Private 38′ Defender Sportfishing/Swim with Pigs in Nassau

The best part of this Nassau outing is the freedom to mix bottom fishing, reef snorkeling, and Rose Island in one private boat trip. You are not locked into a single activity, and your group of up to seven can shape the day around kids, anglers, swimmers, or beach time.

I like the family-friendly setup and the fact that fishing and snorkel gear, bait, ice, water, and a private boat are included. I also like the large 38-foot Defender, which gives you more room than a small open skiff. The main drawback is that swimming with the pigs costs an extra $30, and the four-hour schedule may feel tight if you want to fish, snorkel, visit a beach, and swim with pigs at an easy pace.

Key points

• Rose Island has two different water stops: one reef is set up for swimming with colorful fish, while another allows snorkeling or beach time.
• The $850 price covers your whole private group: up to seven people can share the boat, which makes the cost more sensible for families or friends.
• Bottom fishing is part of the plan: fishing gear, bait, ice, and water are supplied.
• The pig swim costs $30 extra: this fee is paid separately on the island.
• Families and children are welcome: one family outing caught plenty of fish, and the boat was noted as large with a bathroom.
• Weather matters: poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

A Private Boat Day from Paradise Island

You meet at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Bahamas2 Marina on Marina Drive, Paradise Island. The trip begins and ends at this marina, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride between different docks or islands.

The charter is private, which matters more than it may first seem. With a public excursion, the group has to follow one pace. Here, you can spend more time fishing if the kids are enjoying it, move on to snorkeling when the water calls, or skip an activity that does not suit your group.

The boat is a 38-foot Defender Express. That is a useful size for a half-day on the water. It is large enough for a group of up to seven, fishing equipment, snorkel gear, and a cooler with ice and water, while still being suited to a fairly active route around New Providence and Rose Island.

One family outing was handled by Mike and DeAngelo aboard a boat referred to as the Strikezone. If those are your crew members, you can expect a kid-friendly fishing approach and a boat with a bathroom. Since crew assignments and boat names can vary, confirm those details when your booking is accepted.

How the Four Hours Usually Work

This is not a rigid sightseeing cruise with a long list of timed stops. The advertised plan gives you several choices: bottom fishing, snorkeling, sightseeing, beach time, and swimming with pigs. The exact balance depends on what your group wants and on sea conditions.

The four-hour duration is enough for a satisfying sample of the area. It is not a full-day charter, though, so I would talk with the crew at the start about priorities. If fishing is the main goal, say so early. If the pig swim is essential, ask how much time that leaves for the reefs and beach.

The boat carries fishing gear and bait, so you do not need to arrive with your own tackle. Ice and bottled water are included as well. That makes the outing easier for families, especially when you are already packing towels, sunscreen, swimwear, and dry clothes.

The supplied snorkel equipment is another practical plus. You can use the gear provided instead of renting it separately, though you may still prefer to bring your own mask if you are particular about fit.

Fishing Near Nassau for Families

Bottom fishing gives this trip a useful change of pace. Instead of spending all four hours swimming, you can sit with a rod, watch the water, and let children take part in something that feels more like a real local boat outing than a standard beach excursion.

One family group reported catching lots of fish on a kid-friendly charter. That does not guarantee the same catch on every trip. Fish, weather, water conditions, and timing all affect the results. Still, the setup is well suited to families who want fishing to be part of the day without booking a long, specialized angling charter.

The important point is expectation. This experience includes bottom fishing, but it is not presented as a trophy fishing expedition. I would choose it if you want a flexible family boat day with a chance to catch fish. Serious anglers who want a highly focused fishing trip may prefer to ask the operator how much of the four hours can be devoted to fishing.

The private format helps here. You can make the trip more fishing-heavy without worrying about other passengers waiting to leave. You can also change plans if the children lose interest, which is often worth more than a tightly scheduled itinerary.

Rose Island’s First Reef

At Rose Island, the first main water stop takes you to a large reef where you can swim among colorful fish. This is the part of the outing that gives you a clear look at the Bahamas beyond the marina and beach.

The reef stop is a good fit for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can spend time in the water, while anyone who would rather remain aboard can take a break. The provided snorkel gear removes one common nuisance, although you should still check the equipment before entering the water.

Do not assume that reef visibility or fish activity will be identical every day. Sea conditions can affect the experience, and the charter requires good weather. If weather forces a cancellation, you can accept another date or receive a full refund.

The water stop also takes some planning. If your group wants a long, relaxed snorkel, tell the crew. A family with young children may need extra time getting masks fitted and entering the water, while confident swimmers may be ready to move on sooner.

A Second Reef, Beach Time, or a Change of Pace

The second Rose Island stop gives you a choice between snorkeling and going to the beach. That choice makes the route more flexible than a simple reef tour.

I like this part because it lets your group split its interests without turning the day into a complicated production. Some people can snorkel while others enjoy the shore. If you have had enough water by then, beach time gives you a quieter break before returning to Nassau.

The tradeoff is the clock. Four hours sounds generous until you account for the marina departure, boat travel, fishing, two reef areas, beach time, and perhaps the pig swim. You may need to choose two or three main activities rather than treat every option as a full stop.

Ask the crew for a realistic time plan. The operator describes the reef and beach options, but no fixed schedule is provided. Your captain can help you decide what fits best once you explain your priorities.

Adding the Swim with Pigs

Swimming with pigs is available as an add-on, not as part of the $850 base price. The separate fee is $30 on the island.

This distinction is important when comparing the trip with other Nassau excursions. The private boat price covers up to seven people, but the pig activity adds another cost. Ask whether the $30 fee applies per person before you set your final budget, since the supplied information identifies the fee but does not state its exact payment structure.

The pig swim is also not the only reason to book this charter. If the extra fee feels high for your group, you can use the trip for fishing, snorkeling, beach time, and sightseeing instead. That flexibility protects the value of the boat day.

If swimming with pigs is your top priority, confirm the timing before departure. A pig stop, two reef visits, fishing, and a beach break may be too much for an easygoing four-hour schedule. I would not wait until the middle of the trip to mention it.

What the $850 Group Price Really Buys

The listed price is $850 per group, for up to seven people. The simple math is useful: a full group pays about $121 per person before the pig fee and gratuity. A group of four pays about $213 per person, while a couple would be paying the full private-boat premium.

For seven people, the value is strong if everyone wants at least two of the activities. You are paying for a private vessel, captain and crew service, fishing equipment, snorkel equipment, bait, ice, water, and the freedom to set the pace. You also avoid paying separate rental fees for basic gear.

For a smaller group, the comparison changes. Two people may find a shared excursion cheaper, especially if they only want to snorkel. The private format becomes more worthwhile when you care about privacy, need a flexible schedule, have children with different interests, or want to combine fishing and swimming.

Gratuities are not included. Plan for that extra cost if the crew provides good service. The pig fee is separate as well, so the headline price is not the final cost for a group that wants every advertised activity.

Comfort, Gear, and Family Practicalities

The vessel’s size is one of the stronger points. A 38-foot boat offers more room for a family group than a small fishing boat, and one family outing specifically noted that the boat was large and had a bathroom. That bathroom can be a major comfort on a half-day trip, especially with children.

The equipment list is practical rather than lavish. You receive bottled water, ice, fishing equipment, bait, and snorkel gear. You should still bring a swimsuit, towel, reef-safe sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and a dry change of clothes.

The tour is private and most people can participate. The supplied information does not give detailed accessibility specifications, so anyone with mobility concerns should ask the operator about boarding and movement around the boat before booking.

Families are a natural match for this experience. The fishing option gives children something active to do, while the reef and beach stops offer an easy change of scene. Just keep in mind that a four-hour boat day can feel busy when several activities are packed together.

Booking Timing and Weather Rules

This experience is commonly booked about 20 days ahead. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. I would avoid waiting until the last minute if your Nassau visit has only one open day.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off uses local time.

Weather is especially important here. The operator requires good conditions, and a weather cancellation brings the choice of another date or a full refund. That policy gives you some protection, but it is still wise to keep a little flexibility in your holiday schedule.

The ticket is mobile, so you can show it from your phone at the marina. Arrive with your booking details ready and make sure everyone knows the meeting point at Margaritaville Bahamas2 Marina.

Who Should Book This Nassau Charter

I would choose this trip for a family or friend group that wants one private boat with several ways to spend the day. It suits people who do not want to choose between fishing and snorkeling, and it gives non-fishers something to do while anglers cast.

It is also a good fit for groups of five to seven, since the group price spreads better across more people. The included gear and water reduce the small costs that can pile up on a boat day.

I would hesitate if your only goal is an extended pig swim, a serious fishing session, or a long beach stay. The four-hour duration is the key limitation. This is a flexible sampler, not a slow full-day charter built around one activity.

Should You Book It?

Book this Nassau experience if you want a private, family-friendly boat outing with fishing, two reef areas, beach time, and optional swimming with pigs. The large vessel, bathroom, supplied gear, and flexible format give it real practical value, especially for a full group.

Skip it if you are traveling as only one or two people and want the cheapest possible water activity, or if you need a long, focused fishing or pig-swimming session. For everyone else, this is a sensible way to turn four hours around Nassau into an active day with room to change plans.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts and ends at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Bahamas2 Marina, 2 Marina Drive, Paradise Island, New Providence, The Bahamas.

How long is the private boat trip?

The experience lasts approximately four hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

Up to seven people can participate in the private group.

Is swimming with the pigs included in the price?

No. Swimming with the pigs has a separate $30 fee paid on the island.

What equipment and supplies are included?

The tour includes bottled water, ice, fishing equipment, bait, and snorkeling equipment.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if the activity is canceled because of poor weather.