Private Jet to the Caribbean from Miami: Cost Breakdown

Route Overview

Miami is the premier gateway to the Caribbean by private jet. The proximity of South Florida to the island chain means flight times range from as little as 45 minutes (to Nassau, Bahamas) to 3.5 hours (to Barbados or Grenada in the southern Caribbean). This makes the Caribbean one of the most accessible and popular private jet destinations in the world.

Key distances from Miami (Opa-Locka Executive, MIA private terminals, or Fort Lauderdale Executive):

• Nassau, Bahamas (NAS): 185 miles, 45 minutes
• Turks and Caicos (PLS): 575 miles, 1.5 hours
• St. Barts (SBH): 1,200 miles, 2.5 hours
• Cayman Islands (GCM): 520 miles, 1.5 hours
• St. Maarten (SXM): 1,150 miles, 2.5 hours
• Barbados (BGI): 1,600 miles, 3.5 hours

Aircraft options span the full range. Light jets like the Citation CJ4 or Phenom 300E are perfect for quick hops to the Bahamas. Midsize jets such as the Citation Latitude or Learjet 75 handle mid-range Caribbean destinations efficiently. Super-midsize and large-cabin jets are ideal for southern Caribbean trips or larger groups.

Cost Breakdown by Aircraft Category

Pricing varies significantly based on both aircraft type and destination distance:

• Light Jets (e.g., Phenom 300E, Citation CJ4, HondaJet): $8,000 to $18,000. Perfect for couples or small groups (4 to 7 passengers) heading to the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, or Cayman Islands. The short flight times mean you are paying for as little as one hour of flight time plus positioning.
• Midsize Jets (e.g., Citation Latitude, Hawker 800XP, Learjet 75): $15,000 to $28,000. The versatile choice for mid-range Caribbean islands like St. Maarten, Antigua, or St. Kitts. More cabin space and luggage capacity than light jets, with range to reach most Caribbean destinations nonstop. Seats 7 to 9 passengers.
• Super-Midsize Jets (e.g., Challenger 350, Citation Longitude, Praetor 600): $22,000 to $40,000. Best for southern Caribbean destinations (Barbados, Grenada, Trinidad) or groups wanting extra comfort. Stand-up cabins, ample luggage space for vacation gear, and range to reach any Caribbean island nonstop from Miami. Seats 8 to 10 passengers.
• Large Cabin Jets (e.g., Challenger 650, Gulfstream G280): $35,000 to $55,000. For large groups or ultra-luxury travel to any Caribbean destination. Some clients use large-cabin jets even for short Bahamas trips purely for the cabin space and amenity level. Seats 10 to 14 passengers.

Estimates include flight crew, fuel, landing fees, and standard catering. Island-specific fees vary: St. Barts charges a steep landing fee due to its famously short runway (restricted to turboprops and specific small jets), and some islands require advance customs clearance fees.

Factors That Affect Price

• Seasonality: Peak Caribbean season runs from mid-December through April, coinciding with North American winter and the Caribbean dry season. Charter prices during this window are 20 to 35 percent higher than summer rates. The absolute peak is Christmas through New Year's and Presidents' Day weekend.
• Event-Driven Demand: Art Basel Miami (early December), St. Barts New Year's celebrations, Antigua Sailing Week (April), and the Cayman Cookout are events that can make aircraft extremely scarce in specific corridors.
• Airport Constraints: Some Caribbean airports have restrictions. St. Barts (SBH) has a 2,133-foot runway that limits operations to specific aircraft types. Mustique has limited operating hours. These constraints can require creative routing (fly to St. Maarten and transfer by smaller aircraft or helicopter to St. Barts).
• Positioning Fees: Miami has one of the densest private jet fleets in the world, minimizing positioning costs. However, during peak season, many aircraft reposition away from Miami to serve demand, potentially increasing ferry fees.
• Customs and Immigration: Each Caribbean island nation has its own entry requirements. US customs pre-clearance is available in some locations (Bahamas, Bermuda) but not all, which can affect turnaround time and costs.
• Round-Trip vs. One-Way: Caribbean trips are almost always round-trip. Operators strongly prefer round-trip bookings because one-way Caribbean flights create difficult repositioning scenarios. Expect significant per-leg savings on round-trip bookings.

How to Save: Empty Leg Opportunities

The Miami to Caribbean corridor generates enormous empty leg volume, especially during peak season. When aircraft drop passengers at a Caribbean island and need to return to Miami (or vice versa), the repositioning flight is offered at a steep discount.

VOLO lists dozens of Caribbean empty legs weekly during peak season. Typical savings range from 45 to 70 percent off standard charter rates. A light jet to the Bahamas that normally costs $12,000 might be available for $4,000 to $6,000 as an empty leg.

The high volume of Caribbean charter traffic means empty legs on this corridor are among the most frequently available anywhere in the world. Check VOLO's empty leg listings regularly, especially from November through April.

Booking Tips

• Book early for holiday travel. Christmas and New Year's Caribbean charters sell out weeks in advance. Secure your aircraft by October for December travel.
• Check runway requirements. If heading to St. Barts, Mustique, or other short-runway islands, confirm your aircraft type is approved for that airport before booking.
• Consider Opa-Locka or Fort Lauderdale Executive. These airports often have lower handling fees than Miami International private terminals and are equally convenient for most South Florida origins.
• Bundle with ground transportation. Many Caribbean FBOs can arrange car service, yacht transfers, or helicopter connections to final destinations. Ask your VOLO advisor about door-to-door packages.
• Bring your gear. Golf clubs, dive equipment, surfboards, and excess luggage are no problem on private jets. Just inform the operator in advance so they can plan weight and balance accordingly.
• Get instant quotes through VOLO for multiple destination and aircraft combinations. Our platform compares options across dozens of operators based in South Florida.

Why Fly Private on This Route?

The Caribbean is arguably the destination category where private aviation delivers the most transformative advantage over commercial flights:

• Island-hopping flexibility: Visit multiple islands in a single trip. Fly from Miami to Turks and Caicos, then to St. Barts, then home. Commercial connections between Caribbean islands are limited and time-consuming.
• Start your vacation immediately: Arrive at the private terminal 15 minutes before departure, skip the chaos of MIA international terminal, and be poolside at your Caribbean villa in under 2 hours.
• Access remote islands: Many exclusive Caribbean destinations (Mustique, Anguilla, Nevis) have limited or no commercial service. Private jets are the only practical way to reach them directly.
• Group economics: A family of 5 or group of friends sharing a light jet to the Bahamas pays roughly $1,600 to $2,400 per person each way, which is competitive with last-minute first-class commercial fares.
• Pet-friendly: Bring your pets in the cabin with you rather than subjecting them to cargo holds. The short flight times make Caribbean private jet travel especially comfortable for animals.

Whether you are planning a quick weekend escape to Nassau or a multi-island Caribbean adventure, VOLO makes private jet travel accessible and transparent. Request your personalized Caribbean quote today.