Private Snorkeling or Fishing from Nassau – 31ft Sitting Pretty

Fish, reef, turtles, and your own captain. This private Nassau charter lets you shape four or eight hours aboard the 31-foot Bertram Sitting Pretty, rather than follow a fixed group schedule. I like the choice between offshore fishing and reef snorkeling, and I like that the boat carries bait, tackle, snorkel gear, water, ice, and a bathroom. The main consideration is time: four hours can feel short if you want serious fishing, snorkeling, beach time, and sightseeing all in one outing.

You can bring up to six people, which makes the displayed $825 price per group up to one something to clarify carefully before booking. For a full private boat, the value can be good when shared by a family or group, but this is not the cheapest option for a solo visitor or couple.

The crew can adjust the outing to your group’s experience and interests. Names praised by guests include Captain Bobo, Captain Bo, Cyrus, and Freddie, though the exact crew is not guaranteed. Beginners are welcome, and that matters here: several families had first-time fishers landing catches with hands-on help.

Key things to know before you book

• A private 31-foot Bertram carries up to six people, so your group controls the pace and plan.
• Four-hour and eight-hour options are available, with the longer charter better for combining fishing, snorkeling, and beach time.
• The itinerary is flexible, with offshore fishing, inshore fishing, reef snorkeling, swimming with turtles, beach stops, and harbor sightseeing all possible.
• All fishing equipment and snorkel gear are supplied, along with bottled water and ice.
• The crew works well with beginners, including children and adults fishing for the first time.
• The trip leaves from Carnivale Bahamas at Sterling Marina, in Hurricane Hole on Paradise Island, and returns there.

What the private charter actually offers

This is less a standard excursion than a four- or eight-hour block of boat time with a captain and crew. After boarding at Carnivale Bahamas, you discuss what your group wants to do. The captain then helps set a sensible plan for the available hours.

That flexibility is the strongest part of the experience. One family might spend most of the morning fishing. Another might fish briefly, snorkel over a reef, look for turtles, and stop at a beach. You are not locked into one activity simply because that was the original reason for booking.

The boat takes up to six people, making it a practical choice for a family, two couples, or a small group of friends. A private boat also means you do not have to worry about slowing down a larger party. If one child wants to fish while another wants to snorkel, the captain can help arrange the day around both interests.

There is a bathroom onboard, which is a small but important comfort during a half-day or full-day outing. You also get bottled water and ice, but food and other drinks are not included. Plan to bring anything you want to eat or drink, unless you arrange otherwise.

Meeting the crew at Sterling Marina

The meeting point is Carnivale Bahamas, 1 Marina Way, at Paradise Island’s Sterling Marina in Hurricane Hole. The activity ends back at this same location.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the marina. Cruise ship passengers have an extra planning job. At booking, you must provide your ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and required re-boarding time.

That information helps the operator judge if the charter fits your port schedule. I would still allow a generous buffer before your ship’s all-aboard time. A private boat outing may be flexible, but the ocean and marina schedule are not completely under your control.

Once onboard, expect a short conversation about your priorities. Tell the crew plainly if you care more about catching fish than seeing several locations. If snorkeling is the main goal, say so before the boat heads offshore. The better your instructions, the more useful the captain’s local advice will be.

Crews praised by name include Captain Bobo and Cyrus, Captain Bo, and Freddie. Their roles and availability can vary by departure date, so do not book solely on the expectation of a particular person. The important point is the hands-on help. First-time fishers received instruction, and families were able to take part without needing prior skill.

Choosing between offshore and inshore fishing

Offshore fishing sounds like the obvious choice, especially if you want the excitement of larger fish. The boat can head into deeper water, and the crew provides the bait and tackle. This option may appeal most to adults or experienced fishers who want to spend the bulk of the charter with lines in the water.

But offshore fishing does not guarantee a catch. One family went roughly 10 miles out and caught seaweed before the captain shifted the plan toward shallower water and lighter tackle. That is a useful lesson: sea conditions and fish activity can change the day, and a flexible captain is more valuable than a rigid promise of a particular species.

Inshore fishing gives beginners a more approachable way to learn. The lighter tackle can make it easier for children and first-time fishers to participate. One family brought three children, ages 12, 16, and 18, and found the half-day outing suitable even though nobody had much fishing experience.

You might catch several fish, as other groups did, but fishing remains fishing. The exact catch depends on conditions, location, and timing. The value here is having a crew that can change tactics rather than forcing you to spend the entire charter in an unproductive spot.

The boat has produced days with tuna and other sizeable catches, and one outing resulted in 29 fish. Those results are encouraging, but they should not be treated as a guarantee. Book this as a fishing experience with the chance of a good catch, not as a fixed seafood order.

Snorkeling reefs and looking for turtles

Snorkeling is the best way to add variety to the charter. The boat carries snorkel equipment in several sizes, so you do not need to rent gear separately. You can ask the crew to stop at a reef between fishing sessions or make snorkeling the main activity if the conditions are right.

The underwater stops can include colorful reef life, large groups of fish, turtles, and smaller creatures. One outing included a spider crab pointed out by Cyrus. Another included snorkeling with turtles and seeing hundreds of fish.

Those details matter because the snorkeling is not simply a quick swim beside the boat. The crew can help you find a suitable site and point out things you might miss on your own. Still, the exact reef, visibility, and wildlife sightings depend on weather and sea conditions. No crew can promise turtles or perfect water clarity every time.

If you have children, ask about the snorkel stop early in the trip. Young swimmers may enjoy the water more than a long stretch of fishing, while serious anglers may prefer to keep moving toward productive grounds. The private format lets you strike a compromise without dividing the group onto separate tours.

You should also be comfortable in open water before making snorkeling the center of the day. The available information says most people can participate, but it does not describe a dedicated beginner swim class or specialized flotation support. If someone in your party is uncertain in the water, discuss that with the crew before departure.

Beach stops, swimming, and harbor sightseeing

The charter can include beaching, swimming, or sightseeing around Nassau’s harbor. These options make the boat useful for groups with mixed interests. Someone who has had enough fishing can enjoy a beach stop, while others can continue looking for fish or explore the water.

Several outings included time around Rose Island, including a fresh-catch meal prepared nearby. The charter itself does not include food or drinks, and the provided details do not promise that a restaurant stop will be part of every trip. Treat that as a possible arrangement to discuss with the captain, not an automatic feature.

A beach or island stop also uses part of your allotted time. On a four-hour charter, travel to and from a stop can reduce your fishing time quickly. I would choose two main priorities for a half-day trip, such as fishing plus snorkeling, or fishing plus a beach stop. The eight-hour option makes a mixed itinerary more realistic.

Harbor sightseeing is the lightest option and can suit a group that wants time on the water without making the day all about sport. It is also a useful fallback if weather or sea conditions make fishing less appealing. Ask the captain what works best on your departure day rather than planning every stop in advance.

Four hours or eight hours?

The four-hour charter is the sensible choice for a first outing, a cruise ship port day, or a group unsure how much time children will want to spend fishing. It gives you enough time to try fishing and add a snorkel stop, but it may feel rushed if you also want a beach or island visit.

A half-day trip worked well for families with teenagers and adults who had never fished before. The crew could teach the basics, change locations, and add snorkeling without making the day feel too demanding.

The eight-hour charter is the better fit for a group with several goals. You have more time to travel offshore, switch to inshore fishing, snorkel, look for turtles, and stop at a beach. The longer outing also gives the captain more room to respond if the first fishing area is quiet.

The tradeoff is cost and stamina. A full day on a boat requires more food, drinks, sunscreen, and patience. Since only bottled water and ice are included, pack accordingly. The boat has a bathroom, but you should still keep your supplies simple and secure.

Is $825 good value for your group?

The stated price is $825 per group up to one, while the boat can carry as many as six people. That wording deserves attention when you book. Ask how the total price applies to your actual party size and whether the amount shown covers the complete private charter.

For six people, a private boat at that base price can compare well with paying separate fares for several individual excursions. You are paying for the boat, captain, crew assistance, fishing gear, snorkel equipment, water, ice, and the freedom to set the plan. You are also avoiding the fixed schedule and mixed-group compromises common on shared trips.

For one or two people, the price is harder to justify unless privacy and flexibility are especially important. A couple who wants a quiet boat, personal instruction, and several activities may still find the cost worthwhile. A solo fisher focused only on catching fish may want to compare other options first.

The value improves when you use the private format well. Do not spend half the charter deciding what to do. Discuss your priorities before leaving the marina, and tell the captain what would make the outing feel successful. A clear plan helps you get more from the hours you paid for.

What to bring and what not to expect

The charter provides bait, tackle, fishing equipment, snorkel equipment, bottled water, and ice. You do not need to bring fishing gear, and a range of snorkel sizes is available.

Food and drinks are not included. Bring meals and preferred beverages, along with sun protection and any personal items your group needs for several hours on the water. The supplied details do not specify whether towels, lunch, or fishing licenses are included, so ask before departure if any of those matter to you.

You also do not receive hotel transportation. Get to Sterling Marina on your own and leave time to find the correct meeting point. The confirmation arrives at booking, which gives you the meeting details and the information needed to prepare.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can take a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund.

Who will enjoy Sitting Pretty most?

This charter is a strong match for families. Children and teenagers can try fishing without needing prior experience, and snorkeling or a beach stop offers a break when attention fades. The private setting also lets parents choose a calmer pace.

It suits mixed groups particularly well. A couple of serious fishers can spend time offshore, while other members snorkel, swim, or sightsee. The captain can help combine activities, although a four-hour trip may not allow every option in depth.

Beginners should feel comfortable booking. The crew provides instruction and assistance, and first-time fishers have caught fish with help. You do not need to arrive with technical fishing skills.

This is less suitable if you want a guaranteed catch, a guaranteed turtle sighting, included meals, or hotel pickup. It is also not ideal for anyone who prefers a simple, low-cost, fixed route. The price pays for privacy and choice, so those features need to matter to you.

Should you book this Nassau charter?

I would book Sitting Pretty for a group of four to six that wants a private day on the water and can agree on two or three priorities. The strongest plan is fishing plus snorkeling, with the captain free to adjust locations if the first fishing area is slow.

Choose four hours for a cruise stop, first attempt, or family outing. Choose eight hours if fishing is central and you also want turtles, reef time, beaching, and sightseeing.

Before paying, confirm the total cost for your party, the exact departure time, what food and drinks you should bring, and whether a particular crew member is available. If the price fits your group and you value personal attention, this is a practical way to experience Nassau beyond the usual shore excursions. The high rating, 98 percent recommendation figure, and repeated praise for the crew’s help all point to a well-run private outing, but the ocean still gets the final say on the catch and conditions.

FAQ

How many people can join the private charter?

The 31-foot Bertram can take up to six people. Only your group participates in the private activity.

How long does the charter last?

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

Where does the boat depart?

The meeting point is Carnivale Bahamas, 1 Marina Way, Paradise Island, at Sterling Marina in Hurricane Hole. The activity returns to the same location.

Is fishing equipment included?

Yes. Bait and all necessary fishing equipment are included. Snorkel equipment in several sizes is also provided.

Can cruise ship passengers book this experience?

Yes. Cruise ship passengers must provide their ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time when booking.

What happens if bad weather cancels the charter?

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.