Private Snorkeling or Fishing from Nassau – 31ft Sitting Pretty

The best part of this Nassau charter is that you do not have to choose between fishing and snorkeling before you leave the dock. You can fish offshore, move into shallower water, look for turtles, or stop at a beach, then shape the rest of the trip with your captain. The 31-foot Bertram takes up to six people, so this feels like a private outing rather than a shared boat ride.

I like the real flexibility and the fact that all fishing gear and snorkel equipment are supplied. I also like the beginner-friendly crew approach. Captain Bobo and Cyrus have helped families catch their first fish, while more seasoned groups have landed tuna and dozens of smaller fish. The main consideration is the price: $825 per group is a serious half-day expense, though it makes more sense when split among a full group.

Key points to know before you book

• A private 31-foot Bertram takes up to six people from Sterling Marina at Hurricane Hole.
• Your captain helps set the plan, with choices including deep-sea fishing, inshore fishing, reef snorkeling, beach stops, and Nassau Harbour sightseeing.
• Four-hour and eight-hour charters are available, giving you a short cruise or a full day on the water.
• Beginners are welcome, and the crew provides bait, tackle, and hands-on help.
• Turtles and reef life may be part of a snorkeling stop, depending on conditions and the day’s route.
• Water, ice, a cooler, snorkel gear, and a bathroom are included, but food and other drinks are not.

A private Nassau boat day with room to change plans

This is best understood as a private boat charter, not a fixed sightseeing cruise. You arrive with a rough idea, meet the captain and crew, and decide how to use your four or eight hours.

That matters because a mixed group can be hard to please on a standard excursion. One person may want to fish, another may prefer snorkeling, and someone else may simply want a quiet ride around the harbor. Here, the captain can adjust the outing around your group’s interests.

The boat is a 31-foot Bertram, with space for up to six people. That is a good size for a family or a small group of friends. It is large enough to carry fishing equipment, snorkel gear, a cooler, and a bathroom, but still small enough to feel personal.

The meeting point is Carnivale Bahamas at Sterling Marina, 1 Marina Way, Paradise Island, in Hurricane Hole. You return to the same place at the end. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the marina.

What your four hours can look like

There is no single required route, which is both the charm and the one thing you need to understand before booking. Your captain will talk through your interests once you board and suggest how to use the time.

A typical half-day might combine fishing with a reef stop. You could start with fishing offshore, then move closer to Nassau for lighter tackle and snorkeling. Or you might spend more time fishing and use the remaining minutes for a quick swim or turtle sighting.

The crew can also plan a beach stop, sightseeing around Nassau Harbour, or a more relaxed cruise. With only four hours, every extra stop reduces fishing time, so be clear about your priorities at the beginning. If catching fish is the main goal, say so. If your group wants a little of everything, the captain can help set realistic expectations.

Some groups have caught tuna and other fish, while others have had better luck closer to shore after a quiet period offshore. That is normal for fishing. The boat and crew can put you in a good position, but they cannot promise a catch.

The eight-hour option gives you more breathing room. You can spend longer fishing, make a proper snorkeling stop, and add time for a beach or harbor visit without turning the day into a race. It also makes more sense if your group has sharply different interests.

Fishing help for beginners and experienced anglers

You do not need to arrive knowing how to rig a line or handle a fish. Necessary fishing equipment, bait, and tackle are included, and the crew can provide as much help as you need.

That makes this a particularly good choice for families. A 17-year-old and a 13-year-old can take part without the adults needing to manage every detail. One family even used the trip to introduce a beginner to fishing, with a first fish caught without assistance.

The crew can try different styles of fishing during the charter. Offshore fishing offers the chance to target larger fish, but it also takes you farther from shore and may use up more of a short trip. Inshore fishing can be a better fit for a group that wants more instruction, lighter tackle, or a change of pace.

On one outing, a group went about 10 miles offshore and mainly found seaweed before moving closer to land. That is a useful reminder not to measure the trip only by the number of fish caught. Conditions, location, and timing all affect the result.

For a serious angler, the private format gives you more control than a shared fishing boat. You are not waiting for a dozen other people to decide when to move. For a first-timer, it means the crew can focus on your group instead of splitting attention across a large boat.

Reef snorkeling, turtles, and time in the water

Snorkeling is not an afterthought here. The boat carries masks and snorkels in a range of sizes, so you can add a reef stop before or after fishing.

The underwater stops can include colorful reef life and sea turtles. Several outings also included close looks at fish and a spider crab. The crew can point out what you are seeing, which helps if you are not used to reading a reef.

Still, the snorkeling portion depends on your chosen route, available time, and sea conditions. A four-hour fishing-focused charter may offer only a short swim. If snorkeling is your top priority, tell the crew before you leave and consider the eight-hour option if you want to combine it with a long fishing session.

The boat’s cooler includes ice and bottled water, which is useful after time in the sun. Food is not included, so bring anything you want to eat, subject to the operator’s boat rules. The supplied information does not promise lunch or a meal stop.

Beaching and Nassau Harbour sightseeing

You can use part of the charter for more than fishing and snorkeling. Beaching is an option, and the captain can also show you parts of Nassau Harbour.

These choices suit groups that want a relaxed boat day rather than a fishing mission. A beach stop can give children a break from sitting with a rod, while harbor sightseeing adds variety for anyone who does not want to spend all four hours focused on the water.

The tradeoff is simple: every stop uses charter time. On a half-day outing, adding fishing, snorkeling, a beach, and sightseeing may leave you with only a short taste of each. I would choose two main activities and treat anything else as a bonus.

The boat, equipment, and comfort

The 31-foot Bertram includes a bathroom, a useful feature on a four or eight-hour trip. You will not need to plan the day around finding a marina or beach facility.

Snorkel gear comes in different sizes, and the fishing setup is supplied. Bottled water and ice are included, but food and extra drinks are not. The cooler is there, so you can plan ahead rather than assume a meal is provided.

The private boat format also gives you more personal space than a large shared excursion. That helps families with children and groups that want to talk, change plans, or take a break without worrying about other passengers.

A boat day still means sun, spray, and movement. If you are prone to seasickness, plan carefully, especially if you hope to spend time offshore. The tour requires good weather, and the captain may need to change the plan if conditions are not suitable.

Crew style and the value of local help

The crew’s role is central to this experience. Names associated with the charter include Captain Bobo, also referred to as Captain Bo, Cyrus, and Freddie, though your crew may be different.

Captain Bobo and Cyrus have handled mixed fishing and snorkeling days, including reef stops and turtle sightings. Cyrus has also helped identify unusual sea life such as a spider crab. Freddie and his captain have taken groups to productive fishing spots and combined a large catch with snorkeling.

The important point is not the promise of a particular crew member. It is the level of help you can expect from a private operation. You can ask questions, request instruction, and explain what would make the day worthwhile for your group.

That personal guidance is especially useful for beginners. You are not expected to know how to cast, bait a hook, or decide when to move. At the same time, experienced fishers can ask for a more focused outing instead of following a fixed beginner route.

Is $825 a good value?

The listed price is $825 per group, with the boat described as taking up to six people. That works out to about $137.50 each if six people share the cost. For a couple, the per-person price is much higher.

The value comes from the private format. You are paying for the boat, crew, equipment, and control over the day, not just a seat on a standard cruise. A full group that wants fishing, snorkeling, and time at a beach can get much more use from the charter than two people who only want a quick swim.

The eight-hour option should be judged separately from the four-hour trip. A full day gives you more time to fish and still stop to snorkel, but you should confirm the current price for that longer charter when booking. The supplied rate does not specify a separate eight-hour price.

One detail needs checking before you pay: the rate information describes the price as being per group up to one, while the tour description says the boat carries up to six people. Contact the operator to confirm how the group rate applies to your party size. This is a small but important point.

With a strong 4.9 rating from 92 ratings and a 98 percent recommendation rate, the charter has a solid record. I would still focus less on the headline number and more on whether your group will use the private boat well. If you want a mix of activities and have several people to share the cost, the price is easier to justify.

Who should book this Nassau charter?

I would choose this trip for a family with children or teenagers, especially if some people are new to fishing. The crew can teach the basics, and the group can switch to snorkeling or a beach stop if attention starts to fade.

It also suits friends who want a private day with options. Six people can split the cost, set the pace, and avoid being tied to a large group’s schedule.

This is less ideal if you want a guaranteed fishing result, a fixed list of sightseeing stops, or an all-inclusive meal. Fishing is affected by conditions, and the trip is built around choice rather than a set route.

It may also be a poor fit if your only goal is a brief snorkeling session. A shorter, dedicated snorkeling outing could be more efficient, while this charter makes the most sense when you want to combine activities.

Booking details that matter

The tour is offered as a four-hour or eight-hour private charter. You must get to Sterling Marina at Hurricane Hole on your own, and the trip ends at that same meeting point.

If you are arriving by cruise ship, provide the ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and required re-boarding time when booking. This lets the operator judge whether the charter fits your port schedule.

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you can receive a full refund or choose another date. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted.

Most people can take part, and only your group participates. Bring food if you need it, since only bottled water and ice are supplied. I would also confirm the exact crew, group pricing, and preferred balance of fishing and snorkeling before the day.

My recommendation

Book this charter if you want a private, flexible boat day and your group can agree on two or three main priorities. It is especially good for families, beginners, and small groups that want to fish, snorkel for turtles, and spend time around Nassau without following a rigid schedule.

I would choose the four-hour trip for a focused half-day, with fishing plus one water activity. Choose eight hours if you want a slower pace and enough time for fishing, snorkeling, and a beach or harbor stop.

The main caution is the cost and the lack of a guaranteed catch. Confirm the group rate before booking, then tell the captain exactly what matters most. If you do that, the private format, helpful crew, supplied equipment, and mix of ocean activities make this one of the more adaptable ways to spend a day from Nassau.

FAQ

Where does the charter leave from?

The meeting point is Carnivale Bahamas at 1 Marina Way, Paradise Island, Sterling Marina, Hurricane Hole, The Bahamas.

Where does the activity end?

The charter returns to the same meeting point at Sterling Marina.

How long is the private boat trip?

You can book either a four-hour or eight-hour charter.

How many people can join the boat?

The 31-foot Bertram can take up to six people for a private charter.

What activities can I choose?

Options include deep-sea fishing, inshore fishing, reef snorkeling, beaching, and sightseeing around Nassau Harbour.

Is fishing equipment included?

Yes. All necessary fishing equipment, bait, and tackle are included.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkel equipment in a range of sizes is provided.

Are food and drinks included?

Bottled water and ice are included. Food and other drinks are not included unless specifically stated.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can receive a full refund or choose a different date.