Private Snorkeling or Fishing in Nassau – 55ft Cocorijo

This is the kind of Nassau outing that lets you set the rhythm. Aboard the 55-foot Cocorijo, your private group can spend the half-day snorkeling a reef, fishing, swimming, visiting Gilligan’s Island, or simply enjoying the ride. Captain Roscoe, Cleo, and Kassandra have earned especially warm praise for being attentive with children and easy to talk with. I like the private format and the freedom to mix activities, plus the supplied snorkel and fishing gear. The catch: at $1,650 per group, it makes the most sense with a larger party, and lunch or a landing fee at Footprints Beach Bar and Grill costs extra.

Key points at a glance

• A true private charter: Your group of up to 10 shares the boat with the captain and crew, rather than joining a large excursion.
• Choose your day: Combine snorkeling, fishing, swimming, sunbathing, Gilligan’s Island, or a Rose Island stop.
• A spacious 55-foot Hatteras: Cocorijo gives your party room to spread out during the ride and between activities.
• Helpful crew: Roscoe, Cleo, and Kassandra are often named for their friendly service, safety-minded approach, and care with children.
• Good gear package: Snorkel equipment, fishing equipment, bottled water, ice, and local beer are included.
• Plan for extra costs: Food, most drinks, and the Footprints landing fee are not included.

Starting from Sterling Marina on Paradise Island

Your charter begins at Carnivale Bahamas, 1 Marina Way, at Sterling Marina in Hurricane Hole on Paradise Island. The activity ends at the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer from another marina.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Some groups have arranged pickup from a hotel jetty, but you should confirm that possibility directly rather than assume it is part of the standard service. If you are arriving by cruise ship, provide the ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and required re-boarding time when you book. That information matters on a private charter, since the crew needs to judge the schedule carefully.

The trip lasts about four hours. That is enough time for a couple of water-based activities and a scenic stop, but it is not enough for every option at a relaxed pace. I would choose your top two priorities before boarding. If snorkeling and fishing both matter, tell the crew early so the captain can plan the route around those choices.

What the $1,650 private price really buys

The price is $1,650 for the whole group, with up to 10 people aboard. At full capacity, that works out to $165 per person. For five people, the effective price rises to $330 each, so the value improves sharply when you can fill most of the available places.

That group pricing also buys privacy. You are not adjusting your day around strangers who want a different pace or activity. If one person wants to snorkel while another prefers fishing, the crew can often build a mixed plan. That flexibility is the main reason to choose this charter instead of a standard shared boat trip.

The price includes a local captain and guide, bottled water, an ice cooler, snorkel equipment, fishing equipment, and local beer. The description also says alcoholic beverages are included, while the general exclusions say food and drinks are not included unless specified. I would treat the local beer as the specific inclusion and bring no assumptions about other drinks.

Lunch, food, and a landing fee at Footprints Beach Bar and Grill are extra. Those costs can add up, especially for a group of 10, so ask for the current fee before settling on the Rose Island stop. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. A late cancellation is not refundable, and poor weather may lead to a new date or a full refund.

Snorkeling around the reefs

The snorkel portion is the best fit if your group wants clear water, a simple introduction to Bahamian sea life, and time in the water without spending the entire outing at one site. The captain chooses from local spots based on the planned route and conditions, and the crew can point out marine life and underwater plants.

Past trips have included snorkeling between Gilligan’s Island and Rose Island, as well as more than one snorkel location during a half-day charter. That variety is useful because one reef may offer better visibility while another gives you a better chance to see fish or other sea life. Conditions can change, so the exact sites should be treated as flexible rather than guaranteed.

The boat supplies snorkel equipment, which saves you from packing fins, masks, and related gear. Still, if you have a mask that fits you especially well, bringing it may be worthwhile. The supplied equipment makes the outing convenient, but personal fit can affect how much you enjoy your time in the water.

The crew’s role matters here. Reports of Roscoe, Cleo, and Kassandra emphasize that they explained the ocean and reef to younger people, helped families feel safe, and stayed attentive around children. That makes this a stronger choice for a mixed-age group than a bare-bones boat rental. You remain responsible for judging your own comfort in the water, but the crew is there to guide and assist.

Fishing for a half-day catch

Fishing is another main option, with all necessary fishing equipment included. You can choose deep-sea or inshore fishing, depending on the plan and conditions. Some outings have produced a 25-pound grouper and a six-foot reef shark, while another family spent a half-day without a bite.

That contrast is important. The crew can provide the boat, gear, and local experience, but no fishing charter can promise a catch. If catching dinner is your only goal, you should be comfortable with the possibility of a quiet day. One group was disappointed after spending much of the outing moving through the water without a nibble.

When fishing works, it can be a memorable family activity. One group caught fish that they later ate for dinner, with Cleo recommending a local restaurant for preparation. If your group wants both fishing and snorkeling, make that clear at the start because four hours passes quickly once you account for travel between sites.

The fishing option is also useful for people who do not want to snorkel. One person can fish while another enjoys the boat, sun, or a swim, though the exact arrangement depends on the captain’s plan. The private format gives you far more room to negotiate that balance than a shared excursion.

Gilligan’s Island and Rose Island

The charter can include Gilligan’s Island, described as one of the Bahamas’ most photographed islands. This stop offers a scenic change from reef time and may suit a group that wants photos, a swim, or a short island visit.

Rose Island provides a different kind of stop. On an afternoon or full-day charter, you may choose Footprints Beach Bar and Grill, located on a white sandy beach with turquoise water. The setting is designed for a longer break, with lunch, music, a stocked bar, sunbathing, volleyball, and billiards.

Footprints is not included in the charter price. You pay separately for lunch and the landing fee, and the general food and drink exclusions apply. That makes the stop appealing if your group wants a proper shore break, but less attractive if you are trying to keep the final cost predictable.

For a four-hour outing, I would not expect to fit snorkeling, fishing, a full lunch stop, and several island visits without rushing. Choose two main activities. A half-day built around one snorkel location and a swim can feel more relaxed than chasing every option on the menu.

What Cocorijo is like for families

Cocorijo is a 55-foot Hatteras, described as beautifully maintained. The size gives a private group more room than a small open boat, which matters when children, grandparents, or several couples are sharing the day.

The most consistent praise centers on the crew’s manner. Roscoe, Cleo, and Kassandra are frequently singled out for being professional, friendly, attentive, and helpful. One family with young children felt safe and well cared for, while another said the crew assisted children on board and watched out for the whole group.

That does not mean the trip is fully structured or supervised like a children’s program. You still need to keep an eye on young swimmers and follow the crew’s instructions. But the reports suggest that families receive patient help rather than being left to manage every detail themselves.

The boat also suits adults looking for a relaxed social outing. Several accounts describe a clean boat, a good atmosphere, refreshing drinks, and a crew that interacted with the group instead of disappearing into the background. If you want a quiet private ride, tell the crew. If you want a more social day, they appear comfortable with that too.

The crew and the feel of the day

The named crew members vary by departure, but Roscoe, Cleo, and Kassandra are associated with many of the strongest experiences. Roscoe is described as captain, Cleo as mate or first mate, and Kassandra as stewardess. Other captains and crew members, including Davy, Tyson, Ding, Keith, Chris, Bobo, Freddy, and Karro, have also operated related charters.

I would not book on the assumption that a particular person is guaranteed unless the company confirms it. Still, the repeated attention to the crew tells you something useful about the service style. This is not presented as a silent boat transfer. You can expect help with equipment, safety, children, fishing arrangements, and the basic details that keep the day moving.

One repeat customer returned for a second private yacht charter and specifically praised Cleo’s professionalism and friendly manner. That kind of repeat business is a good sign, though the boat and crew can never remove the normal uncertainty of sea conditions or fishing results.

Who will get the best value

This charter is strongest for a group of six to 10 people who want privacy and can agree on a shared plan. Families, groups of friends, and couples traveling together can split the group price and build a day that would be hard to arrange through separate tours.

It is also a practical choice for a mixed group. Strong swimmers can snorkel, anglers can fish, and others can stay aboard, swim, or sunbathe. The captain can help shape the route, but you should not expect everyone to pursue a different full activity at the same time.

Solo visitors or pairs may find the cost hard to justify. At $1,650, the private format is the product, not a minor bonus. If you cannot share the cost with a larger party, compare it with a shared snorkeling or fishing excursion.

Cruise ship passengers can book, but timing deserves care. Give the operator all ship schedule details at booking and allow enough margin before re-boarding. A four-hour charter on the water is not the same as a four-hour window between ship activities.

Small details that make planning easier

Bring swimwear, sun protection, and anything you personally need for comfort on the water. Bottled water and ice are supplied, along with snorkel and fishing equipment. Food is not generally included, so plan for that before departure, especially if children are coming.

The mobile ticket makes entry simple, but you still need to reach Sterling Marina on your own unless a separate pickup has been arranged. Confirmation is issued at booking. Because weather can cancel the outing, keep a little flexibility in your Nassau schedule if possible.

The charter requires good weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you can accept another date or receive a full refund. If you cancel, do it at least 24 hours before the local start time to receive a full refund. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted.

Should you book the Cocorijo charter?

Book it if you have a reasonably large group, want a private boat, and care more about choosing your own mix of snorkeling, fishing, swimming, and island time than following a fixed schedule. The crew’s attention to families, the supplied equipment, and the roomy Hatteras make this a comfortable way to spend a half-day around Nassau.

Think twice if your group is small, your budget is tight, or you need a guaranteed fishing catch. Also ask about the exact crew, boat plan, landing fee, and food costs before you commit. For the right group, the freedom to design the day is worth paying for. For a couple seeking only a quick snorkel, a shared trip will likely be the better bargain.

FAQ

How long is the private Cocorijo charter?

The experience lasts approximately four hours.

Where does the charter begin?

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

Where does the activity end?

The charter ends back at the meeting point.

How many people can join the private charter?

The boat accommodates a private group of up to 10 people.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the charter.

Is fishing equipment included?

Yes. The charter includes all necessary fishing equipment.

Is a captain or guide included?

Yes. A local captain and guide are included.

Are food and drinks included?

Bottled water, an ice cooler, and local beer are included. Food is not included, and other drinks should not be assumed to be included unless specified.

Can the charter visit Footprints Beach Bar and Grill?

On afternoon or full-day charters, you may choose to visit Footprints Beach Bar and Grill on Rose Island. Lunch and the landing fee are not included in the charter cost.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.