Private Charter for snorkeling, swimming pigs, turtles & fishing….

One boat, four ways to spend a morning. Secret Cays gives your private group a custom 35-foot Donzi and Captain Javano, then lets you shape roughly four hours around snorkeling, turtle swimming, fishing, pigs, or white-sand beaches. I like the private setup, since you are not tied to strangers or a fixed activity list. I also like the practical touches: a restroom inside the console, bottled water on ice, snorkeling gear, and fishing equipment.

The main caution is the ride itself. One report describes a rough return at speed that caused injuries, so ask Captain Javano about sea conditions and the planned pace before leaving. Also note the difference between the advertised group size of eight and the boat’s stated capacity for up to six anglers. That matters if everyone in your party wants to fish.

Key points to know before you book

• Private boat for up to eight people: You get the vessel for your own group rather than joining a shared outing.
• Captain Javano sets the day with you: Snorkeling, fishing, turtles, pigs, beaches, and cruising are all possible choices.
• Four hours goes quickly: The time includes getting between locations, so agree on your priorities before departure.
• Fishing capacity is listed as six anglers: A group of eight can book the boat, but not everyone may fish at once.
• Pig interaction costs extra: The optional charge is $30 per person, in addition to the $850 charter price.
• A restroom is built into the console: This is a useful feature on a half-day boat trip, especially for families.

Starting at Paradise Island Ferry Terminal

Your meeting point is the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal on Paradise Beach Drive. The trip ends back at the same place, which keeps the day simple and avoids arranging a second pickup point.

You receive confirmation when you book, and the location is near public transportation. Still, I would give yourself enough time to find the terminal and meet the captain without rushing. The supplied details do not state a precise departure time, parking arrangement, or check-in procedure, so confirm those points with Secret Cays before the day of your charter.

This is a private activity, so your booking is reserved for your party. That makes the morning feel less like a scheduled excursion and more like hiring a small boat with a captain for a few hours. You can spend more time on the activity your group actually wants, rather than waiting while other people finish theirs.

That flexibility is the central reason to consider this charter. If one person wants to fish, another wants to snorkel, and someone else mainly wants to cruise to a beach, Captain Javano can try to balance those interests. A shared tour usually cannot do that as easily.

A 35-foot Donzi built for a flexible day

The boat is a custom 35-foot Donzi Marine center console. It has front bow seating and lounge space, so you are not limited to sitting in one position for the entire trip. The boat also includes a multimedia system with MP3 and Bluetooth compatibility.

Those details are not just decoration. A half-day on the water can feel long if the seating is cramped or if there is no comfortable place to settle between stops. The bow lounge gives you a spot to enjoy the ride, while the center-console design leaves room for several types of activity.

The boat has a full bathroom inside the console. That is one of the most useful features here, particularly if you are bringing children or anyone who does not want to rely on a quick stop on shore. You should still ask how the restroom is accessed and when it is available while the boat is moving, since those operating details are not provided.

The description says the vessel can safely take up to six anglers. The booking price applies to a group of up to eight people, so I would treat eight as the maximum party size, not as a promise that eight people can fish comfortably at the same time. If fishing is the main reason for your booking, keep your group to six anglers or ask how the captain handles a larger party.

How to plan your four hours

The charter lasts approximately four hours. That sounds generous until you account for the ride from the terminal, time spent moving between locations, and the setup for each activity.

Before departure, decide what your group most wants to do. You might choose a fishing-led outing with a short swim, or you might divide the time between snorkeling, turtles, pigs, and a beach. You probably will not get an equal amount of time at every possible stop during a four-hour charter.

I would give Captain Javano a clear priority list:

1. The activity nobody wants to miss.
2. The activity that matters most if weather or sea conditions change.
3. Optional stops that can be shortened if time gets tight.

That conversation is especially important for a private charter. The freedom to choose is valuable, but it also means your group must make choices. If everyone expects to do everything, the day may feel rushed.

The captain will do his best to shape the outing around your requests. That wording matters. Snorkeling, turtle sightings, pig interactions, fishing, and beach stops depend on conditions and timing. Treat the list as a menu of possible activities, not a guarantee that every item will happen.

Snorkeling with equipment already supplied

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to arrange your own basic gear before boarding. That makes the activity easier for a group with mixed interests, especially if some people are eager to get in the water and others are less committed.

The trip may include snorkeling in clear water, but the supplied details do not identify a specific reef, cove, or marine site. I would ask where the captain plans to stop and how long the group can stay in the water. Those answers will help you judge if snorkeling is a main part of your charter or just one short stop.

You should also ask about the day’s water conditions. The boat can take you to several activities, but a smooth plan on calm water can change when conditions worsen. The provider requires good weather, and poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Bring any personal items you need for time in the sun, but do not assume food or drinks are included. The cooler comes filled with bottled water and ice. Alcoholic drinks and other food are not included unless requested, so arrange those details in advance rather than expecting to buy them at the terminal.

Turtles, pigs, and the extra charge

Swimming with turtles is one of the headline choices. It offers a different kind of water stop from snorkeling or fishing, since the focus is on seeing and swimming near turtles rather than exploring with a mask and fins.

The details do not promise a particular turtle location or a guaranteed sighting. Ask Captain Javano how the turtle portion works on your date, including the amount of time in the water and what happens if conditions make the stop impractical.

Swimming pigs are another possible part of the charter. The optional pig interaction fee is $30 per person. This charge is separate from the $850 group price, so a party of eight would pay up to $240 extra if every person joins the pig interaction.

That distinction can change the value calculation. At the base price, eight people pay the equivalent of $106.25 each when the cost is split evenly. Add the pig fee for all eight, and the total becomes $1,090, or $136.25 per person. For a smaller group, the per-person cost rises quickly.

The pig stop may also involve an island access fee or landing charge. One report specifically describes a long boat ride to an island where stepping ashore cost extra. The provided details do not state the amount or confirm that every pig visit uses that same location, so ask for the full pig-stop cost before you commit.

This is one of the most important questions to settle in advance. You do not want to arrive at the island and discover that the activity costs more than expected.

Fishing for up to six anglers

Fishing equipment is included, and the boat is described as able to safely carry up to six anglers. If your group wants an active fishing session, this is a more natural fit for six or fewer people than for a full party of eight.

The supplied information does not name the species, fishing method, bait, license arrangements, or whether catches can be kept. Ask those questions before booking. They will tell you if this is intended as a serious fishing trip or simply one option during a mixed half-day charter.

Fishing can work well for a group with different energy levels. People who want to fish can use that time while others sit in the bow lounge or enjoy the boat. But if everyone wants regular turns with the equipment, the boat’s six-angler limit becomes important.

You should also clarify how much of the four hours will be devoted to fishing. A group that expects several hours with lines in the water may be disappointed if most of the time goes to cruising, swimming, and beach stops.

White-sand beaches and the cost of the ride

Cruising to pristine white-sand beaches gives the charter a slower option. You can use the beach stop to swim, sit ashore, or simply break up the time on the boat. It is also a useful choice if some people in your group are not keen on snorkeling or fishing.

The drawback is travel time. A beach or pig island farther from Paradise Island may require a long boat ride, leaving less time for the actual stop. One report describes the return journey as fast and rough enough to cause two injuries, with passengers being thrown against the boat.

I would raise this concern plainly with Captain Javano before departure. Ask how long the ride is expected to be, what the sea conditions look like, and whether the captain slows down in rough water. Sit where you can hold on securely, follow crew instructions, and tell the captain if someone in your group feels unsafe.

The ride can be part of the fun when conditions are good, but it should not be treated as a minor detail. A private charter is only good value if your group feels comfortable during the transfer between stops.

What the $850 price really buys

The base cost is $850 per group of up to eight people. That price covers the private boat, captain and crew support, snorkeling equipment, fishing equipment, bottled water and ice, the onboard bathroom, and use of the boat’s Bluetooth and MP3 system.

At eight people, the base cost works out to $106.25 per person. At six people, it is about $141.67 per person. With only four people, the cost is $212.50 each, before any optional pig charge or requested food and drinks.

The value is strongest when you fill most of the available group. You are paying for privacy, a large custom boat, and control over the day, not just for a seat on a standard snorkeling trip. If your group values comfort and flexibility, the fixed group price can make sense.

The value is weaker if your party is small and only wants one simple activity. A four-hour private boat may feel expensive if you only plan to snorkel briefly and then return. In that case, compare the cost with a shared outing before booking.

Do not forget the extras. Food and drinks are not included unless requested, alcoholic beverages are excluded, and the pig interaction costs $30 per person. Ask for the total price with your preferred activities, especially if the pig stop involves additional island access costs.

Who will get the most from this charter

I would recommend this outing most strongly for families or groups of friends who want different things from the same half-day. A private boat lets the group mix activities instead of forcing everyone into a single program.

It also suits people who value the convenience of included gear and water. The onboard bathroom is a meaningful benefit for a four-hour trip, and the bow seating gives you a more comfortable place to spend time between stops.

Fishing groups should pay close attention to the six-angler limit. If eight people are booking but only some plan to fish, the arrangement may work well. If eight people all want to fish at once, ask the operator for a clear plan.

I would be more cautious about booking this for anyone who is especially sensitive to rough water or sudden speed. The safety concern from the reported return ride should not be ignored. Ask about conditions, and make sure the captain understands that your group prefers a safe, comfortable pace.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

You receive confirmation at the time of booking. The activity requires good weather, and a weather cancellation can lead to a different date or a full refund.

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

The charter also requires a minimum number of participants. If Secret Cays cancels because that minimum is not met, you can choose another date or experience, or receive a full refund.

Most people can participate, and the meeting point is near public transportation. The supplied details do not provide specific information about mobility access, child equipment, or the exact boarding arrangement, so ask the provider if anyone in your group has special needs.

Should you book Secret Cays?

Book it if your group wants a private, flexible boat day and can agree on two or three priorities. The best reasons are the private format, Captain Javano’s ability to adjust the plan, the comfortable 35-foot boat, included gear, bottled water, and the onboard restroom.

Think twice if you want a guaranteed list of stops, a calm ride at all times, or a low-cost outing for only a few people. Confirm the pig fee, any island access cost, the expected ride time, the six-angler fishing limit, and the plan for rough weather before paying.

For a full group of eight, the price can be reasonable if you use the boat for several activities. For a small party, or for anyone uneasy about a fast return ride, the value is less certain. Secret Cays offers useful flexibility, but you will get the best day by setting clear expectations before the boat leaves Paradise Island.

FAQ

Where does the charter start?

It starts at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal on Paradise Beach Drive in The Bahamas.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal, the same place where it starts.

How long does the charter last?

The charter lasts approximately four hours.

How much does the private charter cost?

The price is $850 per group of up to eight people.

How many people can join?

The booking allows a private group of up to eight people. The boat description says it can safely take up to six anglers.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the charter.

Is fishing equipment included?

Yes. Fishing equipment is included.

Is a bathroom available on the boat?

Yes. The boat has a full bathroom inside the center console.

Does the price include food and alcohol?

No. Food, drinks, and alcoholic beverages are not included unless requested. The cooler does include bottled water and ice.

How much does the pig interaction cost?

The optional pig interaction fee is $30 per person.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes the charter to be canceled, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.