COPA Bahamas Adventure 2020!
We are excited to announce the COPA Bahamas Adventure 2020 to Grand Isle Resort on Great Exuma Island on May 13-17. Grand Isle Resort sits on a mile-long stretch of white sand beach and sparkling turquoise waters of Emerald Bay on the island of Great Exuma. Grand Island Resort, a former Four Seasons Residences on Exuma, was recently upgraded with new management company and a beach club/restaurant.
Exuma is just a two-hour Cirrus flight from Fort Lauderdale over some of the most beautiful waters and scenery you will ever see.
We have reserved a block of rooms at a special COPA discounted rate at the Grand Isle Resort. The resort has a private beach; great restaurants and bar and a huge pool. Please check out information on the Grand Isle Resort website.
On Wednesday, May 13, we will gather in Fort Lauderdale, Florida (KFXE) for a pre-trip flight briefing at 5:00 pm and stay overnight in Fort Lauderdale. Our host FBO is Banyan Aviation and will offer a 75 cents fuel discount. On Thursday, May 14, we will fly to Exuma International Airport (MYEF), an Airport Of Entry (AOE) for Bahamian Immigration & Customs.
The flight from Florida is about 280 nautical miles or about two hours. Odyssey is the FBO in Exuma and has avgas. We will depart on Sunday, May 17 for the return to Florida and home (or you can stay longer). See logistics page for more information and itinerary.
We have planned fun optional activities: Friday day flying trip to Staniel Cay for lunch (on your own) and boat trip for snorkeling and see swimming pigs; Saturday shopping excursion and afternoon at Chat-N-Chill Beach Club on Stocking Island. Tickets for these optional activities can be purchased later during registration.
Destination Hotel Packages
May 13-17, 2020
PLEASE MAKE HOTEL RESERVATIONS BY April 1, 2020
DIRECTLY WITH BOTH THE BAHAMAS AND FLORIDA HOTELS.
PRE-DEPARTURE FLORIDA HOTEL –
Courtyard by Marriott Fort Lauderdale East/Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
5001 N. Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale. - Wednesday, May 13, 2020
(NOTE: This is a new hotel from last year.)
COPA has a block of rooms reserved at a special group rate of $95 per night plus tax. It includes a complimentary welcome cocktail and breakfast. Please make your reservation directly via the following link . No need to rent a car. COPA has arranged with Courtyard to provide a transportation shuttle from the FBO to the hotel on Wednesday as well as return transfer from the hotel back to the FBO for our Thursday morning departure to the Bahamas. The hotel will also provide shuttle transportation to nearby restaurants at the beach for Wednesday night. The room block is released on April 22 so make your reservations as soon as possible.
Grand Isle Resort, Exuma – May 14-17, 2020
Grand Isle Resort has offered COPA members a special discount for our trip. The room block is released on March 1 so be sure to act fast. One-bedroom villas start at $349/night. If you share a two-bedroom villa with another COPA member, it is more economical: two-bedroom villas start at $524/night. There are also three-bedroom villas available to share at $699/night. Make your reservations directly with the hotel at 242-358-5000 or via email at islandreservations@grandisleresort.com and be sure to tell the reservation agent you are with the COPA Bahamas Adventure Group. This group discount rate will also be honored by the hotel if you want to extend your trip a day or two. For more info on the hotel, go to the hotel web site. After April 1, the room block is released and will be available on a space available basis.
Registration
The Registration Fee is $90 per person and covers airport transfers in Florida and welcome receptions in Florida and The Bahamas. When the COPA Registration website goes live, you will also have the opportunity to purchase tickets for the Friday night COPA Bahamian Night Dinner for $75 per person as well as optional activities in Exuma. The registration fee, dinner tickets and optional activity fees are refundable if cancelled prior to April 1, 2020.
Hotel reservations are not included. You must make hotel reservations directly with both the Bahamas and Fort Lauderdale hotels.
The Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association (aka, “COPA”) is a 501(c)7 non-profit corporation dedicated to serving its members. COPA is not in any way affiliated with Cirrus Aircraft, the manufacturer. Cirrus is a registered trademark of Cirrus Aircraft.
