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

Four hours can pack in plenty of island life. This private New Providence charter lets your group shape the day around snorkeling, turtle swimming, fishing, swimming pigs, or a run to a white sand beach. I like the 35-foot Donzi boat and the freedom to choose activities instead of following a fixed route.

I also like the practical touches: a real restroom inside the center console, snorkeling and fishing equipment, bottled water, ice, and Bluetooth music. The main concern is the ride itself. One serious account describes a fast return trip that caused passengers to slam around and suffer injuries, so you should speak clearly with Capt. Javano about speed and sea conditions before setting off.

Key points to know before you book

• Your group controls the plan: Choose among fishing, snorkeling, turtles, pigs, beach time, and cruising.
• The 35-foot Donzi has useful comforts: You get bow seating, a lounge area, a bathroom, and Bluetooth audio.
• The boat is advertised for groups of up to eight: Fishing capacity is listed separately at up to six anglers, so ask how your party size fits the setup.
• Pig interaction costs extra: The optional fee is $30 per person, and food and alcoholic drinks are not included.
• The price is $850 per group: With eight people, that works out to $106.25 each before extras. A smaller party pays more per person.
• Safety deserves direct attention: A 3.6 rating from seven ratings includes a report of a rough, high-speed return that caused two injuries.

Leaving from Paradise Island Ferry Terminal

The trip begins at Paradise Island Ferry Terminal on Paradise Beach Drive. The activity returns to this same meeting point, which keeps the day simple if you are staying around Paradise Island or can reach the terminal by local transport.

The meeting point matters because this is not a hotel pickup service in the information provided. You need to organize your own way there and allow enough time to find the terminal before departure. Confirmation is provided at booking, so keep those details handy.

The boat is a custom 35-foot Donzi Marine center console. That is a serious size for a half-day outing, and it gives you more room than a small open skiff. You have front bow seating and a lounge area, useful when you want to sit forward during the cruise or spread out between activities.

A restroom inside the center console is one of the best practical features. Four hours on the water is long enough for a bathroom to matter, especially for families and anyone who prefers not to cut an outing short.

The boat also has a multimedia system with Bluetooth and MP3 compatibility. That will not improve the snorkeling or fishing, but it lets your group set the mood during the ride. Bring your own device only if you are comfortable using it around water, since no additional audio arrangements are stated.

How the half-day itinerary can work

The exact order of activities is flexible. Capt. Javano aims to build the day around what your group wants, so you are not locked into snorkeling, fishing, pigs, and turtles all at once. That flexibility is the central reason to consider a private charter.

A typical plan might begin with a cruise away from Paradise Island, followed by a stop for snorkeling or swimming with turtles. Another group might put fishing first, then spend time near a beach. You can also focus on cruising and choose only one or two water activities rather than trying to squeeze everything into four hours.

Do not expect unlimited time at every stop. The charter lasts about four hours, and travel between places uses part of that window. If your priority is swimming pigs, say so early. If fishing is the main goal, make that clear before departure rather than hoping the schedule will naturally favor it.

The description does not provide named snorkeling sites, turtle locations, fishing grounds, or a guaranteed pig island. That means the quality and order of the stops may depend on conditions and the captain’s judgment on the day. This is best understood as a flexible private outing, not a guaranteed checklist of every attraction.

Snorkeling with equipment already on board

Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from renting masks and fins separately. That is especially useful if you are flying in and do not want wet gear taking up space in your luggage.

The appeal here is choice. You can ask Capt. Javano to include snorkeling without giving up the rest of the charter. If one person in your group wants to fish while others prefer to swim, the private format may make that easier than a large shared boat.

Still, the available information does not promise a specific reef, a certain amount of fish, or particular water conditions. Your experience will depend on where the boat goes and what the sea is like that day. Ask about the planned snorkeling area before you leave the terminal, especially if snorkeling is the main reason you booked.

You should also remember that equipment is included, but personal food, drinks, and alcohol are not. The boat has a cooler with bottled water and ice, so you have a basic supply of water. If you want other drinks, the tour information says food and drinks can be requested, but it does not state the cost or what will be provided.

Turtle swimming and white sand beaches

Swimming with turtles is one of the more appealing choices for a group that wants a relaxed water day. It gives you a chance to spend time in the sea without making fishing the center of the outing.

The wording presents turtle swimming as an available activity, not a guaranteed wildlife encounter. I would treat it as a requested stop rather than a promise that turtles will appear on schedule. Ask Capt. Javano about current conditions and the likely plan before you commit your limited four hours.

The charter can also cruise to pristine white sand beaches. That option may suit you if some people in your party are not confident swimmers or would rather spend time on shore. Beach time also gives the group a break from being in the boat, though the available details do not identify a specific beach or say what facilities are there.

Plan for a simple, water-focused beach stop. Do not assume food service, chairs, shade, changing rooms, or other amenities unless the operator confirms them. The information only promises the cruise and activity choices, along with the listed boat equipment.

Swimming pigs and the extra $30 fee

The swimming pigs are a major draw, but pig interaction is not included in the $850 price. The optional charge is $30 per person, so a full group of eight would add $240 if everyone takes part.

That extra fee changes the value calculation. For eight people, the base charter works out to $106.25 each. Add the pig fee for all eight, and the total becomes $1,090, or $136.25 per person, before any requested food, drinks, or alcohol.

For a smaller group, the per-person cost rises quickly. Four people pay $212.50 each for the charter before the pig fee. Add $30 per participant and the cost becomes $242.50 each for those who join the pig interaction.

Ask two questions before booking: Is the $30 fee paid to the operator or at the pig location, and what happens if the pigs are unavailable? The supplied details confirm the fee but do not explain its payment process or refund terms. Clear answers will help prevent a surprise at the stop.

You should also decide if everyone in your group wants this activity. The private boat lets you build a mixed day, but the pig fee is charged per person. If only some people want to take part, confirm that nonparticipants can remain on the boat or enjoy another nearby option.

Fishing for up to six anglers

Fishing equipment is included, and the boat can safely take up to six anglers. That makes this a practical choice for a group where fishing is a serious part of the plan, not just something to try for a few minutes.

There is an important capacity detail here. The overall charter price is advertised for up to eight people, but the fishing setup is described as suitable for up to six anglers. If your group has seven or eight people and several want to fish at the same time, contact Secret Cays before booking.

The information does not state which species you may catch, what license rules apply, or whether the captain handles bait and catch preparation. Do not assume that fishing time means a guaranteed catch. Treat the gear as an included way to try the activity during your private outing.

If your group has mixed interests, establish a rough plan before departure. Six people could fish while others sit in the bow or take part in another water activity, but the available details do not promise that every activity can happen at the same moment.

The boat ride, comfort, and safety

The Donzi has a dedicated bathroom, front seating, a lounge area, and a cooler with water and ice. Those details make a real difference on a four-hour charter. You can stay comfortable between stops, keep water cold, and avoid a long interruption for basic needs.

The boat also has a full crew and captain, according to the tour description. Capt. Javano is the named captain associated with the trip. You should use the predeparture conversation to explain your group’s experience level, preferred pace, and priorities.

Safety is the point I would take most seriously. One account describes a long ride to an island with a fee to step ashore, followed by a fast return that caused passengers to be thrown around and two people to suffer injuries. That is a specific warning, not proof that every trip is rough, but it is enough reason to ask the captain to keep the ride controlled.

If conditions feel uncomfortable, say so immediately. Hold on when the boat is moving, keep children seated, and do not assume a private charter means you can move freely around the deck at speed. The boat may be large and capable, but comfort depends on the sea, the route, and how quickly the captain operates it.

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the trip, you will be offered another date or a full refund. That policy is useful in the Bahamas, where a sunny shoreline does not always mean calm conditions offshore.

Is $850 a fair price?

The base price is $850 per group of up to eight. That is a strong value for a full group that wants a private boat and several possible activities rather than a fixed shared excursion.

At eight people, the price is $106.25 each. At six people, it is about $141.67 each. At four people, it is $212.50 each. The fewer people you bring, the more important it becomes that your group values privacy and flexibility.

The price includes snorkeling equipment, fishing equipment, a guide, bottled water and ice, and use of the boat’s bathroom and audio system. It does not include alcohol, regular food and drinks unless requested, or the $30-per-person pig interaction.

I see the best value for a group of friends or family members with different interests. One person can fish, another can snorkel, and someone else can focus on beach time or turtles. A small party wanting only one short activity may find the price harder to justify.

The private format also means you are paying for control. You are not simply buying transport to one attraction. You are paying for a captain, crew, equipment, and the ability to shape a half-day on the water. That value is real, but only if the captain and your group agree on the plan and pace.

Who will enjoy this charter most?

I would consider this trip for a group of up to eight that wants a private day and can agree on a flexible plan. It suits people who like choosing between fishing, snorkeling, turtles, pigs, and beaches instead of committing to one narrow activity.

Families may appreciate the onboard restroom and cooler. Groups with both anglers and swimmers may also benefit from having the whole boat to themselves. The private format lets you discuss the day directly with Capt. Javano rather than fitting into another group’s schedule.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is a guaranteed pig encounter, a specific famous snorkeling site, or a long, dedicated fishing session. None of those details is guaranteed in the information provided. You should confirm the priority activity and likely route before paying.

This is also not the right choice for anyone who feels uneasy about speedboat travel unless the captain agrees to a comfortable pace. The one reported incident makes that conversation essential.

Booking confirmation arrives at the time of purchase. Free cancellation is available until at least 24 hours before the start time, based on local time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, and a minimum number of participants is required for the trip to operate.

Should you book Secret Cays?

Book this charter if you have a reasonably full group, want a private boat, and care more about a flexible mix of activities than a guaranteed attraction. The restroom, included gear, bottled water, fishing equipment, and choice of itinerary give the trip a useful practical edge.

Before booking, ask about the boat capacity for your exact group, the plan for your main activity, the pig fee, food and drink arrangements, and the expected speed of the ride. If Capt. Javano gives you clear answers and your group values privacy, the $850 price can make sense.

I would skip it if your party is small, your budget is tight, or you want a carefully fixed itinerary with no added fees. The 3.6 rating and the serious report about a rough return ride also mean you should choose with open eyes, not simply book for the promise of pigs and turtles.

FAQ

How long is the private charter?

The trip lasts approximately four hours.

Where does the charter start?

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

Where does the activity end?

The charter returns to the same meeting point at Paradise Island Ferry Terminal.

How much does the charter cost?

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

What activities can the group choose?

Your group can choose from fishing, snorkeling, swimming with turtles, swimming pigs, cruising to white sand beaches, or other activities discussed with the captain.

Is the pig interaction included?

No. Pig interaction is optional and costs $30 per person.

What is included in the price?

The price includes a guide, snorkeling equipment, fishing equipment, bottled water and ice in a cooler, use of the bathroom inside the console, and MP3 and Bluetooth compatibility.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants may also result in another date or a full refund.