Private Snorkeling or Fishing Charter in Nassau – 38ft Free Time

The best part of this Nassau charter is that you do not have to choose between fishing, snorkeling, swimming, and sightseeing before you leave the dock. Captain Dee, Tyson, Juante, and other Born Free crew members can shape the day around your group, then adjust the plan as conditions and your interests change. Turtles, pigs, coral reefs, and fish may all fit into one outing.

I like two things right away: the spacious 38-foot cabin cruiser, which gives your group room to spread out, and the fact that fishing and snorkeling gear are supplied. Beginners can try their first cast with help from the crew, while stronger anglers can ask for inshore or deep-sea fishing. The main consideration is price: at $1,045 per group, this makes the most sense when shared by a larger party.

Key points to know before booking

• A private 38-foot boat: Your party has the charter to itself, with space for up to eight people.
• A flexible Nassau itinerary: Use the time for fishing, snorkeling, swimming, beaches, sightseeing, or a mix.
• Strong family appeal: The crew has worked well with children as young as three and four, as well as nervous swimmers.
• Fishing gear and snorkel equipment included: You do not need to bring rods, tackle, bait, or masks.
• Gilligan’s Island and Rose Island options: Afternoon and full-day plans may include island stops and Footprints Beach Bar and Grill.
• A weather-dependent outing: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

What a half-day on the Free Time feels like

The usual four-hour plan is long enough to create a full boat day without taking over your entire Nassau schedule. You meet at Carnivale Bahamas, at Sterling Marina inside Hurricane Hole on Paradise Island. From there, the Free Time heads out with your captain and crew.

The exact order depends on what you want. You might begin with fishing, move to a reef for snorkeling, then stop at a beach. Or you might spend more time offshore with lines in the water and keep the swimming for the final hour. That freedom is useful because families rarely agree on one activity for four straight hours.

The boat is a 38-foot cabin cruiser, not a small open skiff. That matters if your group includes children, older family members, or anyone who wants a little shelter between stops. It also gives you room to change clothes, store gear, and take a break while others are in the water.

Bottled water and an ice cooler are included. Food and other drinks are not, so bring what you need for your group unless you plan to eat ashore. Hotel pickup is not included either. You are responsible for reaching the marina and returning from it after the charter.

Fishing with Captain Dee, Tyson, Juante, or another crew

Fishing is the central activity for many groups, but you do not need experience to take part. Bait, rods, tackle, and the other necessary fishing equipment are included. The crew can rig the lines, bait the hooks, explain what to do, and help land a fish when the action starts.

The catch can vary widely. Some outings have produced barracuda, dorado, wahoo, yellowfin tuna, and smaller inshore fish. One particularly strong catch included a six-foot marlin, while another group landed yellowfin tuna weighing between 30 and 50 pounds. Those are possibilities, not guarantees. Weather, location, season, and luck all matter.

Inshore fishing is the gentler choice for a mixed group or a shorter outing. It can provide more frequent action and is easier for children and first-timers. Deep-sea fishing offers a better chance at larger fish, but it can also mean more time spent moving between spots and waiting for a bite.

The crew’s role is a major part of the value. Captain D and Tyson have helped children fish, while Juante and Dee have been praised for keeping the boat lively and helping with large catches. The fishing is not a self-service rental. You can ask for instruction, or you can take a more active role if you already know your way around a rod.

If your group hopes to eat the catch, ask about the plan before departure. Some outings have ended with fresh fish cleaned and filleted by the captain, but the supplied information does not promise that for every charter.

Snorkeling over coral reefs and turtle spots

Snorkeling gives the charter a second personality. You are not locked into an all-fishing day, and the crew can take you to a selection of coral reefs with colorful marine life. Snorkel equipment is included, which saves you from renting masks and fins separately.

The snorkeling works especially well for groups with different interests. One person can stay aboard while others swim, as happened with a grandmother and granddaughter on one outing. Children can also split their time between the water, fishing, and the beach instead of being expected to snorkel for hours.

Turtle viewing is another possible stop. Several outings included sightings of sea turtles, and some children enjoyed watching them as much as fishing. You might also see dolphins while moving between locations, but wildlife encounters are never guaranteed.

The water around New Providence and nearby islands is famously clear and bright, but conditions can change. Ask the crew to explain the day’s water conditions and the best order for your group. If you have nervous swimmers, say so early. Captain Dee and other crew members have been particularly helpful with children who needed patience before entering the water.

Bring sun protection and a dry change of clothes. These are practical choices for any boat outing, even though they are not listed as supplied equipment.

Gilligan’s Island, beaches, and the island-hopping option

The charter can include a visit to Gilligan’s Island, described as one of the world’s most photographed islands. The appeal is simple: this is a sightseeing stop as much as a swimming stop, with the chance to enjoy a small island setting rather than spend the entire day on the boat.

Beach time is also available. You can swim in the aquamarine water, sunbathe, or simply take a break from fishing and snorkeling. This helps make the charter work for non-anglers. Someone who has no interest in bait and tackle can still enjoy the scenery and island stops.

Some outings have also included feeding pigs. That is not presented as a guaranteed part of every four-hour trip, but it has been possible on certain routes. If this is important to your group, ask whether the timing and sea conditions make it realistic before you leave the marina.

The longer afternoon or full-day plan gives you more room for these extras. A four-hour charter can include a surprising amount, but every stop takes time. Travel between islands, fishing time, snorkeling, and a meal cannot all receive equal attention in a short outing.

Rose Island and Footprints Beach Bar and Grill

On an afternoon or full-day charter, you may choose to stop at Footprints Beach Bar and Grill on Rose Island. The setting includes a white sandy beach and clear turquoise water, with lunch, music, a fully stocked bar, volleyball, billiards, and room for sunbathing.

This is a good choice if your group wants a social beach break rather than another hour of fishing. It also gives children and non-swimmers something to do while anglers take a rest. The stop has an important extra cost, however. Lunch and the landing fee are not included in the charter price.

The Rose Island stop can also shape the pace of the day. A meal and beach time may reduce the time available for deep-sea fishing or snorkeling. That is not a flaw, but you should decide what matters most before you set off. Tell the captain if your priority is catching fish, seeing reefs, or having a relaxed island day.

Why the private format matters

The boat is operated only for your party. That gives you control over the mood, the music, and the pace. One group used its own music and chose to combine fishing with snorkeling, while another left the route open and relied on the crew’s suggestions.

Private charters are especially useful for families. Children can change activities when they lose interest, and the captain can spend more time helping a first-time angler. One family with children ages five and three managed fishing, turtle viewing, pig feeding, and island time in a single morning.

The private setup also makes the price easier to judge. The listed rate is $1,045 per group, while the activity details describe capacity for up to eight people. If eight people share the cost, the price works out to about $131 per person before any extra food or landing charges. For two people, it is a much more expensive day on the water.

There is a small point to confirm at booking: the price information describes the group as up to one person, while the charter description says up to eight guests. Since the boat and itinerary are clearly designed for private groups of up to eight, verify the final party size and total price before paying.

A four-hour plan or an eight-hour plan

The supplied details describe both four-hour and eight-hour options. The four-hour version is the better fit if you are visiting Nassau on a tight schedule, arriving from a cruise ship, or splitting your day between the marina and other plans.

In four hours, you can reasonably build a mixed itinerary around one main activity and two shorter stops. For example, you might fish, snorkel, and swim. Another workable plan could include a reef, a turtle viewing area, and a beach. A long run to a distant fishing ground plus several island stops will leave less time for each activity.

An eight-hour charter gives you the most breathing room. You can spend longer fishing, add more swimming, and make room for Rose Island or Gilligan’s Island without rushing. The tradeoff is cost, sun exposure, and a longer period on the water. If some members of your group tire easily, agree on breaks before departure.

Cruise ship passengers need to provide the ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time when booking. Build in enough margin for the return to the marina, since the charter ends back at the meeting point and no ship transfer is included.

Crew personality and the one concern to keep in mind

The strongest pattern in the available feedback is the crew’s friendly, humorous, hands-on approach. Captain Dee is repeatedly singled out, along with Tyson, Juante, Collin, Kyris, Lauren, Freddy, John, and Captain Willie. Different crews operate the boat, so your experience may not include the same people named here.

The crew has been praised for working with children, helping nervous swimmers, giving honest suggestions, and changing plans when weather affected the fishing. That flexibility matters more than a fixed script on a private boat.

There is one clear warning. One party reported repeated political conversation after asking that the subject stop. The operator apologized and said the matter would be addressed. You should expect a friendly, professional setting, but if that issue concerns you, you can set your preference about conversation at the start of the trip.

The overall score is 4.9 out of 5 from 40 ratings, with 98 percent recommending the experience. That points to strong consistency, but it does not remove the normal risks of a boat day: changing weather, uneven fishing, and different crew personalities.

Price, cancellation, and practical planning

At $1,045 per group, this is not a budget excursion for one or two people. It becomes more reasonable for a family or group of friends who will use the boat for several activities. The included equipment also saves you separate rental costs for fishing gear and snorkeling equipment.

Cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and cancellations during that period are not refunded. If poor weather forces the operator to cancel, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.

The meeting point is Carnivale Bahamas, 1 Marina Way, Paradise Island, at Sterling Marina in Hurricane Hole. The charter returns there. Confirmation is provided at booking, and most people can participate, but the boat operator should know about any concerns involving children, swimming ability, or mobility before departure.

Who should book this Nassau charter?

I would choose this charter for a family or friend group that wants a private day with several options. It suits people who want to fish but also need snorkeling, swimming, beach time, or sightseeing to keep the whole party happy.

It is also a good match for first-time anglers. The equipment is supplied, and the crew can handle the technical parts while showing you what to do. Families with young children have found the mix of activities useful, particularly when the weather or attention span makes a single-purpose fishing trip less appealing.

I would think twice if you only want a guaranteed big catch. No captain can promise one, and a four-hour plan may not give you enough time for both serious deep-sea fishing and several sightseeing stops. I would also compare the group price carefully if you have only one or two people.

Should you book the Free Time?

Book it if you value control over the day more than a fixed sightseeing route. The boat, crew, included gear, and mix of fishing and snorkeling make this a strong choice for a private group, especially one with different ages and interests.

Choose the eight-hour version if Rose Island, extended fishing, and several island stops are central to your plan. Choose four hours if you want a focused outing that leaves time for Nassau afterward. Before booking, confirm the number of people covered by the price, tell the crew your top priority, and remember that food, drinks, landing fees, hotel transport, and good weather are separate considerations.

FAQ

How long is the private charter?

The experience is offered as a four-hour or eight-hour private charter. The commonly described option lasts about four hours.

How many people can join?

The charter description says the 38-foot Free Time can carry up to eight guests. The displayed price information says per group, but also shows a group size of up to one, so confirm the final party size and price when booking.

Where does the charter leave from?

You meet at Carnivale Bahamas, 1 Marina Way, Paradise Island, at Sterling Marina in Hurricane Hole, The Bahamas.

Does the boat return to the same place?

Yes. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is fishing equipment included?

Yes. Necessary fishing equipment, bait, and tackle are included.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, along with bottled water and an ice cooler.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included unless specifically stated. Lunch and the landing fee at Footprints Beach Bar and Grill on Rose Island are also extra.

What happens if the weather is poor?

This activity requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you can receive a full refund or choose another date.