Private Speed Boat for Snorkeling or Fishing in Nassau – 34ft

A private boat, your own captain, and four hours to shape as you please: that is the real appeal of this Nassau outing. You can spend the time snorkeling over coral, fishing for tuna, swimming near the islands, cruising past Paradise Island, or simply stretching out on a beach. Captain Willie is often at the helm, with Calvin and Roscoe also named among the crew.

I like two things right away: the flexible route means you do not have to follow a fixed group-tour schedule, and the 34-foot boat gives a party of up to seven room to enjoy the water together. The main thing to weigh is the cost, listed at $880 per group, plus the fact that a four-hour charter can feel short if you want fishing, snorkeling, a beach stop, and lunch all in one outing.

Key points to know before booking

• A truly private boat: Only your party and the captain and crew take part.
• Up to seven people: The 34-foot center-console boat suits families and small groups who want to stay together.
• Your day can change with the conditions: Choose beaches, snorkeling, fishing, sightseeing, swimming, or a mix.
• Snorkel and fishing gear are included: You do not need to arrange basic equipment separately.
• Rose Island adds a lunch option: Afternoon and full-day charters can stop at Footprints Beach Bar and Grill, but lunch and the landing fee cost extra.
• The crew earns repeated praise: Captain Willie is singled out for building a fun itinerary, while Calvin and Roscoe are also named as helpful crew members.

Why a private boat changes the Nassau day

Many water outings ask you to fit your plans around a large group. This one works the other way around. You tell the captain what sounds best, and the crew can help shape the route around the time available, the sea conditions, and your group’s interests.

That flexibility matters in Nassau. One person may want to fish, another may want to snorkel, and someone else may be happiest on a quiet beach. A private charter lets you combine those interests instead of choosing one fixed activity for everyone.

I especially like this format for families and groups of friends. The boat holds up to seven people, so you can share the cost while keeping the day personal. The listed price is $880 per group, not a per-person fare. For a full group, that works out to about $126 per person before any food, drinks, or other extra charges. For one or two people, the same rate is a much bigger commitment.

The published average booking window is 31 days ahead. That is useful planning information, especially if you are visiting during a busy cruise period or want a particular date.

Leaving from Sterling Marina on Paradise Island

The meeting point is Carnivale Bahamas at Sterling Marina, Hurricane Hole, on Paradise Island. You meet the boat there, and the charter returns to the same point at the end.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the marina. That is a small but important detail. Build in enough time to reach the dock without cutting into your four-hour charter.

Cruise ship passengers need to provide the ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time when booking. That lets the operator judge whether the charter fits your port schedule. You should still allow a sensible buffer before your ship’s required return time.

The boat is a 34-foot center-console model. This is a practical size for moving between reefs, beaches, and fishing spots, while still giving a small party a private setting. It is not a large yacht with indoor rooms or a formal dining area. Think open-air time on the water, with the boat serving as your base between stops.

Choosing between a four-hour and eight-hour charter

The experience is offered as a four- or eight-hour private charter. The four-hour option is the half-day choice described in the price information, while the eight-hour option gives you a full day on the water.

Four hours is enough for a focused plan. You could fish for part of the trip and snorkel afterward, as one itinerary did, or concentrate on beaches and swimming. It is also a good match for a cruise passenger with limited time.

Four hours is not enough for every possible activity at a relaxed pace. If you want fishing, a reef stop, several beaches, a long swim, sightseeing, and lunch at Rose Island, you will need to prioritize. One practical complaint about the half-day format was that four hours means four hours, not an entire afternoon. Check the exact start and end time before booking.

The eight-hour option makes more sense if you want to cover several areas or linger at Rose Island. It gives the captain more room to adjust the day without making each stop feel rushed. It also costs more, so you should choose it because you want the extra time, not simply because a full day sounds better.

Snorkeling over coral reefs

Snorkeling is one of the main reasons to book this charter. The boat carries snorkeling equipment, and the captain can take you to a selection of coral reefs around Nassau and nearby islands.

The setting is the classic Bahamas combination of clear, bright water and coral below the surface. The exact reef depends on the day’s plan and conditions, so you should think of this as access to several possible snorkeling areas rather than a promise of one named site.

The crew can also point you toward places to see turtles and unusual fish. That makes the private format useful. You can tell the captain how much time you want in the water, and the group does not have to leave simply because a large boat’s schedule says it is time.

I would bring your own mask if you are particular about fit, even though equipment is supplied. That is not a requirement, just a sensible comfort choice for anyone who spends a lot of time snorkeling.

The snorkeling may be the best choice for a group that wants a mix of activity and scenery. The boat ride itself gives you open-water views, while a reef stop adds something active without turning the whole outing into a fishing trip.

Fishing for tuna or staying close to shore

Fishing gear is included, and the itinerary can include deep-sea or inshore fishing. Those are different styles of outing, so it is worth talking with the captain at the start about what your group wants.

Inshore fishing keeps the plan closer to the islands and may fit better into a shorter charter. Deep-sea fishing uses more of the available time for the fishing portion itself. The captain can help set expectations based on your chosen duration and conditions.

One reported itinerary mixed fishing with reef snorkeling and ended with a couple of tuna. That gives you a useful picture of how the charter can work: you do not have to spend all four hours on one pursuit.

Fishing is never a guaranteed catch, of course, and the supplied information does not promise a particular species or result. Book it because you like being out on the water and trying your luck, not because you expect a full cooler.

Beaches, swimming, and the islands near Nassau

If your group prefers a slower day, you can use the boat to reach area beaches or nearby islands. You might spend time sunbathing, swimming in the clear aquamarine water, or cruising along the coast rather than planning a string of formal stops.

Paradise Island is part of the possible sightseeing route, and the charter can also visit Gilligan’s Island, described as one of the most photographed islands in the world. The wording suggests a scenic stop and a good place for photos, but the experience is still shaped by the captain and the time you select.

This is where a private boat has an advantage over a standard sightseeing cruise. You can ask for more swimming time or less sightseeing. If your children tire quickly, you can change the pace. If everyone wants to stay in the water, you do not need to move on for another booking group.

The tradeoff is that the trip does not appear to follow one guaranteed sightseeing route. If you want a precise list of named stops with fixed times, this may feel too open-ended. If you want room to make choices during the day, the flexibility is the point.

Footprints Beach Bar on Rose Island

Afternoon and full-day charters may include a stop at Footprints Beach Bar and Grill on Rose Island. The restaurant sits beside a white sandy beach with striking shades of turquoise water.

This can turn a boat day into a more complete outing. You can have lunch, listen to music, use the bar, sunbathe, or take part in activities such as volleyball and billiards. It offers a change from sitting on the boat and may suit a group that wants a social beach stop.

Plan for extra costs. Lunch and drinks are not included unless specifically stated, and the landing fee is also outside the charter price. Ask the operator about the current amount before you commit to the stop.

Footprints makes the most sense on an afternoon or eight-hour trip. On a four-hour charter, time spent traveling to the island, eating, and returning may leave less time for snorkeling or fishing. You should choose the restaurant stop because it appeals to your group, not assume it is automatically part of every half-day plan.

What the crew adds to the outing

The strongest praise centers on the crew’s attitude and ability to shape the day. Captain Willie is repeatedly described as friendly, interactive, and good at putting together an itinerary. Captain Willy is also named in connection with a trip led with first mate Calvin, who was described as funny and passionate about the outing.

Roscoe is named as another crew member who helped show a family places to see turtles and unusual fish. The names vary slightly in the supplied information, so it is best not to assume one fixed crew for every departure. Still, you can ask who will be aboard when you book.

The practical value of a good captain is bigger than simple friendliness. A local captain can help you decide how to divide a short charter between fishing, snorkeling, and beaches. The crew also handles the boat while you focus on the water and the scenery.

The charter includes a cooler with bottled water and ice. Food and other drinks are not included, so plan accordingly. The supplied information does not say that meals or alcoholic drinks may be brought aboard, so ask before packing anything beyond personal essentials.

Is the $880 price fair?

The $880 group price is easiest to justify when you have five to seven people. A full group of seven pays roughly $126 per person before extra costs. At four people, the effective cost rises to $220 per person, and a couple would pay the full group amount between them.

That price buys privacy, a dedicated captain and crew, a 34-foot boat, snorkeling equipment, fishing gear, bottled water, ice, and the freedom to set the general plan. It does not include transport to the marina, food, drinks, or the Rose Island landing fee.

For a group that would otherwise book separate fishing and snorkeling activities, the private charter can offer good value because you can combine them. For a small party interested in only a quick swim, a less expensive shared excursion may make more financial sense.

The best value comes from using the flexibility. If you simply ride around for four hours without a plan, the private rate may feel high. If the captain helps your group fit fishing, snorkeling, and a beach stop into the day, the arrangement becomes more compelling.

Who should book this Nassau charter?

I would point this charter toward:

• Families who want a private boat and control over the pace.
• Groups of friends who can split the $880 cost.
• Cruise passengers who can match a four-hour trip to their port schedule.
• People who want to combine fishing and snorkeling.
• Visitors who prefer beaches and swimming to a fixed sightseeing tour.
• Anyone who values a captain’s local guidance but does not want to join a large group.

I would be more cautious if your party has only one or two people and is watching the budget. I would also think twice if you need guaranteed fishing results, a fixed list of stops, or a full afternoon from a four-hour booking.

The outing requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted and are not refunded.

My booking advice

Book this if your ideal Nassau day is private, active, and adjustable. Tell the captain before departure whether your priorities are snorkeling, fishing, beaches, island views, or Rose Island, then let the crew help arrange the order.

For most groups, I would choose the four-hour option only when time is limited or one main activity matters most. Choose eight hours if you want a proper mix of fishing, reef time, swimming, and a restaurant stop without watching the clock.

The strongest reason to go is not the boat alone. It is the chance to spend the day with your own group, with Captain Willie or another local crew member helping you make sensible choices on the water. The strongest reason to hesitate is the price for a small party and the extra charges at Rose Island.

FAQ

How long is the private boat charter?

The charter is offered for approximately four or eight hours. The four-hour option is the half-day trip.

How many people can join?

The 34-foot boat can accommodate up to seven guests.

Is the boat private?

Yes. Only your group and the captain and crew participate.

Where does the charter start?

It starts at Carnivale Bahamas, Sterling Marina, Hurricane Hole, at 1 Marina Way on Paradise Island.

Where does the charter end?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the charter.

Is fishing gear provided?

Yes. Fishing gear is included.

Are food and drinks included?

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

Can the charter visit Footprints Beach Bar and Grill?

Afternoon and full-day charters may visit Footprints Beach Bar and Grill on Rose Island. Lunch and the landing fee are not included in the charter cost.

What information do cruise ship passengers need to provide?

Cruise ship passengers must provide the ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time when booking.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted and are not refunded.