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

The most useful feature here is control. You hire the whole 35-foot Donzi for your group, then work with Captain Javano to shape a four-hour outing around fishing, snorkeling, turtles, pigs, beaches, or a mix of several. That flexibility matters far more than a fixed schedule on a short Bahamas charter.

I like the private format, which keeps strangers out of your boat, and I like the practical setup: a real restroom in the center console, front bow seating, Bluetooth audio, fishing gear, snorkeling equipment, bottled water, and ice. The main caution is the ride itself. One party reported a rough return at high speed that caused injuries, so ask the captain about sea conditions and the return pace before leaving.

Key points to know before booking

• Captain Javano builds the day around your group, instead of assigning you to a fixed sightseeing route.
• The 35-foot Donzi has a restroom, front bow seating, a multimedia system, and room for fishing gear.
• Your group can combine activities, including snorkeling, fishing, turtle encounters, pig visits, and beach stops.
• The $850 price covers up to eight people, making the cost more sensible when shared by a full group.
• Pig interaction costs an extra $30 per person, and food, drinks, and alcohol are not included.
• The boat description says it can safely take up to six anglers, so a full group of eight should clarify how many people plan to fish.

A private boat day from Paradise Island

You meet at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal on Paradise Beach Drive. The trip begins and ends there, which keeps the plan simple if you are already staying on Paradise Island or can reach the terminal by public transportation.

The boat is a custom 35-foot Donzi Marine center console. That is a substantial boat for a half-day charter, not a small open runabout. You get front bow seating and lounge space, a dedicated restroom inside the center console, and a multimedia system that works with Bluetooth. Those details may sound minor, but four hours on the water is long enough for comfort to matter.

Your group is private, with no unrelated passengers added. The stated capacity is up to eight people, though the boat is described as able to carry up to six anglers safely. If your party includes eight people and several want to fish, contact Secret Cays before booking. The difference between eight total passengers and six active anglers is worth clearing up.

The listed price is $850 per group. Split eight ways, that works out to $106.25 per person. Split among four people, it becomes $212.50 each. That makes this a better value for a larger family or friend group than for a couple. You are paying for the boat, captain, guide service, equipment, and privacy, not for a low-cost shared excursion.

Choosing your four-hour route

The charter is designed around choice rather than a locked itinerary. Captain Javano will try to arrange the day around the activities you select. You can focus on one main goal, such as fishing, or combine several shorter stops.

That freedom is useful because conditions and group interests can change. One person may want to snorkel, another may prefer fishing, and someone else may mainly want a beach stop. A private charter gives the captain room to adjust the order and timing, though the exact route depends on weather, sea conditions, and the choices you make.

A four-hour trip is enough for a taste of several activities. It is not an all-day island expedition. If you want fishing, snorkeling, turtles, pigs, and a long beach visit all in one outing, the stops may feel brief. If you want a relaxed pace, choose two or three priorities before boarding.

Tell the captain your must-do activity first. If pigs are the main reason you booked, say so clearly. If fishing matters most, explain how much of the four hours you want reserved for it. A little planning helps prevent a group from spending too much time traveling between stops.

Snorkeling with equipment supplied

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not have to arrange masks and fins separately. The charter is also described as including a guide, which is useful when you are deciding where to enter the water and how to organize the stop.

The information provided does not name a specific reef or promise a particular marine site. That is important. Your snorkeling location may depend on conditions and the captain’s judgment on the day. You should expect access to a water stop chosen as part of your custom route, not a guaranteed visit to a named underwater attraction.

I like the fact that snorkeling is one option among several. You are not forced to spend the entire trip in the water if conditions, energy levels, or family interests change. At the same time, anyone booking mainly for snorkeling should ask what site is planned and how much time will be available in the water.

Bring any personal swimming items you prefer, but the core snorkeling equipment is supplied. Bottled water and ice are also provided in a cooler. Food and other drinks are not included unless requested.

Turtle encounters and the extra-cost pig stop

Swimming with turtles is one of the advertised choices. The same applies to swimming pigs, but pig interaction carries an optional $30 per-person fee. This fee is separate from the $850 boat price, so calculate it before booking if pigs are central to your plan.

For a group of eight, the pig fee would add $240. That brings the combined cost to $1,090 before any requested food, drinks, or alcohol. Shared among eight people, that becomes $136.25 each. For a smaller group, the extra cost becomes more noticeable.

The details do not identify a specific pig island, turtle site, or guaranteed time at either stop. Ask what the captain expects to visit on your date. This is especially important because the supplied information includes a complaint about a long boat ride to an island where stepping ashore cost extra. The complaint also described a fast return that caused people to slam back down in the boat, with two injuries reported.

That account does not tell you how often such a problem occurs, but it gives you a useful question to ask: are landing fees included, and how will the return speed be handled if the sea is rough? A good charter plan should leave room for a safe, comfortable ride back.

Fishing from a 35-foot center console

Fishing is another major option, and fishing equipment is included. The boat is described as able to safely take up to six anglers. That figure matters more than the general group limit if fishing is your main purpose.

For a small fishing party, the boat size should provide useful working room. For a group of eight, decide how many people will fish at the same time. If everyone wants a rod, ask the operator whether that is practical. The supplied details support up to six anglers, not eight.

The charter does not specify the species, fishing method, bait, licenses, or whether a catch can be kept. Do not assume those details. Contact Secret Cays before the trip if they are important to you. A general fishing option can mean something different from a dedicated fishing charter.

This is where a private boat has a clear advantage. You can spend more or less time fishing without worrying about a larger group’s fixed schedule. If only part of your party wants to fish, the others can use the time for sightseeing, relaxing on the bow, or preparing for a later swim.

White-sand beaches and time between activities

The captain can also take you cruising toward pristine white-sand beaches. The beach option gives non-swimmers and less active members of your group something to enjoy. It also creates a natural break from fishing and water activities.

Do not treat a beach mention as a promise of a long shore stay. The trip lasts about four hours, and several possible activities compete for that time. Ask how many beach stops are realistic alongside your other plans.

The bow seating and lounge space should be helpful during the ride. You can sit forward when conditions are comfortable, then move to a more sheltered position if needed. The boat’s restroom is another practical advantage, especially for families or anyone who would rather not rely on a beach facility.

The boat has a Bluetooth-compatible multimedia system, so you can connect a device for music if that suits your group. Keep the volume considerate and confirm what equipment or connection setup is available before departure.

Comfort, safety, and the boat ride home

The strongest comfort features are easy to understand: a full restroom in the console, front seating, a cooler with bottled water and ice, and a spacious 35-foot boat. Those features make a four-hour outing easier than a basic boat ride with no facilities.

The main concern is speed and sea conditions. One of the seven available ratings is sharply negative, describing a long ride, an additional fee to enter an island, and a high-speed return that reportedly injured two people. The overall rating is 3.6 from seven ratings, so the public record is mixed rather than uniformly positive.

You should not ignore that warning, especially if you are bringing children, older relatives, or anyone prone to seasickness. Ask about the forecast, the planned route, the landing fees, and the captain’s approach to rough water. On the day, hold on when moving around the boat and follow crew instructions.

The charter requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can receive a different date or a full refund. That is sensible for an open-water activity, but it means you should keep some flexibility in your Bahamas schedule.

What to pack and what costs extra

The charter supplies snorkeling equipment, fishing equipment, bottled water, and ice. You do not need to arrange those basics separately.

Food, drinks, and alcohol are not included unless requested. If you want them on board, arrange that in advance rather than assuming the cooler comes stocked with anything beyond bottled water and ice.

The optional pig interaction fee is $30 per person. Also ask about any landing or island access costs. One complaint specifically described paying to step onto an island, so this is a useful detail to confirm before departure.

A practical packing list includes:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sun protection
• Any preferred snacks or drinks arranged ahead of time
• A dry bag or protected case for phones
• Motion-sickness medication if you normally need it
• A light cover-up for the boat ride

These are general preparations rather than included tour features. The supplied details do not state that towels, meals, sunscreen, or alcohol are provided.

Who gets the best value from this charter

I would consider this for a family or friend group that wants a private boat and has different ideas about the ideal day. The format suits people who want to combine fishing and swimming, or who prefer a beach stop instead of spending every minute in the water.

It also fits a group that values comfort. The restroom, bow lounge, Bluetooth system, cooler, and private setting are meaningful during a four-hour outing. You are not simply buying transport from one point to another.

The value is weaker for two people unless privacy is a high priority. At $850, a couple pays a large amount for the same boat and captain that a full group can share. A small group should compare the cost with other private charters before booking.

This may not be the best choice if you need a tightly guaranteed itinerary. The advertised activities are flexible options, and exact stops are not specified. It may also be a poor fit if your group includes more than six serious anglers or anyone who is uncomfortable with open-water travel.

Booking timing and cancellation terms

The trip is booked about 10 days ahead on average, so reserve early if you have a specific vacation date. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity is listed as suitable for most people. It is also near public transportation.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not accepted and are not refunded. If the minimum number of participants is not met, the operator offers another date or experience, or a full refund.

The charter returns to the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal, so allow enough time afterward for your next plan. The activity lasts about four hours, but water conditions and the captain’s route can affect how the day feels. Do not schedule an important connection immediately afterward.

Should you book the Secret Cays charter?

Book it if your group wants a private, flexible boat day and can agree on its top two or three activities before boarding. The private format, supplied gear, restroom, cooler, and room for fishing or swimming make the $850 price reasonable when divided among six to eight people.

Think twice if you are booking mainly for a guaranteed pig island, a named snorkeling reef, or a long fishing session. Confirm the exact route, possible landing fees, pig charges, and the six-angler limit first. Most important, discuss sea conditions and a comfortable return speed with Captain Javano.

For a full group that values privacy and variety, this can be a practical way to get several Bahamas activities into one half-day. For a small party or anyone wanting a fixed, highly structured program, the cost and flexible route may not fit as well.

FAQ

Where does the charter start?

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

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal, the same place where it begins.

How long does the charter last?

The charter lasts approximately four hours.

How much does the private charter cost?

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

What activities can the group choose?

The group can choose fishing, snorkeling, swimming with turtles, swimming pigs, cruising to white-sand beaches, or a combination of these options.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and fishing equipment are included.

Is the pig interaction included in the price?

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

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund.