Private Snorkeling or Fishing from Nassau – 31ft Sitting Pretty

The best part of this Nassau charter is the freedom to change plans once you are on the water. You can try deep-sea fishing, move closer to shore for lighter tackle, snorkel a reef, look for turtles, or stop at a beach. Captain Bobo, Captain Bo, and Cyrus are among the crew members praised for helping beginners feel at ease.

I like the private setup, since your group does not have to follow a fixed route. I also like the mix of fishing and snorkeling, especially for families with different interests. The main drawback is that four hours passes quickly if you want serious fishing, reef time, and a beach stop all in one outing.

Key points before you book

• A 31-foot Bertram for up to six people: You get a private boat with a bathroom, cooler, ice, bottled water, fishing gear, and snorkel equipment in several sizes.
• A day built around your group: Discuss your plans with the captain at boarding and decide how to use the available time.
• Good for first-time anglers: The crew supplies bait and tackle and can provide as much help as you need.
• Fishing can mean several things: Try offshore fishing, inshore fishing, or lighter tackle near shore if the open water is not producing.
• Snorkeling and turtles add variety: Several outings included reef snorkeling, sea turtles, and even a spider crab sighting.
• Choose four or eight hours: The half-day works well for a mixed family outing, while eight hours gives you more room to combine activities.

A private boat day from Paradise Island

Your charter begins at Carnivale Bahamas at Sterling Marina, part of Hurricane Hole on Paradise Island. The meeting point is convenient if you are already in the Nassau and Paradise Island area, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the marina.

The boat is a 31-foot Bertram, large enough for up to six people on a private charter. That size gives you room to move around without the feel of a crowded group excursion. You also have a bathroom onboard, a practical detail on a fishing trip that can last four or eight hours.

Once you board, you meet the captain and crew and talk through your priorities. This conversation matters. If your group mainly wants fish, the captain can focus on fishing grounds. If one person wants to snorkel and another has never held a rod, the day can be split between activities.

Crew names that appear in the operation include Captain Bobo, Captain Bo, Cyrus, and Freddie. The strongest praise centers on patient instruction, helpful deck work, and a crew that adjusted the plan when conditions or fishing results called for it. Since the exact crew can vary, treat those names as examples rather than a guarantee for your departure.

Four hours or eight hours on the water

The four-hour charter is the sensible choice for many cruise ship passengers and families. It gives you enough time to fish and add a short snorkeling or swimming stop, but you will need to keep the plan focused. Trying to fit offshore fishing, inshore fishing, snorkeling, turtle watching, and a beach visit into half a day will feel rushed.

The eight-hour option gives the captain more room to work. You can spend time looking for fish, move to a reef, stop near a beach, and still have time for sightseeing around Nassau Harbor. It also gives fishing a better chance, since the captain can change areas instead of treating one slow spot as the whole day.

You should not view the longer charter as a guarantee of a bigger catch. Fishing depends on conditions and location. One half-day outing produced little offshore beyond seaweed before the captain moved the group closer to shore, where lighter tackle offered a better learning experience. That is useful context: a good captain can adjust the plan, but nature still controls the result.

What fishing is really like

The fishing can range from offshore work to inshore fishing. The captain supplies the bait, rods, tackle, and other necessary equipment, so you do not need to pack your own gear. Beginners can take part, and the crew can provide hands-on help.

Several outings produced strong catches. One group caught three tuna, while another reported 29 fish. Other groups had enough fish cooked for lunch at Rose Island or near Margaritaville’s restaurant. Those results are encouraging, but they should not be treated as a promise. The right way to book this is to expect a fishing attempt with skilled assistance, not a guaranteed haul.

The trip also works well for mixed groups. A first-time angler might catch a first fish without help, while more experienced fishers can spend time offshore. Children and teenagers can join, and the private setting means the captain can spend more time teaching your group than a large shared boat usually allows.

If fishing is your only goal, ask at the start how the captain wants to use the hours. If your group wants snorkeling too, agree on a rough balance before leaving the marina. This simple step can prevent disappointment when four hours disappears faster than expected.

Snorkeling reefs, turtles, and small sea life

Snorkeling gives the trip a second focus and may be the best choice for groups that are not all anglers. Gear is included in a range of sizes, so you do not have to bring your own mask and fins. The crew can suggest reef stops and help you get settled in the water.

The underwater highlights described from these outings include schools of fish, sea turtles, and a spider crab spotted on the reef. Those details show why snorkeling is more than a backup plan when the fishing slows. It can be a rewarding part of the day in its own right.

The exact reef and conditions are not specified, so do not book expecting one named site or a fixed underwater route. The captain chooses stops within the Nassau area based on your interests and the day’s conditions. You should also allow time to get gear fitted, enter the water, and return to the boat, especially if several people need equipment.

For families, snorkeling can be an easy way to give younger children and non-fishers something memorable to do. You can also ask for time to swim with turtles if that is a priority, but the available information does not promise a dedicated turtle encounter every time.

Beach time and Nassau sightseeing

This is not only a fishing boat. Your plan can include beaching, harbor sightseeing, and stops around nearby islands. Some outings included island time along with fishing and snorkeling, giving the day a slower break from sitting with a rod.

Beach stops are especially useful on an eight-hour charter. They provide a chance to stretch your legs and let a mixed group enjoy the water in a different way. On a four-hour trip, a beach stop may come at the cost of fishing or snorkeling time, so tell the captain what matters most.

Harbor sightseeing is another option if you want a gentler outing. You can see parts of Nassau from the water without committing the entire charter to fishing. This makes the boat a useful choice for a group with varied energy levels, including people who want scenery and swimming more than a full day of angling.

The itinerary is flexible, but flexibility is not the same as unlimited time. The captain can help you choose, yet you still have only four or eight hours. I would make a short priority list before boarding: first choice, second choice, and an activity to drop if the day runs long.

Equipment, comfort, and what to bring

The boat includes a bathroom, fishing equipment, bait and tackle, snorkel gear, a cooler, ice, and bottled water. Those inclusions reduce the amount of gear you need to organize. They also make the charter easier for first-time fishers, since you are not expected to arrive with specialized equipment.

Food and drinks are not included unless specifically stated. Bring what you need for the time onboard, while remembering that the supplied cooler has ice and bottled water. You should also plan for sun exposure and time on the water, although the available details do not specify which personal items the operator provides.

Wear clothing suitable for getting wet and bring anything you need for swimming and snorkeling. Because the boat returns to the same meeting point, you can plan the rest of your day around the marina rather than arranging a separate return location.

The boat is in good condition based on the information available, and the onboard bathroom is a real comfort advantage. Still, a 31-foot boat is not a cruise ship. If your group includes six people, space will feel more limited than on a large sightseeing vessel, particularly when fishing gear and snorkel equipment are in use.

How much value do you get for $825?

The listed price is $825 per group, with the booking information showing a group size of up to one while the boat description says it takes up to six people. Because those details do not match neatly, confirm the final price and permitted party size when booking.

If the quoted rate covers your private group, the value improves as your party gets larger. Six people sharing a private boat, captain, crew, gear, water, and a custom route can compare well with paying separate per-person rates for several smaller activities. A couple or solo visitor may find the total harder to justify unless privacy and flexibility matter most.

The price also includes more than a basic fishing ride. You can combine fishing, snorkeling, turtle watching, swimming, beach time, or sightseeing without booking separate tours. That versatility is the main reason to consider it.

The value is weaker if you want a guaranteed catch or a fixed, highly polished sightseeing program. Fishing is affected by conditions, and your captain may need to change locations. The most sensible approach is to pay for a private attempt at a full day on the water, with the freedom to adjust the plan.

Who will enjoy this charter most

I would recommend this experience to families, couples, and small groups who want control over their time. It is especially suited to groups with mixed interests. One person can fish, another can snorkel, and everyone can share the same boat rather than splitting up.

Beginners are a strong match. The crew provides equipment and instruction, and the private format can make it less awkward to ask basic questions. Children and teenagers can also take part, as shown by outings with ages 12, 16, 17, and 18.

This may not be the best choice if you dislike boats, want a guaranteed wildlife sighting, or prefer a strict schedule with named stops. It is also less appealing for anyone who wants a cheap, short activity. The private price is aimed at people who value personal service and a flexible route.

Cruise ship passengers can book it, but you must provide the ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and required re-boarding time at booking. Build in enough margin for the return to the marina. Hotel transport is not included, so your timing plan should include getting to and from Sterling Marina.

Weather, cancellation, and practical planning

The charter requires good weather. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.

Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the experience are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows local Bahamas time, so do not rely on your home time zone when making changes.

Confirmation arrives at booking, and the ticket is mobile. Most people can participate, but the supplied information does not give detailed accessibility specifications. If someone in your group has mobility needs, contact the operator before booking and ask about boarding and movement on the 31-foot boat.

Should you book Sitting Pretty?

Book this charter if you want a private Nassau day that can shift between fishing, snorkeling, turtles, swimming, beach time, and sightseeing. Its strongest feature is not one guaranteed catch or one fixed reef. It is the ability to shape the day with the captain and keep a mixed group together.

Choose four hours if you want a compact family outing or need to fit the charter around a cruise schedule. Choose eight hours if fishing is important and you also want time for snorkeling or a beach stop.

Before paying, confirm the final group pricing, since the supplied booking details list $825 per group and also show a group size of up to one, while the boat accepts up to six people. If that point is clear and your group values private service, this is a flexible and well-equipped way to spend time off Nassau.

FAQ

Where does the private charter begin?

The activity begins at Carnivale Bahamas, 1 Marina Way, Paradise Island, at Sterling Marina in Hurricane Hole.

Where does the charter end?

The boat returns to the same meeting point at the end of the activity.

How long does the charter last?

You can choose a four-hour or eight-hour private charter.

How many people can join the boat?

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

What activities can I choose?

Options include deep-sea fishing, inshore fishing, reef snorkeling, beaching, swimming with turtles, and sightseeing around Nassau Harbor.

Is fishing equipment included?

Yes. Bait, tackle, and all necessary fishing equipment are included.

Is snorkel equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided in a variety of sizes.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included unless specifically stated. Bottled water and ice are provided.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund. Poor weather may result in a different date or a full refund.