Review · FISHING

Private Snorkeling And Fishing Activity

5.0 · 62 reviews From $850 Operated by Island Time Charters · Bookable on Viator
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A boat day with a purpose. This private Nassau excursion combines reef snorkeling, light-tackle fishing, and quiet island beaches aboard a center-console boat built for small groups. You leave New Providence Island for three or four uninhabited islands near Rose Island, with the captain shaping the outing around your group.

I like the freedom to choose between fishing and snorkeling, and I like that the boat has shade, space, water, soft drinks, and optional rum punch or beer. The main consideration is the $850 group price, which makes strong value for a full group but can feel steep for only two or three people.

The four-hour schedule is short enough for a port day yet long enough to reach quieter water away from Nassau. Just keep your expectations sensible: fishing success, sea conditions, and reef wildlife can change from one outing to the next.

Key points to know before you book

Private Snorkeling And Fishing Activity - Key points to know before you book

  • Three or four uninhabited islands: You get more than a quick boat ride and one crowded beach stop.
  • Snorkeling for different abilities: Equipment is included, and the reefs are described as home to colorful coral, fish, and turtles.
  • Two fishing styles: Choose light tackle for yellowtail snapper and triggerfish, or try spearfishing for lobster and grouper.
  • A genuinely private boat: Only your own group participates, with space for up to eight people.
  • Helpful crew for older family members: Captain Jason and his son Jason assisted parents aged 90 and 86 with getting on and off the boat.
  • Food costs extra: Water and soda are included, but lunch can be purchased for $25.

Leaving Nassau for Rose Island waters

The trip starts at Colours of The Bahamas in Nassau and ends at the same meeting point. From there, you head by speedboat toward isolated areas off Rose Island, trading the city shoreline for open water and smaller islands.

The speedboat matters because four hours is not a long day at sea. A slower boat could spend too much of the outing simply getting from place to place. Here, the speed helps you reach beaches and reefs that feel more removed from Nassau without committing to a full-day charter.

I would treat the schedule as an outline rather than a rigid timetable. The boat may visit three or four islands, and the exact order can be adjusted to match your group’s interests and the conditions on the water. That flexibility is one of the main advantages of booking privately.

The center-console boat has adequate shade and room for the family. That does not mean you should expect a large yacht with indoor cabins or a private changing room. It means you have a practical platform for sitting, storing gear, fishing, and getting in and out of the water. Bring a secure way to protect phones and cameras, since a boat day naturally involves spray and wet equipment.

More Snorkeling Trips in New Providence Island:

Three or four islands, not one crowded stop

Private Snorkeling And Fishing Activity - Three or four islands, not one crowded stop

The island visits give the trip its character. These are uninhabited tropical islands, so the appeal is simplicity: sand, sea, and a quiet place to pause between water activities.

The beaches are described as comparable to beaches anywhere in the world. You can expect the scenery to be a major part of the outing, but I would not read that as a promise of a long beach break at every stop. The four-hour duration has to cover boat travel, snorkeling, fishing, and island time.

A stop on an uninhabited island also changes the mood of the day. There are no shops, restaurants, or organized beach facilities waiting for you. That is good news if you want a less commercial setting, but it means you should use the provided water and plan around the fact that lunch is not included.

The captain can decide how long to stay in each place based on what your group wants. A family with strong snorkelers might favor more time over a reef. A group focused on fishing may prefer to move between productive spots. If some people want only a beach break, tell the crew early so the four hours work for everyone.

Snorkeling over coral reefs near Rose Island

Private Snorkeling And Fishing Activity - Snorkeling over coral reefs near Rose Island

The snorkeling takes place around coral reefs described as untouched and full of fish and turtles. The key point for you is variety. This is not presented as one brief swim beside the boat, but as a chance to visit several areas and find conditions suitable for different abilities.

Snorkeling equipment is included, which simplifies packing and keeps the base price from growing with every mask and fin. Still, I would bring your own equipment if you already have a mask that fits well. A good seal makes a big difference, especially when you are trying to watch fish instead of constantly adjusting your gear.

The phrase all abilities is useful, but it does not erase the normal limits of ocean activity. You should be comfortable following the crew’s instructions and entering the water from a boat. Sea conditions can also affect visibility and how easy it is to stay in one place.

You may see coral, fish, and turtles, but wildlife is never guaranteed on a specific outing. The description points to strong marine life in the area rather than promising a particular animal. If turtles are your main reason for booking, enjoy the possibility without treating it as a sure thing.

The private format helps here. Your group does not have to follow the pace of a large boat full of strangers. Strong swimmers can spend more time looking over the reef, while less confident swimmers may need a more measured approach. Ask the captain how the stops can be arranged for your group before departure.

Fishing for snapper, triggerfish, lobster, and grouper

Private Snorkeling And Fishing Activity - Fishing for snapper, triggerfish, lobster, and grouper

Fishing is not an afterthought on this trip. You can choose light tackle for yellowtail snapper and triggerfish, or try spearfishing for lobster and grouper.

That choice makes the outing useful for families and mixed groups. One person may want to watch the reef with a mask, another may want to fish, and someone else may simply prefer the beach. The captain can shape the day instead of forcing everyone into one activity.

Fishing gear and bait are included. That is a practical benefit, since you do not need to arrange a separate rental or bring specialized equipment. The focus is on a light-tackle outing rather than a large-game fishing charter, so set your expectations accordingly.

The description suggests you have a good chance of leaving with a grouper, snapper, or lobster, but no fishing trip can promise a catch. Success depends on conditions, timing, skill, and the fish themselves. I would book this for the fun of trying, not because you need to bring dinner back to the dock.

Spearfishing also requires you to follow the crew’s directions closely. The available information does not specify age rules, licensing details, or exactly how the activity is supervised, so ask those questions before booking if spearfishing is central to your plans.

A crew that adjusts to your group

Private Snorkeling And Fishing Activity - A crew that adjusts to your group

Private boating is only as good as the crew’s ability to listen. Here, the outing is designed to be customized around your family or group’s abilities and preferences.

Captain Jason and his son Jason are specifically noted for helping two older parents, aged 90 and 86, get on and off the boat. That detail matters more than a general claim that a tour is family-friendly. It shows the crew has dealt with a group that needed extra practical help at the boat.

Another outing was led by Eddie and Jim, who found good fishing spots and took the group to a beautiful uninhabited island. They also arranged snorkeling at a reef after other boats had left. That gives you a useful picture of how timing can shape the day: a later reef stop may feel calmer once other groups have moved on.

I would tell the operator about your group’s swimming comfort, fishing interests, ages, and preferred pace before you arrive. The more clearly you explain what you want, the easier it is for the crew to use the private format well.

The tour has a 4.8 rating from 62 reviews, with 94 percent recommending it. Those numbers point to a strong overall record, but they should not replace a practical conversation about your own needs, especially if anyone has limited mobility or little boating experience.

What is included, and what you still need

Private Snorkeling And Fishing Activity - What is included, and what you still need

The price includes bottled water, soda, snorkeling equipment, fishing gear, and bait. Keeping drinks on board is especially helpful in the Bahamian sun, where four hours outdoors can pass quickly and dehydration can spoil an otherwise fine outing.

Rum punch or beer can be added to the cooler. Since those drinks are optional, confirm the extra cost and arrangement when booking. The standard provisions are water and soft drinks, not a full bar or meal service.

Lunch is not included, but it can be purchased for $25. That is worth planning around. Four hours may cover a morning or afternoon without a meal, but hunger becomes an issue if your start time overlaps lunch or if children are in the group.

I would ask where and when lunch is served, since the supplied information gives the price but not the menu or exact timing. You should also bring sun protection and any personal items you need for a water outing, although those items are not listed among the inclusions.

Is $850 good value for your group?

Private Snorkeling And Fishing Activity - Is $850 good value for your group?

The price is $850 per group for up to eight people. With eight people, the simple split is $106.25 per person. For a group of four, it works out to $212.50 each, and for two people it becomes $425 each, before any optional extras.

That calculation tells you who benefits most. A family reunion, group of friends, or two-family outing can get solid value from a private boat with snorkeling gear, fishing gear, bait, drinks, several island stops, and a crew able to adjust the plan.

For a couple or a very small group, the price is harder to justify unless privacy is important. You are paying for the boat and crew rather than a seat on a shared excursion. That premium buys control over the pace and activities, not a guarantee of better weather or a larger catch.

The value also depends on how many people will actually use the options. If everyone wants to snorkel, fish, and visit the islands, the cost covers a broad half-day. If half the group plans to sit on the boat and skip the water, a shared trip may make more financial sense.

Who will enjoy this private boat day

Private Snorkeling And Fishing Activity - Who will enjoy this private boat day

I would recommend this outing for:

  • Families with mixed interests, since snorkeling, fishing, and beach time can share one schedule.
  • Groups that want privacy and do not want to follow a large boat’s fixed route.
  • Strong swimmers who want access to reefs and several island areas.
  • Fishing fans interested in yellowtail snapper, triggerfish, lobster, or grouper.
  • Older family members who may benefit from direct help boarding and leaving the boat.
  • Cruise passengers with a four-hour window, provided the timing works with their ship schedule.

I would pause before booking if you need a guaranteed catch, a guaranteed turtle sighting, a full meal, or extensive onboard facilities. The boat has shade and space, but the experience remains an active outing on the water.

It may also be less suitable for someone who cannot comfortably handle a speedboat or enter the water from a boat. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate, but the available information does not give detailed accessibility specifications. Ask the operator about your exact situation.

Timing, weather, and the practical details

The activity lasts about four hours and returns to the meeting point at Colours of The Bahamas, 3MH4+M84, Nassau. A mobile ticket is provided, and confirmation arrives at booking.

Because the trip depends on ocean conditions, bad weather can lead to cancellation. You can then choose another date or receive a full refund. If you need to cancel for your own reasons, do it at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

I would build a little breathing room around the tour if you are visiting Nassau from a cruise ship. The stated duration is approximate, and speedboat travel, boarding, and sea conditions can affect the day. The meeting and return point are the same, which makes the plan simpler, but you still need to allow time to reach the dock and get back to your next activity.

Ask about the start time, the lunch arrangement, and the drink add-ons before you set your day around the excursion. Those are small questions, but they prevent the most common surprises.

Should you book Island Time Charters?

Book it if your group wants a private, flexible boat outing with more substance than a quick snorkel stop. The combination of several uninhabited islands, reef snorkeling, light-tackle fishing, and optional spearfishing gives you several ways to enjoy the same four hours.

I especially like it for groups of six to eight, where the $850 price spreads across enough people to make the private format worthwhile. The crew’s help with older parents and its ability to adjust reef timing are also meaningful advantages for a family outing.

Skip it if you are traveling alone, as a couple, or mainly looking for a guaranteed fishing result. In that case, the per-person cost rises fast. For the right-sized group, though, this is a practical way to get beyond Nassau’s main shoreline and spend a half-day choosing your own mix of water, sand, and fish.

FAQ

How long is the private snorkeling and fishing activity?

The activity lasts approximately four hours.

How much does the private boat tour cost?

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

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts and ends at Colours of The Bahamas, 3MH4+M84, Nassau, The Bahamas.

How many people can join the private tour?

The boat is priced for a group of up to eight people, and only your group participates.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The boat travels from Nassau to isolated areas near Rose Island and visits three or four uninhabited tropical islands.

What is included in the price?

Bottled water, soda, snorkeling equipment, fishing gear, and bait are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch can be purchased for $25.

What kinds of fishing are available?

You can try light-tackle fishing for yellowtail snapper and triggerfish, or spearfishing for lobster and grouper.

What happens if the weather is poor or I need to cancel?

The activity may be canceled in poor weather, in which case you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.

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