Private Snorkeling or Fishing in Nassau – 55ft Cocorijo

The most appealing part of this Nassau charter is that you choose the day’s shape. In roughly four hours, your private group can snorkel a coral reef, fish offshore or inshore, swim, sunbathe, or visit Gilligan’s Island. The 55-foot Hatteras gives you room to spread out, and the crew can adjust the plan instead of sending you through a fixed schedule.

I like the private format, especially for families, mixed-age groups, and friends who do not all want the same activity. I also like the crew’s practical, friendly reputation. Captain Roscoe, Mate Cleo, and Stewardess Kassandra are often named for their care with children, safety, clean boat, and easygoing service.

The main consideration is price. At $1,650 per group, this makes the most sense when you can fill much of the 10-person capacity. Fishing also depends on nature, not effort alone: one family reported a slow half-day with no bites, while another caught a 25-pound grouper and a six-foot reef shark.

Key points at a glance

• A 55-foot Hatteras for your private group: The boat accommodates up to 10 people, with no unrelated party sharing your charter.
• Two activities can shape the outing: Mix snorkeling, fishing, swimming, beach time, and a Gilligan’s Island visit according to your group’s wishes.
• A strong crew reputation: Roscoe, Cleo, and Kassandra receive repeated praise for being attentive, social, professional, and helpful with children.
• Rose Island adds a longer-day option: Footprints Beach Bar and Grill offers lunch, music, a bar, beach time, volleyball, and billiards, with lunch and landing fees extra.
• The price rewards a full group: Ten people work out to $165 each before extras, but a smaller party pays much more per person.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, and cancellations are free up to 24 hours ahead.

Setting out from Sterling Marina

You meet at Carnivale Bahamas, 1 Marina Way, at Sterling Marina in Hurricane Hole on Paradise Island. The charter returns to this same meeting point, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

That detail matters more than it may seem. If you are staying at Atlantis, Rosewood, Baha Mar, or another waterfront property, ask about your own transfer to the marina. Some private outings have arranged pickup from a hotel jetty, but that is not part of the standard offer, so you should not count on it unless confirmed in advance.

The marina location puts you near the water quickly. There is no long coach ride across New Providence Island, which leaves more of your half-day for time on the boat. Cruise ship passengers must provide the ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time when booking. That information helps the operator judge if the timing works.

Your boat is Cocorijo, a beautifully maintained 55-foot Hatteras. The size gives your party more room than a small open skiff, particularly useful when children, beach bags, fishing equipment, and snorkel gear all come aboard. It also makes this a social outing: you can sit back between activities rather than spending the whole time balancing on a narrow boat.

Choosing two activities for a four-hour charter

The basic outing lasts about four hours, and you can choose two activities. This is the point where you should have a clear conversation with the captain before leaving the marina.

A family might choose snorkeling and swimming. A group of friends might prefer fishing and beach time. You could also combine reef snorkeling with a stop near Gilligan’s Island, one of the most photographed islands in the world. The exact sites depend on your preferences and conditions, so flexibility is part of the value.

Do not treat the four-hour charter as a promise of every activity listed. Snorkeling, fishing, a beach stop, and an island visit can easily fill more than half a day. If you want several water stops plus lunch at Rose Island, ask about an afternoon or full-day charter instead.

The crew supplies snorkel equipment, fishing equipment, bottled water, and an ice cooler. Local beer is listed among the included drinks. Food is not included, and the general terms also say drinks are not included unless specified, so confirm exactly what is provided before you board, especially if you want beverages other than the included local beer.

Snorkeling over coral reefs

Snorkeling is the natural choice if your group wants colorful underwater scenery without committing the whole outing to fishing. You can explore coral reef sites selected for the day, with the crew explaining the marine life and underwater plants you see.

The private setup improves this part of the experience. If one person is a first-time snorkeler or a child needs extra help, you can ask the crew to slow down and explain things. You are not trying to keep up with a large group or waiting for strangers to finish at a stop.

Past outings have included snorkeling between Gilligan’s Island and Rose Island, with more than one location used in a single charter. Some groups have also combined snorkeling with swimming alongside pigs. That activity is not guaranteed in the standard description, so see it as a possible custom request rather than a promised stop.

Water conditions will affect visibility and comfort. The charter requires good weather, and poor weather can result in a different date or a full refund. Even in good weather, marine life moves on its own schedule. The crew can take you to suitable sites, but no operator can promise a particular animal or perfect visibility.

Bring whatever personal items help you enjoy the water, but remember that the supplied gear is the central equipment included. If you have a favorite mask, prescription lenses, or fins, you may prefer to bring them, though the standard snorkel equipment is provided.

Fishing, from hopeful casts to real catches

Fishing gives the charter a different rhythm. You can choose deep sea or inshore fishing and use the provided fishing equipment. The crew handles the practical side while you wait for a bite, which can make this a pleasant choice for a group that wants quiet time on the water.

The results can vary sharply. One family hoping for a deep sea fishing adventure spent the half-day without a bite and felt the boat was moving too quickly. That is a fair warning: fishing is not a guaranteed catch, and a short charter gives you limited time if fish are not cooperating.

On the other hand, another half-day produced a 25-pound grouper and a six-foot reef shark. The grouper was later prepared for dinner at Anthony’s on the crew’s recommendation. Those contrasting outcomes tell you exactly how to approach the activity. Book fishing because you enjoy the process and the possibility, not because you expect a certain haul.

If children are joining you, ask the crew to explain the equipment and the plan in simple terms. The crew has received praise for teaching younger people about the ocean, the reef, and the boat. Fishing can work well for families, but the possibility of waiting without action is worth explaining to children beforehand.

Gilligan’s Island, beaches, and swimming stops

Gilligan’s Island offers a scenic change from reef time. The island is described as one of the most photographed in the world, so it works well for photographs, a swim, and a sense of place beyond the marina and resort shoreline.

You can also choose simple beach time or sunbathing. That flexibility is valuable for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can snorkel while someone else stays aboard or relaxes on the beach, depending on the captain’s plan and the stop selected.

Rose Island is the more developed optional stop. On an afternoon or full-day charter, you may visit Footprints Beach Bar and Grill, located on a beautiful part of Rose Island with white sand and clear turquoise water. You can have lunch, listen to music, use the bar, sunbathe, play volleyball, or try billiards.

The trade-off is cost and time. Lunch and the landing fee are not included in the charter price. A Rose Island stop also makes more sense on an afternoon or full-day booking than on a tightly packed four-hour plan. If Footprints is important to you, make it a central part of your request rather than hoping there will be time at the end.

Why the crew matters

A private boat is only as good as the people running it. The names most closely linked with this Cocorijo experience are Captain Roscoe, Mate Cleo, and Stewardess Kassandra. They are repeatedly praised for being warm, professional, attentive, and social without making the day feel forced.

The strongest point for families is the crew’s attention to young children. Groups with children have felt safe and well cared for, with the crew helping them aboard and during the water activities. That does not replace your own supervision, but it does make the outing less demanding for parents and grandparents.

Cleo is often described as both friendly and professional, while Roscoe is praised for creating a relaxed mood and explaining the plan. Kassandra is frequently noted for hospitality and making people feel comfortable. Crew assignments can change, so do not assume every named person will be aboard your departure.

The boat itself is also repeatedly described as clean and well maintained. On a private charter, cleanliness has a direct effect on comfort because you spend the entire outing aboard the same vessel. You are paying for service, space, equipment, and the ability to set the pace, not simply transportation to a reef.

The price and who gets good value

The listed price is $1,650 for the group, up to 10 people. At full capacity, that is $165 per person before food, landing fees, and any transport to the marina. For five people, the effective cost rises to $330 each. For two people, it becomes a very expensive private outing.

That arithmetic gives you the clearest way to judge the charter. A family reunion, wedding group, office outing, or large party can get solid value from the private format. A small couple or trio may prefer a shared excursion unless privacy and schedule control are worth the premium.

The boat’s capacity is also a practical advantage. Ten people can split between fishing, snorkeling, swimming, and relaxing without needing to book two small boats. One group of 13 rented two boats and used them to snorkel two different areas, which shows how the operator can work for larger parties, though this specific booking covers up to 10 people.

Food costs need to be part of your budget. You receive bottled water, ice, snorkel gear, fishing gear, and local beer as listed. You pay separately for lunch and the landing fee at Footprints, and food and other drinks are not part of the base charter unless specifically arranged.

Who should book Cocorijo

I would put this charter high on the list for families and friend groups that want control over the day. You can avoid the usual problem where half the group wants to snorkel and the other half wants to fish. Parents may appreciate the crew’s care with children, while older family members can enjoy the boat, beach, or views without taking part in every water activity.

It also suits people staying near Paradise Island who want a private outing without a full-day commitment. Four hours is long enough for two main activities, but short enough to leave room for dinner or another Nassau plan.

I would be more cautious if your only goal is catching a large fish. The fishing reports show both excellent catches and an empty line. Likewise, if your dream is a long Rose Island lunch stop, book enough time for it and budget for the separate landing and meal charges.

The experience is less suitable for anyone who wants hotel transportation included, a guaranteed animal encounter, or a fixed list of several stops within four hours. You are buying flexibility, not a rigid route or a promise of specific wildlife.

Booking details worth knowing

Confirmation is provided when you book, and the ticket is mobile. Most people can participate, but the supplied information does not give a detailed accessibility assessment for the boat, marina, or water entries. If anyone in your group has mobility concerns, ask the operator direct questions before paying.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. Since good weather is required, a weather cancellation brings either another date or a full refund.

I recommend giving yourself extra time to reach Sterling Marina, particularly if you are coming from a cruise ship or resort. Cruise ship passengers must provide precise ship timing at booking, and the trip ends back at the marina rather than at your hotel.

Should you book this Nassau charter?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the $1,650 cost and want a private, flexible day on the water. The strongest reasons are the spacious 55-foot boat, included snorkel and fishing equipment, the choice of two activities, and a crew known for taking care of families.

Before booking, decide your two priorities. Snorkeling plus swimming gives you a relaxed water day. Fishing plus a beach stop balances action and rest. If you want Footprints Beach Bar and Grill, ask for an afternoon or full-day plan and add the landing fee and lunch to your budget.

I would book with realistic expectations about fishing and wildlife. You may have an excellent catch, a memorable reef stop, or a quiet afternoon with no fish. The private format, attentive crew, and control over your time are the dependable parts of the experience.

FAQ

How much does the private Cocorijo charter cost?

The charter costs $1,650 per group, with up to 10 people included.

How long is the Nassau charter?

The standard experience lasts approximately four hours.

Where does the boat leave from?

The meeting point is Carnivale Bahamas, 1 Marina Way, Sterling Marina, Hurricane Hole, on Paradise Island. The charter returns to the same meeting point.

Which activities can I choose?

You can choose two activities, including snorkeling at a coral reef, Gilligan’s Island, deep sea fishing, inshore fishing, swimming, sunbathing, or beach time.

Is snorkel equipment included?

Yes. Snorkel equipment is provided, along with necessary fishing equipment.

Are food and drinks included?

Bottled water, an ice cooler, and local beer are listed as included. Food is not included, and other drinks should be confirmed when booking.

Can I visit Footprints Beach Bar and Grill?

On an afternoon or full-day charter, you may choose to visit Footprints Beach Bar and Grill on Rose Island. Lunch and the landing fee are not included.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted or refunded. If poor weather cancels the activity, you can receive a new date or a full refund.