirement, click here. Before you arrive, use your smart phone to take a photograph of your passport, just in case it goes missing! They’re hard to replace, and a photo makes it much more likely you’ll get home.

No. You will not be required to pay taxes or duties for your luggage, new or used articles that you will use during your trip, and portable items such as photo cameras, video camera, laptops, radios and MP3 players.

The Abaco Islands are on Eastern Standard Time (GMT-5).

Electrical current in the Bahamas is the same as in the United States and Canada: 110v60hz. The power is stable, but it’s always smart to use a power surge protector for protecting electronic gear while recharging.

English is the official language of the Bahamas.

The currency in the Bahamas is the Bahamian Dollar (BSD), which has a fixed exchange rate of 1-to-1 with the U.S. Dollar ($1.00 BSD = $1.00 USD). There is no need to exchange money when arriving in the Bahamas, as U.S. Dollars can be used freely anywhere in the country. The lodge does accept all major credit cards, although it is suggested that guests bring cash for gratuities and incidentals.

Credit Cards including American Express, Diner’s Club, Visa and Master Card are accepted at the Lodge and most local establishments if you are out touring or shopping.

Yes, but check with your bank before leaving home as to bank names and locations participating in your ATM system. ATM machines dispensing Dollars are available at most banks in the Bahamas and use Cirrus and Plus systems.

No vaccinations are required for entry into the Bahamas.

The weather in the Bahamas doesn’t vary much from season to season. The difference between average temperatures in the summer and winter is only about ten to fifteen degrees Fahrenheit. Winter in the Bahamas is like the month of May in much of the North American Southeast, with an average temperature hovering around 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celsius). This makes winter the most popular time to visit, and the warm days make for perfect water temperature on the flats. Summer brings hotter weather and humidity, and both summer and fall have a greater chance of rain than other times of year. In the summer, as the flats heat up from the stronger sun and longer daylight, the fish move into deeper water making the fishing harder. The hurricane season officially lasts from June 1 to November 30, with September and October typically months when many tourism businesses are closed for maintenance and employee vacations.

To check out the current and forecast five day weather conditions in the Abaco Islands, click here.

As Vaughn says, every fly fishing trip requires one common element….travel as light as possible but bring everything you need. His suggestion is to lay out everything you want to take on your bed, push the tackle to the side, (it’s exempt) then pack half of what’s left.

First, you don’t need to bring a lot of clothes. Laundry service is available and complimentary at the Lodge. Sunscreen is a must, along with a wide brimmed or long billed hat and Polaroid sunglasses. Teva-style sandals are popular and versatile footwear, or a pair of sneakers for added support if you intend to do any hiking. You’re in the islands, and there are no dress codes to speak of. Days are warm, favoring shorts and short sleeve shirts. Evenings can bring a light chill, so a sweater, sweatshirt or wind breaker is good to have. If your planning on a swim while out fishing, pack a swimsuit, preferably made of quick drying material, and consider throwing in your favorite mask and snorkel for convenience and comfort if you plan any fishing offshore. Always carry a small dry bag or some zip lock bags to protect papers and electronic gear. And of course, don’t forget the camera equipment!!

It’s not a bad idea. A good policy will include trip cancellation and interruption coverage, medical coverage – including coverage for emergency evacuation – as well as baggage loss protection. We recommend Travel Guard Sportsman’s Travel Insurance, America’s leading provider of travel insurance and assistance programs. For information on their travel policies, click here, or check such aggregator sites as Insuremytrip.com or Squaremouth.com.