Honor Roll Private Bahamas Boat Charter

The best part of this Nassau boat charter is control. You are not following a rigid group schedule. The captain can take you snorkeling, to Rose Island beaches, past Green Cay for turtles, or on a faster ride across the water, depending on what your group wants that day. The 35-foot open boat gives you room to move, talk, and enjoy the sun.

I like the private setup for families and cruise-ship groups, especially since the boat holds up to 14 people for one flat price. I also like the practical extras: snorkeling gear, snacks, unlimited drinks, Bluetooth music, and group photos are included.

The main consideration is cost beyond the charter. The $1,750 price covers the boat and listed inclusions, but lunch usually costs another $20 to $25, and the swimming pig encounter adds $30 per person. The boat has no cabin, so you need to be comfortable spending several hours in full sun and open water.

Key things to know before you book

• Your group controls the day: The captain can adjust the plan around snorkeling, beach time, turtle watching, sightseeing, or a more exciting boat ride.
• The boat is open and spacious: The 35-foot vessel has no cabin, leaving more room for movement, music, and group celebrations.
• Rose Island is the main beach stop: You snorkel near the island, then return for time on the sand and casual games.
• Three optional-style costs matter: Lunch is usually $20 to $25, and the Athol Island pig encounter is $30 per person.
• The charter works well from a cruise ship: The departure point is at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Bahamas2 Marina on Paradise Island, and one family found it easy to reach on foot from the cruise port.
• Weather can change the plan: Poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund, while cancellations made at least 24 hours ahead receive a full refund.

A private boat day built around your group

Honor Roll Charters offers a straightforward idea: your party gets the boat, and the day can be shaped around your interests. The listed plan includes Rose Island, Athol Island, Green Cay, Sandy Cay, and another stop at Rose Island, but the captain can adjust the order and pace.

That flexibility matters in the Bahamas. A family with young children may want shorter water stops and more time on the beach. A birthday group may prefer music, drinks, and a faster ride between islands. A group focused on wildlife may want to spend more time looking for fish and turtles.

The charter lasts about four to eight hours. That is a wide range, so you should confirm the length you want when booking. The stops themselves add up to about three and a half hours, with the remaining time used for travel, harbour sightseeing, swimming, conversation, and whatever changes you make along the way.

Because the boat is private, you are not sharing the day with strangers. That makes the price easier to understand for a large party. At the full capacity of 14, $1,750 works out to $125 per person before lunch and the pig encounter. For 10 people, it comes to $175 each. For a smaller group, the same flat rate becomes much harder to justify.

Leaving from Margaritaville Marina

The meeting point is Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Bahamas2 Marina Drive on Paradise Island. The activity ends at the same place, which keeps the day simple for anyone staying nearby or visiting Nassau from a cruise ship.

One family of 10 arrived by cruise ship and found the marina easy to reach on foot from the port. That is useful, but you should still allow enough time to find the exact marina meeting point and gather your group before departure.

The boat is open, with no cabin. That design gives you more space to sit, move around, dance, and enjoy the view, but it also means there is no enclosed place to escape the sun or weather. Bring sensible sun protection and expect a boat day that feels fully outdoors.

Bluetooth music is included, so your group can set the mood. The setup fits birthdays, family outings, and casual celebrations, though you will want to keep the volume suitable for everyone on board.

Rose Island snorkeling in clear water

The first listed stop is Rose Island, where you snorkel over a coral reef in clear, shallow water. The fish are described as having a slight blue glow, which gives you a good sense of the setting: this is about easy, colorful reef viewing rather than a demanding underwater expedition.

All snorkeling equipment is included. That means a mask, snorkel, life vest, and fins are supplied. You do not need to bring your own gear unless you prefer a particular fit.

The one-hour snorkeling stop gives you enough time to get comfortable, swim around, and look for fish without rushing through the water. The life vests are useful for anyone who is not a strong swimmer, though you should still be comfortable taking part in an open-water activity.

This stop is likely to be one of the strongest parts of the day for people who want to see the Bahamas below the surface. It is also a good early activity because it gets everyone in the water before the beach time and sightseeing later.

Keep your expectations sensible. The supplied information describes coral reef snorkeling and fish, not a scuba excursion or a guaranteed wildlife show. Water conditions can affect visibility, and the captain may adjust the plan if the weather is poor.

Athol Island and the swimming pigs

At Athol Island, you can pay extra for a swimming pig encounter. The island is near Pearl Island, about 15 to 20 minutes from Nassau, and the pigs are described as friendly and intelligent. Snacks are provided in a cup for feeding them.

The pig encounter costs $30 per person and is not included in the charter price. That is an important detail for families, since the add-on can increase the final bill quickly. A group of 10 would add $300 before lunch.

This stop is likely to appeal most to children and anyone who wants an unusual photo opportunity. It also breaks up the day nicely after snorkeling. You move from looking beneath the water to interacting with animals near the shore.

The pig encounter is optional, so you can skip it if your group would rather spend more time swimming, sightseeing, or on the beach. Ask about the timing when you book, especially if your party includes children or people who do not want to feed the pigs.

Green Cay turtle watching

Green Cay is a short stop of about 30 minutes. Here, you watch and feed turtles in shallow water. The turtles may raise their heads above the surface, creating a simple but memorable wildlife moment.

This stop is done from the boat, according to the supplied plan. That makes it less demanding than snorkeling, and it gives people who prefer to stay dry a chance to take part. The shallow water also helps with visibility.

Thirty minutes is enough for a look and some photographs, but not a long wildlife session. Turtles are animals, not performers, so sightings and behavior can vary. You may see them come close, or you may spend more time watching the water and waiting.

I like this stop because it adds a quiet pause to a day that otherwise includes swimming, music, and beach activity. It also gives children another reason to pay attention to the water.

Sandy Cay and the Gilligan’s Island connection

The boat then visits Sandy Cay, known as Gilligan’s Island. The stop lasts about 30 minutes and focuses on nostalgic sightseeing and photographs connected with the television series.

This is a quick stop rather than a full island visit. If you know the show, the location gives the stop extra interest. If you do not, it still offers a change of scenery and a chance to take group photos.

The visit is free, with no admission charge listed. It works well as part of a private charter because your group can spend the time taking pictures instead of waiting for a larger tour party.

Do not book this charter solely for a long television-location tour. The Gilligan’s Island stop is one piece of a broader day that includes reef snorkeling, wildlife, boating, and beach time.

Returning to Rose Island for beach time

The final listed stop returns to Rose Island for about 30 minutes of beach time and games. This is the least structured part of the day, which is exactly why it can work well at the end.

You can cool off, sit on the sand, play games, and take more photos. The beach gives your group a chance to slow down after several stops on the water. If you have children, this may be an easier finish than ending with another organized activity.

The listed time is only 30 minutes, but the company describes the charter as flexible. Ask whether more beach time can be arranged if that is your main goal. The captain explains what is available, and your group helps decide how to use the day.

What comes with the $1,750 price

The charter costs $1,750 per group of up to 14 people. That flat rate is strongest for a large party. At full capacity, you get a private boat day for $125 per person before optional costs, which can compare well with separate private excursions for a family or celebration group.

For a smaller group, the math changes. Two or four people would still pay the full group rate, so this is not the natural choice for a couple or a tiny party. The charter makes more financial sense when you can fill much of the boat.

Included features are useful rather than decorative:

• Snorkel masks and snorkels
• Life vests
• Fins
• Chips and cookies
• Unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
• Bluetooth music
• Photos of your group or family sent afterward

The drinks selection is intended for both adults and children. One family specifically appreciated the child-friendly snacks and the range of adult and non-alcoholic beverages.

Lunch is not included. The usual additional cost is $20 to $25, depending on what you order. One family enjoyed a fresh-made lunch on a beautiful beach, but you should treat that as part of the available food arrangement rather than assume a particular menu.

The photo service is another helpful extra. The crew takes pictures of your group and sends them to you, which means you can put your phone down for part of the day. You may still want to bring a waterproof phone case if you prefer to take your own underwater pictures.

The crew, pace, and group atmosphere

The strongest praise centers on the captains. Guests describe them as attentive and helpful, with plentiful snacks and a good selection of drinks. That matters on a private boat because the crew has room to respond to your group rather than manage a full public excursion.

The boat is set up for different moods. You can keep things relaxed with beach time and turtle watching, or ask for a safe, faster ride across the water. The description emphasizes that the boat operates at a safe speed, but any faster ride may not suit people prone to motion sickness.

This is a social experience. Music, drinks, snacks, and an open deck make it a good fit for birthdays, family reunions, and groups of friends. It is less suited to someone seeking a silent, highly formal wildlife tour.

The private format also helps families with children. You can adjust the pace, take breaks, and skip an activity without worrying about holding up a large public group. Still, everyone should be comfortable with sun, water, boat movement, and a full day outdoors.

Who should book this Nassau charter?

I would look first at this charter if you have a group of 8 to 14 people and want one private day on the water. Cruise-ship groups are a strong match, especially if you want something more personal than a standard ship excursion and can reach the marina during your port visit.

It also fits families with mixed interests. One person can focus on snorkeling, another can enjoy beach time, children can feed pigs or watch turtles, and the whole group can share lunch and music between stops.

Birthday groups and other celebrations should appreciate the open layout, Bluetooth music, drinks, and group photos. The ability to change the pace is a real advantage when the group has different ideas about what makes a good day.

I would think twice if you have only one or two people, dislike direct sun, or want a fixed price with no add-ons. The pig encounter and lunch are extra, and the open boat has no cabin. You also need good weather for the trip to operate.

Booking data suggests people reserve this experience about 63 days ahead on average. That is not a rule, but it is a useful hint for cruise dates, birthdays, and busy holiday periods. The charter is private, so there is no need to share the boat with other parties once your reservation is confirmed.

Cancellation, weather, and practical details

Confirmation is provided when you book, and mobile tickets are accepted. Public transportation is nearby, and the activity returns to the same marina where it begins.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted, and the amount paid is not refunded for a late cancellation.

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes the company to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. Cutoff times use local Bahamas time, so keep that in mind if you are booking from another time zone.

Should you book Honor Roll Private Bahamas Boat Charter?

Book it if you have a large group and want a flexible Nassau water day rather than a fixed public excursion. The combination of coral reef snorkeling, turtles, swimming pigs, Rose Island beach time, music, drinks, and group photos gives you plenty to do without forcing everyone into one narrow activity.

The price is easiest to defend with 10 to 14 people. Budget separately for lunch and the $30-per-person pig encounter, then decide if those extras fit your plans. If your group is small, compare the flat charter rate with other options first.

For families, cruise-ship groups, and birthday parties, this is a practical choice with a friendly, adjustable pace. Just arrive ready for sun, open water, and a day where the final shape depends on your group.

FAQ

How much does the private Bahamas boat charter cost?

The price is $1,750 per group, with up to 14 people included.

How long does the charter last?

The experience lasts approximately four to eight hours.

Where does the boat leave from?

The meeting point is Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Bahamas2 Marina Drive on Paradise Island, New Providence Island. The activity ends at the same location.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Masks, snorkels, life vests, and fins are included.

Does the swimming pig encounter cost extra?

Yes. The pig encounter at Athol Island costs an additional $30 per person.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. If poor weather causes the company to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.