Nassau: Sport-fishing private charter .

The main appeal here is freedom. You book the whole boat for up to six people, then work with Captain Javano to choose your day on the water: offshore trolling for mahi-mahi, wahoo, marlin, or sailfish; calmer inshore or bottom fishing for snapper; or a boat outing with snorkeling and beach time. I like the private format and the fact that rods, tackle, licenses, water, and a first mate are included. The choice of fishing styles also helps when wind or sea conditions make one plan less sensible than another.

The main caution is that this is not a polished luxury yacht charter. One recent outing found the crew friendly and capable but noted cracked surfaces and worn cushions, while the kids had little chance to cast before the lines were already in the water. You may have a terrific catch, but you should book this as a flexible fishing-and-boating day, not as a guaranteed hands-on lesson.

Key points at a glance

• Captain Javano sets the plan with you: Choose offshore, inshore, or bottom fishing based on your interests and the day’s conditions.
• Mahi-mahi, wahoo, marlin, sailfish, and snapper are possible targets: The exact catch depends on season, weather, and location.
• A private boat costs $1,000 for up to six people: That works out to about $167 per person when the boat is full.
• The crew supplies the practical gear: Rods, reels, terminal tackle, fishing licenses, bottled water, ice, and snorkeling equipment are included.
• You can add nonfishing options: Snorkeling, turtle viewing, swimming pigs, and white-sand beaches are all listed as possible activities.
• Recent catches have included mahi-mahi and barracuda: Legal catches may be kept, though you should think carefully about eating larger reef predators.

Meet at Paradise Island and get ready for the water

Your meeting point is the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal, at the location of Margaritaville Restaurant on Paradise Island. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way there and allow time to find the terminal before departure.

The boat can carry up to six anglers. That limit matters. Six people gives you the best price per person, but it can also make the cockpit feel busy when several lines are out. A smaller group pays more per head, yet gives each person more room and attention.

The trip is listed as four hours. The operator also describes longer four-to-eight-hour outings, so confirm the exact length when you book. For this product, plan around four hours unless a different duration is clearly shown for your date.

You get a live English-speaking guide, a first mate, bottled water, ice, and a cooler. Bring snacks and any drinks you want beyond the supplied water. The console has a full bathroom, a small but valuable feature on a fishing boat, especially for families or anyone who does not want to cut a trip short.

Choose your fishing style before the lines go out

Captain Javano specializes in deep-sea fishing and trolling, but the charter is not limited to one technique. You can ask about three broad approaches.

Offshore trolling is the option for the biggest ambitions. The boat moves while lines trail behind it, looking for fast pelagic fish such as mahi-mahi, wahoo, marlin, and sailfish. These are the fish that create the classic open-water moment: a sudden strike, a bending rod, and a long fight.

There is no promise that one of these fish will bite. Season, wind, sea conditions, and luck all matter. If your main goal is a marlin or sailfish, understand that even a well-run charter cannot control the fish.

Inshore fishing keeps the outing closer to land and may suit you if the sea is less friendly or you prefer a calmer ride. The supplied information does not specify exact inshore locations or species, so ask the crew what is realistic on your date.

Bottom fishing is a more practical choice if you want steady action and a fish to bring home. Snapper are among the listed targets. A French-language booking comment warns experienced anglers not to expect huge fish on a reef-fishing trip, especially when the weather is windy. That is useful advice: reef fishing can be pleasant and productive without delivering a trophy catch.

The best plan is to decide what matters most to your group. If the children want to feel a fish pull, ask the crew to involve them directly. If your group wants a relaxed boat ride with a chance at dinner, bottom fishing may make more sense than chasing a rare billfish.

What four hours on the boat may feel like

The outing begins with a short discussion about your preferred activity and the conditions. The captain decides how to use the time, but you are not locked into a fixed sightseeing route. You might spend the whole trip fishing, or combine fishing with snorkeling, turtle viewing, swimming pigs, or a stop at a white-sand beach.

For anglers, much of the experience is waiting, watching, and enjoying the sea. That may sound obvious, but it is worth saying plainly. A four-hour charter does not mean four hours of nonstop bites. One recent family outing found that three rods were put in the water quickly, leaving the children mostly watching until a fish was hooked. The family still had fun, but the fishing was more hands-off than expected.

Ask at the start how the crew handles the rods. If your group includes children or first-time anglers, say clearly that you want each person to cast or help with the setup when possible. The first mate is there to assist, and the crew may hand the rod to you once a fish is on.

That approach worked well for one family when a fish finally struck. The children were given the chance to reel it in, turning a quiet wait into the best part of the day. This is a good reminder to judge the experience by the whole outing, not by the number of minutes a rod is bending.

The fish you might target

The species list gives you a useful sense of the trip’s range.

Mahi-mahi can provide the most accessible big-fish excitement. One recent four-hour trip produced a beautiful mahi-mahi along with a large barracuda. Another outing recorded six fish, showing that the action can be strong when conditions cooperate.

Wahoo are fast, powerful fish, and offshore trolling is the stated method for pursuing them. Marlin and sailfish are also possible, but they should be treated as special possibilities rather than expected results. A short charter may produce a memorable strike, or it may produce a peaceful ride with little action.

Snapper fit the bottom-fishing plan. If you want to keep fish for food, ask the crew about current rules and which species are suitable. The charter includes the fishing licenses for the day, and you may keep legal catches. The supplied details also mention a barracuda being given to people who willingly eat it, with concern about mercury. I would be cautious with large predatory fish and follow current local health guidance rather than assuming every legal fish is a good meal.

The crew provides rods, reels, and terminal tackle, so you do not need to build your own fishing kit. That makes this easy for a family or casual angler who wants to show up and try the sport without buying equipment.

Other ways to use the private boat

Fishing is the headline activity, but the charter can also serve as a general boat day around Nassau. Snorkeling equipment is included, and the possible outings include reef snorkeling, turtle viewing, swimming pigs, and trips to white-sand beaches.

The value here is flexibility. If one person in your group loves fishing and another would rather swim, a private boat makes it possible to combine interests. You are not asking a full sightseeing group to wait while one person fishes.

Still, do not assume every option happens on every four-hour departure. The captain needs to match the route to the weather, timing, and your chosen activity. Ask before leaving how much time can reasonably be given to fishing, snorkeling, or a beach stop. The more activities you add, the less time remains for each one.

Snorkeling gear is supplied, but no specific reef, turtle site, beach, or swimming-pig location is guaranteed in the information provided. Think of these as possible choices, not fixed stops.

Crew service and the condition of the boat

The crew receives the strongest praise in the available feedback. One family described all three crew members as incredible and appreciated being included in the search for a good fishing spot. Another outing found the crew friendly and competent, even while criticizing the boat’s physical condition.

That distinction is important. The service may be warm and helpful, but the boat itself shows signs of wear. Cracked areas and torn cushions were specifically noted. This does not automatically make the trip unsafe, and no safety failure was reported, but it does mean you should not expect a spotless, high-end vessel.

The boat includes a full bathroom in the console and an MP3 and Bluetooth-compatible sound system. Those touches make a four-hour ride easier, especially for a private group that wants its own music and a little comfort between bites.

You also get a first mate. That person can help with tackle, rods, and landing fish. For beginners, this support is more useful than a long technical lecture. For experienced anglers, it can keep the day moving while you focus on the water.

What the $1,000 price really means

The price is $1,000 for the private group, up to six people. Fill the boat and you pay roughly $167 per person. With four people, the cost is $250 each. With two, it becomes $500 each, so the value changes sharply with group size.

At the full six-person capacity, the package includes more than boat time. You get the captain and guide service, a first mate, fishing equipment, terminal tackle, daily licenses, bottled water, ice, snorkeling equipment, and access to a bathroom and music system. You are also paying for privacy and the ability to shape the day around your own group.

I think the price makes the most sense for a family or group of friends who can fill most of the boat. It is harder to justify for one or two people unless a private outing matters greatly or you have a specific fishing goal.

Compare it with the cost of separate fishing and sightseeing activities. If you want both fishing and a swim or beach stop, this charter can combine them. If you want a serious, specialized offshore expedition, confirm the boat setup, fishing style, and likely time under way before paying.

The free cancellation policy allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours ahead. You can also reserve now and pay later. Those terms help when your Nassau plans depend on weather or changing port schedules, but they do not remove the need to check conditions before departure.

Who will enjoy this charter most

This trip fits a private group that values control over a fixed sightseeing schedule. It is especially suitable for:

• Families who want a chance at a real fish without renting gear
• Friends who can divide the $1,000 cost among four to six people
• Casual anglers who like the idea of mixing fishing with swimming or snorkeling
• Experienced fishers who understand that weather and luck shape the catch
• Groups with mixed interests, since not everyone has to fish all four hours

It may not suit you if you need step-free access or are pregnant, since the activity is specifically marked as unsuitable for pregnant women and people with mobility impairments. It is also a poor match if you expect a luxury boat, guaranteed trophy fish, or constant hands-on casting.

For children, set expectations carefully. The day can produce a thrilling moment when a child reels in a fish, but the crew may keep the rods working while the boat searches for a bite. Ask for family participation at the start instead of assuming it will happen automatically.

Practical tips for a better day

Meet at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal near Margaritaville Restaurant. Since transport is not provided, plan your route and do not arrive at the last minute.

Bring snacks and drinks if bottled water is not enough for your group. The cooler has ice and water, but the supplied details do not promise food.

Wear clothing suitable for a boat and bring anything you need for time in the sun. The information does not list a specific clothing requirement, so keep your packing simple and practical.

Tell Captain Javano your priorities before departure. Say if you want deep-sea trolling, bottom fishing, snorkeling, or a mixed outing. Also tell the first mate if children need help casting or if everyone wants a turn with the rod.

Finally, ask what the sea conditions suggest. A flexible plan is one of this charter’s strengths. It is better to switch from offshore trolling to inshore or bottom fishing than to force an uncomfortable plan simply because it sounded exciting at booking.

Should you book Secret Cays?

Book it if you want a private Nassau boat day with a real chance at fish, supplied equipment, and room to adjust the plan. The crew’s friendly service and the possibility of a mahi-mahi, wahoo, or other strong fish give the outing genuine appeal.

I would book for a group of four to six, especially if some people want to fish and others want to snorkel or cruise. I would be more cautious with a small group, a luxury-minded group, or anyone expecting every child to cast throughout the trip.

Go in with realistic expectations: this is a flexible fishing charter on a well-used boat, not a guaranteed catch and not a polished resort excursion. If that sounds right for your group, the chance to reel in your own fish in Bahamian waters can make the $1,000 private rate worthwhile.

FAQ

Where does the charter meet?

You meet at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal, where Margaritaville Restaurant on Paradise Island is located.

How much does the private charter cost?

The price is $1,000 for a private group of up to six people.

How long is the trip?

The listed activity lasts four hours. The operator also describes four-to-eight-hour trips, so confirm the exact duration when booking.

How many people can join?

The boat can safely take up to six anglers.

Who guides the trip?

Captain Javano leads the charter, with a first mate available to help during the trip.

What fishing styles are available?

You can choose offshore fishing, inshore fishing, or bottom fishing, depending on your interests and the conditions.

What fish might I catch?

Possible targets include mahi-mahi, wahoo, marlin, sailfish, and snapper. The catch depends on the season and conditions.

Is fishing equipment included?

Yes. Rods, reels, terminal tackle, fishing licenses, bottled water, and ice are included.

Can I keep the fish I catch?

You may keep anything you catch as long as it is legal to do so.

Are snorkeling and other boat activities available?

Snorkeling equipment is included, and possible activities include reef snorkeling, turtle viewing, swimming pigs, and cruising to white-sand beaches. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.