Private Charter for snorkeling, swimming pigs, turtles & fishing….

The best thing about this private four-hour charter is control. Captain Javano can shape the outing around your group, mixing snorkeling, fishing, turtle encounters, swimming pigs, and white-sand beaches instead of locking you into one fixed plan. You leave from the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal aboard a 35-foot Donzi Marine center-console boat.

I like the private group setup, which means you are not sharing the boat with strangers. I also like the practical comforts: bottled water and ice, snorkeling and fishing gear, a proper restroom inside the console, and Bluetooth audio. The main caution is the boat ride itself. One public account describes a rough, fast return that caused injuries, so I would speak clearly with the captain about speed and sea conditions before setting off.

Key points to know before booking

• Captain Javano controls a flexible route: Your group can choose fishing, snorkeling, turtles, pigs, beaches, or a mix of activities.
• The boat is a 35-foot Donzi: It has bow lounge seating, a multimedia system, Bluetooth, and a full bathroom inside the center console.
• The $850 price covers the group: Up to eight people can book, although the boat is described as safely carrying up to six anglers.
• Pig encounters cost extra: The optional interaction fee is $30 per person.
• The trip starts and ends at Paradise Island Ferry Terminal: Plan around the roughly four-hour duration and allow time to reach the meeting point.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

A private boat day from Paradise Island

This trip works best when your group wants a private day on the water but has not settled on one single activity. You can ask for fishing, snorkeling, turtle swimming, pig encounters, beach time, or a combination. That flexibility matters for families and mixed groups, since one person may want to fish while another would rather get in the water.

The outing lasts about four hours. That is long enough for a proper half-day on the water, but not so long that you are committed to a full day if the sea, sun, or children’s patience turns. Your group joins Captain Javano and the crew at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal on Paradise Beach Drive, then returns to the same point at the end.

Because this is a private charter, the schedule is not built around a large tour group. You can discuss priorities before departure and help decide how to use the time. Still, you should not assume every activity will receive equal time. If fishing is your main goal, say so at the start. If pigs or turtles matter most, ask how much travel time is involved and what the additional pig fee covers.

Getting comfortable aboard the 35-foot Donzi

The boat is a custom 35-foot Donzi Marine center-console. For a half-day charter, that size gives you more room than a small open skiff, especially when your group wants to switch between sitting, fishing, and getting ready to enter the water.

The front bow has seating and lounge space. That is useful during the ride between stops, when you may want to sit forward and enjoy the open view rather than remain around the center console. The boat also has a multimedia system with Bluetooth, so you can bring your own playlist if that is important to your group.

A dedicated bathroom inside the console is one of the most useful details here. A restroom can make a major difference for families, older passengers, and anyone who does not want to spend four hours planning around the next shore stop. It also gives the trip a bit more comfort than a basic small-boat outing.

The cooler is filled with bottled water and ice. Food and drinks are not included unless arranged by request, and alcoholic drinks are not included. I would confirm any requested food or beverage plan before the day of departure rather than assume the cooler will contain anything beyond bottled water.

Choosing between snorkeling, turtles, pigs, and fishing

The charter’s strength is choice, but that also means your experience depends on the plan you make with the captain. There is no promise that every option will be equally available on every day. Weather, sea conditions, timing, and the group’s preferences can affect the route.

Snorkeling

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to arrange a separate rental for the basic gear. The value is simple: you can decide during the charter that you want time in the water without having booked a separate snorkeling trip.

Ask Captain Javano how long the snorkeling stop is expected to last and what conditions are like that day. If some people in your group are confident swimmers and others are not, make that clear before entering the water. The supplied information confirms the gear and guide, but it does not specify a particular reef, cove, or marine site, so do not book this expecting one named snorkeling location.

Swimming with turtles

Turtle swimming is another possible focus. The appeal is obvious, especially for families who want an animal encounter without spending an entire day on a formal wildlife excursion.

The key point is that turtles are listed as an activity choice, not a guaranteed sighting. I would treat this as an opportunity shaped by the captain’s route and conditions, not a promise that turtles will appear on schedule. If turtles are the reason you are booking, confirm the plan at the dock and ask how much of the four hours will be devoted to that search.

Swimming pigs

The pig encounter is the clearest extra-cost activity. The optional interaction fee is $30 per person, in addition to the $850 private charter price. For a full group of eight, that could add as much as $240 if everyone chooses to participate.

That fee is worth including in your comparison with other pig excursions. The charter may give you privacy and the chance to combine pigs with other activities, but the pig interaction is not included in the headline price. Ask whether everyone in the group must pay or only those entering the interaction area, and confirm the exact arrangement before departure.

A public account of this outing also describes a long ride to an island and an additional fee simply to step onto the island. That makes it especially important to ask about all island or landing charges before you go. The supplied details clearly identify the $30 pig interaction fee, but they do not confirm any separate island admission price.

Fishing

Fishing equipment is included. The boat is described as able to safely take up to six anglers, which is an important detail if your group plans to fish rather than just carry rods as a side activity.

The group capacity is listed as up to eight people, while the fishing capacity is listed as up to six anglers. If you are booking eight people and several want to fish, call Secret Cays first and ask how the seating and equipment will work. Do not assume that eight passengers means eight active fishing positions.

The captain can adjust the day for your group, but the information does not specify the target species, fishing method, licenses, bait, or whether catches are kept. Ask those questions before paying if fishing is your main purpose.

White-sand beaches and time on shore

The charter can also cruise to pristine white-sand beaches. This gives you a quieter option if some members of your group are not keen on snorkeling or fishing. Beach time can also break up the day, especially for children who need a change from sitting on a boat.

The tradeoff is travel time. A four-hour charter sounds generous, but every minute spent riding to an island or beach reduces the time available for fishing and swimming. The one troubling account describes a long boat ride and a return trip at high speed. I would ask how far the intended beach is from Paradise Island and how much time you will actually have on shore.

That same account reports passengers being thrown upward and landing hard enough for two people to be injured during the fast return. A single report cannot establish the usual standard of the trip, but it is a serious reason to discuss speed, seating, and conditions with Captain Javano. If the sea is rough, keep children seated, use the available handholds, and say immediately if the ride feels unsafe.

What the $850 price really buys

The charter costs $850 per group of up to eight. If eight people go, the base cost works out to $106.25 per person. With six people, it is about $141.67 each. A smaller group pays more per head, but still gets the whole boat rather than sharing the outing.

That price includes the captain and crew, snorkeling gear, fishing equipment, bottled water, ice, and use of the boat’s restroom and audio system. The private format is the main value. You can talk over the route with the captain, keep your group together, and avoid a standard group itinerary.

The value is weaker if only two or three people book and none of them care about privacy. In that case, a shared snorkeling or fishing trip may cost less. The private charter makes more financial sense for a family group, two couples, or a larger party that wants several activities in one outing.

Remember to budget for the optional $30 per-person pig interaction fee. Food, drinks, and alcohol are also extra unless requested and arranged. I would ask for the final cost in writing if you want catering, drinks, or a pig stop.

Meeting point, timing, and practical planning

You meet at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal on Paradise Beach Drive. The activity returns to that same meeting point, which keeps the day simple once you are there. The booking uses a mobile ticket, and confirmation is provided at booking.

The trip is near public transportation, and most people can participate. The information does not provide a detailed accessibility plan, so anyone with mobility concerns should contact Secret Cays before booking and ask about boarding, movement around the center-console boat, and access to the bathroom.

The four-hour estimate is useful for planning the rest of your day, but allow extra time around the start and finish. Boat routes can change, and the captain may need to adjust plans for weather. Do not schedule an important flight, dinner reservation, or timed attraction too tightly after the charter.

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also 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 ahead are not refunded or accepted under the stated policy.

Who will get the most from this charter

I would consider this a good fit for a group that values privacy and wants several choices in one outing. Families can combine beach time with a short swim, while adults can focus on fishing or snorkeling. The onboard bathroom and cooler also make the half-day format easier for mixed-age groups.

It is less suitable if you want a tightly defined sightseeing route with named reefs, guaranteed turtle sightings, or a fixed fishing target. The experience is deliberately flexible, which is useful for some groups but vague for anyone who wants a precise itinerary.

I would also think carefully before booking if anyone in your group is uneasy on boats. The reported rough return is not something to ignore. Ask about the expected sea conditions, agree on a comfortable speed, and make safety the first part of your conversation at the dock.

Should you book the Secret Cays charter?

Book it if your group wants a private boat, likes the freedom to choose activities, and can make good use of the $850 group rate. The included equipment, bottled water, ice, onboard restroom, and bow seating add real practical value. Captain Javano’s flexible approach could produce a very good day for a group with mixed interests.

Before confirming, ask three direct questions: how much travel time is expected, what pig and island fees will apply, and how the captain handles speed in rough water. Also clarify fishing capacity if more than six people plan to fish.

I would book this as a flexible Bahamas water day, not as a guaranteed turtle, pig, or fishing success story. If that distinction suits your group, the private format is appealing. If you want a calmer, more structured experience with a clearly published route, compare other options first.

FAQ

Where does the charter begin and end?

It begins at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal on Paradise Beach Drive in The Bahamas and ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the activity?

The charter lasts approximately four hours.

How many people can join the private charter?

The private activity accepts groups of up to eight people. The boat is described as safely carrying up to six anglers, so groups with more than six active fishers should confirm the arrangement with Secret Cays.

What activities can the group choose?

Your group can choose fishing, snorkeling, swimming with turtles, swimming pigs, cruising to white-sand beaches, or a combination of these activities.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, a guide, fishing equipment, bottled water, and ice are included.

Is the pig interaction included in the $850 price?

No. The pig interaction is optional and costs $30 per person.

What happens if the weather is poor or I need to cancel?

If poor weather cancels the activity, you can receive a full refund or choose another date. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted or refunded.