Private Snorkeling or Fishing in Nassau – 55ft Cocorijo

The best part of this Nassau charter is the freedom to shape the day. You can spend your four hours snorkeling coral, fishing, swimming, sunbathing, or visiting an island, instead of following a fixed route with a large crowd. The 55-foot Hatteras Cocorijo gives your group room to spread out, with space for up to 10 people.

I like the private format, especially for families with young children or groups with mixed interests. I also like that the boat carries both snorkeling and fishing gear, so you can combine activities without arranging two separate trips. Captain Roscoe, Cleo, and Kassandra have earned special praise for being friendly, attentive, and careful with children.

The main thing to weigh is the price: $1,650 for the group is a serious spend for four hours. It makes better sense with six to 10 people than with only two or three, and fishing is never guaranteed. One group spent its half-day fishing without a bite, while another caught a 25-pound grouper and a reef shark.

Key points for your Nassau boat day

• Choose your own mix of activities: Snorkel, fish, swim, sunbathe, visit Gilligan’s Island, or spend time on a beach.
• Room for up to 10 people: The private charter works well for families, reunions, and groups of friends.
• A real 55-foot Hatteras: Cocorijo offers more room than a small open skiff, which matters during a four-hour outing.
• Snorkeling and fishing gear are included: You do not need to arrange separate equipment rentals.
• Rose Island lunch is possible on longer or afternoon trips: Footprints Beach Bar and Grill has a white sandy beach, music, drinks, and activities, but lunch and the landing fee cost extra.
• Strong crew record: Captain Roscoe, Cleo, and Kassandra are often praised for their care, social approach, and help with children.

A private Cocorijo charter from Paradise Island

You meet at Carnivale Bahamas, at Sterling Marina in Hurricane Hole, on Paradise Island. The boat returns to the same meeting point, and hotel pickup is not included. If you are staying at a waterfront resort, ask ahead about meeting at a hotel jetty, since one group was collected from the Rosewood area, but that arrangement should not be assumed for every booking.

Cocorijo is a 55-foot Hatteras, not a small runabout. That size gives your group a more settled base for the day, with room to move around between stops. You still need to respect the normal limits of a boat outing: sun, spray, wind, and changing sea conditions are part of the deal.

The charter is private, so only your party and the crew are on board. That is a meaningful difference in Nassau, where many water activities place unrelated groups together. You can ask to slow down, spend longer at a favorite stop, or change the balance between snorkeling and fishing without having to satisfy strangers.

The advertised duration is about four hours. That is enough time for a couple of water activities and perhaps a short island stop, but it is not a full day at sea. If you want a relaxed lunch on Rose Island, several fishing sessions, and more than one snorkeling area, ask about an afternoon or full-day option before booking.

Building your four-hour itinerary

The experience is deliberately open-ended. You choose two main activities, with options that include snorkeling, deep-sea or inshore fishing, swimming, beach time, and a visit to Gilligan’s Island. This works best when your group talks through its priorities before boarding.

A simple plan might pair snorkeling with a swim or beach stop. A fishing-focused group could spend most of the charter with lines in the water and use the remaining time for a quick swim. Families may prefer a reef stop followed by a quiet beach, while a group of adults might choose fishing and a Rose Island lunch if the timing allows.

The flexibility is useful, but it also means you should not expect a fixed list of guaranteed stops. Water conditions, timing, and your chosen activities affect the route. Speak clearly with the captain at the start, especially if your group includes people who want different things.

A private boat can also make short pauses feel worthwhile. You are not rushing everyone off the boat because another group has a strict schedule. The crew can point out marine life and underwater plants while you snorkel, giving you a chance to ask questions as you go.

What snorkeling is like around Nassau

Snorkeling is the clearest choice if your group wants colorful coral, clear water, and a low-effort activity. The charter supplies snorkel equipment, so you do not need to pack your own mask and fins. Bring your own swimwear, towel, and sun protection, since those personal items are not listed as included.

The boat can visit more than one snorkeling area when time and conditions allow. One reported route used an area between Gilligan’s Island and Rose Island, while another half-day charter stopped at two different sites. These details show the value of the private format: your captain can adjust the plan rather than locking you into one fixed reef.

Expect the crew to help you locate marine life and explain what you are seeing. That guidance is especially useful if you are new to snorkeling or have children in the water. Cleo, Roscoe, and Kassandra have been praised for helping families feel safe and comfortable, including groups with young children.

Keep your expectations sensible. A snorkeling trip is shaped by weather, visibility, current, and the condition of the reef on that day. The boat can take you to a good site, but no captain can promise a particular animal or perfect visibility.

Snorkeling also gives non-swimmers a flexible way to participate. You can remain on the boat, swim briefly, or spend more time in the water, depending on how you feel. Since this is a private charter, your group does not have to match the pace of a large excursion.

Fishing, from family fun to serious luck

Cocorijo carries the necessary fishing equipment, and you can choose either inshore or deep-sea fishing. This makes the charter appealing to groups that want more than a sightseeing cruise, but fishing requires a frank warning: there is no guarantee of a catch.

One family set four lines during a half-day trip and had no bites. They felt the boat was moving too quickly for the kind of fishing they expected. That experience matters if catching fish is the main reason you are booking. Confirm the fishing plan with the captain, including the type of fishing, expected travel time, and how much of the four hours will be spent with lines in the water.

On the other hand, the possible payoff can be substantial. One group caught a 25-pound grouper and a six-foot reef shark. Another family caught fish and ate their catch later at Anthony’s restaurant on a crew recommendation. Those results show the range of the experience, from a quiet day with no catch to a memorable meal and an impressive catch.

Fishing can also suit mixed-age groups. Children and teenagers have something to watch and help with, while adults can enjoy the slower pace. If some people in your group want to snorkel and others want to fish, ask the captain to build a split itinerary.

Do not book this as a guaranteed seafood meal. Book it for time on the water, the chance to catch something, and the fun of trying. If your group would be disappointed by an empty line, make snorkeling or beach time the primary plan.

Gilligan’s Island and Rose Island options

Gilligan’s Island is offered as one possible stop. It is described as one of the most photographed islands in the world, making it a natural choice for a short visit and photographs. The available information does not promise a particular amount of time ashore, so ask how the stop fits into your four-hour schedule.

Rose Island offers a more developed option through Footprints Beach Bar and Grill. On an afternoon or full-day charter, you may be able to stop for lunch, music, a fully stocked bar, sunbathing, volleyball, and billiards. The setting includes a white sandy beach and clear turquoise water.

Footprints is not included in the charter price. You pay separately for lunch and the landing fee, and the general food and drink policy says meals and drinks are not included unless specifically stated. Bottled water, ice, and local beer are listed as included on the boat, but you should confirm what is available before setting out.

This stop is best for a group that wants a social beach break rather than four straight hours of water activities. It is less useful if your main goal is maximizing snorkel time or fishing time. The travel time to and from Rose Island also reduces the minutes available for other stops.

Crew service and the feel on board

The crew is one of the strongest reasons to consider this charter. Captain Roscoe, mate Cleo, and stewardess Kassandra are repeatedly praised for being welcoming, professional, and attentive. Their work seems to cover both practical care and the social side of the day, from helping children to keeping the mood relaxed.

Several groups felt safe and well looked after. That is important on a private charter because the crew has to balance different comfort levels, swimming abilities, and activity choices within one party. The crew can help you get organized, point out marine life, and keep the boat comfortable between stops.

Other captains and crew members have also operated trips, including Ding, Keith, Davy, Tyson, Bobo, Freddy, Chris, and Karro. The exact crew may depend on the date and boat assignment, so do not book on the assumption that a particular person will be aboard. If you have a special request, ask the operator before confirming.

The boat has also been praised for being clean, social, and well maintained. That matters more than it may sound. Four hours on a cramped or poorly kept boat can feel long, while a clean 55-foot vessel gives you a better place to dry off, change activities, and enjoy the view.

Is $1,650 a good value?

The listed price is $1,650 per group of up to 10 people. At the full capacity, that works out to $165 per person before any added lunch, landing fee, or other costs. With five people, it becomes $330 per person, and with only two people it is a very expensive half-day.

The price is easier to justify when you value privacy and flexibility. You are paying for the boat, captain, crew, equipment, and the ability to shape the route around your own group. A standard shared trip may cost less, but it will not offer the same control over the pace or activity mix.

For a family reunion, birthday group, or several couples traveling together, the numbers can work well. You can combine snorkeling and fishing without booking separate outings, and you can keep the group together throughout the day.

For a small party, compare the cost with a shared snorkeling or fishing tour. The private charter makes the most financial sense when you fill much of the boat and care about having the captain’s attention.

Timing, weather, and practical details

Confirmation is provided at booking. Cruise ship passengers need to provide the ship name, docking time, time they plan to leave the ship, and required re-boarding time. That information helps the operator judge if the charter fits your port schedule.

The meeting point is Carnivale Bahamas, 1 Marina Way, Paradise Island, at Sterling Marina in Hurricane Hole. The activity ends there as well. Hotel transportation is not included, so plan your own way to and from the marina.

Most people can participate, but the activity still involves boarding a boat, walking around a vessel, and getting in and out of the water. If anyone in your group has a concern, discuss it with the operator before booking rather than relying on a general participation statement.

Weather matters. The charter can be changed or refunded if poor conditions force cancellation. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded or accepted, and the cut-off uses local time.

Plan to bring sun protection, a towel, swimwear, and any personal medication. Bottled water and an ice cooler are provided. Local beer is listed as included, while food and other drinks are not unless specifically arranged.

Who should book this private Nassau charter?

I would recommend Cocorijo most strongly to a group of six to 10 people that wants a private day rather than a preset tour. Families with children should find the flexible pace useful, especially when some children want to swim and others need a break.

It also suits friends who cannot agree on one activity. Snorkelers, anglers, beach lovers, and people who simply want to sit in the sun can share the same boat. The captain can help turn those different interests into one workable plan.

I would be more cautious if you have only two people, a strict budget, or a firm expectation of catching fish. I would also ask detailed questions if you want a specific reef, a guaranteed animal encounter, or a long lunch at Footprints within only four hours.

Should you book Cocorijo?

Book it if privacy, room, and control matter more to you than finding the cheapest Nassau water excursion. The strongest combination is a full group that wants to mix snorkeling with fishing, swimming, or an island stop, with a crew that can help children and keep the day easygoing.

Before paying, confirm your preferred activities, the likely route, the exact crew, and whether Rose Island and Footprints fit your timing. If your group is large and flexible, $1,650 can buy a memorable shared day. If fishing is your only goal, remember that even a well-run charter can return without a catch.

FAQ

Where does the charter start?

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

Where does the activity end?

The charter ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the experience?

The standard experience lasts approximately four hours.

How many people can join the private charter?

The boat can accommodate a private group of up to 10 people.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Is fishing equipment provided?

Yes. The boat provides the necessary fishing equipment.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included unless specifically arranged. Lunch at Footprints Beach Bar and Grill and its landing fee are additional costs.

Are drinks included?

Bottled water, an ice cooler, and local beer are listed as included. Other food and drinks are not included unless specified.

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 ahead are not refunded. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.