Private Snorkeling or Fishing in Nassau – 55ft Cocorijo

The best part of this Nassau charter is that you can make the day fit your group. On the 55-foot Hatteras Cocorijo, you can combine snorkeling, fishing, swimming, beach time, or a stop at Gilligan’s Island instead of following a fixed route. I especially like the private setting, with room for up to 10 people, and the chance to ask the crew questions without sharing the boat with strangers.

I also like the practical family appeal. Captain Roscoe, Cleo, and Kassandra have helped young children feel safe and included, while fishing groups have caught everything from grouper to a reef shark. The main drawback is cost: at $1,650 per group, it makes the most sense for a larger party, and fishing is never guaranteed.

Key points to know before you book

• A private 55-foot Hatteras: Your group has the boat and crew to itself, with space for up to 10 people.
• You choose the mix: Pick two activities, such as snorkeling, fishing, swimming, sunbathing, or an island visit.
• A flexible four-hour outing: The charter can focus on water time or include a stop at Gilligan’s Island or Rose Island.
• A strong family setup: The crew has received repeated praise for helping children and keeping groups comfortable.
• Useful gear is included: Snorkel equipment, fishing equipment, bottled water, ice, and local beer are provided.
• Food and some stop costs are extra: Lunch at Footprints Beach Bar and Grill and its landing fee are not included.

A private boat instead of a fixed Nassau tour

This experience begins at Carnivale Bahamas, located at Sterling Marina in Hurricane Hole on Paradise Island. From there, your party boards Cocorijo, a 55-foot Hatteras maintained for private charters.

The four-hour format is simple but useful. You are not locked into one narrow activity. You can choose two main pursuits, then spend spare time swimming, relaxing on the boat, or enjoying the scenery. That flexibility matters in Nassau, where one person may want reef time, another may prefer fishing, and someone else may be happiest on a beach.

The group limit is up to 10 people. At the listed price of $1,650 per group, the rough cost is $165 per person if you fill all 10 places. For four people, it works out to $412.50 each, before any extra food or landing charges. I see this as a sensible splurge for a family or friend group that would otherwise book several separate outings, but it is expensive for a small party.

The charter is private, so you do not need to adapt your plans to another group’s pace. That is particularly handy if you have young children, mixed swimming abilities, or family members who want to alternate between active time and sitting in the sun.

How to shape the four-hour itinerary

You can choose two activities from a menu that includes snorkeling, deep sea or inshore fishing, swimming, beach time, sunbathing, and a visit to Gilligan’s Island. The exact order depends on your choices and conditions.

A useful plan for a mixed group is snorkeling followed by a beach or island stop. That gives you active time in the water first, while everyone is still fresh, then a slower stretch for swimming and relaxing. If fishing is the priority, tell the crew early so the captain can use the charter time accordingly.

The trip is not presented as a rigid sightseeing circuit. That is its main appeal. You can ask about the best fit for your group, and the crew can explain what is realistic within four hours. Still, remember that every extra stop uses boating time. Trying to combine several fishing areas, two snorkeling sites, a beach, and lunch could leave each activity feeling rushed.

Snorkeling near Gilligan’s Island and Rose Island

The snorkeling is designed around some of the Bahamas’ popular reef areas, with the crew explaining the marine life and underwater plants you see. Snorkel equipment is included, so you do not need to pack your own mask and fins unless you prefer a personal fit.

One reported outing snorkeled in an area between Gilligan’s Island and Rose Island before heading to an island where the group saw sea turtles. That gives you a good idea of the experience: the water portion can be paired with wildlife viewing and a scenic stop, rather than treated as a single quick swim.

The advantage of a private boat is time. If your group is comfortable in the water, you can focus on the reef instead of waiting for a large boatload of people to enter and exit. If younger children need help, the crew can give more direct attention. Several families specifically appreciated the crew’s help with children and the feeling of safety on board.

The conditions still matter. Snorkeling depends on weather and sea conditions, and visibility can change. This is not an aquarium with guaranteed animal sightings. You may see colorful reef life and underwater plants, but the exact experience depends on the site chosen that day.

Fishing from Cocorijo

Fishing is available as either deep sea or inshore fishing. All necessary fishing equipment is supplied, which makes this a convenient choice if you want to try fishing without bringing gear or arranging a separate charter.

The catch can be worthwhile. One half-day outing produced a 25-pound grouper that the group later ate for dinner, along with a six-foot reef shark. Another family caught fish they were able to enjoy fresh. These details show the range of possible results, but they should not be treated as a promise.

One important caution comes from a less successful fishing trip. A family reported spending the half-day without a bite and felt the boat moved too fast for the lines to work well. That is a fair reminder that fishing depends on weather, technique, location, and luck. If catching fish is the main reason you are booking, ask the captain what type of fishing is most sensible for the day and what your group should expect.

I would choose the fishing option when at least one person in the group genuinely enjoys the process, not only the idea of bringing home dinner. For children, even setting lines and watching the crew work can be fun, but a fish-free outing is always possible.

Gilligan’s Island and Rose Island stops

Gilligan’s Island is described as one of the most photographed islands in the world, making it a strong choice if your group wants scenery, a swim, and photos rather than a full fishing session. The name alone may draw fans of the classic television show, but the practical appeal is the setting, not a themed attraction.

Rose Island offers a different kind of stop. On afternoon or full-day charters, you may choose Footprints Beach Bar and Grill, which sits beside a white sandy beach and clear turquoise water. You can order lunch, listen to music, use the bar, sunbathe, or take part in activities such as volleyball and billiards.

This is a pleasant way to break up time on the boat, especially for a group with mixed interests. Someone can swim, another person can eat, and someone else can simply sit on the beach. The catch is that lunch and the landing fee are not included in the charter price. You should treat Footprints as an optional paid stop, not part of the basic $1,650 package.

The supplied details specifically mention Footprints for afternoon or full-day charters. If you are booking the standard four-hour outing, confirm whether the timing allows this stop and ask about the current landing charge before departure.

The crew and the feel on board

The crew is one of the strongest reasons to consider this charter. Captain Roscoe, mate Cleo, and stewardess Kassandra are repeatedly associated with private snorkeling, fishing, and family trips. Their roles give the outing a useful balance: Roscoe handles the boat and route, Cleo helps with water activities and fishing, and Kassandra provides service on board.

The praise is not limited to one type of group. Families with young children valued the crew’s patience and help. Couples and friend groups liked the social atmosphere, clean boat, and relaxed feel. Repeat customers returned for another charter with the same crew, which is a meaningful sign for anyone comparing private operators.

Other crew members have also operated trips, including Ding, Keith, Chris, Karro, Davy, Tyson, Bobo, and Freddy. The exact crew may vary, so do not book on the assumption that Roscoe, Cleo, and Kassandra will always be assigned. If having a particular crew member matters to you, ask when arranging the charter.

The overall rating is 4.9 from 42 reviews, with 95 percent recommending the experience. That is a strong record, though the fishing complaint is worth keeping in mind. The most consistent strengths are hospitality, safety, boat cleanliness, and the ability to adjust the day to the group.

What is included, and what you still pay for

The charter includes a local captain and guide, bottled water, an ice cooler, snorkel equipment, fishing equipment, and local beer. The details also list alcoholic beverages as included, specifically local beer.

Food and drinks are otherwise listed as not included unless specified. Since the wording is slightly mixed, I would ask exactly what beverages are supplied before you board, especially if you need soft drinks, extra alcohol, or a particular type of water.

You also pay separately for food and any landing fee connected with Footprints Beach Bar and Grill. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off listed. You need to reach the marina yourself, although one past charter arrangement included a pickup from a hotel jetty. That appears to have been a special arrangement, so confirm directly rather than assuming hotel pickup is standard.

Bring sun protection, a swimsuit, and anything you need for personal comfort. The provided details confirm water, ice, and equipment, but do not promise towels, meals, or specific personal items.

Who gets the best value from the $1,650 price

I think the price works best for groups of eight to 10 people. At full capacity, you get a private boat, captain, crew, gear, and several possible activities for a per-person cost that can compare well with separate private excursions.

A group of five pays $330 per person before extras. That can still be worthwhile if privacy, flexible timing, and a dedicated crew are important to you. For two or three people, the same price is harder to justify unless you specifically want a private yacht charter and are comfortable paying for the space.

The boat also gives you more control than a standard shared trip. You can skip fishing if nobody wants it, spend longer snorkeling if conditions are good, or choose beach time for a quieter afternoon. That control is part of what you are paying for.

Do not choose this solely because you want guaranteed fish, a guaranteed turtle sighting, or a cheap way to get to the beach. Choose it because your group values flexibility and wants to use one boat for several kinds of Nassau experiences.

Timing, weather, and cancellation details

Confirmation is provided when you book. Cruise ship passengers need to provide the ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time. That information lets the operator judge whether the charter fits safely within your port call.

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can 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 refunded or accepted.

I would leave a little breathing room around a cruise departure. A private boat offers flexibility, but sea conditions and marina timing can still affect the day. Most people can participate, although the supplied information does not give specific guidance about mobility access or medical conditions, so ask the operator if those issues apply to someone in your group.

Is the private Cocorijo charter right for you?

I would book this if you have a family or friend group that wants more than one activity and values having the boat to itself. It is especially well suited to groups with children, mixed interests, or a strong preference for a personal crew.

I would also consider it for a special Nassau day when snorkeling, fishing, and island time all appeal. The crew’s record with families, the clean 55-foot boat, and the option to adjust the plan make the experience more useful than a narrow one-purpose tour.

I would skip it if you are a small group focused only on inexpensive snorkeling, or if catching fish is your only goal. The price is high for two or three people, and no fishing charter can promise a catch.

For a full group that wants a private, flexible day on the water, Cocorijo offers a convincing mix of comfort, choice, and local scenery. Book early if your dates are fixed, since the charter is often reserved well ahead of time, with bookings averaging about 50 days in advance.

FAQ

Where does the charter begin?

The charter begins at Carnivale Bahamas, 1 Marina Way, Paradise Island, at Sterling Marina in Hurricane Hole, The Bahamas.

Where does the activity end?

The charter ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the experience?

The standard activity lasts approximately four hours.

How many people can join the private charter?

Up to 10 people can join one private group charter.

What activities can I choose?

You can choose activities such as snorkeling, deep sea fishing, inshore fishing, swimming, sunbathing, beach time, and a visit to Gilligan’s Island. On afternoon or full-day charters, you may also choose a stop at Footprints Beach Bar and Grill on Rose Island.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkel equipment is included, along with fishing equipment.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included unless specifically stated. Lunch at Footprints Beach Bar and Grill is extra, and the landing fee is also not included.

Are drinks provided?

Bottled water and an ice cooler are provided, and local beer is listed as included. Other food and drinks are not included unless specified, so confirm the beverage details before your trip.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather cancels the charter, you are offered another date or a full refund.