Private Snorkeling or Fishing from Nassau – 31ft Sitting Pretty

Nassau’s 31-foot Bertram gives you a private boat and a flexible plan instead of a fixed group outing. You can fish offshore, try lighter inshore tackle, snorkel a reef, look for turtles, stop at a beach, or simply cruise around the harbor with the captain shaping the day around your group.

I like the choice between fishing and snorkeling, especially for families with mixed interests. I also like that the crew can teach beginners, with Captain Bobo and Cyrus helping first-time anglers and showing marine life such as turtles and a spider crab. The main consideration is that fishing success depends on conditions. One half-day outing produced seaweed offshore before the crew shifted closer to shore, so you should book this for the full experience, not a guaranteed catch.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to six: You share the 31-foot Bertram only with your own group.
• Two time choices: Pick a four-hour half-day charter or an eight-hour full-day outing.
• More than fishing: Mix offshore or inshore fishing with reef snorkeling, turtle watching, beach time, and harbor sightseeing.
• Beginner-friendly setup: Bait, tackle, fishing equipment, and snorkel gear in several sizes are supplied.
• Useful onboard comforts: You get bottled water, ice, a cooler, and a bathroom.
• Strong overall record: The experience has a 4.9 rating from 92 reviews, with 98 percent recommending it.

Starting at Sterling Marina in Nassau

Your meeting point is Carnivale Bahamas at Sterling Marina, 1 Marina Way, Paradise Island, inside Hurricane Hole. The boat returns to the same place, which keeps the day simple and makes planning easier if you are staying nearby or visiting Nassau from a cruise ship.

This is a private charter, so the boat does not fill with unrelated passengers. That matters more than it may sound. You can decide how much time to spend fishing, how long to snorkel, and when to change plans without waiting for a large group.

If you arrive by cruise ship, provide the ship name, docking time, time you plan to leave the ship, and required re-boarding time when you book. I would treat the return schedule seriously. The tour lasts about four hours for the half-day option, but you still need enough time to get back to the ship, clear the port area, and re-board without rushing.

Meeting the crew and shaping your four or eight hours

Once you board, you talk with the captain about what your group wants from the charter. That conversation is the heart of this experience. You are not locked into fishing all morning if the children would rather snorkel, and you are not forced into a reef stop if everyone wants to spend the outing working the lines.

The available activities include:

• Offshore fishing
• Inshore fishing
• Reef snorkeling
• Beach time
• Harbor sightseeing
• Swimming with turtles, when the planned conditions and location allow

The four-hour option is enough for a mixed outing, but you will need to make choices. Fishing takes time to reach an area, set up, and work the water. Adding snorkeling, a beach stop, and sightseeing can make the schedule feel tight.

The eight-hour charter gives you more breathing room. It is the better pick if fishing is your main goal and you also want time in the water. It can also suit a group with different priorities, since one activity does not have to crowd out another.

Fishing offshore, near shore, and for beginners

The fishing plan can change according to what is happening on the water. You may start offshore in deeper water, then move closer to land for lighter tackle or a different type of fishing. That flexibility is useful, since conditions and fish activity can vary during the day.

One family’s half-day outing began roughly 10 miles offshore, where the main catch was seaweed. The captain then moved closer to shore and changed the approach. That is a helpful detail for beginners: an empty stretch in one area does not necessarily end the fishing day.

Several outings produced good catches, including tuna and larger amounts of fish. One group caught 29 fish, while another caught three tuna along with time for snorkeling and a stop to relax on an island. Those results show the range of possibilities, but they should not be treated as a promise. Fishing is affected by weather, water conditions, timing, and luck.

You do not need fishing experience. The boat supplies the bait and tackle, and the crew offers as much help as your group needs. A first-time angler even caught a first fish without assistance, while another family used the trip to teach three children and teenagers the basics.

That makes the boat a good match for mixed-age groups. Experienced anglers can ask for a more focused fishing plan, while beginners can learn without having to bring rods, reels, bait, or other fishing supplies.

Reef snorkeling and turtle encounters

Snorkeling gives the day a second purpose when the fish are slow or when not everyone wants to hold a rod. The boat carries snorkel equipment in a variety of sizes, so you do not need to arrange separate rental gear before boarding.

The snorkeling stops can include a beautiful reef with schools of fish and the chance to see sea turtles. A crew member also pointed out a spider crab hidden among the reef, the kind of small sight you might miss without someone watching closely.

Turtle sightings are one of the most appealing parts of the combined plan. Groups have seen turtles while snorkeling and swimming, along with hundreds of fish in the reef area. Still, sea life is wild, so the crew can take you to promising spots but cannot guarantee a particular animal.

The shared schedule is worth considering. If half your group wants to snorkel and the rest wants to fish, the captain can help divide the time. On a four-hour charter, you may need to accept a shorter stop in each place. On an eight-hour trip, the mix should feel less hurried.

A boat built for a relaxed private outing

The Bertram is 31 feet, or about 9 meters, and can take up to six people. That capacity makes the $825 group price easier to understand. If six people share the charter, the cost works out to about $137.50 per person before any food, drinks, or extra costs. A smaller group will pay more per person, but you still receive private use of the boat rather than buying separate seats on a shared trip.

The boat includes a bathroom, which is a practical advantage during a four- or eight-hour outing. There is also a cooler with ice and bottled water. Food and other drinks are not included, so plan for that separately.

The supplied gear reduces the amount you need to organize. Fishing equipment and bait and tackle are included, as is snorkel equipment. You should still think about the personal items you want for a boat day, but the main activity gear is covered.

A private boat also gives you more control over the pace. You can ask for help, spend longer at a favorite stop, or change the balance between fishing and snorkeling within the available time. The tradeoff is that you are paying for the boat as a group, so a small party will not get the same per-person value as a full group of six.

What the crew adds to the experience

The crew’s role is especially important here because the charter has no fixed route. Captain Bobo and Cyrus are named by several groups as the people who handled fishing, snorkeling, and local guidance. Captain Bo is also named in one account, which may be a shortened version of Bobo.

The strongest pattern is hands-on help. The crew assists with fishing gear, suggests locations, and can point out marine life at the reef. That makes the experience less intimidating for someone who has never fished and more useful for parents trying to keep children involved.

The crew also appears willing to adjust the plan. Moving from offshore water toward shore after a slow start is exactly the kind of decision that makes a private charter worthwhile. A fixed itinerary cannot react as easily.

You should still tell the crew your priorities at the start. Say if you want to catch fish, snorkel, see turtles, spend time on a beach, or simply cruise. The more clearly you explain your group’s goals, the easier it is to use four or eight hours well.

Fresh fish and the possibility of a local lunch

The charter does not include food, but a successful catch may give you the option of arranging a meal afterward. Some groups took their fresh fish to a nearby restaurant at Margaritaville or had it cooked at Rose Island.

This is not an included service, so you should confirm the details with the crew before counting on it. Still, eating fish caught during your own outing can give the day a strong local touch, especially if you are traveling with children who want to see the full path from fishing line to plate.

Think of it as a possible add-on, not part of the $825 price. You will need to pay separately for any restaurant preparation, food, or drinks.

Weather, timing, and practical limits

The charter requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the outing, you can receive a full refund or choose another date. Normal cancellation is free if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.

The price is $825 per group, but the booking information displays the group size as up to one while the boat description says it carries up to six people. Because those details do not match, I would confirm the exact party size and total price before paying, especially if you are booking for a family or a full group.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to reach Sterling Marina on your own, and the boat returns there at the end. Bottled water and ice are supplied, but food and drinks are not unless specifically arranged.

Most people can participate, and the charter is private. If you have a particular mobility, medical, or comfort concern, ask the operator before booking, since the supplied information does not give further access details.

Who should book the half-day or full-day option

I would choose the four-hour charter for a first boat outing, a cruise stop, or a family that wants a taste of several activities. It can combine fishing and snorkeling nicely, but you should keep the plan focused rather than trying to fit every possible stop into one morning.

I would choose eight hours if fishing is the main reason you are booking, if your group wants several reef or beach stops, or if six people have different ideas about the day. The longer option gives the captain more time to adjust if one location is quiet.

This is especially well suited to:

• Families with children or teenagers
• First-time anglers
• Groups of up to six who want privacy
• Couples or friends who want fishing and snorkeling in one outing
• Cruise passengers with a carefully planned port schedule
• Experienced fishers who want a flexible private boat

It may be less suitable if you want a guaranteed catch, a set sightseeing route, or an all-inclusive meal. It is also less cost-effective for a single person or very small party unless privacy matters more than the per-person price.

Should you book this Nassau charter?

I would book it if your ideal Bahamas day includes choices: cast a line, change to snorkeling, look for turtles, pause at a beach, and let the captain adjust the route. The private format, supplied equipment, bathroom, water, and beginner-friendly help make it easy for a family or small group.

The strongest reason to choose it is the combination of activities. The main risk is ordinary fishing uncertainty, not a poor setup. If you can accept that the fish may be plentiful one day and scarce the next, this charter offers a good way to spend four or eight hours on the water around Nassau.

For the best value, fill the boat with your group, decide your top two priorities before boarding, and confirm the party-size pricing. Pick four hours for a compact cruise-day outing, or eight hours if you want room for fishing, reef time, turtles, and a possible fresh-catch meal.

FAQ

Where does the charter start and finish?

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.

How long is the charter?

You can book a four-hour or eight-hour private charter.

How many people can board the boat?

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

Is fishing equipment included?

Yes. All necessary fishing equipment, bait, and tackle are provided.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

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

What activities can I choose?

Your group can plan offshore fishing, inshore fishing, reef snorkeling, beach time, harbor sightseeing, and possible turtle encounters with the captain.

Are food and drinks included?

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

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. For a full refund after a normal cancellation, cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.