Private Snorkeling or Fishing in Nassau – 55ft Cocorijo

A private boat makes Nassau feel wonderfully open. This four-hour charter aboard the 55-foot Hatteras Cocorijo lets you shape the outing around your group, choosing snorkeling, fishing, swimming, beach time, or an island visit. I like the freedom to mix activities, and I like that the boat carries snorkel gear, fishing equipment, bottled water, ice, and local beer.

The strongest part is the crew. Captain Roscoe, Mate Cleo, and Stewardess Kassandra receive repeated praise for being friendly, attentive, and especially good with children. The main consideration is price: at $1,650 per group of up to 10, this makes the most sense when shared by a full group. Also, fishing depends on conditions and luck. One family spent a half-day fishing without a bite, while another landed a 25-pound grouper and a six-foot reef shark.

Key points to know

• A 55-foot Hatteras for your group: The charter is private, so you are not sharing the boat with strangers.
• Choose two main activities: Options include reef snorkeling, fishing, swimming, beach time, Gilligan’s Island, and Rose Island.
• A crew praised for care: Roscoe, Cleo, and Kassandra are often singled out for professionalism, warmth, and help with children.
• Rose Island adds a full-day option: Footprints Beach Bar and Grill offers lunch, music, drinks, beach time, volleyball, and billiards, but costs extra.
• The price favors groups: Split among 10 people, the base cost is $165 per person before any food or landing fee.
• Weather matters: Bad conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, while late cancellations are not refundable.

Setting Out from Sterling Marina

Your meeting point is Carnivale Bahamas at Sterling Marina, inside Hurricane Hole on Paradise Island. The charter returns to the same spot, and hotel pickup is not included. Some groups have arranged pickup from a hotel jetty, but you should confirm that directly rather than assume it comes with the standard booking.

The departure point is useful if you are staying around Paradise Island or Atlantis. If you are coming from another part of Nassau, build in time to reach the marina. Cruise ship groups need to provide the ship name, docking time, time allowed to leave the ship, and re-boarding time when booking. That information helps the operator judge if a four-hour trip fits your port schedule.

The boat is a 55-foot Hatteras, a useful size for a private party. It gives your group room to spread out while keeping the outing personal. You have a captain and crew focused only on your party, rather than a shared boat with a fixed script.

That private setup is particularly valuable for families and mixed groups. Strong swimmers can snorkel while others choose to swim, sunbathe, or stay aboard. You can also ask questions about the reef, fish, and underwater plant life without competing for the guide’s attention.

How the Four Hours Can Work

The experience is not locked into one route. You can select two activities from the available choices, with the final plan shaped by weather, sea conditions, and your interests.

A typical half-day could combine coral reef snorkeling with fishing. Another group might choose snorkeling and Gilligan’s Island. You could also skip fishing entirely and use the time for swimming, beach time, and a quiet cruise around the nearby islands.

That flexibility is the central reason to choose this charter. A standard boat tour often decides the pace for you. Here, you can tell the crew if your priority is underwater time, catching fish, relaxing in the sun, or giving children a varied day.

Still, four hours passes quickly. If you want snorkeling, fishing, lunch ashore, and a long beach stop, the schedule may feel tight. The operator also offers afternoon or full-day arrangements, which are better suited to a relaxed combination of activities.

Snorkeling Coral Reefs Near Nassau

The boat carries snorkeling equipment, so you do not need to bring your own mask, snorkel, or fins. The crew can point out marine life and underwater plants, adding context to what you see rather than leaving you to identify everything alone.

The exact reef location is flexible. Groups have snorkeled in the area between Gilligan’s Island and Rose Island, and some have visited more than one snorkeling site. Multiple stops can be worthwhile because reef conditions and visibility vary from place to place.

I would choose snorkeling if your group wants the most reliable shared activity. Fishing can be excellent, but it depends on fish, weather, technique, and timing. Snorkeling gives everyone something to do, even if one person is not interested in holding a rod.

The snorkeling experience is also suitable for families, provided children can take part safely in the water. The crew has received strong praise for helping young children and making families feel secure. Still, the supplied information does not promise flotation devices or instruction, so ask about any special equipment your children may need.

Bring a swimsuit, sunscreen, a hat, and a towel. The boat provides bottled water and an ice cooler, but food and most drinks are not included. The sun can feel strong on open water, and a half-day outside is more enjoyable when you prepare for it.

Fishing: Great Potential, No Guarantee

Fishing is available as deep-water or inshore fishing, with necessary fishing equipment supplied. This keeps the outing simple for first-time anglers and families who do not want to pack or rent gear separately.

The results can vary sharply. One family caught a 25-pound grouper and a six-foot reef shark during a half-day trip. They later ate the grouper at Anthony’s, following Cleo’s recommendation. Another group went out hoping to fish with four children and did not receive a single bite.

That contrast is worth taking seriously. You should book fishing because you enjoy the activity itself, not because you expect dinner. The crew may work hard and still face slow conditions. The experience is more satisfying when your group is happy to fish for a while and then switch to snorkeling or swimming.

For families, the flexible format helps soften the risk. If the fish are not cooperating, you can use the remaining time for another activity. Ask when booking how your preferred fishing style fits with the half-day schedule, especially if you want both fishing and snorkeling.

Gilligan’s Island and Rose Island

One possible stop is Gilligan’s Island, described as one of the most photographed islands in the world. The appeal is visual and easygoing: clear water, a scenic island setting, and a chance to combine a short visit with swimming or snorkeling.

The name may sound familiar from television, but the practical point is simpler. It gives your group a memorable island stop without requiring a full-day excursion. If you want a few photographs and time in the water, it can fit well into a customized half-day.

Rose Island offers a longer stop, especially on an afternoon or full-day charter. Footprints Beach Bar and Grill sits beside a white sandy beach and turquoise water. You can have lunch, listen to music, use the fully stocked bar, sunbathe, play volleyball, or try billiards.

This stop is not included in the base charter cost. Lunch and the landing fee are extra, so ask for the current charges before you commit to the visit. Rose Island makes the most sense when your group wants a social beach break rather than nonstop time on the boat.

For a half-day booking, Rose Island may compete with snorkeling or fishing time. For a full-day charter, it becomes a natural part of the outing. The choice depends on whether your ideal day is active, relaxed, or a little of both.

The Crew Makes the Difference

The most consistently praised part of the experience is the crew. Captain Roscoe, Cleo, and Kassandra are repeatedly described as professional, friendly, hospitable, and attentive. Families with young children especially appreciated the crew’s help and the feeling of safety aboard.

That matters on a private charter because the crew shapes the mood for the entire group. You are not simply being transported to a reef. You are spending several hours in a small shared setting, and a warm crew can make the boat feel relaxed rather than formal.

Cleo appears to be especially involved in both practical care and local suggestions. Her recommendation of Anthony’s after a successful fishing trip gave one family an easy way to enjoy their catch. Roscoe receives praise as a captain who keeps the mood social while maintaining a professional approach.

The crew names can change, so treat Roscoe, Cleo, and Kassandra as examples of the service associated with this charter rather than a guarantee for every departure. If one particular crew member matters to you, ask when booking.

What the $1,650 Price Really Buys

The listed price is $1,650 for up to 10 people. At maximum capacity, that works out to $165 per person. A group of five would pay $330 per person, and a couple would carry the full group cost between them.

That pricing makes the charter a sensible option for a large family, several couples, or a group of friends. You are paying for a private 55-foot boat, captain, crew, equipment, and the ability to set the plan. The value is not just the number of activities. It is the privacy and control.

The price looks less attractive for two or three people unless having a private yacht is the main goal. A shared excursion may cost less, but it will not give you the same control over stops, pacing, or group atmosphere.

Bottled water, ice, snorkel gear, fishing gear, and local beer are included. Food and other drinks are not included unless specifically arranged. The Rose Island landing fee and lunch at Footprints are also extra, so keep those costs separate when comparing options.

Who Should Book Cocorijo?

I would recommend this charter for families who want different activities in one outing. Parents can choose snorkeling and swimming while children try fishing or enjoy the island stops. The crew’s record of helping young children is reassuring, though you should still discuss your children’s needs before departure.

It also suits groups celebrating a birthday, reunion, or relaxed day together. The boat gives you space to talk, sunbathe, and enjoy the water without a shared-tour schedule. Couples or small groups can book it too, but the cost is easier to justify when divided among more people.

Fishing enthusiasts should come with flexible expectations. The possibility of a large grouper or reef shark is real, but so is a quiet fishing session. If catching fish is the only reason you are booking, the uncertainty may be frustrating.

The charter is less suitable if you want a low-cost, fixed snorkeling trip or if you dislike making decisions about the day. Its strength is choice, and that means your group needs to agree on how to use the time.

Practical Booking Advice

This experience is often booked about 50 days ahead, so reserve early if your dates are fixed, especially during busy Nassau periods. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity is private for your party.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refunded or accepted. The trip also requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Before booking, decide what matters most: snorkeling, fishing, island time, or a mixture. Tell the operator how many people are in your group, whether children are coming, and whether you are interested in Rose Island. Clear priorities will help the crew use the four hours well.

FAQ

How many people can join the private Cocorijo charter?

Up to 10 people can participate in the private group charter.

How long is the experience?

The charter lasts approximately four hours. Afternoon and full-day options may also be available.

What activities can I choose?

You can choose activities such as coral reef snorkeling, Gilligan’s Island, deep-water or inshore fishing, swimming, and beach time. Afternoon or full-day charters may also visit Footprints Beach Bar and Grill on Rose Island.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with fishing equipment, bottled water, and an ice cooler.

Is food included?

Food is not included unless specifically stated. Lunch at Footprints Beach Bar and Grill and the Rose Island landing fee are additional costs.

Where does the charter start and finish?

The trip starts at Carnivale Bahamas, 1 Marina Way, Paradise Island, Sterling Marina, Hurricane Hole, The Bahamas. It ends back at the same meeting point.

Should You Book It?

Book Cocorijo if you want a private Nassau day with control over the pace and activities. The best value comes when a larger group shares the $1,650 cost, especially if some people want to snorkel while others prefer fishing, swimming, or beach time.

I would choose it for a family or group that values personal service more than a bargain price. The crew’s warm approach, the roomy 55-foot boat, and the ability to change plans give the outing real flexibility. Just keep fishing expectations realistic, budget extra for Rose Island, lunch, and drinks, and reserve early if your schedule is fixed.