Private Snorkeling or Fishing Charter in Nassau – 38ft Free Time

This charter’s best feature is that you do not have to choose between a fishing trip and a beach day. You can spend the morning trying for barracuda or wahoo, then snorkel a coral reef, watch turtles, swim, or stretch out on a white-sand beach. The private itinerary lets you set the pace.

I especially like the included bait, tackle, and snorkel gear, since you can arrive without hauling a suitcase full of equipment. I also like the crew’s family-friendly approach. Captain D, Tyson, Juante, Collin, and others are praised for helping beginners and keeping children involved. The main caution is that weather and fish are unpredictable, and lunch or a beach landing fee at Footprints Beach Bar and Grill costs extra.

Key points at a glance

• A 38-foot cabin cruiser: The Free Time gives your group a comfortable base for fishing, snorkeling, swimming, and sightseeing.
• Four or eight hours on the water: A half-day works for one main activity plus a short stop. The longer charter gives you room for fishing, reefs, beaches, and island visits.
• Fishing gear and bait included: Beginners can take part, while experienced anglers can ask the crew for more active guidance.
• Snorkeling gear provided: You can combine reef time with fishing without renting equipment elsewhere.
• Private group up to eight people: You set the mix of activities instead of following a fixed public-tour schedule.
• Optional Rose Island stop: Footprints Beach Bar and Grill offers lunch, music, drinks, beach time, volleyball, and billiards, but food and the landing fee are extra.

Choosing between four and eight hours on Free Time

The experience is built around a simple idea: put your party on a private boat and let the day take shape around your interests. You can request fishing, snorkeling, island sightseeing, swimming, sunbathing, or a blend of several activities.

The shorter charter lasts about four hours. That is enough time for a focused outing, such as fishing followed by a swim, or snorkeling with a beach stop. You can also fit several smaller activities into the half-day, but each change uses time. If fishing is the priority, you may not want to give away too much of your line time for long sightseeing runs.

The eight-hour option makes more sense if your group wants the full Nassau boat-day treatment. You have time to fish without rushing, visit a reef, look for turtles, stop at an island, and enjoy a beach or lunch break. The longer trip is also useful for a mixed group. One person can fish while another snorkels, and the boat can move on to a new activity later.

The listing gives a price of $1,045 per group, but the displayed capacity says up to one person while the operating details say up to eight guests. That is an important point to clear up before paying. Ask the operator which charter length and group size the quoted price covers, especially if you are booking for a family or a full party of eight.

What the Free Time boat offers your group

Free Time is a 38-foot cabin cruiser. That matters because a private boat day is only as pleasant as the boat itself. You have a cabin cruiser rather than a small open skiff, along with bottled water, an ice cooler, and room for the equipment needed for fishing and snorkeling.

The boat is used for several types of outings. You might fish from inshore waters, try for larger offshore fish, or simply use the boat as a comfortable platform for exploring the islands around New Providence. The exact route depends on your wishes, the weather, and what the captain thinks will work best that day.

Do not expect a luxury yacht with a fully catered galley. Food and drinks are not included unless specifically stated, so bring or arrange anything beyond the supplied water and ice. If you want lunch at Rose Island, plan for that as an additional expense.

Fishing with Captain D, Tyson, Juante, or Willie

Fishing is the core activity, but this is not limited to serious anglers. The crew provides rods, reels, bait, tackle, and the other necessary fishing equipment. A first-time fisher can take part without buying gear or learning the setup alone.

The crew can bait hooks, rig lines, and help bring fish aboard. That hands-on help is useful for children and anyone who has never fished from a boat. Accounts of the trip describe catches ranging from several smaller fish to barracuda, dorado, wahoo, yellowfin tuna, and a marlin. Those catches are possibilities, not promises. Fish, season, conditions, and location all matter.

If you want the best chance of a productive fishing session, tell the crew before departure how much of the charter should be devoted to fishing. You can ask for inshore fishing, which may suit a mixed family group, or offshore fishing if catching larger species is the main goal. The phrase private charter does not mean the fish will cooperate, so keep your expectations realistic.

The crew names associated with this boat include Captain D, Tyson, Juante, Dee, Collin, Kyris, and Captain Willie. You may not have a particular person on your departure, but the recurring praise centers on friendly instruction, practical help, and a willingness to work around children and beginners.

A nice bonus is that some outings have ended with the catch being cleaned and filleted. That service is not presented as a guaranteed part of every trip, so ask the crew about it if eating your catch matters to you.

Snorkeling coral reefs and looking for turtles

The snorkeling option gives you a welcome change from fishing. Gear is included, so you can move from the boat into the water without arranging a separate rental. The reefs are described as colorful, and the water around the nearby islands is clear and bright enough for fish and coral viewing.

The captain chooses from several possible reef areas. Your actual stop depends on conditions and the day’s plan. The crew can help you decide how much time to spend in the water, which is helpful if some members of your group are confident swimmers and others are hesitant.

Turtle sightings are another recurring part of the experience. You might visit a known turtle-viewing spot, but wildlife is never guaranteed. The same applies to dolphins and other sea life. It is best to treat these as welcome additions rather than fixed stops.

Families have used the boat for snorkeling with young children, and the crew has helped nervous swimmers feel more comfortable. Still, the data does not promise lifeguard service or specialized child flotation equipment. If someone in your party is not a strong swimmer, ask ahead about the equipment available and stay within the captain’s safety instructions.

Gilligan’s Island, beaches, and nearby islands

The sightseeing portion can include a visit to Gilligan’s Island, described as one of the most photographed islands in the world. The appeal here is simple: you get a scenic stop that breaks up the time spent sitting with a fishing rod or swimming at a reef.

You may also stop for a beach visit, sunbathe, swim, or jump from the boat into the surrounding water where conditions allow. A private charter works well for this kind of loose plan. You can linger when the water is inviting instead of being pulled away by a group schedule.

Some accounts also describe visits to see pigs. The supplied information about the main program does not list swimming with pigs as a guaranteed stop, so ask whether it is possible on your route and how much time it would take. The same advice applies to turtle spots, Gilligan’s Island, and any other special request.

The more stops you add, the less time remains for fishing or snorkeling. Before leaving the marina, agree on your top two priorities. That small conversation can prevent disappointment later.

Rose Island and Footprints Beach Bar and Grill

On afternoon or full-day charters, you may choose to visit Footprints Beach Bar and Grill on Rose Island. The setting is a major part of the appeal: white sand, striking turquoise water, and a relaxed beach atmosphere.

The stop is not included in the base charter cost. You pay separately for lunch and the landing fee, and drinks are also your responsibility. The bar and grill offers music, a fully stocked bar, sunbathing, volleyball, and billiards, so it can turn the charter into a leisurely island afternoon rather than a nonstop fishing session.

This stop makes the most sense for a group with mixed interests. A parent can relax on the beach, young adults can swim or play volleyball, and anglers can take a break from the rods. If your group is focused on catching fish, however, the landing fee and lunch may not feel worth the lost fishing time.

Ask the crew about the timing before you commit. A beach stop can be the highlight of the day, but it should fit your priorities rather than replace them by accident.

Why the private format matters

A public boat tour asks everyone to follow the same plan. This charter gives you control over the balance between fishing, snorkeling, sightseeing, and rest. That is valuable when your party includes different ages and energy levels.

The boat is private to your group, with a maximum of eight guests according to the operating details. You do not have to negotiate every stop with strangers, and you can tell the captain if one activity is working better than another.

The crew’s role is not just to drive the boat. They can suggest good spots, rig lines, bait hooks, help with catches, explain what you are seeing, and adjust the pace. Captain D and his mates are repeatedly described as funny and patient, including with children as young as three and four. That warmth can make a big difference on a family outing.

One complaint involved unwanted political conversation. The operator responded by apologizing and addressing the issue. I would still set the tone early: tell the crew you want the day to stay focused on fishing, water, family, and fun. Most of the available comments describe a friendly experience, but a clear request is sensible on any private charter.

The real value of the $1,045 price

At $1,045 per group, this is a substantial purchase for a four-hour outing. The value improves if you fill the boat with several people, since the cost is shared across the party rather than paid separately by each person. The same price also includes the captain, crew service, fishing equipment, bait and tackle, snorkel gear, local taxes, bottled water, and ice.

That bundled equipment saves you from arranging separate fishing and snorkeling rentals. The private format also gives you time flexibility that a standard group excursion cannot offer.

The eight-hour version is likely the stronger value for a party that wants several activities. You get more time to use the boat and can spread the cost over a larger group. For one or two people wanting only a short fishing session, the price may feel steep.

Because the displayed details conflict on party capacity and duration, confirm the final price before booking. Ask whether the $1,045 rate is for four hours or eight, and whether it covers up to eight people. This is the most important practical step in assessing value.

Meeting at Sterling Marina

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

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off. You need to arrange your own way to the meeting point and allow enough time to find the marina. Cruise ship passengers must provide the ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time when booking. That information lets the operator judge whether the charter fits your port schedule.

Bring food and drinks if you do not plan to stop at Footprints. Water and ice are supplied, but a full meal is not. Sun protection and a swimsuit are practical choices, though only the equipment specifically listed by the operator should be treated as included.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. The charter requires good weather, and if the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Who will enjoy this Nassau charter most

I would choose this for a family, a group of friends, or a small celebration where everyone wants something different from the day. The boat can handle a fishing enthusiast, a casual swimmer, a nervous child, and a beach lover in the same party.

It is also a good fit for beginners. You do not need to bring fishing equipment, and the crew can handle the technical setup. If your child wants to catch a fish, the crew’s help can turn a first attempt into a genuine memory.

Experienced anglers should book it only after clarifying the fishing plan. The charter can include serious fishing, but it can also become a broad sightseeing and swimming day. Tell the operator if fish are the main goal.

I would be more cautious if you want a guaranteed species, a guaranteed turtle sighting, a catered meal, or a completely fixed route. None of those is promised here. The strength of the trip is flexibility, not certainty.

Should you book Free Time?

Book it if you want a private Nassau boat day where fishing, snorkeling, turtles, beaches, and island stops can all fit into one plan. The crew’s repeated strengths are patience, humor, practical fishing help, and a genuine ability to keep children and adults involved.

Choose the eight-hour option if you want Rose Island or several major stops. Choose four hours if you want one main activity and a shorter outing. Before paying, confirm the confusing capacity and duration details tied to the $1,045 price.

This is not the cheapest way to get on the water, and weather or slow fishing can change the day. But for a full party sharing the cost, the included gear and private control make it a strong option for an active Nassau day.

FAQ

Where does the Nassau charter begin?

You meet at Carnivale Bahamas, 1 Marina Way, Paradise Island, at Sterling Marina in Hurricane Hole, The Bahamas.

Where does the charter end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point at Sterling Marina.

How long is the charter?

The experience is offered as a four-hour or eight-hour private charter. The shorter option is approximately four hours.

How many people can join?

The operating details state that the private charter can accommodate up to eight guests. The displayed pricing information says per group up to one, so confirm the exact capacity and rate before booking.

Is fishing equipment included?

Yes. Necessary fishing equipment, bait, and tackle are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included with the charter.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included unless specifically stated. Bottled water and an ice cooler are provided.

Is hotel transportation included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You must make your own way to and from Sterling Marina.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. For a full refund when canceling yourself, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.