Private 38′ Defender Sportfishing/Swim with Pigs in Nassau

At Rose Island, this private Nassau charter gives you a flexible half-day on the water, with bottom fishing, snorkeling, reef time, and beach stops packed into roughly four hours. You can also add the island’s swimming-with-pigs visit for an extra $30. The 38-foot Defender Express is set up for families, with room to move and, according to the trip details, a bathroom aboard.

I like the fact that you get a real private boat for up to seven people, rather than sharing the day with a larger crowd. I also like the practical inclusions: fishing equipment, bait, ice, bottled water, and snorkel gear are supplied, so you can keep your packing list short.

The main consideration is time. Four hours goes quickly once you combine the boat ride, fishing, two reef areas, beach time, and the pig stop. If your group wants a long fishing session or a slow beach day, you may need to choose your priorities before departure.

Key Points Before You Book

• Private 38-foot boat: Your group of up to seven people has the boat to itself.
• Rose Island reef stops: Swim with colorful fish at one reef, then snorkel or spend time at another reef and beach.
• Fishing is part of the plan: Bottom-fishing gear, bait, and ice are provided.
• Pig swimming costs extra: The swimming-with-pigs stop requires a separate $30 fee.
• Family-friendly setup: The larger boat includes a bathroom, which matters on a half-day outing with children.
• Flexible Nassau meeting point: Meet at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Bahamas Marina on Paradise Island and return there.

A Four-Hour Charter Built Around Your Group

This is not a fixed sightseeing cruise with a large passenger list. It is a private outing for up to seven people, which changes the feel of the day. You can talk with the crew about how much time you want for fishing, snorkeling, beach time, and the pig stop.

The boat is a 38-foot Defender Express, based out of Nassau. That size gives your party more room than a small open skiff, and the onboard bathroom is a useful detail for families. Kids may also appreciate the mix of activities. They can fish for a while, swim at the reef, and then switch to beach time instead of being locked into one long activity.

The charter lasts about four hours. That is a good length if you want a manageable half-day between other Nassau plans. It is also short enough to suit children who may lose interest after several hours on the water. The tradeoff is that every stop will be fairly focused. You should not expect a full-day fishing charter with endless time at each reef.

The crew has handled family-oriented trips that combine fishing and swimming with pigs. Mike and DeAngelo are names associated with the boat’s fishing outings, so you can ask when booking whether they will be working your departure. Crew assignments can change, but this is a useful detail if you want to clarify who will be aboard.

Leaving Margaritaville Marina in Paradise Island

Your start and finish point is Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Bahamas Marina Drive on Paradise Island. That makes the outing fairly easy to fit into a Nassau stay, especially if your group is already spending time around Paradise Island.

You will want to arrive ready for a boat day. The operator supplies water, ice, fishing equipment, bait, and snorkel gear, but the supplied information does not list sunscreen, towels, swimsuits, or a change of clothes. Bring the personal items you know you will need for swimming and sun exposure.

Because the trip depends on weather, keep a little flexibility in your schedule. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you can receive a full refund or move to another date. The cancellation policy also allows a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Fishing Near Nassau: A Good Family Option

Fishing is not just an add-on here. Bottom-fishing equipment and bait are included, giving your group a chance to spend part of the charter trying to catch fish close to Nassau. This can work especially well for families because the activity has a clear goal without requiring a full day offshore.

The boat’s past family outings have included plenty of catches, but fishing is never guaranteed. Conditions, timing, and luck all matter. You should treat it as an enjoyable part of the trip rather than booking solely for a certain number or type of fish.

Ask the crew at the start how much fishing time makes sense for your group. If the children are excited about catching fish, use more of the early part of the outing for fishing. If the reef and pig visit are the main goals, you will want to keep the fishing session shorter.

The supplied ice is useful for the day’s catch and for keeping drinks cold. Bottled water is included, which saves you from having to load the boat with a large supply of drinking water. You may still want to confirm what additional drinks or food you can bring.

Rose Island’s First Reef Stop

The first Rose Island stop takes you to a large reef where you can swim among colorful fish. This is the part of the outing best suited to people who want an easy introduction to Nassau’s underwater scenery without committing to a long snorkeling cruise.

Snorkel equipment is included, so you do not need to rent masks and fins separately. Still, fit matters. If your group includes children, check the gear early and tell the crew if a mask does not seal well. A poor-fitting mask can turn a promising reef stop into a frustrating one.

The reef stop also gives you a useful break from fishing. You can swim, look for fish, or simply remain aboard if someone in your group does not want to enter the water. Since this is a private charter, your party has more control over how the stop feels, though the four-hour limit still applies.

The details do not promise a particular species of fish or exact water conditions. Expect a reef swim with colorful fish, but keep your expectations flexible. The sea and weather will influence visibility and comfort on the day.

A Second Reef for Snorkeling or Beach Time

After the first reef, the boat goes to another reef where you can snorkel or spend time at the beach. This second stop gives the group a choice, which is important when not everyone has the same idea of a good afternoon.

Strong swimmers can snorkel again, while others can stay on the beach. That split makes the charter practical for mixed-age groups. Someone who has had enough water time does not have to sit through another long boat transfer or leave the activity entirely.

The beach option also helps break up the fishing and reef stops. You can use it as a quiet stretch of the outing, but the exact beach facilities and available amenities are not specified. Do not assume there will be changing rooms, food service, chairs, or shade unless the operator confirms it.

If beach time is a top priority, tell the crew before leaving the marina. Four hours is enough for a pleasant stop, but not enough for lengthy fishing, two relaxed reef sessions, a pig visit, and an unhurried beach afternoon all at once.

Adding the Swimming-With-Pigs Visit

Swimming with pigs is available as an additional part of the outing, but it is not included in the $850 charter price. A separate $30 fee applies. The provided information does not clearly say whether that fee is charged per person or in another way, so confirm the total before you book.

This extra stop can be the highlight for families and anyone looking for a playful photo opportunity. It also changes the schedule. The boat must reach the pig area, allow time for the visit, and then continue or return according to the day’s plan.

You should decide before boarding if the pig stop is essential. If it is, tell the crew so they can plan around it. If only part of your group wants to go, ask how the timing will work for those who prefer to remain aboard or spend more time at the reef.

The pig visit is a separate paid activity, not a guaranteed part of the basic charter. Budget for it in advance, and ask exactly where the stop fits into your four-hour itinerary.

What the $850 Price Really Covers

The price is $850 per group of up to seven people. At full capacity, that works out to about $121 per person before the pig fee and gratuity. For a smaller group, the per-person cost rises quickly, but the private format remains the main value.

You are paying for exclusive use of a large boat, crew service, fishing equipment, bait, snorkel equipment, ice, and water. A private boat also means you are not sharing the schedule with strangers. That matters if your group includes young children, first-time snorkelers, or people who want to divide their time between activities.

The value is strongest for a group of six or seven. A full party can share the fixed charter price and enjoy the privacy of a boat that would cost much more if booked by only one or two people. For a couple or very small group, compare the cost with shared fishing or snorkeling trips in Nassau.

Gratuities are not included. The pig swimming fee is also separate. Add both items to your budget before comparing this charter with other Nassau excursions.

Who Will Get the Most From This Charter

I would point this outing toward families, friend groups, and anyone who wants several Nassau activities in one private booking. The boat’s size, bathroom, and mix of fishing and swimming make it easier to please people with different interests.

It also suits a group that values control over the day. You can discuss how to use the limited time instead of following a rigid large-boat program. That flexibility has real value when one person wants to fish and another would rather snorkel.

It is less ideal if your only goal is a long fishing session. The reef, beach, and pig options divide the time. It may also disappoint anyone expecting a slow, all-day island cruise, since the outing lasts about four hours.

Most people can participate, according to the activity details, but the tour information does not provide specific accessibility details. If anyone in your party needs special boarding help or has mobility concerns, ask Hunter Charters before booking.

Practical Booking Advice for Nassau

Book as early as you can if your dates are fixed. This outing averages about 20 days of advance booking, which suggests that popular dates may fill before your trip. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability.

Before paying, confirm three points: who will be guiding the trip, how the $30 pig fee is calculated, and how your group wants to divide the four hours. A simple plan can prevent disappointment. For example, you might choose fishing first, the main reef second, the pig stop third, and the beach or second reef last, but the crew may recommend a different order based on conditions.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, and anything you need for a wet return to the marina. The operator supplies the core water and fishing equipment, but personal comfort items are not listed among the inclusions.

The mobile ticket is convenient, and the tour returns to the same marina where it begins. That makes it easier to plan a meal or another activity afterward, though leave some buffer time rather than scheduling something immediately after the boat returns.

Should You Book It?

Book this charter if you have a group large enough to share the $850 cost and want fishing, snorkeling, beach time, and optional pigs in one private Nassau outing. The 38-foot boat, bathroom, supplied equipment, and family-friendly setup give it a practical edge.

Skip it if your group wants one single activity for several hours, or if the fixed price feels high for a small party. For the best value, bring six or seven people, decide how important the pig stop is, and confirm the separate $30 fee before you go.

FAQ

How long is the private Nassau charter?

The activity lasts approximately four hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

The charter is for up to seven people, and only your group participates.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins and ends at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Bahamas Marina Drive on Paradise Island, New Providence Island.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included.

Is fishing equipment provided?

Yes. Fishing equipment, bait, and ice are included.

Is swimming with the pigs included in the $850 price?

No. Swimming with the pigs requires a separate $30 fee.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.