Private Snorkeling or Fishing from Nassau – 31ft Sitting Pretty

Cast off for a day that fits your group. This private Nassau charter gives you a 31-foot Bertram, a captain, a deckhand, and four or eight hours to shape around fishing, snorkeling, beach time, or harbor sightseeing. I like the private boat format, since your group does not have to follow a fixed schedule. I also like that the crew supplies fishing gear, bait, snorkel equipment, ice, and water, which keeps packing simple. The main consideration is price: the listed rate is $825 per group, so this makes the most sense when shared among several people.

The boat can carry up to six people, and the crew works with complete beginners as well as experienced anglers. You might head offshore for deep sea fishing, switch to lighter inshore fishing, or trade the fishing rods for a reef stop. Weather controls the day, and the ocean may not deliver fish on demand, so the flexibility matters.

Key points at a glance

• A 31-foot Bertram for up to six people: You get a private boat rather than a seat on a larger shared excursion.
• Four or eight hours on the water: The half-day suits cruise schedules, while the full-day option gives you room for several activities.
• Fishing and snorkeling can share one trip: The crew can adjust the plan between offshore fishing, reef snorkeling, turtle sightings, beach time, and sightseeing.
• Captain Bobo and Cyrus are praised for helpful service: Their calm instruction is especially useful if someone in your group has never fished.
• Fresh catch can become lunch: The fish may be taken to a nearby restaurant for cooking, based on arrangements made during the outing.
• The $825 price works best for a group: Split among six people, the cost is far easier to justify than paying for a small private charter alone.

Meeting the boat at Sterling Marina

Your meeting point is Carnivale Bahamas at 1 Marina Way, Paradise Island, inside Sterling Marina at Hurricane Hole. The activity returns to this same point, so you do not need to arrange a separate return ride from another dock.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Plan your own way to the marina and allow enough time to find the correct meeting point. If you are arriving from a cruise ship, you must provide the ship name, docking time, time you plan to leave the ship, and the required re-boarding time when you book.

That cruise detail is important. A four-hour charter sounds tidy on paper, but you still need time to get off the ship, reach Paradise Island, and return with a safe margin. Do not schedule the boat so tightly that one delay leaves you watching the departure ramp from shore.

Once aboard, you meet the captain and crew and explain what you want from the day. This short conversation is one of the most useful parts of the experience. Tell them if your group cares most about catching fish, seeing turtles, snorkeling, relaxing on a beach, or simply enjoying time around Nassau Harbor.

What a four-hour charter can realistically include

The half-day option lasts about four hours. That is enough time for a focused fishing trip with some snorkeling, or for a mixed outing with several shorter stops. It is not enough time to treat every choice as a full activity.

The crew can suggest a practical route based on sea conditions, fishing conditions, and your interests. You might start with offshore fishing, move closer to shore if the action is slow, then stop at a reef or turtle area. Another group might spend more time snorkeling and use the fishing as a secondary activity.

The flexible plan is a real advantage for families. One person can fish while another prefers the water. Children can try a few casts, then switch to snorkeling or sightseeing if their attention wanders. That is far less frustrating than being locked into four hours of one activity.

The tradeoff is that flexibility means no guaranteed sequence and no guaranteed catch. One half-day outing produced little offshore action before the captain moved toward shore and lighter tackle. That adjustment turned the day into a better learning experience, but it also shows why you should judge the charter by the whole day, not just the fish count.

Fishing with the captain’s guidance

Fishing is the main reason to book this boat, and the setup is friendly to beginners. All necessary fishing equipment, bait, and tackle are included. You do not need to arrive knowing how to rig a line or handle a catch.

The crew can take you toward deeper offshore water or keep you closer to Nassau for inshore fishing. Offshore fishing offers the chance at larger fish, but conditions and luck play a major role. Inshore fishing with lighter tackle can be a better fit for families and first-time anglers because it gives you a more approachable way to learn.

The experience has worked well for mixed-age groups, including families with teenagers and children. One family with ages 12, 16, and 18 used the half-day trip despite having little fishing experience. Another first-time angler caught her first fish without assistance, which says a lot about the crew’s ability to teach without taking over.

Captain Bobo and Cyrus receive especially warm praise for their instruction, patience, and care on the water. Freddie is also named positively in connection with a productive fishing and snorkeling day. Crew assignments can vary, so treat these names as useful points of reference rather than a guarantee of who will be aboard.

Fish counts can vary widely. One outing produced three tuna, another reported 29 fish, and another group caught enough fish to arrange a cooked lunch. Those numbers are exciting, but they are not promises. The captain can choose good areas and adjust tactics, yet the sea still has the final say.

Reef snorkeling, turtles, and smaller discoveries

Snorkeling gives the charter a second focus when fishing slows or when not everyone wants to hold a rod. Snorkel equipment is provided in several sizes, which is helpful for families bringing different ages and body sizes.

The crew can suggest a reef stop where you may see schools of fish and other sea life. Turtles are a recurring highlight, and one outing included a close look at a spider crab in the reef. These small discoveries are often what children remember most, especially when a full day of fishing would be too much.

The boat carries a cooler with ice and bottled water, plus a bathroom. Those are practical comforts, not minor extras. Four hours in the sun can feel long without water, shade, and a restroom nearby. Food and drinks beyond the supplied water are not included, so bring or arrange your own meals according to the provider’s rules.

Snorkeling conditions depend on the weather and sea state. The water may be calm and clear, or it may be less comfortable than expected. If snorkeling is your top priority, tell the captain at the start so the route gives it proper time instead of treating it as a last-minute add-on.

Beach time and harbor sightseeing

This is not only a fishing boat. The captain can also include beaching or sightseeing around Nassau Harbor. Those options make the trip more appealing for a group with different ideas about a perfect day.

A beach stop gives non-anglers a chance to relax while others fish. It also breaks up the rhythm of sitting, casting, and waiting. Sightseeing around the harbor offers a slower way to see the coast and lets you enjoy the boat even if the fish are not cooperating.

You should still ask how much time a stop will take. On a four-hour charter, every beach or sightseeing pause reduces fishing time. On the eight-hour option, the schedule has more breathing room, making it easier to combine activities without feeling rushed.

The boat, equipment, and comfort

The 31-foot, or 9-meter, Bertram is sized for a private group of up to six people. That is a good number for conversation and shared instruction without turning the outing into a crowded party boat.

The boat includes a bathroom, fishing gear, bait and tackle, snorkel equipment, bottled water, and ice. You will need to supply food and any drinks beyond the water provided. The boat was described as being in good condition, which matters when you are spending several hours offshore.

Because this is an active water outing, pack practical clothing rather than anything fancy. Bring sun protection and a towel, and keep valuables to a minimum. The supplied information does not specify a dedicated lunch service, fishing license arrangement, or hotel transfer, so confirm any special needs before departure.

How the $825 price holds up

The listed price is $825 per group of up to one, while the boat itself can take up to six people. That pricing display is worth clarifying when you book. If the rate applies to the private charter, the value improves sharply when shared by a full group.

At six people, the cost works out to about $137.50 per person before any food or extra arrangements. For four people, it is about $206.25 per person. That buys privacy, a captain and crew, equipment, water, and the freedom to change activities during the day.

The price is harder to justify for one or two people unless privacy and flexibility matter more to you than keeping costs low. A shared fishing trip may be cheaper, but it will not give you the same control over timing or activity choices. The private format is strongest for families, couples traveling with friends, or a group that wants both fishing and snorkeling.

The eight-hour option should be considered carefully. It costs more in time and likely in price, but it lets you fish, snorkel, stop at a beach, and enjoy sightseeing without squeezing everything into four hours. For cruise passengers, the half-day is often the more practical choice because of ship schedules.

Weather, cancellations, and planning ahead

The trip requires good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can 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 before departure are not accepted for a refund. Cutoff times use local Bahamas time, so pay attention if you are booking from another time zone.

This experience is commonly booked about 30 days ahead. That timing makes sense for a private boat with limited capacity, especially during busy travel periods. Book early if your family needs a particular date, but keep your plans flexible enough to account for weather.

Who will enjoy Sitting Pretty most?

I would recommend this charter for a group that wants control over the day. Families can divide their time between fishing, snorkeling, turtles, and a beach stop. Beginners get direct help instead of being expected to know the basics. Experienced anglers can ask for more serious fishing time and let the captain shape the route around that goal.

It also suits people who dislike standard group excursions. You are not sharing the boat with strangers, and your group can set the pace. That privacy has real value if one person needs frequent breaks or if children may change their minds halfway through.

The charter is less suitable if you need a guaranteed catch, a fixed sightseeing itinerary, or a low per-person price for a very small group. The sea is unpredictable, and the boat’s biggest strength is flexibility rather than certainty.

Should you book this Nassau charter?

Book it if you have four to six people, want both fishing and snorkeling, and value a private plan. The strongest parts are the helpful crew, the beginner-friendly approach, the chance to see turtles and reef life, and the ability to move closer to shore when offshore fishing is slow.

For a four-hour outing, choose one main goal and one backup activity. For example, make fishing the priority and snorkeling the fallback, or reverse that plan if reef time matters most. If you want a full mix of fishing, snorkeling, beach time, and sightseeing, choose eight hours if your schedule and budget allow.

The $825 rate is a serious spend, but it becomes reasonable when shared across a group. For a family or group of friends seeking a private day on the water, Sitting Pretty offers a useful balance of instruction, comfort, and choice.

FAQ

Where does the charter begin?

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

Where does the experience end?

The charter ends back at the same meeting point.

How long can I book the boat?

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

How many people can the boat carry?

The 31-foot Bertram can take up to six people.

Is this a private experience?

Yes. Only your group participates in the charter.

Is fishing equipment included?

Yes. All necessary fishing equipment, bait, and tackle are provided.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkel equipment is included in several sizes.

Are food and drinks included?

Bottled water and ice are included. Food and other drinks are not included unless specifically stated.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the charter is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

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.