Half Day Private Yacht Charters

Nassau’s best moments are often found offshore, where a short boat ride brings you to live coral heads, white-sand beaches, and clear water for swimming. This private charter lets your group choose the departure time and shape the outing around water activities rather than follow a fixed sightseeing schedule.

I like the private format, especially for a group of family or friends who want the yacht to themselves. I also like the easy access from 72 E Bay Street, with the boat reaching nearby island areas in about 20 minutes. The main drawback is the price: at $8,000 for up to 10 people, this is a major splurge, and the four-hour trip gives you time for either Rose Island or pig island, not both.

Key points at a glance

• Private yacht for up to 10 people: Your group has the boat to itself, with no unrelated passengers added.
• Choose your departure time: The standard meeting information lists 8:00 am, but the charter also allows you to choose when to leave.
• Snorkel over real coral: The trip includes access to live coral heads and clear Bahamian water.
• Rose Island or pig island: On a four-hour outing, you visit one main destination. Pig island requires an entry fee.
• Free nonmotorized water toys: These are included, while WaveRunner use costs extra.
• Bring your own food: A chef can be added for an additional fee, giving you another way to handle meals onboard.

A private start from Nassau’s 72 E Bay Street

The charter begins at 72 E Bay Street in Nassau, and the boat returns to the same meeting point. That simple out-and-back setup matters on a short trip. You are not spending half the morning getting to a distant marina or arranging a second pickup.

The listed start time is 8:00 am, but you can choose your departure time with the operator. Confirm that time before you go, since the flexibility is one of the useful advantages of booking a private boat rather than joining a set group excursion.

The trip is designed for up to 10 passengers. That is a good size for a family gathering, birthday group, or group of friends. At the same time, the price is charged per group, not per person, so the value changes sharply depending on how many people join.

The crew is licensed and described as highly experienced on the water. That is important here because a charter like this depends on practical judgment: selecting a good place to stop, keeping the schedule moving, and helping the group make the most of four hours.

What $8,000 means for your group

The listed price is $8,000 per group of up to 10 people. If you fill all 10 spaces, the simple split is $800 per person. For six people, the cost works out to about $1,333 each, and for four people it reaches $2,000 each.

That is not a casual beach excursion price. You are paying for privacy, a yacht, a dedicated crew, and the freedom to choose your departure time. The charter makes the most financial sense when your group values those things and plans to use the boat actively.

I would not book this expecting a cheap way to get on the water. I would book it for a special occasion or for a group that wants control over the day. A private boat also lets you spend more time swimming and less time waiting for other passengers to board, gather, or finish an activity.

The four-hour limit keeps the outing manageable, but it also sets a firm ceiling on what you can do. You can swim, snorkel, visit a beach, and add other activities, but you should not expect a full-day island-hopping schedule.

Choosing between Rose Island and pig island

For the four-hour trip, the main plan is to visit Rose Island or pig island. You do not get both as standard stops on the same short outing. That choice is worth making before departure so your group has a clear idea of what matters most.

Rose Island offers the classic private-boat mix: a nearby island, secluded beaches, white sand, swimming, and time away from Nassau’s main waterfront. If your group wants a calm beach stop and room to enjoy the boat at its own pace, Rose Island may be the better fit.

Pig island is the more unusual choice. The activity allows you to visit the local pigs, but an entry fee applies. Add that fee to your planning, and ask the operator to confirm the current amount before the trip.

The pig visit is likely to be the centerpiece for families and anyone who wants a distinctive photo opportunity. It may be less appealing if your priority is quiet beach time or snorkeling. Since the trip is short, choosing the pig stop means giving up the Rose Island visit.

Snorkeling over live coral heads

The snorkeling portion focuses on real live coral heads, rather than simply swimming in open water. Coral formations give you something to look for beneath the surface, with small marine life and changing shapes adding interest to the stop.

The water is described as crystal clear, and the charter also includes swimming with turtles as one of the possible activities. I would treat that as part of the planned experience, but remember that wildlife sightings can never be controlled to the minute.

You should be comfortable in the water before choosing snorkeling as the main reason for booking. The available details say most people can participate, but they do not provide a lesson, lifeguard service, or a full list of included snorkeling equipment. Ask what gear is supplied before you arrive, particularly if anyone in your group needs a particular mask or flotation aid.

The coral stop is one of the strongest reasons to choose this charter over a simple beach transfer. You are not only being taken to an island. You are also getting a chance to see a living underwater habitat in a part of the Bahamas known for clear water.

Swimming, beaches, and nonmotorized water toys

The charter includes swimming, time on secluded beaches, and free use of all nonmotorized water toys. That can make the boat feel more like a private base for the day than a transport service.

You might spend part of the outing in the water, then dry off on a white-sand beach, then return onboard for food and drinks. The exact order is flexible, which is helpful for groups with different energy levels.

The word nonmotorized matters. The included toys do not cover the WaveRunner. If someone in your group wants a faster ride, that is an add-on with an additional charge. Confirm the cost and availability in advance rather than assuming it is included in the $8,000.

A WaveRunner can change the feel of the outing. It gives an active group another way to use the water, but it also takes time from snorkeling, beach walking, or a relaxed meal. On a four-hour charter, you will want to decide whether that extra activity is worth the tradeoff.

Food, drinks, and the onboard chef option

You may bring your own food, which is the simplest way to manage lunch or snacks. That option can also help control the cost, since the base price does not include a chef or onboard meal service.

A chef is available as an add-on. This may suit a special celebration or a group that wants the meal to be part of the occasion. It is not essential for a basic half-day outing, particularly if you prefer to keep the schedule focused on swimming and snorkeling.

The provided details also refer to drinks as an add-on, so ask exactly what is included before booking those extras. The base arrangement is best understood as a private boat experience where you bring your own food unless you pay for additional service.

I would plan food around the four-hour schedule. Pack items that are easy to serve and eat onboard, and bring enough water for everyone. The supplied information confirms that you can bring food, but it does not give a detailed onboard kitchen or storage list.

What the crew and boat experience add

The crew is licensed and has extensive experience on the water. You want that practical support on a private charter, especially when the group includes people with different comfort levels in the sea.

The boat itself is described as clean and organized, with a rooftop area offering wide views. That detail matters more than it may first seem. A clean, orderly yacht makes it easier to move between swimming, snorkeling, eating, and relaxing without feeling cramped or confused.

One party of nine found the crew welcoming and friendly, and the yacht’s upper views were a highlight. The same group enjoyed snorkeling and wished they had booked a longer trip. That is useful advice: four hours may feel short once you include travel time, swimming, a beach stop, food, and any paid extras.

The crew’s friendly approach is especially valuable on a private charter because your interaction with them shapes the whole outing. You are not simply buying transportation. You are relying on the crew to help turn a broad list of possible activities into a workable plan.

Who should book this charter

I would recommend this charter most strongly to a group of up to 10 people that wants privacy and can share the cost. It suits families, couples traveling together, and friends marking a special event.

It is also a good match for people who want several choices in one outing: coral snorkeling, swimming, a beach, turtles, island time, and optional motorized fun. You get more control than with a fixed group cruise.

This is less suitable for a solo visitor or a small party unwilling to pay for unused spaces. The per-group price means that a half-empty boat becomes expensive quickly.

You should also think carefully about the four-hour duration. If you want both islands, an unhurried meal, lengthy snorkeling, a WaveRunner ride, and plenty of beach time, this schedule will feel tight. The charter is better for choosing a few priorities and enjoying them without rushing.

Booking details and cancellation rules

Confirmation is provided when you book. Service animals are allowed, public transportation is nearby, and the activity is private, so only your group participates.

The charter requires good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can receive a full refund or choose another date. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

Because departure time is flexible, confirm the agreed start time and meeting point with the operator. The standard details list 8:00 am, while the charter terms say you may choose when to leave.

Should you book it?

Book this yacht charter if you have a full group, want a private day on the water, and care more about freedom than low cost. The best parts are the dedicated boat, the short run from Nassau, the live coral snorkeling, and the ability to choose between Rose Island and pig island.

Skip it if you are watching your budget, have only a few people, or want both island stops in one four-hour outing. For those who do book, decide your main activity before departure, ask about the WaveRunner and chef charges, and remember that pig island has its own entry fee.

The strongest case for this experience is a group of eight to 10 people who will actually use the boat, bring or arrange food, and focus on a clear plan. In that situation, the private setting can make the high price feel more reasonable. Just keep your expectations tied to the four-hour clock.

FAQ

How long is the private yacht charter?

The charter lasts approximately four hours.

Where does the charter start and end?

It starts at 72 E Bay Street in Nassau, The Bahamas, and returns to the same meeting point.

What time does the charter depart?

The standard start time is listed as 8:00 am, but you can choose your departure time with the operator.

How many people can join?

The yacht allows up to 10 passengers. More than 10 people require an additional charge.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates in the charter.

Can I visit both Rose Island and pig island?

For the four-hour tour, the plan is to visit either Rose Island or pig island, not both as standard stops.

Is the pig island entry fee included?

No. An entry fee applies for the pig island visit.

Is a WaveRunner included?

No. WaveRunner use is an add-on and costs extra. Nonmotorized water toys are included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can receive a full refund or select another date.