Hawks Nest Airport

Hawks Nest Creek Airport sits on Great Guana Cay in the Abaco Islands of the Bahamas, serving the small settlement of McQueen's — a community of roughly 400 people engaged primarily in fishing and boatbuilding. The airport consists of a single asphalt runway, 1,100 metres long, and a modest terminal building. It functions as the primary link between McQueen's and the outside world, handling scheduled flights from Marsh Harbour and occasional charters. The runway runs parallel to the coast, with the Atlantic visible on approach from the east and the tidal Hawks Nest Creek to the west. The airport's location explains its limited hours and seasonal operation: it is designed for the local population and for visitors who know exactly why they are coming.

Getting There

From Marsh Harbour, the nearest commercial hub, reaching Hawks Nest Creek involves either a direct flight or a combination of road and boat. The flight takes twenty minutes in a small aircraft, typically a Britten-Norman Islander or a Cessna Caravan. These flights operate on scheduled days — Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday — corresponding to the airport's busiest times. The fare is around $80 one way, payable in cash. Alternatively, take a water taxi from Marsh Harbour's dock to Great Guana Cay, a journey of about forty-five minutes by speedboat. From the island's public dock, it is a ten-minute walk or a short taxi ride to the airport. Driving is not a common option, as the island has limited paved roads and no rental car agencies. The road to the airport is unpaved but generally passable. Visitors staying in McQueen's Settlement can walk to the terminal in under thirty minutes.

Inside the Terminal

The terminal at Hawks Nest Creek is a single-story concrete structure painted white. It contains a check-in counter, a waiting area with plastic chairs, and a baggage claim area that doubles as the departure lounge. There is no security screening in the traditional sense; passengers simply pass through a door to the apron. The facility has no air conditioning — ceiling fans and open windows provide airflow. A small snack shack operates during flight times, selling cold drinks and bagged chips, but it is not always open. The washroom is basic but clean. The atmosphere is informal: passengers often know each other, and the baggage handler may also be the check-in agent. The busiest times — Monday 7 pm, Tuesday 5 pm, Wednesday 5 pm, Thursday 11 pm — correspond to the return flights to Marsh Harbour. Arrive at least thirty minutes early, as the departure time is flexible and the aircraft will leave once all passengers and bags are on board. There is no Wi-Fi and limited mobile reception inside the building.

Hawks Nest Creek Airport and McQueen's Settlement

McQueen's Settlement is one of the older settlements on Great Guana Cay, established in the late 18th century by Loyalists fleeing the American Revolution. The town embraces the island's history and natural environment more than tourism. It clusters around a small harbour where fishing boats tie up alongside conch-cleaning tables and lobster traps. The streets are unpaved, and the architecture blends pastel-painted wooden cottages with newer concrete homes. Visitors come for the bonefishing — the flats around Hawks Nest Creek are famous among fly fishermen — and for the quiet, unfussy lifestyle. There are no large resorts; accommodation is limited to rental cottages and a couple of small inns. The main street includes a convenience store, a bakery, and a restaurant that serves cracked conch and rum punch. Offshore, the barrier reef provides calm, clear water for snorkelling. A walking trail follows the coast from the settlement to the north end of the island, where a half-dozen private homes overlook the Atlantic. The creek itself, from which the airport takes its name, is a shallow tidal channel that fills with fish and bird life. Locals use it as a natural channel for small boats. The airport is more than just a facility — it is the most dependable connection to the rest of the Abacos. When the weather closes in, the airport becomes a gathering place. But when the sun is out and the flights are running, it is a simple, efficient way to arrive at a place that feels far removed from the everyday.

Practical Information

Hawks Nest Creek Airport is open only on days with scheduled flights — Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The terminal is unlocked about one hour before the busiest flight times and closes shortly after the last departure. There is no telephone or website for the airport directly; flight inquiries should be directed to the airline, which is typically Bahamasair or a local charter operator. Cash is essential — there is no ATM on Great Guana Cay, and neither the airport nor most businesses accept credit cards. Weather is a deciding factor: flights are often cancelled in high winds or heavy rain, so confirm departure ahead of time and build flexibility into travel plans. The airport does not have a fuel station or hangar; any delays due to mechanical issues may result in indefinite waiting. The one concrete piece of advice: arrive at the airport with a full phone battery and a paperback. The lack of distractions forces a slower pace, and that is the real point of coming to McQueen's Settlement.