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

A private 35-foot Donzi, a captain who lets you shape the day, and a menu of Bahamian water activities make this a flexible way to spend four hours off New Providence. You can snorkel, fish, look for turtles, visit swimming pigs, or simply cruise toward white-sand beaches.

I like the private format, since your group does not share the boat with strangers. I also like the practical touches: a restroom inside the center console, front bow seating, snorkeling and fishing gear, and a cooler stocked with bottled water and ice.

The main caution is safety and pacing. One detailed account describes a rough return ride that caused injuries, so I would ask Capt. Javano about sea conditions and the return speed before setting off. Also confirm the pig-entry cost and the number of people fishing, since the boat is advertised for groups of up to eight but safely carries up to six anglers.

Key points to know before booking

• Captain Javano lets you choose the day’s mix: Snorkeling, turtle encounters, swimming pigs, fishing, beach stops, and cruising are all possible.
• A 35-foot Donzi gives you room to spread out: The boat has bow seating, lounge space, a Bluetooth audio system, and a full bathroom in the console.
• The $850 price is per private group: Eight people bring the base cost to $106.25 each, while four people pay $212.50 each before extras.
• The pig visit may cost extra: Plan on an optional $30 per person interaction fee if that stop is part of your outing.
• The boat returns to Paradise Island Ferry Terminal: Start and finish at Paradise Beach Drive, with the activity lasting about four hours.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure.

A private boat day from Paradise Island

This charter begins at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal on Paradise Beach Drive. That meeting point keeps the start simple, especially if you are already staying or spending time on Paradise Island. The activity also sits near public transportation, which helps if you are not arranging a private transfer.

Your group boards a custom 35-foot Donzi Marine center console boat. This is not a tiny open skiff. It offers front bow seating and lounge space, a restroom inside the center console, and a multimedia system that works with Bluetooth. Those details matter more than they may sound. Four hours on the water can feel long if you have nowhere to sit, no shade or shelter at all, and no bathroom option.

The boat is listed for private groups of up to eight people. At the same time, its fishing capacity is described as up to six anglers. If all eight people plan to fish, I would clarify the arrangement before paying. A group of eight can still book the charter, but the fishing setup may not allow everyone to fish at once.

How the four-hour itinerary can work

The captain does not present this as a rigid sightseeing route. Capt. Javano will work with your group to build the outing around the activities you want. That flexibility is the central appeal, but it also means you should speak up early about your priorities.

If snorkeling matters most, say so before leaving the terminal. If you want fishing time, turtle sightings, a pig stop, and a beach break all in one half-day, ask how the travel time between locations will affect the schedule. The more stops you request, the less time you will have at each one.

A typical plan might include a boat ride to a snorkeling area, time in the water, a turtle stop, and a beach or pig visit. That is only a planning example, not a guaranteed route. Weather, sea conditions, local conditions, and the captain’s judgment will shape the day.

The open-ended approach suits people who prefer a custom outing over a fixed group tour. It is less ideal if you want a published schedule with guaranteed time at every stop. I would treat the four hours as a block of time on the water, not as a promise of four separate attractions.

Snorkeling with equipment supplied

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to rent masks and fins separately for this activity. That saves time and makes the charter easier to plan, particularly if you are traveling with children or a mixed group that does not own gear.

The supplied equipment is useful, but fit still matters. I would arrive ready to tell the crew if a mask leaks or fins feel uncomfortable. A poor mask can ruin an otherwise good water stop, and the best private charter in the Bahamas cannot make an ill-fitting mask pleasant.

Your snorkeling time will depend on the route and conditions. The information does not promise a particular reef, fish species, water depth, or length of each swim. Ask what the sea looks like that day and how long the group can expect to stay in the water.

If some people in your party prefer not to snorkel, the boat’s bow seating and lounge area give them a place to remain comfortable while others swim. That is one advantage of a private boat. You do not have to force the whole group into the same activity.

Turtles, beaches, and the optional pig stop

Turtle encounters are one of the advertised choices. The captain can take you to areas where your group may swim with turtles, but sightings are not guaranteed by the information provided. Keep expectations reasonable. Wildlife follows its own schedule, and a private boat gives you flexibility, not control over animals.

The swimming-pig visit is more complicated from a budgeting standpoint. An optional pig interaction fee of $30 per person may apply. That fee is separate from the $850 charter price, so ask exactly when it is charged and whether every person in the group must pay it.

There is also a practical point behind the pig fee. A pig stop may involve landing somewhere that charges for access or interaction. One detailed account describes a long ride to an island where stepping ashore cost extra. I would confirm the island access cost, the pig interaction fee, and the amount of time spent there before departing.

White-sand beaches are another possible stop. The appeal is clear: you get a change from sitting on the boat and a chance to swim or walk on shore. But every beach visit uses part of your four-hour charter, and a longer ride to a distant cay can leave less time for snorkeling or fishing.

Fishing equipment and the group-size question

Fishing equipment is included, which makes this charter appealing if you want to add some angling without bringing your own gear. The boat is described as able to safely take up to six anglers, while the private booking limit is eight people.

That distinction deserves attention. If you are booking for six or fewer people who all want to fish, the setup sounds straightforward. If you have seven or eight people, ask how many rods can be used at once and how the captain handles rotation.

The information does not specify the fish species, fishing method, bait, license arrangements, or whether the trip is designed for serious offshore fishing. I would see fishing here as one part of a mixed half-day outing unless the captain tells you otherwise.

For families and mixed-age groups, that may be a good fit. One person can fish while another listens to music, sits at the bow, or waits for the next swim stop. For a group whose only goal is dedicated fishing, a specialized fishing charter may be worth comparing.

What the boat adds to the experience

The 35-foot Donzi is the main reason this costs more than a basic boat ride. A larger center console typically gives you more room to move, and this one includes a proper bathroom inside the console. That is a major comfort on a four-hour trip, especially for families.

The front bow seating and lounge space also give you options during the ride. You can sit forward when the water is calm or move to a more secure position if the boat becomes rough. The Bluetooth-compatible multimedia system lets your group control its own music, though I would keep the volume low enough for safety instructions and conversation.

A cooler with bottled water and ice is included. Food and drinks are not included unless requested, and alcohol is specifically outside the standard package. Bring your food plans into the booking conversation rather than assuming lunch or snacks will appear onboard.

Price and value for a private group

The charter costs $850 per group of up to eight people. At full capacity, that works out to $106.25 per person before food, drinks, and any pig interaction fee. For four people, the cost rises to $212.50 each. The price makes the most sense when you fill the boat.

The private format is the key value. You are paying for control over the company, the activity mix, and the pace. A large family or friend group may find that worthwhile, especially if a shared excursion would force everyone into a fixed route.

For a small party, the calculation is less attractive. Two people would carry the full $850 base cost between them, before extras. In that case, compare the price with shared snorkeling, fishing, or beach excursions in the Nassau and Paradise Island area.

I would also budget for the pig fee if that stop is important. A group of eight could add $240 at $30 per person, bringing the basic outing and pig interaction fee to $1,090 before food and drinks. Ask for the full expected total so there are no surprises at the dock.

Sea conditions and the return ride

A boat day depends heavily on weather. This activity can be canceled for poor conditions, with the choice of another date or a full refund. That policy is useful, but you still need to plan some flexibility into your holiday.

One serious safety concern deserves direct attention. A detailed account describes the boat traveling fast on the return, with passengers being lifted and slammed back down, causing two injuries. I cannot tell from the available information what sea conditions or circumstances led to that event, but I would not ignore it.

Before departure, ask how the captain handles rough water and whether the group can request a slower return. Keep children seated, hold on when the boat is moving, and follow crew instructions. If the water turns rough, staying toward the more secure part of the boat may be wiser than remaining in the bow.

This is not a reason to assume every outing will be unsafe. It is a reason to discuss conditions openly. A private charter should allow a clear conversation about comfort, speed, and the day’s route.

Who will get the most from this charter

I see this as a good fit for a group of friends or family members who want several choices in one outing. The private boat works especially well when some people want to snorkel, others want to fish, and others mainly want a scenic cruise and beach time.

It can also suit a group that values privacy more than a fixed itinerary. You can discuss the day with Capt. Javano and adjust the plan around the group’s interests. The restroom, cooler, bow seating, and supplied gear make the four-hour period easier to manage.

I would be more cautious if your party includes people who become uncomfortable on fast or rough boat rides. I would also think twice if your main goal is a guaranteed turtle encounter, a specific reef, or a full day of fishing. Those details are not promised here.

The booking information says most people can participate, but it does not provide detailed accessibility information. If anyone in your group has mobility, medical, or swimming concerns, ask the operator for precise boarding and onboard guidance before booking.

Booking, cancellation, and practical questions

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity ends back at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal. The tour is mobile-ticket friendly, so you can keep the confirmation on your phone.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. Weather cancellations and cancellations caused by not meeting the minimum number of participants come with the option of a new date or a full refund.

I would contact Secret Cays before the trip with four simple questions: How many people can fish at once? What exact pig fees or island access fees apply? What food and drinks can be requested? How will the captain handle rough water on the return?

Should you book Secret Cays?

Book it if you have a reasonably full group and want a private, flexible half-day on the water. The $850 price becomes fairer with six to eight people, and the mix of snorkeling gear, fishing equipment, bottled water, ice, a restroom, and private use adds real convenience.

Think carefully if your group is small, highly budget-conscious, or focused on one guaranteed activity. Confirm the pig charges and fishing capacity before paying, and ask about the return ride if anyone is nervous on boats.

My call: this charter is worth considering for a full group that values choice and privacy, but I would make the safety conversation part of the booking, not an afterthought.

FAQ

Where does the charter begin and end?

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

How long is the experience?

The charter lasts approximately four hours.

How much does the private charter cost?

The price is $850 per group of up to eight people.

Who operates the experience?

The experience provider is Secret Cays, and Capt. Javano is named as the captain.

What activities can I choose?

You can choose from snorkeling, swimming with turtles, swimming pigs, fishing, cruising, and visiting white-sand beaches.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Is fishing equipment included?

Yes. Fishing equipment is included, although the boat is described as safely carrying up to six anglers.

Is the pig interaction included in the price?

No. An optional pig interaction fee of $30 per person may apply.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you can receive a different date or 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.