Nassau: Sport-fishing private charter .

The real appeal here is choice. Captain Javano can take your private group offshore for trolling, work the inshore waters, or set up bottom fishing for snapper. You can also trade the rods for snorkeling, turtle viewing, swimming pigs, or a run to a white-sand beach if the day calls for it.

I like the private boat for up to six people, since you are not sharing your fishing time with strangers. I also like that the price includes rods, reels, tackle, licenses, water, ice, and a first mate to help with the work. The main caution is simple: fishing is fishing. One four-hour trip produced a mahi mahi and a large barracuda, while another group caught six fish, but the action can be slower, and the boat has shown some wear.

Key points to know before booking

• Captain Javano sets up several fishing styles: Choose offshore trolling, inshore fishing, or bottom fishing based on your goals, weather, and conditions.
• Up to six anglers share the boat: The $1,000 rate is per group, so the value improves when you fill the boat.
• The catch may include prized pelagic fish: Seasonal targets include mahi mahi, wahoo, marlin, and sailfish, along with snapper.
• The four-hour trip is flexible: You can focus on fishing or use the boat for snorkeling, turtle viewing, swimming pigs, or a beach cruise.
• Much of the fishing work is handled for you: Rods may already be set, while the crew watches the lines and helps when a fish strikes.
• Meet at Paradise Island Ferry Terminal: Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own way to the terminal near Margaritaville Restaurant.

What this Nassau charter is really about

This is a private outing on the water, not a rigid sightseeing cruise. Your group gets a boat, a captain, a first mate, and a choice of how to use the four hours. Fishing is the main purpose, but the setup allows you to adjust the day if the weather is poor or your group wants more than rods in the water.

Captain Javano specializes in deep-sea fishing and trolling. That makes the trip most appealing to people hoping for a pelagic fish such as mahi mahi, wahoo, marlin, or sailfish. Those fish are seasonal, and the crew cannot promise a particular catch. Conditions on the day may lead you toward inshore or bottom fishing instead.

That flexibility matters in the Bahamas. Wind, waves, and fish activity can change the plan. An offshore trip may sound best on paper, but an inshore or reef session can be the better call if the sea is rough or the bite is slow. You should ask about the plan before leaving the dock and be clear about your priorities.

Meeting the boat at Paradise Island

You meet at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal, near the Margaritaville Restaurant on Paradise Island. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own transport to the meeting point.

Allow enough time to find the terminal and locate the boat. The supplied details identify the meeting area, but they do not provide a boat name, slip number, or parking instructions. Confirm the exact meeting instructions after booking, especially if you are staying on New Providence rather than Paradise Island.

The boat is set up for up to six anglers. That number is important when you are comparing prices. At the full $1,000 group rate, six people pay about $167 each for four hours. A couple pays much more per person, but gets a private boat rather than a shared excursion.

Choosing offshore, inshore, or bottom fishing

The captain offers three main fishing approaches, each with a different feel.

Offshore trolling is the best fit if your goal is a larger pelagic fish. Lines are set behind the moving boat while you watch for a strike from mahi mahi, wahoo, marlin, or sailfish. It can feel exciting when the rod bends, but it also includes stretches of quiet running time. You are buying access to the fishery, not a guaranteed catch.

Inshore fishing keeps the trip closer to land. This can be a more comfortable choice when conditions offshore are unsettled, or when your group prefers less time running to distant fishing grounds. The exact catch depends on the season and the location chosen that day.

Bottom fishing is aimed at species such as snapper. It may suit a family or mixed group that wants more regular fishing activity rather than an all-or-nothing hunt for a trophy pelagic fish. A skilled angler expecting large offshore action should set expectations carefully if the captain recommends reef fishing.

Your best move is to explain your experience level and your priorities before the boat leaves. Tell the crew if children need hands-on time with the rods, or if your group mainly wants a scenic boat ride with a chance to catch dinner.

How much fishing do you actually do?

The crew supplies the rods, reels, terminal tackle, and licenses. A first mate is also available to help during the trip, which is useful if you are new to saltwater fishing or managing children on a moving boat.

The practical experience may involve the crew setting the lines and watching the gear rather than handing every angler a rod to cast. On one outing, three rods were placed in the water, and the children did not get much casting time. When a fish finally struck, the crew handed the rod over so the children could reel it in. That became the most memorable part of the trip.

This is an important distinction. If you want nonstop casting practice, ask about the plan before booking. If you are happy to let the crew handle the setup and take over when a fish hits, the arrangement can work well. It is closer to a guided boat-fishing session than an instructional casting class.

The upside is that the crew can focus on getting lines in productive water. The downside is that quiet periods may feel long, especially for children who expect to cast every few minutes. Bring patience, and think of the outing as four hours on the sea with fishing built into it.

The boat, comfort, and equipment

The charter includes a cooler with bottled water and ice. You can bring your own drinks and snacks as well. A full bathroom in the console is a useful feature on a four-hour trip, particularly for families.

The boat also has MP3 and Bluetooth compatibility, so your group can bring music if that suits the mood. Snorkeling equipment is included, which adds another option if the captain finds a suitable place to stop or if fishing is not holding everyone’s attention.

The boat itself has received mixed practical feedback. The crew has been described as friendly and capable, but one recent outing found cracks and torn cushions. That does not mean the boat is unsafe, and no safety problem was reported, but you should not expect a polished luxury yacht.

I would book this for the access to Nassau’s water and the crew’s help, not for spotless upholstery. Wear clothes that can handle spray and fish handling. Bring sun protection and any preferred snacks or drinks, since the included cooler carries bottled water and ice but not a full meal.

What you might catch around New Providence

The target list covers a wide range of Bahamas fishing. Mahi mahi and wahoo offer the excitement of offshore trolling. Marlin and sailfish are possible seasonal targets, though they are never a sure thing on a four-hour charter. Snapper provide a different kind of outing, often centered on bottom fishing.

Conditions control the result. Season, wind, water conditions, and the day’s fish activity all matter. A calm day may support the offshore plan, while wind could make an inshore approach more sensible. A group that measures success only by catching a large fish may leave disappointed.

The potential catch is also subject to local fishing rules. The charter includes the necessary fishing licenses for the day, and you can keep anything caught as long as it is legal to keep. That does not mean every fish should automatically go home with you. Ask the crew about current size, season, and species rules before deciding what to keep.

One trip produced a beautiful mahi mahi and a large barracuda. Another produced six fish. Those outcomes show the range of possibilities, but they are not promises. You may get a strong fishing day, or you may spend much of the time enjoying the ride and waiting for a bite.

Snorkeling, turtles, pigs, and white sand

Fishing is the headline activity, but the private boat can be used for other Nassau experiences. The options include snorkeling reefs, looking for turtles, visiting swimming pigs, and cruising to pristine white-sand beaches.

These alternatives make the trip more useful for a group with different interests. One person can want fishing, another can prefer swimming, and children may enjoy the boat ride itself. Because the experience is private, your group can discuss the balance with the captain rather than follow a fixed public-tour schedule.

The details of each stop are not fixed. The captain chooses based on weather, conditions, and the plan you make together. Do not assume every four-hour trip includes fishing, snorkeling, pigs, turtles, and a beach stop. Those choices compete for the same block of time.

If fishing is your priority, spend most of the trip on the selected fishing style. If your group mainly wants a private day on the water, tell Captain Javano that before departure. A clear conversation at the start should help avoid disappointment.

Is $1,000 a fair price?

The $1,000 charge is for the whole group, up to six people, for four hours. The value depends heavily on how many people join you.

For six people, the cost works out to roughly $167 per person. That includes the guide, first-mate assistance, boat, fishing equipment, terminal tackle, licenses, bottled water, ice, bathroom, and snorkeling equipment. For a family or group of friends that would otherwise book several separate activities, the private format can make sense.

For two people, the per-person cost is much higher. You are paying for privacy, control over the plan, and access to a dedicated crew. If you mainly want a short boat ride and do not care about fishing, a less expensive shared cruise may offer better value.

The price is strongest for a full group of anglers who want different fishing options and a chance to keep a legal catch. It is weaker if you expect a luxury vessel, a guaranteed trophy fish, or nonstop casting. Think of the fee as a private boat and crew cost, not a guaranteed fish cost.

Who will enjoy this charter most?

I would recommend it most for:

• A group of up to six friends or relatives who want a private boat.
• Anglers who are open to offshore, inshore, or bottom fishing.
• Families who want a chance for children to reel in a fish with crew help.
• Groups that want fishing plus the option of snorkeling or a beach stop.
• People who value a flexible plan more than a polished yacht interior.

It is less suitable for pregnant women and people with mobility impairments. The boat is an active marine environment, and the supplied activity information specifically excludes those groups.

Experienced anglers should ask direct questions before paying: How much casting will be involved? Which fishing style is likely in the current weather? How far offshore will you run? What species are in season? Those answers will help you decide if this matches your idea of sport fishing.

Timing, cancellation, and what to bring

The advertised booking is four hours, though longer trips of four to eight hours are also offered. Check the available start times when you choose your date. The guide speaks English, and the experience is private to your group.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the trip for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available, which helps if your Nassau schedule is still shifting.

Bring snacks and any drinks you prefer, along with sun protection and clothing suited to spray. Bottled water and ice are provided. The charter supplies the fishing gear, tackle, and licenses, so you do not need to assemble a saltwater setup before arriving.

Should you book Secret Cays?

Book this charter if you want a private Nassau fishing day with options, especially if you can fill most of the six seats. Captain Javano and the crew can support several fishing styles, and the possibility of a mahi mahi, wahoo, or other pelagic fish gives the trip real sport-fishing appeal.

Book with realistic expectations about the boat and the pace. The crew has delivered friendly, helpful service and some excellent catches, but the vessel may show wear, and a four-hour trip can include plenty of waiting. For a relaxed outing where you enjoy the sea, let the crew handle the lines, and celebrate when a fish hits, it is a sensible choice. For nonstop casting or luxury comfort, ask more questions first or consider another type of charter.

FAQ

Where does the charter meet?

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.

How long is the charter?

The listed activity lasts four hours. Trips of four to eight hours are also offered, depending on the booking option.

How many people can join?

The vessel can safely take up to six anglers, and the booking is for a private group.

What kinds of fishing are available?

You can choose offshore fishing, inshore fishing, or bottom fishing. Offshore trolling is used for pelagic species, while bottom fishing may target snapper.

Which fish might I catch?

Depending on the season and conditions, the targets include mahi mahi, wahoo, marlin, sailfish, and snapper.

Is fishing equipment provided?

Yes. Rods, reels, fishing equipment, and terminal tackle are included.

Are fishing licenses included?

Yes. 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.

Is snorkeling equipment available?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included, although the time and location for snorkeling depend on the day’s plan and conditions.