Center Console Private Bahamas Boat Charter

Your boat, your day, your pace. This private Bahamas charter combines Nassau Harbour, a coral reef, swimming pigs, turtle watching, Gilligan’s Island, and Rose Island beach time in one flexible outing. I especially like the private setup for groups of up to 14, plus the free pickup from several Nassau locations.

I also like that snorkeling gear, snacks, soft drinks, music, and crew-taken photos are included. Captain Ryan’s calm handling in choppy conditions is another strong point. The main consideration is cost: at $1,716 per group, this makes the most sense for a larger party, and swimming with the pigs costs an extra $30 per person.

Five Things To Know Before You Book

• Captain Ryan can adjust the route: On a windy day, he found calmer water and better snorkeling conditions instead of stubbornly following one fixed plan.
• The charter covers several classic stops: Expect a coral reef, swimming pigs, Gilligan’s Island, Green Cay turtles, and Rose Island beach time.
• The price works best for a group: The boat accommodates up to 14 people, which brings the per-person cost down when the boat is full.
• Pickup is available at four Nassau-area locations: You can meet at Montague, Margaritaville Paradise Island, Prince George dock, or the beach beside Baha Mar.
• Pig swimming is an extra charge: The stop itself is part of the outing, but entering the water with the pigs costs $30 per person.

What This Private Bahamas Charter Really Offers

This is not a basic point-to-point boat ride. It is a private day on the water where you choose how to spend your time, within the planned route and weather conditions.

The advertised duration is four to eight hours. That wide range matters. A shorter trip gives you a brisk sampler of the main stops. A longer outing leaves more room for snorkeling, beach time, photos, and a slower lunch break that you arrange yourself.

The boat starts with a tour of Nassau Harbour, then heads toward the first stop after a roughly 15-minute ride. From there, the listed stops sit about 15 to 20 minutes apart. You are not spending the entire day in one place, but you also are not racing from one distant island to another.

The experience is private, so you do not have to match the pace of a large shared group. That is useful for families, couples traveling together, birthday groups, and friends with different ideas about a perfect beach day. One person can snorkel while another prefers to sit with a drink and music.

The tradeoff is price. The total cost is $1,716 for up to 14 people. With 14 passengers, that works out to about $123 per person before the optional pig swim. With only six people, the cost rises to about $286 per person. Compare the total with your group size before booking.

Leaving Nassau Harbour for the Reef

The outing begins with a tour of Nassau Harbour. This gives you a look at the water from the boat before the more active stops begin. You then make the short ride to the coral reef, listed as the first main stop.

The snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask, snorkel, or related gear. The reef is the best place to use it. Expect clear water, coral, and a chance to see underwater life, though the exact conditions depend on weather, visibility, and the condition of the reef on your day.

Do not confuse a private charter with a guided marine biology lesson. The information provided focuses on access, flexibility, and fun rather than detailed reef interpretation. If your priority is learning species names and coral science, ask the crew what they cover before departure.

The strongest practical feature here is the captain’s ability to respond to conditions. On one outing with stronger wind and choppy waves, Captain Ryan moved to calmer water and found reefs that still made snorkeling worthwhile. That is the kind of judgment you want on a boat day. A rigid route is less valuable than a good decision when the sea changes.

Plan to bring a swimsuit, sun protection, and a towel if those are not supplied. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, so pack lightly.

The Swimming Pigs Stop Costs Extra

The swimming pigs are one of the headline attractions. The boat takes you to the pigs after the reef stop, giving your group a change from snorkeling to a more playful, photo-friendly activity.

The key detail is easy to miss: swimming with the pigs costs an additional $30 per person. The base charter price does not cover that fee. If you only want to see the pigs from the boat or nearby, confirm with Honor Roll Charters exactly what is included on your booking.

This stop suits families and groups looking for a memorable picture. It may be less appealing if you prefer quiet nature time, dislike animal attractions, or want every activity included in the headline price.

Keep your expectations sensible. The supplied information does not promise a set number of pigs, a particular feeding routine, or guaranteed water entry conditions. The stop is part of the route, but the exact experience can depend on weather and the crew’s instructions.

Gilligan’s Island and the Photo Stops

After the pigs, the boat heads to Gilligan’s Island for photos. The stop is short, like the others, with the listed travel time between locations running about 15 to 20 minutes.

This is a good place to use the private format. Your group can take pictures without trying to organize around strangers. The crew also takes photos and sends them to you, which is a useful touch for the person who usually gets left out of every group picture.

The stop is primarily about scenery and photographs. Do not book this charter expecting a long shore visit at every location. The listed schedule has several attractions packed into one day, so each stop may feel like a sampler rather than a full afternoon.

Bluetooth music is available onboard. That gives your group control over the mood, although you should keep the volume reasonable so you can hear the captain and crew when needed.

Watching Turtles Around Green Cay

Green Cay is the turtle-watching stop. The description specifies viewing turtles from the boat, so you should not assume that you will swim with them or step ashore.

That boat-based approach can be a good fit if your group includes people who do not want to snorkel. It also keeps the stop simple and low effort. You can watch the water, take pictures, and remain onboard before moving to the next location.

Wildlife sightings are never perfectly predictable. The information promises a turtle-watching stop, not a guaranteed close encounter or a fixed number of turtles. Bring patience, and follow the crew’s guidance about where to look.

This is one reason the longer eight-hour option may be worthwhile if available. More time can make the day feel less hurried, though the exact starting times and duration depend on availability.

Rose Island Brings the Beach Time

The final major stop is Rose Island, described as a powder-white sandy beach. Here the pace changes. Instead of looking below the surface or watching for animals, you get time to sit in the sun and enjoy the beach.

I like this balance. A boat day made entirely of short activities can become tiring. Rose Island gives you a chance to slow down, swim if conditions allow, take photos, and simply enjoy the setting.

The description does not include lunch. Snacks such as chips and cookies are provided, along with soft drinks and the advertised unlimited alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks. If you want a proper meal, plan for it yourself and confirm what you are permitted to bring, since large bags and luggage are not allowed.

For families, the beach stop may be the easiest part of the day. For adults, it is also the natural time to enjoy the rum punch. Captain Ryan’s rum punch received especially strong praise, described as a 10 out of 10. That is a small detail, but it tells you the onboard hospitality is part of the experience, not an afterthought.

Drink responsibly, especially in the sun and on a moving boat. Alcohol is offered, but you still need to stay comfortable and follow crew instructions.

What Is Included, and What You Need To Plan

The charter includes snorkeling gear and equipment, snacks, soft drinks, and onboard music. The tour information also describes unlimited alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks throughout the day.

Crew-taken photos are another useful inclusion. You should confirm how and when the photos will be sent, but the service removes some pressure from your group to document every moment.

Lunch is not included. This is the main food issue to solve before departure. Chips and cookies can keep you going, but they are not a substitute for a meal during an eight-hour outing.

The boat accepts private groups up to 14 people. Large luggage and bags are not allowed, so use a small day bag for essentials. Your exact meeting point should be checked carefully. Pickup is offered at no extra charge from Montague in east Nassau, Margaritaville Paradise Island, Prince George dock downtown, and the beach next to Baha Mar in west Nassau.

The activity details identify South Andros as the location, while the pickup information centers on Nassau. That is worth confirming directly before you pay, especially if you are staying outside the listed pickup areas. The meeting instruction says to go to the front gate and ask for Honor Roll Charters.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your island schedule is still shifting.

Who Gets the Best Value From This Boat Day

I would recommend this charter most strongly to a group that wants a private boat and can share the cost among several people. Fourteen passengers produce a much better per-person value than two or three.

It also suits people who want variety. In one outing, you get harbor views, snorkeling, pigs, photo stops, turtles, and a beach. You do not need to choose between a reef trip and a beach day.

Families may appreciate the flexible pace and range of activities. Strong swimmers can snorkel, children can enjoy the pigs and photos, and less active members of the group can stay onboard or relax on Rose Island.

This is also a good choice for a celebration. The private setting, music, drinks, and photos make it easy to mark a birthday, reunion, or special day without sharing the boat with strangers.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is a long snorkel session. The route includes many stops, and each location is part of a broad day plan. You may get better value from a dedicated reef charter if underwater time matters more than variety.

The same goes for anyone working with a tight budget. The group price is high for a small party, and the pig swim adds another fee. Add lunch, transport to the meeting point if needed, and any other personal costs before deciding.

What The Captain and Crew Add

The crew receives especially strong praise for professionalism and flexibility. One outing included a scheduling mix-up, and the captain and his son helped reschedule without adding stress. That matters because boat departures involve weather, docking, and timing, and a helpful crew can save a vacation day.

Captain Ryan’s handling of rougher water is another major positive. When wind made the waves choppy, he used his understanding of the local waters to find calmer conditions and worthwhile reefs. You cannot control the weather, but you can choose an operator willing to adjust sensibly.

The crew also handles photos, music, drinks, and snorkeling equipment. These details create a more relaxed day, though they do not remove the need to listen carefully to safety instructions.

English is the listed tour language. The group is private, so communication is limited to your party and the English-speaking crew.

Should You Book Honor Roll Charters?

Book it if you have a medium or large group, want a private boat, and prefer several short experiences over one long activity. The reef, pigs, turtles, Rose Island beach, drinks, music, and flexible route make this a full day with plenty of variety.

Before booking, confirm three things: your exact pickup location, the available duration, and whether your group wants to pay the extra $30 per person for swimming with the pigs. Also plan your food, since lunch is not included.

I would choose this charter for a group celebration or a family day when everyone wants something different. I would skip it for a small party on a strict budget or for a serious snorkeler who wants to spend most of the day underwater.

FAQ

How long is the private Bahamas boat charter?

The activity lasts between four and eight hours. Starting times and the available duration depend on the date you select.

How many people can join the private charter?

The charter is for a private group of up to 14 people.

Is swimming with the pigs included?

The swimming pig stop is part of the route, but swimming with the pigs costs an extra $30 per person.

What food and drinks are provided?

Snacks such as chips and cookies, soft drinks, and snorkeling equipment are included. The tour details also advertise unlimited alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks. Lunch is not included.

Where can I be picked up?

Complimentary pickup is offered at Montague in east Nassau, Margaritaville Paradise Island, Prince George dock downtown, or the beach next to Baha Mar in west Nassau.

Can I cancel the booking for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also offers a reserve now and pay later option.