Private Snorkeling or Fishing from Nassau – 31ft Sitting Pretty

A fishing trip that lets you change your mind at sea is the real draw here. From Nassau, you can head offshore for big-water fishing, switch to lighter inshore action, snorkel a reef, look for turtles, or spend time on a beach. Captain Bobo and Cyrus have helped families mix several of these choices into one four-hour outing.

I like the private format, since your group controls the pace rather than sharing a boat with strangers. I also like the beginner-friendly setup: bait, tackle, snorkel equipment, bottled water, ice, and a bathroom are included. The main consideration is time. Four hours can pass quickly if you try fishing, snorkeling, swimming, and sightseeing all in one trip.

Key points to know before booking

• A private 31-foot Bertram carries up to six people, making the price easier to assess for a family or small group.
• You choose the plan with your captain, including offshore fishing, inshore fishing, reef snorkeling, beach time, and harbor sightseeing.
• Captain Bobo and Cyrus have earned special praise for helping first-time fishers and families feel safe and involved.
• The four-hour charter is flexible but limited, while the eight-hour option gives you time to combine more activities.
• Turtles, reef fish, spider crabs, and tuna are possible highlights, though fishing and wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.
• The meeting point is Carnivale Bahamas at Sterling Marina, with no hotel transportation included.

Setting out from Sterling Marina in Nassau

Your outing begins at Carnivale Bahamas, 1 Marina Way, at Sterling Marina in Hurricane Hole on Paradise Island. You meet the crew there and board Sitting Pretty, a 31-foot Bertram built for a small private group.

The boat takes up to six people. That number matters. Six is a comfortable size for a family or group of friends, but the fishing space will feel more active when everyone is handling lines at once. If you have a choice of group size, ask yourself how much room each person wants for fishing gear, movement, and shade.

Once aboard, you talk with the captain about your priorities. This is not a fixed sightseeing route where every group gets the same stops. You can explain that fishing matters most, or that you want a little fishing followed by snorkeling and turtle spotting. The crew then helps shape the outing around the four-hour or eight-hour window.

I like this approach because weather, sea conditions, and the mood of your group can affect the best plan. A family with young fishers might prefer a shorter run and lighter tackle. An experienced angler may want to spend more time offshore. A mixed group can split the day between fishing and swimming instead of asking everyone to commit to one activity.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the marina. Cruise ship passengers should provide the ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time when booking. That information helps the operator judge whether the charter fits your port day.

Choosing between four hours and eight hours

The four-hour option is the practical choice for a half-day outing. It works well if you want to test your sea legs, introduce children to fishing, or combine one main activity with a shorter second stop.

A four-hour plan might focus on inshore fishing with time for a reef swim. It could also be used for offshore fishing followed by a quick snorkel. The more running time you spend getting to a distant fishing spot, the less time remains for other activities, so tell the captain what matters most before leaving the marina.

The eight-hour charter gives you more breathing room. You can spend longer fishing, make room for snorkeling and turtle watching, and still have time for a beach stop or harbor sightseeing. It is the better fit for a group with several different interests, though it also asks you to commit a full day to the water.

The price shown is $825 per group, with the booking information listing the rate for up to one person while the boat itself accepts up to six. Because party pricing can be displayed in a confusing way, confirm the total cost for your full group before paying. For six people, a private boat can offer fair value compared with booking several separate activities, especially since fishing equipment and snorkel gear are supplied.

Fishing offshore, inshore, and close to the reef

Fishing is the main reason to book this charter, but you are not locked into one type of fishing. Your captain can take you toward deeper offshore water or keep the boat closer to shore for inshore fishing.

The offshore option offers the chance at larger fish. One outing produced three tuna, while another group caught a much larger total of fish. Those results show the possible payoff, not a promise. Sea conditions, timing, skill, and the fish themselves all affect the catch.

A trip offshore can also bring a small frustration. One family went about 10 miles out and found mostly seaweed before the captain shifted the plan closer to shore and used lighter tackle. That is useful information for beginners. A slow start does not mean the day is over, and a good captain may adjust the fishing style rather than stubbornly staying in one spot.

Inshore fishing can be a better match for children and first-time fishers. The lighter equipment may make it easier to feel a bite and handle a fish. One first-time fisher landed a fish without help, and a family with children ages 12, 16, and 18 used the half-day trip as a lesson in the basics.

All necessary fishing equipment, bait, and tackle are provided. You do not need to arrive with rods or a tackle box. The crew can offer as much help as you need, which makes this suitable for a group where one person has fishing experience and everyone else is learning.

The practical question is what happens to the catch. Some groups arranged to have their fish cooked at a nearby restaurant, including Margaritaville and a location on Rose Island. Food and drinks are not included in the charter, so any cooking arrangement or meal is an extra cost and should be confirmed separately.

Snorkeling reefs and spotting sea turtles

Snorkeling gives nonfishers something to do while lines are out, and it can also become the main event. The boat carries snorkel gear in a range of sizes, so you do not need to bring your own equipment.

The crew can take you to a reef with schools of fish. One particularly memorable stop included a spider crab, while several outings included sea turtles. Another group saw hundreds of fish and spent time swimming with turtles. These sightings are possible highlights, not guaranteed performances. Wildlife keeps its own schedule.

The snorkeling works especially well for families with mixed interests. One person can fish while another swims, then everyone can switch. That flexibility is more useful than it may sound, since four hours on a boat can feel long if only one person in the group enjoys fishing.

You should still think about your own comfort in the water. The supplied information confirms snorkel equipment, but it does not specify flotation devices, wetsuits, or individual instruction. Ask the operator about any special equipment you need before departure. The boat does have a bathroom, which is a welcome practical feature on a half-day trip.

Beach time, swimming, and harbor sightseeing

The captain can also include beaching, swimming, or sightseeing around Nassau Harbor. These choices make the charter less dependent on a successful catch.

A beach stop gives you a break from the fishing routine. It can be a good choice for children who need to move around or for anyone who wants a quiet stretch of the day. Swimming and turtle spotting add another way to enjoy the water without requiring everyone to handle fishing gear.

Harbor sightseeing is the gentlest option. If your group wants views and a relaxed boat ride rather than constant activity, tell the captain. You can use the private setting to see the harbor at your own pace instead of fitting into a large group schedule.

The tradeoff is simple: every added activity reduces fishing time. I would choose one main goal and one supporting activity for the four-hour charter. For example, make fishing the priority and snorkeling the bonus, or plan a reef and turtle outing with only a short fishing session.

What the crew adds to the day

The crew is a major part of the experience. Captain Bobo and Cyrus are singled out for their friendly help, fishing ability, and care with families. Freddie is also praised as a helpful crew member on another outing.

That matters most if you are new to fishing. A private charter can be intimidating when you do not know how to bait a hook, hold a rod, or respond when a fish bites. Here, the crew can guide you through the process and adjust the level of assistance to suit your group.

The strongest pattern is practical help rather than formal instruction. You get a crew that can suggest spots, provide gear, help with fishing, and explain points of interest around the island. If you want an advanced technical fishing lesson, ask what kind of instruction is available when you book.

Safety is another positive point for families. One family felt secure throughout the outing, and the crew helped children and adults take part. Still, you remain responsible for telling the operator about swimming ability, medical concerns, or special needs before boarding.

Comfort and what to bring

The Bertram has a bathroom, fishing gear, snorkel equipment, a cooler with ice, and bottled water. Those inclusions reduce the amount of equipment you need to carry to the marina.

Food and other drinks are not included. For four hours, bring any snacks your group needs or ask in advance what you may bring aboard. The supplied information confirms bottled water, but not meals or a catered option.

For a water day, I would pack swimwear, a towel, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a dry change of clothes. Those are sensible personal items rather than supplied features, so confirm anything essential with the operator before you leave.

The boat is a working fishing charter, not a luxury yacht. You should expect a practical platform for fishing and water activities rather than a formal lounge or full-service vessel. That is part of the appeal, but it is worth keeping your expectations in the right place.

Who gets the best value from this Nassau charter?

This trip suits a family that cannot agree on one activity. The fishing enthusiast can pursue tuna or other catches, the beginner can learn the basics, and the swimmer can head to the reef or look for turtles.

It also works well for a small group of friends who want privacy and control over the schedule. You can spend more time fishing if the action is good, or change plans if the sea is quiet.

Beginners are welcome. The crew supplies the equipment and can help you get started, and the outing does not require previous fishing experience. Children can take part, though parents should consider each child’s comfort on a boat and in the water.

This may be less suitable if your only goal is guaranteed trophy fishing. No charter can promise a catch, and the day may include slow periods, seaweed, or a change from offshore to inshore fishing. It is also not the best fit for someone who wants a fixed sightseeing itinerary with no decision-making.

Booking details and weather plans

Confirmation is provided at booking. The activity is private, and only your group takes part.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded, and late changes are not accepted. The cut-off uses local time.

The charter requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. Since the exact route and activity mix depend on sea conditions, keep some flexibility in your Nassau schedule.

Should you book Sitting Pretty?

I would book this charter if your group wants choice rather than a rigid route. The strongest reason is the ability to combine fishing, snorkeling, turtle spotting, swimming, beach time, and harbor sightseeing with your own captain.

The four-hour option is a good test for families and first-time fishers, but set a clear priority before you board. If you want several stops and plenty of fishing time, choose eight hours. The private boat, supplied gear, helpful crew, and chance to arrange a fresh-catch meal make the cost easier to justify for a full group of up to six.

Skip it if your budget is based on a one-person price and you have not confirmed the total for your party, or if you need a guaranteed catch. For everyone else, this is a flexible Nassau water day with enough structure to feel organized and enough freedom to feel personal.

FAQ

How long is the private charter?

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

How many people can join the boat?

The 31-foot Bertram can take up to six people for a private charter.

What activities can I choose?

You can plan deep sea fishing, inshore fishing, reef snorkeling, beach time, swimming, turtle spotting, or sightseeing around Nassau Harbor with the captain.

Are fishing and snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. The charter includes bait and tackle, all necessary fishing equipment, and snorkel equipment in a variety of sizes.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The meeting point is Carnivale Bahamas at Sterling Marina, Hurricane Hole, Paradise Island.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes the charter to be canceled, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.