Private Snorkeling or Fishing from Nassau – 31ft Sitting Pretty

The best part of this Nassau charter is the freedom to shape the day. Captain Bobo and crew can take you offshore for fishing, keep you near the reefs for snorkeling, or mix both with a beach stop, turtle viewing, or a harbor cruise. You are not locked into a one-size-fits-all route.

I like the private boat for up to six people, especially for families or friends who want their own pace. I also like that beginners get real help with the rods and tackle, while experienced anglers can ask for a more serious fishing plan. The main consideration is weather: rough conditions can change or cancel the outing.

• Four or eight hours: Choose a half-day trip for a focused outing, or the full day for fishing, snorkeling, and more time on the water.
• A true private charter: Your group has the boat, captain, and crew to itself, with room for up to six people.
• Several ways to spend the day: Fish offshore or inshore, snorkel a reef, look for turtles, stop at a beach, or cruise around Nassau Harbour.
• Good for first-time anglers: The crew supplies bait and tackle and can provide as much help as you need.
• Useful onboard comforts: You get snorkel equipment, bottled water, ice, a cooler, and a bathroom.
• Strong family appeal: Children and adults can switch between fishing and swimming instead of committing to one activity.

A Private Nassau Charter With Room to Change Plans

Sitting Pretty is a 31-foot Bertram departing from Carnivale Bahamas at Sterling Marina in Hurricane Hole, Paradise Island. The boat takes up to six people, making this a much more personal outing than a large group cruise.

At the dock, you meet your captain and crew and explain what your group wants from the day. That conversation matters. If one person wants to fish and another would rather snorkel, the crew can build a route around both interests instead of forcing everyone into the same activity.

The charter runs for about four hours or eight hours. Four hours is enough for a practical mix of fishing and snorkeling, but you will need to keep the plan focused. The eight-hour option gives you more breathing room for offshore fishing, a reef stop, a beach visit, or time around the harbor.

I would treat the four-hour version as the sensible choice for a first outing, a cruise ship day, or a group with children who may not want a full day at sea. The full-day charter makes more sense if fishing is your main goal or if you want several stops without watching the clock.

What You Can Do From the 31-Foot Bertram

The trip does not follow one fixed sightseeing route. Your captain helps decide how to use the available time, based on sea conditions and your interests.

Offshore fishing

If you want the classic Nassau fishing experience, you can head into deeper water and try for larger fish. This option uses the boat’s fishing equipment, bait, and tackle, all supplied as part of the charter.

Offshore fishing can be exciting, but it is also the least predictable part of the day. One group tried the ocean roughly 10 miles out and found mostly seaweed before moving closer to shore for better action. That is a useful reminder not to measure the outing only by the size or number of fish caught.

The crew can shift the plan if conditions or fishing action are not working in your favor. That flexibility is one of the main reasons to choose a private charter over a fixed fishing excursion.

Inshore fishing

Fishing closer to shore gives beginners a more manageable introduction. It also lets your group spend less time traveling and more time holding a rod.

One family used the half-day trip with children aged 12, 16, and 18. None of them had much fishing experience, yet the outing included plenty of catches and helped one person land a first fish without assistance. That makes the inshore option especially useful for families who want participation rather than a technical fishing lesson.

You should still expect fishing to depend on the day. The crew can help with the equipment, bait, and technique, but no charter can promise a particular catch.

Reef snorkeling

Snorkeling gives the trip a second focus when you need a break from fishing. The boat carries snorkel equipment in a range of sizes, so you do not need to arrange separate rental gear.

You can expect a reef stop with fish and underwater sights. Specific conditions can vary, but one outing included large numbers of fish and a spider crab. Several trips also included turtle sightings, sometimes alongside snorkeling and fishing in the same four-hour plan.

The snorkeling is a good reason to bring people who are not interested in fishing. It also gives children a change of pace. Keep in mind that the captain chooses the stop with the group and conditions in mind, so the exact reef location is not fixed.

Turtles, beaches, and harbor views

The captain can also plan time for turtle viewing, beaching, or sightseeing around Nassau Harbour. These options help make the charter feel like a private day on the water rather than only a fishing trip.

Turtle sightings are not something I would treat as guaranteed, but they have been part of several outings. You might also stop at a beach for a swim or simply relax on the boat while taking in the island views.

A harbor cruise is the gentlest choice for a group that wants scenery without spending the whole day fishing. Ask about the balance you want before leaving the marina, then stay open to adjustments along the way.

Captain Bobo, Cyrus, and the Hands-On Crew

Captain Bobo and Cyrus are names worth noting when you book or meet the crew. Their roles can include operating the boat, setting up fishing gear, helping with catches, and pointing out underwater sights.

The best fit here is not a crew that leaves you alone with a rod. You can ask for help at any level, which matters if you are new to fishing or bringing children. The crew can also help you switch between fishing, snorkeling, and sightseeing as the day develops.

You should still tell them clearly what kind of help you want. Some people prefer hands-on instruction, while others want to manage the rod themselves. A private charter gives you the chance to set that tone early.

The boat is described as being in good condition, with a bathroom onboard. That is a small but important comfort on a four or eight-hour outing. You also get a cooler with ice and bottled water, though food and other drinks are not included.

How the Fishing and Snorkeling Combination Works

A mixed itinerary works best when your group has different ideas about a perfect day. You might start with fishing, move to a reef for snorkeling, then finish with a beach or harbor stop.

One group caught three tuna, snorkeled, relaxed on an island, and saw turtles. Another caught 29 fish, snorkeled among hundreds of fish, and saw several turtles. Those examples show the range of possible days, but they should not be read as a promise of a particular number of catches.

The captain can suggest how to divide the time. For a four-hour charter, I would choose one main activity and one secondary activity. Fishing plus a short snorkel stop is realistic. Fishing, snorkeling, a beach visit, and a long harbor cruise could feel rushed.

With eight hours, you have more room to let the day unfold. You can spend longer offshore, move to a better fishing area, and still allow time for swimming or snorkeling. The longer charter is also better for a group that wants to make the boat itself the main part of the day.

What Happens to the Fish You Catch

Your catch may be more than a souvenir story. Some groups had their fish cooked for lunch at a nearby restaurant, including Margaritaville and a location on Rose Island.

The supplied details do not say that cooking is included, so treat that as an optional arrangement rather than part of the charter price. If eating your catch matters to you, ask the captain about the current options before setting out.

This can add a memorable local element to the day, but you should plan to pay separately for the meal. Food and drinks are not included in the charter.

Is $825 a Good Value?

The listed price is $825 per group, and the boat takes up to six people. That works out to about $137.50 per person if six people share the full group price. If you are a smaller party, the per-person cost rises, but you are still paying for a private boat rather than individual seats on a shared excursion.

The value comes from flexibility. You are not paying only for fishing time. The price includes a private captain and crew, a 31-foot Bertram, fishing equipment, bait and tackle, snorkel gear, bottled water, ice, and use of the onboard bathroom.

The price is easier to justify for six people who want both fishing and snorkeling. It is less compelling if you are alone or if you only want a short snorkel stop, since the charter is priced for the group and not by the number of activities completed.

The booking details show a group size of up to one for the displayed rate, while the boat description says it can take up to six people. Because those details do not match neatly, confirm how the price applies to your party when booking. That is particularly important for a group of four to six.

Meeting at Sterling Marina

You meet at Carnivale Bahamas, 1 Marina Way, at Paradise Island’s Sterling Marina in Hurricane Hole. The activity ends back at the same marina.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the meeting point. Cruise ship passengers must provide the ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time when booking.

That timing information is not a formality. A four-hour water trip needs a buffer for getting off the ship, reaching Paradise Island, and returning before you must re-board. Give the operator complete ship details so the departure can be matched to your port schedule.

The activity is mobile-ticket friendly, and confirmation is provided at booking. Bring the ticket details with you and remember that your own meals and drinks are separate from the included bottled water and ice.

Who Will Enjoy This Charter Most?

This is a strong match for a family with mixed interests. One person can fish while another snorkels, and children can switch activities if they lose interest. The private setting also means your group does not need to adapt to strangers.

It suits first-time anglers particularly well. The crew supplies the equipment and can assist throughout the trip, so you do not need to arrive with fishing experience.

Experienced anglers may prefer the eight-hour option. More time gives you a better chance to try different areas and settle into an offshore or inshore plan.

The charter is less suitable if you need a guaranteed catch, a fixed sightseeing route, or included meals. It is also not ideal for someone who wants a fully scheduled shore excursion with no decisions to make. Here, your group helps shape the day.

Weather, Cancellations, and Practical Limits

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund, and the cutoff uses local time.

Most people can participate, but the provided information does not give specific accessibility details. If anyone in your group has mobility, swimming, or medical concerns, ask the operator before booking so you know what the boat and water activities will require.

Should You Book Sitting Pretty?

Book this charter if you want a private Nassau day that can shift between fishing, snorkeling, turtles, a beach, and harbor sightseeing. It is particularly good for six friends or relatives who can share the cost and for families with beginners who need patient help.

Choose the four-hour trip if you want a compact outing or have a cruise ship schedule. Choose eight hours if fishing is central to the plan and you want time for several stops.

I would not book it expecting a guaranteed haul or a perfectly fixed route. Fishing conditions change, and even a strong crew cannot control the sea. But if you value choice, personal attention, and the chance to turn one boat trip into several Bahamian activities, this is a practical and flexible pick.

FAQ

How long is the private charter?

You can choose a four-hour or eight-hour charter.

How many people can the boat take?

The 31-foot Bertram can take up to six people for a private charter.

Where does the experience start and end?

It starts at Carnivale Bahamas, 1 Marina Way, Paradise Island, at Sterling Marina in Hurricane Hole. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What activities can I choose?

Your options can include offshore fishing, inshore fishing, reef snorkeling, beaching, turtle viewing, and sightseeing around Nassau Harbour. You can discuss the plan with the captain after boarding.

Is fishing equipment provided?

Yes. Bait, tackle, and all necessary fishing equipment are provided.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkel equipment in a variety of sizes is included.

Are food and drinks included?

Bottled water and ice are included. Food and other drinks are not included unless specifically stated.

Can cruise ship passengers book this experience?

Yes. Cruise ship passengers must provide the ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time when booking.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the experience is canceled due to poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.