Private Snorkeling or Fishing in Nassau – 55ft Cocorijo

Crystal water is only the beginning. This private Nassau charter lets you shape a four-hour outing around snorkeling, fishing, swimming, beach time, or a visit to Gilligan’s Island. I like the private boat for up to 10 people and the chance to choose two activities instead of following a fixed route.

I also like the attentive crew, especially Captain Roscoe, Cleo, and Kassandra, who are frequently praised for helping families and keeping the boat clean and welcoming. The main consideration is price: at $1,650 per group, this makes the most sense when shared by a larger party, and fishing success is never guaranteed.

Key things to know before boarding

• A 55-foot Hatteras gives your group room to spread out, rather than squeezing into a small shared excursion boat.
• You choose the mix of activities, with snorkeling, fishing, swimming, beach time, and island visits available.
• The charter lasts about four hours, though afternoon and full-day options may allow a stop at Footprints Beach Bar and Grill on Rose Island.
• Captain Roscoe, Cleo, and Kassandra receive especially strong praise for their friendly service, care with children, and attention to safety.
• Snorkel equipment, fishing gear, bottled water, ice, and local beer are provided, but lunch and some drinks are extra.
• Fishing can be hit or miss, so book this as a flexible ocean outing rather than a guaranteed catch.

Boarding the Cocorijo at Sterling Marina

Your outing begins at Carnivale Bahamas, at Sterling Marina in Hurricane Hole on Paradise Island. The meeting point is easy to identify in the booking information, and the boat returns there at the end of the charter.

The Cocorijo is a beautifully maintained 55-foot Hatteras. That size matters. You are not simply paying for a ride to a reef. You are hiring a private boat with a captain and crew, so your party has the freedom to settle into the day at its own pace.

The charter allows up to 10 people. For a family or group of friends, the price becomes easier to justify when divided among several people. At the full 10-person capacity, the cost works out to $165 per person before any extra lunch or landing fees. With only two or three people, the same price feels much steeper.

The boat includes an ice cooler with bottled water, snorkel gear, fishing equipment, and local beer. The food-and-drink information is a little mixed, so I would plan on paying separately for lunch and any drinks beyond what is specifically provided.

Choosing two activities for your four-hour charter

The central appeal is flexibility. You can choose two activities from a menu that includes snorkeling at a coral reef, fishing, swimming, sunbathing, and visiting an island such as Gilligan’s Island.

That choice works well for mixed groups. One person may want to fish, another may want to snorkel, and children may be happiest with a simple swim. On a shared tour, the group often has to accept the same plan as everyone else. Here, your captain can shape the outing around your interests, within the limits of time, weather, and sea conditions.

You should discuss your priorities before departure. Four hours can pass quickly once you allow for travel between locations, getting equipment ready, and time in the water. If snorkeling is your main goal, say so clearly. If fishing matters more, ask the crew how much time can reasonably be devoted to it.

The tour description suggests choosing two main activities, not attempting every option in one short outing. I would treat the day as a choice between a water activity and an island or beach stop, rather than trying to fit in snorkeling, fishing, swimming, and lunch all at once.

Snorkeling around Nassau’s coral reefs

Snorkeling is the most natural choice for visitors who want to see the Bahamas underwater. The charter provides the equipment, and the crew can explain the marine life and underwater plant life you encounter.

The experience is private, so you can ask questions without feeling rushed or lost in a large group. That is particularly useful for families. Cleo, Roscoe, and Kassandra have been praised for helping children, keeping groups comfortable, and making the boat feel safe and relaxed.

The exact reef or snorkel location is not fixed in advance. That is helpful because the crew can select from available sites according to the day’s conditions and your interests. It also means you should not book expecting one particular named reef or a guaranteed type of marine life.

One outing described snorkeling between Gilligan’s Island and Rose Island, followed by a stop where the group saw sea turtles. That gives you a sense of the possible route, but conditions and the captain’s judgment determine the actual schedule.

Bring a swimsuit, sun protection, and a towel, even though the boat supplies the key water equipment. The information provided does not promise wetsuits, prescription masks, or flotation devices, so ask ahead if anyone in your group needs special gear.

Fishing for families and serious anglers

Fishing is another major option, with all necessary fishing equipment supplied. The charter can include deep-sea fishing or inshore fishing, depending on the plan chosen with the captain.

Some outings have produced memorable catches. One family caught a 25-pound grouper and a six-foot reef shark, while another group caught fish they later ate for dinner. Those are excellent possibilities, but they should not be treated as a promise.

One family booked a half-day deep-sea trip and reported no bites. They also felt the boat was moving too fast for the fishing setup. That is the key caution here: ocean fishing depends on weather, location, timing, technique, and plain luck. If catching fish is the only reason you are booking, you may be disappointed.

For a family, fishing can still work well as part of a mixed charter. You can try your luck for a while and then switch to snorkeling or swimming. Ask the crew in advance how they normally divide the four hours and what kind of fishing is realistic for a half-day outing.

The strongest fishing stories came from groups that treated the trip as a complete day on the water, not only as a fishing contest. I would do the same. A fish in the cooler is a bonus; a private boat, good water, and time together are the dependable parts.

Gilligan’s Island and the appeal of an island stop

The itinerary may include Gilligan’s Island, described as one of the most photographed islands in the world. The appeal is simple: you get a scenic change from the boat and a chance to swim or enjoy the beach.

The information does not provide a fixed amount of time at the island, so ask the captain how the stop fits with your chosen activities. If your group wants a longer beach visit, that may reduce time available for snorkeling or fishing.

An island stop is especially useful for groups with different energy levels. Some people can stay in the water while others relax on the beach or remain aboard. That kind of choice is one of the strongest reasons to book privately.

Do not assume every four-hour charter includes a long island visit. The boat can customize the plan, but the captain must balance travel time, sea conditions, and the number of activities you request.

Footprints Beach Bar and Grill on Rose Island

Afternoon and full-day charters may include a stop at Footprints Beach Bar and Grill on Rose Island. The setting is described as a beautiful stretch of Rose Island with turquoise water and white sand.

This is more than a quick photo stop. You may have time for lunch, music, a fully stocked bar, sunbathing, volleyball, and billiards. For a group that wants a relaxed social afternoon, Footprints can be the best part of the outing.

There are extra costs. Lunch and the landing fee are not included in the charter price. The available information does not give the amount of either charge, so budget separately and confirm the details before you go.

Since Footprints is associated with afternoon or full-day charters, do not assume it is part of the standard four-hour plan. If Rose Island and lunch are priorities, ask about booking a longer charter or confirm that the shorter option can include the stop.

What the crew adds to the experience

Service is one of the most praised parts of this charter. Captain Roscoe, Mate Cleo, and Stewardess Kassandra are repeatedly described as professional, friendly, attentive, and easy to spend time with.

That matters on a private boat. You are sharing several hours in a small setting, and a crew that communicates well can make the difference between a comfortable outing and an awkward one. The crew has also received praise for assisting young children and helping families feel safe.

The boat itself is often described as clean, and the atmosphere as social without being pushy. That combination should suit groups that want a friendly outing rather than a silent transfer from one location to another.

Crew assignments may vary. Other outings have been led by people named Ding, Keith, Davy, Tyson, Bobo, Freddy, Chris, and Karro. If you specifically hope to sail with Roscoe, Cleo, or Kassandra, ask whether they will be assigned to your date.

The price and who gets good value

The private charter costs $1,650 for up to 10 people. That price includes the boat, local captain and guide, bottled water, ice, snorkel equipment, fishing gear, and local beer.

The value is strongest for a larger group. Ten people sharing the cost pay $165 each, while six people pay $275 each. A small party may find a shared snorkeling trip cheaper, though it would not offer the same control over the route or schedule.

I would also compare the price with what your group actually wants. If everyone plans to snorkel, a private charter gives you room and flexibility. If half the group wants fishing and the rest wants the beach, the custom format becomes more useful. If you simply want a quick ride and one short swim, the price may be hard to defend.

Remember the extras. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Lunch and the Rose Island landing fee are extra, and food and drinks are not generally included unless specified. The boat does provide bottled water, ice, snorkel gear, fishing gear, and local beer.

Timing, cruise ships, and weather

The charter lasts approximately four hours. That is enough for a focused half-day outing, but not enough to linger at every possible stop.

Cruise ship passengers must provide the ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time when booking. Give yourself a generous buffer. A private boat does not remove the need to return to the ship on time.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can receive a full refund or move to another date. If you cancel, you must do so at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made inside that window are not accepted.

Most people can participate, but the experience involves boating, swimming, snorkeling, and possibly fishing. If someone in your group has mobility, medical, or water-related concerns, contact the operator before booking rather than assuming the boat setup will suit them.

Who should book the Cocorijo?

I would recommend this charter for families, birthday groups, couples traveling with friends, and anyone who wants more control than a standard group excursion provides.

It is especially good for:

• Groups of six to 10 people who can share the cost
• Families who want crew assistance with children
• Mixed groups that cannot agree on just snorkeling or just fishing
• Visitors staying near Paradise Island or Nassau who want a private day on the water
• People who value a clean, comfortable boat and personal service

It may be less suitable for solo visitors or very small groups because of the high total price. Dedicated anglers should also keep expectations sensible. The crew can provide equipment and take you fishing, but no charter can guarantee a catch.

Should you book this Nassau private charter?

Book it if you want a private, adjustable day and have enough people to make the price reasonable. The Cocorijo gives you a larger boat, a dedicated crew, supplied equipment, and several ways to spend your time around Nassau.

I would book with a clear plan: choose your two main activities, ask about the likely route, confirm what food and drinks are included, and decide if Rose Island or Footprints requires a longer charter. If your group wants a guaranteed fish haul or a very low-cost snorkeling trip, choose something else. If you want a comfortable boat day where the captain can adjust the plan, this is a strong choice.

FAQ

How much does the private Cocorijo charter cost?

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

How long does the experience last?

The standard experience lasts approximately four hours.

Where does the charter begin?

It begins at Carnivale Bahamas, 1 Marina Way, Paradise Island, at Sterling Marina in Hurricane Hole, The Bahamas.

Where does the charter end?

The boat returns to the same meeting point at the end of the activity.

What activities can I choose?

You can choose activities such as coral reef snorkeling, Gilligan’s Island, deep-sea fishing, inshore fishing, beach time, sunbathing, or swimming.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided.

Is fishing equipment included?

Yes. The charter includes all necessary fishing equipment.

Are drinks provided?

The boat provides bottled water, ice, and local beer. Food and other drinks are not included unless specifically stated.

Is lunch at Footprints Beach Bar and Grill included?

No. Lunch and the landing fee at Footprints Beach Bar and Grill on Rose Island are not included in the charter cost.

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.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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

What happens if bad weather cancels the charter?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather.