Review · BAHAMAS

Private Snorkeling And Fishing Activity

5.0 · 62 reviews Operated by Island Time Charters · Bookable on Viator
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The best part of this Nassau outing is the freedom to shape the day around your group. You leave Nassau by speedboat for three or four uninhabited islands near Rose Island, where you can snorkel quiet reefs, fish with light tackle, or try spear fishing for lobster and grouper.

I like the private format, especially for mixed-age families. Captain Jason and his son Jason have helped older family members, including people aged 90 and 86, board and leave the boat. I also like the timing: four hours gives you room for both fishing and snorkeling without turning the day into a marathon.

The main consideration is the price. At $850 for up to eight people, this is good value for a full group, but costly for only two or three people. Weather can also cancel the outing, and lunch is an extra $25.

Key points to know before you book

Private Snorkeling And Fishing Activity - Key points to know before you book

  • Three or four uninhabited islands: You get more than a quick reef stop, with isolated beaches and room to explore at your own pace.
  • A private boat for up to eight: Your group controls the balance between fishing, snorkeling, beach time, and simply staying on the water.
  • Two fishing styles: Use light tackle for yellowtail snapper and trigger fish, or try spear fishing for lobster and grouper.
  • Equipment is supplied: Snorkeling gear, fishing gear, bait, bottled water, and soda are included.
  • Experienced help for mixed abilities: Captain Jason, his son Jason, Eddie, and Jim are named crew members associated with the outing.
  • Best value with a full group: The $850 price works out to $106.25 per person for eight people, before any lunch or drink add-ons.

Leaving Nassau for Rose Island

Private Snorkeling And Fishing Activity - Leaving Nassau for Rose Island

The day begins at Colours of The Bahamas in Nassau. From there, you board a large center-console boat with space and shade for your group, then head toward the isolated areas off Rose Island.

This is not a crowded harbor cruise with a fixed script. The plan is customized to your group’s abilities and interests. If some people want to fish while others prefer snorkeling, the captain can build the day around both. If the family has younger children, older adults, or people who are new to snorkeling, that flexibility matters.

The boat is described as a speedboat, so the ride out is part of the fun. It also means you should expect some movement on the water. The available shade is useful, but you will still want sun protection and clothing that can get wet.

The meeting point is at Colours of The Bahamas, listed at 3MH4+M84 in Nassau. The trip returns to the same location after roughly four hours. That makes the outing easier to fit into a Nassau day, though you should leave room around the booking if you have another fixed appointment.

Three or four islands, not one crowded beach

Private Snorkeling And Fishing Activity - Three or four islands, not one crowded beach

The route takes you to three or four uninhabited tropical islands. That number is important. You are not simply being dropped at one beach for the entire morning, so the trip can feel varied even within a four-hour window.

The beaches are described as comparable to some of the best in the world. You can expect a more natural setting than a developed resort beach, with no suggestion of shops, large facilities, or a full restaurant stop on the islands. That quiet setting is a major reason to choose this trip.

The tradeoff is that uninhabited islands come with fewer comforts. There is no promise of changing rooms, toilets, beach chairs, or food service at each stop. Water and soda stay on the boat, and lunch can be purchased for $25, but you should not treat this as a resort day with everything close at hand.

Your captain decides how to use the stops according to conditions and the group. One island might suit beach time, another fishing, and another snorkeling. The ability to move on rather than stay put is especially useful if one area is less appealing on the day.

Snorkeling on coral reefs near Rose Island

Private Snorkeling And Fishing Activity - Snorkeling on coral reefs near Rose Island

The snorkeling takes place around coral reefs described as untouched and filled with fish and turtles. The appeal here is the setting: you are taken away from the busiest parts of Nassau to places where the reef and surrounding water are the main attraction.

Snorkeling gear is included, so you do not need to pack a mask, fins, or related equipment. The activity is presented as suitable for snorkelers of all abilities. That does not mean every person will feel equally comfortable in the water, but a private boat gives your group more room to set its own pace.

I would tell a nervous beginner to say so before leaving the dock. The crew can then help shape the day around the person’s comfort level. A confident swimmer may want more time over the reef, while someone less sure in the water may prefer a shorter session and more time on the beach or boat.

The wildlife is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing. Fish and turtles are specifically part of the reef setting, though sightings in nature are never guaranteed. You also should not expect an aquarium with a fixed display. The attraction is the chance to see marine life in its own environment.

One useful detail from the trip’s reported outings is that Eddie and Jim found a good reef after other boats had left the area. That suggests the crew pays attention to timing and location rather than simply stopping at the first convenient reef. Still, conditions and the day’s route can change, so treat this as a possibility rather than a promise.

Fishing for snapper, trigger fish, lobster, or grouper

Private Snorkeling And Fishing Activity - Fishing for snapper, trigger fish, lobster, or grouper

Fishing gives the outing a second focus beyond snorkeling. The standard light-tackle option targets yellowtail snapper and trigger fish. This is a sensible choice for a group that wants to fish without making the entire trip a serious offshore expedition.

You can also try spear fishing for lobster and grouper. That option adds a more hands-on challenge, but it will not suit every person in the group. Your captain can explain the available choices and adjust the plan to match the group’s abilities and preferences.

The fishing is described as memorable, with the possibility of leaving with a grouper, snapper, or lobster. Keep that wording in perspective: a catch is possible, not assured. Fish respond to conditions, location, timing, and luck. The value is partly in learning how the local fishing works and spending time in productive waters, not only in bringing food back to shore.

If your group includes both keen anglers and people who would rather snorkel, this private setup is much better than a shared fishing charter with a fixed agenda. One person does not have to spend four hours fishing simply because someone else booked a fishing boat.

The crew names connected with the outing include Eddie and Jim, who have been praised for finding good fishing spots. Captain Jason and his son Jason are also identified as helpful crew members. The information does not assign every captain to every departure, so you should not assume a particular person will be aboard.

How the private format changes the day

Private Snorkeling And Fishing Activity - How the private format changes the day

The $850 price covers one group of up to eight people. For a full boat, that is $106.25 per person. At four people, it becomes $212.50 per person, and at two people it is $425 each.

That math is the key to judging value. A full family group gets a private boat, custom timing, equipment, bait, water, soda, and access to several islands without paying a separate fare for every person. For a small pair, the same price is much harder to justify unless privacy is the main goal.

The private format also helps with family logistics. You can spend longer on the activity that suits the group and reduce time on the one that does not. The boat has adequate shade and room for a family, which is useful when someone needs a break from the sun or is finished snorkeling.

The four-hour length is another strength. You have enough time for multiple activities, but the outing does not consume an entire day. That can work well for a cruise stop or a Nassau visit with other plans. You still need to account for the boat ride, boarding, and transitions between islands, so do not expect four full hours in the water.

What is included, and what you should bring

Private Snorkeling And Fishing Activity - What is included, and what you should bring

The essentials are covered:

  • Bottled water
  • Soda
  • Snorkeling equipment
  • Fishing gear
  • Fishing bait

Rum punch or beer can be added to the cooler. Those drinks are not part of the stated included items, so confirm the extra cost before booking or before the trip begins.

Lunch is available for $25. Since the outing is only about four hours, you may not need a full meal, but the option is useful for a family that wants food handled without making its own arrangements. If you prefer to control your meal, ask what food is permitted before arriving.

Bring sun protection and a swimsuit or clothes suitable for getting wet. The provided details confirm shade, but not towels, sunscreen, dry bags, or a change of clothes. Pack those items only if you already know they are allowed or needed, and ask the operator about any uncertain item.

The boat has shade, but this remains an outdoor activity in open water. A hat, sunglasses, and protective clothing can make the ride and beach stops more comfortable. These are practical suggestions rather than included services.

Who will get the most from this outing

Private Snorkeling And Fishing Activity - Who will get the most from this outing

This trip suits a family or friend group with mixed interests. One person can fish while another snorkels, and the captain can adjust the day for different abilities. That flexibility is the central reason to choose a private charter instead of a shared excursion.

It is also a good match for people who prefer quiet beaches and less developed settings. The uninhabited islands offer a simple, natural stop rather than a schedule built around shops, entertainment, or large facilities.

Older adults can benefit from the personal help available during boarding. Captain Jason and his son Jason assisted people aged 90 and 86, which is encouraging for families who need some extra care. The tour is still based on a boat and water activities, so each person should judge their own comfort and ability.

I would be more cautious about booking it for a group that wants a guaranteed catch, a guaranteed turtle sighting, or a full meal included in the base price. Nature does not work on a fixed schedule, and the $850 fee pays for the private outing and equipment rather than a promised result.

Timing, weather, and cancellation

Private Snorkeling And Fishing Activity - Timing, weather, and cancellation

Confirmation is provided when you book, and the activity returns to the original meeting point. Mobile tickets make the booking simple, but you should still keep the meeting details accessible on the day.

Good weather is required. If poor weather cancels the outing, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. That policy is helpful, but it also means you should avoid building an important connecting plan around this boat trip without some flexibility.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off uses local time, so check the exact start time before making changes.

Service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation. Most people can participate, although the combination of boat boarding, snorkeling, fishing, and island stops still requires you to consider your group’s individual needs.

My verdict on the $850 price

The price is fair for eight people who want privacy and variety. You are paying for a boat reserved for your group, a crew that can adapt the route, several island stops, snorkeling gear, fishing equipment, bait, water, and soda. That is a solid package when divided among a full group.

The value falls quickly with fewer people. Two people paying $850 may prefer a less expensive shared outing unless the private setting is especially important. Four people sit in the middle: the cost is significant, but the custom plan and several activities may make it worthwhile for a special day.

The strongest praise centers on the crew’s helpful attitude and ability to find good fishing and snorkeling spots. Captain Jason and his son Jason helped an older couple board, while Eddie and Jim found a good reef and fishing areas. Those details matter because a private charter is only as good as the people running it.

Should you book this Rose Island charter?

Book it if you have a group of up to eight, want a private boat, and would like to combine snorkeling, fishing, and uninhabited beaches in one half-day outing. It is especially appealing for families with different interests or different levels of water experience.

Think twice if you have only two people, need a guaranteed catch, or want a fully catered beach day. For everyone else, the strongest case is simple: you get a flexible four-hour plan, isolated island stops, supplied gear, and a crew that can adjust the day instead of forcing your group into one activity.

FAQ

How much does the private snorkeling and fishing activity cost?

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

How long does the activity last?

The outing lasts approximately four hours.

Where does the activity start?

It starts at Colours of The Bahamas, located at 3MH4+M84 in Nassau, The Bahamas.

Where does the activity finish?

The boat returns to the same meeting point at the end of the outing.

How many islands will the boat visit?

The route visits three or four uninhabited tropical islands near Rose Island.

What types of fishing are available?

You can fish with light tackle for yellowtail snapper and trigger fish, or try spear fishing for lobster and grouper.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Are fishing gear and bait included?

Yes. Fishing gear and bait are included in the activity.

Are drinks included?

Bottled water and soda are included. Rum punch or beer can be added to the cooler.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch can be purchased for $25.

Can the outing be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The activity requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.

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