Nassau: Sport-fishing private charter .

Nassau’s Secret Cays charter puts you on the water with a simple choice: chase offshore fish such as mahi mahi, wahoo, marlin, and sailfish, or stay closer to shore for reef and bottom fishing. Captain Javano sets the plan around the weather, season, and bite, so this is less a fixed sightseeing cruise than a private outing shaped to your group.

I like the private pricing and the flexible setup. At $1,000 for up to six people, the cost works out well for a full group, and you can mix fishing with snorkeling or a beach stop. I also like that rods, reels, terminal tackle, fishing licenses, bottled water, ice, and a first mate are included.

The main consideration is the boat’s condition and the level of hands-on fishing. Recent outings produced fish and friendly service, but one report described worn cushions and a boat that showed its age. The crew may place several rods in the water while you wait for a bite, so this suits a relaxed boat day better than a guaranteed, nonstop casting lesson.

Key points to know before booking

• Captain Javano adapts the plan to weather, season, and the type of fishing you want.
• The $1,000 rate covers a private group of up to six, making the value strongest when you fill the boat.
• Target fish range from snapper and reef species to mahi mahi, wahoo, marlin, and sailfish.
• All fishing equipment and daily licenses are included, so you do not need to arrange the basics yourself.
• Snorkel gear is available, giving you a backup plan if the fish are slow or the group wants a change of pace.
• Meet at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal near Margaritaville Restaurant, with no hotel pickup or drop-off included.

Setting out from Paradise Island

You meet the boat at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal, near Margaritaville Restaurant. That location matters because you arrange your own way there. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so leave enough time to reach the terminal before departure.

This is a private charter, not a shared boat with strangers. Your group can include up to six anglers, which gives you control over the mood and the plan. A family can keep the outing easygoing, while a group of friends can focus on fishing without having to follow another party’s schedule.

The listed experience lasts four hours. The operator also describes trips ranging from four to eight hours, so confirm the exact length when booking if you want more time on the water. Four hours is enough for a taste of offshore or reef fishing, but it gives the captain less room to change spots if the bite is slow.

The vessel has a full bathroom in the console, which is a useful feature on a small boat. There is also an MP3 and Bluetooth-compatible sound system, so you can bring music for the ride. Bottled water is supplied in a cooler with ice. You can bring additional drinks or snacks, though the provided information does not list food as part of the trip.

Choosing between offshore and reef fishing

The biggest decision comes before you leave: what kind of fishing do you want? Secret Cays offers offshore fishing, inshore fishing, and bottom fishing. Those choices create very different days on the water.

Offshore trolling is the choice for a chance at larger pelagic fish. The main targets include mahi mahi, wahoo, marlin, and sailfish, depending on the season and conditions. Trolling usually means rods are set out while the boat moves, with the crew watching for a strike. It can produce an exciting fish, but you need patience. A four-hour trip may bring a memorable catch, or it may bring long stretches of waiting.

Mahi mahi are among the more realistic prize fish listed for this trip. One recent outing produced a beautiful mahi mahi along with a large barracuda. Marlin and sailfish are possible targets, but you should treat them as seasonal possibilities rather than promises.

Bottom fishing and reef fishing keep you closer to the island. This can suit families, first-time anglers, and anyone more interested in regular bites than one dramatic strike. Snapper is one of the named targets. A French-language booking report described the reef fishing as pleasant but not especially suited to someone hoping for very large fish, with wind and weather possibly affecting the result.

Inshore fishing gives the captain another way to adjust the day. If the sea conditions make offshore trolling less appealing, staying nearer shore may offer a calmer ride and a different set of fish. Ask Captain Javano what he recommends for the forecast and your group’s priority. If you want a big pelagic, say so clearly. If you mainly want action for children, ask about the most reliable option.

What a four-hour fishing day feels like

Your first part of the trip is likely devoted to getting out to the chosen fishing area and setting up. The crew supplies the rods, reels, terminal tackle, and licenses. You do not need to rent equipment separately or buy a fishing permit for the day.

The first mate is on hand to help during the trip. That support is especially useful when a fish strikes, since landing a fish involves more than simply turning a reel. The crew can explain what to do and help keep the moment moving.

Still, set your expectations correctly. The fishing may be more about waiting for the right bite than giving every person constant casting time. One family outing used three fishing poles in the water, and the children did not spend much time casting. When a fish did take the line, the crew handed the rod to the children so they could reel it in. That produced the most memorable part of the day for the young anglers.

I would ask about this before booking if your group wants active instruction. If you want each child to cast repeatedly, practice knots, or learn a full range of techniques, you should confirm how the crew runs the trip. If your goal is to enjoy the ocean, watch the rods, and take turns when a fish hits, the setup can work well.

Recent catches have included six fish on one outing, as well as mahi mahi and barracuda on another. Those results show what is possible, but fishing is controlled by season, wind, water conditions, and luck. The captain can choose sensible spots, but nobody can guarantee a large catch.

Beyond fishing: snorkeling, beaches, and sea time

Fishing is the main reason to book this charter, but the private format gives you room to change plans. The boat can be used for snorkeling reefs, turtle viewing, a visit to swimming pigs, or a cruise to white sand beaches. These options are part of the charter’s broader activity range, so confirm what can fit into your four-hour booking and what is available on your chosen day.

Snorkeling equipment is included. That gives your group a practical backup if the fish are slow. It also helps mixed groups, since not everyone may want to fish for four straight hours.

A beach cruise can make the outing feel less like a dedicated fishing trip and more like a private day around New Providence. A turtle stop or reef visit may appeal to families who want wildlife and swimming as part of the plan. The supplied details do not promise a specific turtle site, pig island stop, or beach, so treat these as options to discuss with the captain rather than fixed stops.

This flexibility is one of the charter’s better features. On a shared excursion, the whole boat must follow one schedule. Here, you can tell the crew that fishing is the priority, or ask for a blend of fishing and swimming. Just remember that each extra activity reduces the time available for fishing.

The boat, crew, and comfort level

Captain Javano leads the trip, with a first mate available to help. The crew has been described as friendly and competent, and one family credited all three people helping aboard with making the day special. That personal service matters on a private charter, since the crew is working directly with your group rather than moving through a large passenger list.

The boat includes a full bathroom in the console, a cooler with ice and bottled water, and a Bluetooth-compatible sound system. Those are modest but useful comforts. Bring your own snacks and preferred drinks if four hours on the water will leave you hungry.

The vessel may show wear. A recent account noted cracks and torn cushions, describing the boat as slowly falling apart while still calling the ride and ocean enjoyable. I would not book this expecting a polished luxury yacht. Think functional fishing boat, open water, salt air, and a few signs of hard use.

That distinction affects value. If you care most about a new boat, spotless upholstery, and a polished presentation, this may disappoint. If you care more about having a private boat, a working crew, and several ways to spend the day, the worn appearance may be easier to accept.

Keeping your catch and handling fish responsibly

You can keep legal catches from the trip. The crew provides the required fishing licenses for the day, but local rules still apply. Ask the crew which fish can be kept and what size or seasonal restrictions are in force.

The fish named for this charter include mahi mahi, wahoo, marlin, sailfish, and snapper. These species do not all have the same handling rules or food value. The crew should guide you on what is legal and appropriate to retain.

One outing also produced a large barracuda that was given to people who wanted to eat it. That is a reminder to ask questions before keeping reef predators. If you plan to take fish home, ask the crew about safe handling, local consumption guidance, and what can realistically be transported after the trip.

For many groups, the best part is the catch itself, not bringing home a cooler full of fish. A child reeling in a fish, a first mahi mahi, or the sudden pull of a large fish can be enough. The private format lets you share those moments with your own group.

Is $1,000 a fair price for six people?

At $1,000 for up to six people, the charter costs about $167 per person when full. For four people, it comes to $250 each. For two people, the price rises to $500 per person, so the value depends heavily on group size.

The rate includes a private boat, guide, first-mate assistance, rods, reels, tackle, licenses, bottled water, ice, and snorkel equipment. You are paying for privacy and flexibility as much as for the fishing. A full group that wants a boat to itself gets a stronger deal than a couple booking alone.

The comparison also depends on your goal. If you want a guaranteed large fish, this price cannot promise that result. If you want a private four-hour outing with several possible activities and no strangers aboard, the cost is easier to justify.

I would book it for a group of five or six that wants a personal day on the water. I would think twice for two people unless private space is especially important or you have a strong interest in fishing.

Who will enjoy this charter most?

This trip fits families, small groups of friends, and anglers who want to choose their own fishing style. It also suits people who prefer a private boat and a flexible plan over a fixed sightseeing route.

Families should know that young children may not cast constantly. The crew can involve them when a fish strikes, but the day may include quiet stretches while rods sit in the water. Bring snacks, sun protection, and a patient attitude.

Experienced anglers should be clear about expectations. The charter offers deep-sea trolling and named pelagic targets, but reef fishing may produce smaller fish, and weather can change the plan. If you are set on serious offshore sport fishing, ask about the boat, tackle, trip length, and current conditions before paying.

The trip is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments. The meeting point is not a hotel pickup location, and the supplied details do not describe an accessible boarding setup.

Booking advice and final call

I would book Secret Cays if you want a private Nassau boat day with fishing at its center, especially with six people sharing the $1,000 rate. Captain Javano’s flexible approach, included equipment, and several possible activities make the trip practical for a mixed group.

I would not book it if you need a modern, polished boat or nonstop casting for every member of your party. The strongest reports praise the crew, the fun of reeling in fish, and the quality of the ocean ride. The clearest caution concerns the boat’s worn condition and the possibility that fishing will involve more waiting than hands-on action.

Ask three questions before you finalize: Can the group focus on offshore trolling? How many people will actively cast? What activity does the captain recommend for the forecast? If the answers match your priorities, this can be a relaxed and worthwhile way to see New Providence from the water.

FAQ

How much does the private Nassau fishing charter cost?

The price is $1,000 for a private group of up to six people. The per-person cost is lower when you fill all six places.

How long is the charter?

The listed experience lasts four hours. The operator also describes fishing trips of four to eight hours, so confirm the exact duration when booking.

Where do I meet the boat?

You meet at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal, where the Margaritaville Restaurant on Paradise Island is located.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must arrange your own transportation to and from the meeting point.

What types of fishing are available?

You can choose offshore, inshore, or bottom fishing. Offshore trips may target mahi mahi, wahoo, marlin, or sailfish, while bottom and reef fishing may target snapper and other local fish.

Are fishing equipment and licenses included?

Yes. Rods, reels, terminal tackle, and the necessary fishing licenses for the day are included.

Can I keep the fish I catch?

You can keep anything you catch as long as it is legal to do so. Ask the crew about current rules and which fish are appropriate to retain.

Is snorkeling available?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and snorkeling is one of the possible activities available through the private charter. Confirm how it fits into your fishing plan and four-hour schedule.