REVIEW · NASSAU FISHING TRIPS

Private Snorkeling And Fishing Activity

5.0 · 62 reviews Operated by Island Time Charters · Bookable on Viator
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The best part of this Nassau outing is the freedom to shape the day. You can visit three or four uninhabited islands near Rose Island, switch between snorkeling and fishing, and spend time at beaches that feel far removed from the cruise crowds. The private boat means your group sets the pace.

I like the generous shade and space on the large center console, especially for families, and I like that water, soft drinks, snorkeling gear, fishing equipment, and bait are included. Captain Jason and his son Jason have also helped older family members aboard, including parents aged 90 and 86. The main drawback is that four hours goes quickly, and lunch costs an extra $25.

Key points to know before you book

Private Snorkeling And Fishing Activity - Key points to know before you book

  • Three or four uninhabited islands: Your route can include quiet beaches and isolated snorkeling areas off Rose Island.
  • A private group boat: The $850 rate covers up to eight people, making the price more attractive when shared by a family or group.
  • Snorkeling for different abilities: Equipment is supplied, and the day can be adjusted to suit your group.
  • Two styles of fishing: Try light tackle for yellowtail snapper and triggerfish, or spear fishing for lobster and grouper.
  • Shade, water, and soft drinks included: The large center-console boat has room for the group and protection from the sun.
  • Weather matters: You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and poor weather may lead to a new date or full refund.

Leaving Nassau for Rose Island’s quiet waters

The trip begins at Colours of The Bahamas in Nassau and returns to the same meeting point after about four hours. From there, you travel by speedboat toward isolated areas near Rose Island, where the water opens up and the busy Nassau shoreline feels much farther away.

This is not a fixed sightseeing circuit with a strict list of stops. The captain can adjust the day to your group’s abilities and interests. If some people want more snorkeling and others prefer fishing, the outing can be divided between both.

That flexibility is a major reason to choose a private charter. You are not tied to the pace of a large group, and you do not have to spend the whole morning doing only one activity. The tradeoff is that the exact route and island stops are not set in advance, so you should think of this as a custom boat day rather than a guaranteed sequence of attractions.

Three or four uninhabited islands, each with a different purpose

Private Snorkeling And Fishing Activity - Three or four uninhabited islands, each with a different purpose

The plan calls for visits to three or four uninhabited tropical islands. The stops are valuable less for formal sightseeing than for the chance to get away from the developed parts of Nassau and enjoy open beach space.

The beaches near Rose Island are described as comparable to the best in the world, but keep your expectations practical. You are coming for sand, water, snorkeling, and time outside, not for restaurants, shops, or organized facilities. An uninhabited island offers peace and space, but it also means you should make good use of the supplies brought aboard.

I like this part of the outing for families and small groups who want a change of pace. You might spend one stop walking along the beach, another fishing, and another snorkeling over coral. The captain’s ability to tailor the route gives the trip a more personal feel than a standard half-day boat transfer.

Because the tour lasts only four hours, the time at each island will be limited. If your group wants long beach walks, extensive fishing, and several snorkeling sessions, you may find the schedule tight. The best approach is to decide before departure which activity matters most.

Snorkeling over coral reefs with fish and turtles

Private Snorkeling And Fishing Activity - Snorkeling over coral reefs with fish and turtles

The snorkeling takes place around coral reefs that are described as untouched and full of marine life. You can expect colorful coral, fish, and the possibility of seeing turtles. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins unless you prefer using familiar gear.

The setting suits mixed-ability groups. The day can be arranged around the abilities of your family or friends, which is useful when one person is comfortable in the water and another is cautious. You can tell the captain what your group needs and place more emphasis on easy snorkeling, fishing, or beach time.

Still, snorkeling conditions are shaped by weather and sea conditions. The tour requires good weather, and the operator may cancel if conditions are poor. That policy is sensible for a boat trip, but it means you should leave some flexibility in your Nassau schedule.

I would also treat wildlife sightings as possibilities rather than promises. The reef area includes fish and turtles, but no one can guarantee exactly what appears during a short session. The real value is access to quieter reef areas away from the most crowded parts of the island.

Light-tackle fishing for snapper and triggerfish

Private Snorkeling And Fishing Activity - Light-tackle fishing for snapper and triggerfish

Fishing gives the outing a second focus beyond swimming. The light-tackle option targets yellowtail snapper and triggerfish, with fishing gear and bait supplied.

This style of fishing works well for a group that wants an activity with a clear goal but does not want to spend a full day offshore. It can also give children and first-time fishers something specific to do between snorkeling stops. You will want to tell the captain how much fishing your group wants, since the route is customized.

The catch is not guaranteed, and the trip is better viewed as a chance to fish in attractive surroundings than as a promise of dinner. The description notes that you may leave with snapper or another catch, but success depends on conditions and timing.

The activity also includes the possibility of spear fishing for lobster and grouper. That option will appeal to people looking for a more hands-on fishing experience. If this is your priority, make it clear when booking or at the start of the trip so the captain can plan the day around it.

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A boat built for a private family outing

Private Snorkeling And Fishing Activity - A boat built for a private family outing

The boat is a large center console with adequate shade and room for the group. That matters in the Bahamas, where four hours in the sun can wear you down faster than expected. Shade gives non-swimmers, older family members, and anyone taking a break from the water a more comfortable place to sit.

The private format also helps families with different needs. A useful detail from one outing is that Captain Jason and his son Jason helped parents aged 90 and 86 get on and off the boat. That does not mean the trip is designed specifically for limited mobility, but it does show that the crew has experience assisting older participants.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The activity is near public transportation, though the supplied details do not describe a specific shuttle or transfer service. You should plan to reach Colours of The Bahamas in Nassau for the start and return there at the end.

A center-console boat is practical for moving between islands and reef areas, but it is not a luxury yacht. The appeal is open-air access, speed, and flexibility rather than plush cabins or a formal onboard service.

What is included, and what you should bring

Private Snorkeling And Fishing Activity - What is included, and what you should bring

The price includes bottled water, soda, snorkeling equipment, fishing gear, and bait. The cooler can also include rum punch or beer if arranged as an add-on. That gives you a useful base for the four-hour trip without having to organize every item separately.

Lunch is available for $25, but it is not included in the main price. Since the activity is short, lunch may not be essential for every group, but families with children or anyone planning a full day outside may prefer to add it.

I would bring sun protection and any personal items you know you need, though the supplied details do not provide a formal packing list. The boat has shade, but you should not assume that everyone will remain under it all day. A towel, swimwear, and personal medication are sensible choices for a water outing, though those items are not listed as tour inclusions.

The ability to add beer or rum punch may suit adults celebrating a special occasion. If you are traveling with children or older relatives, the included water and soda are the more important detail.

Is $850 good value for your group?

Private Snorkeling And Fishing Activity - Is $850 good value for your group?

The rate is $850 per private group of up to eight people. At the full eight-person capacity, that works out to $106.25 per person before any lunch or drink add-ons. For a smaller group, the individual cost rises, but you still receive a private boat and a customized four-hour itinerary.

The value comes from combining several activities in one outing. You are not paying only for transportation to a beach. The day can include island stops, snorkeling equipment, fishing gear, bait, reef time, and a crew that adjusts the plan to your group.

For a family of four, $212.50 per person is a more serious expense. I would compare that with how much you value privacy and flexibility. If everyone wants the same standard snorkeling stop, a shared excursion may cost less. If your group has mixed ages and interests, the private format becomes easier to justify.

The strongest value appears when six to eight people share the boat. A large family, two couples, or a group of friends can spread the fixed price while keeping control of the schedule. The tour also avoids the common problem of paying for a group excursion where some people want to fish and others want to snorkel.

The 4.8 rating from 62 ratings and 94 percent recommendation figure suggest a strong record. The most praised points are the accommodating crew, private feel, good fishing areas, and the chance to visit a beautiful uninhabited island. One outing also found a reef after other groups had left, which points to the benefit of timing and a captain willing to adjust the route.

The crew and the personal feel

Private Snorkeling And Fishing Activity - The crew and the personal feel

Captain Jason and his son Jason are specifically associated with a family outing, while Eddie and Jim handled another trip. The crew’s role matters here because this is a small private charter, not a large boat where the captain remains distant from the group.

The strongest practical sign is their help with older passengers. Getting two people aged 90 and 86 on and off the boat required attention and patience, and the crew provided it. If you are booking for parents or grandparents, mention any mobility concerns clearly before the trip.

Eddie and Jim were also praised for finding productive fishing spots and for taking the group to a reef after other boats had moved on. That sort of timing can make a difference in a four-hour tour. You should not expect every stop to be empty, but a private captain has more room to respond to conditions than a fixed group schedule.

The tone appears friendly and accommodating, but the experience remains activity-focused. If you want a polished luxury cruise with a formal meal and extensive onboard service, this is not that. If you want a boat crew that helps you make practical choices during a short outing, it fits better.

Who should book this private charter?

I would consider this trip a good match for:

  • Families with mixed ages and swimming abilities
  • Groups that want both fishing and snorkeling
  • Friends who can share the $850 private rate
  • Visitors who prefer quiet beaches to busy public stops
  • Experienced fishers interested in snapper, triggerfish, lobster, or grouper
  • Older family members who may benefit from crew assistance

It may be less suitable if you want a long fishing session, a full meal included, or a tightly scheduled sightseeing tour. Four hours gives you a taste of several activities, but it does not allow unlimited time at every island.

The weather requirement also deserves attention. If your Nassau plans are packed tightly, avoid placing this at the very end of your trip. Poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund, but a rescheduled outing may not fit your schedule.

Cancellation is free if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted, except that poor weather can result in a new date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this private charter if your group values control, quiet island stops, and the chance to combine reef snorkeling with fishing in one half-day. It is especially appealing when six to eight people share the $850 price, and it suits families who need the captain to adjust the pace.

I would skip it if your budget is tight, your group wants only a short snorkel, or you need a guaranteed catch. For the right group, though, this is a practical way to get beyond Nassau’s crowded shore, visit uninhabited islands, and let the day follow your interests.

FAQ

Where does the activity start?

The activity starts at Colours of The Bahamas, located at 3MH4+M84 in Nassau, The Bahamas.

Where does the activity end?

The boat returns to the same meeting point at the end of the four-hour activity.

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts approximately four hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The $850 price covers one private group of up to eight people.

What snorkeling equipment is included?

Use of snorkeling equipment is included in the tour price.

Is fishing gear provided?

Yes. Fishing gear and bait are included.

What fish can you target?

Light-tackle fishing targets yellowtail snapper and triggerfish. Spear fishing is available for lobster and grouper.

Are food and drinks included?

Bottled water and soda are included. Rum punch or beer can be added to the cooler. Lunch is available for $25 but is not included in the base price.

Can service animals join the activity?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The activity requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.

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Where to fish next

Pick a coast, a lake, or a hole in the ice.