Reviewed · SNORKELING

Private Snorkeling And Fishing Activity

★ 5.0 · 62 reviews Operated by Island Time Charters · Bookable on Viator
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Three or four uninhabited islands, bright coral reefs, quiet beaches, and your own private boat: that is the appeal here. You can spend the day snorkeling, fishing, or switching between both, rather than following a fixed schedule. I especially like the custom itinerary and the chance to reach quieter water off Rose Island.

I also like the practical setup: a roomy center-console boat with shade, snorkeling gear, fishing gear, bait, water, and soda included. Captain Jason and his son Jason have helped older family members board and leave the boat, while Eddie and Jim have worked hard to find productive fishing spots. The main consideration is the weather-dependent schedule, and four hours may feel short if your group wants plenty of time for both fishing and snorkeling.

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 visit quiet tropical beaches away from Nassau’s main harbor activity.
  • Snorkeling for different abilities: The crew can adjust the day to suit your group, with coral reefs, fish, and turtles.
  • Two types of fishing: Choose light tackle for yellowtail snapper and triggerfish, or ask about spear fishing for lobster and grouper.
  • Private boat for up to eight: Your group does not share the activity with strangers, and the plan can change during the day.
  • Shade and refreshments included: The boat has shaded space, water, soda, and snorkeling and fishing equipment.
  • Four-hour outing from Nassau: Lunch is not included, but it can be purchased for $25.

Why this private Nassau outing feels different

Private Snorkeling And Fishing Activity - Why this private Nassau outing feels different

Many Nassau water activities follow a set route and a set pace. This one gives you more control. You leave Nassau by speedboat and head toward the isolated areas around Rose Island, where the beaches are quiet and the water offers both reef snorkeling and fishing opportunities.

That flexibility matters most for families and mixed groups. One person may want to snorkel, another may prefer to fish, and someone else may be happy to sit under the shade and watch the water. The crew can shape the day around those preferences instead of asking everyone to do the same thing at the same time.

The boat holds up to eight people, so this works best as a small family or friend-group outing. At $850 per group, the price is not low for two people. Split among eight people, though, it comes to $106.25 per person before any lunch or optional rum punch and beer. For a full private boat, equipment, drinks, bait, and a flexible plan, that can be fair value for a larger group.

You should also understand what you are paying for. This is not simply transportation to a beach. It combines boat travel, snorkeling, fishing, time on uninhabited islands, and a captain-led plan in four hours. The value depends on how much your group uses that freedom.

More snorkeling spots in Nassau & Paradise Island:

Leaving Nassau for Rose Island

The meeting point is Colours of The Bahamas in Nassau, and the activity returns to the same place after about four hours. The journey begins on a speedboat, which makes it possible to reach less developed areas off Rose Island during a half-day outing.

The route is part of the pleasure. You are not spending the whole morning at one crowded beach or reef site. Instead, you can visit three or four small, uninhabited islands, with time for beach stops, fishing, and snorkeling depending on the group’s choices and conditions.

The exact order is not fixed, and that is useful. If a reef is busy, conditions change, or your family wants more time fishing, the crew can adjust the plan. The tradeoff is that you do not get a precise hour-by-hour itinerary in advance. If you prefer a tightly scheduled tour, this relaxed format may feel less predictable.

Bring a watch if you need to return to a cruise ship or meet another Nassau booking. The listed duration is approximately four hours, and the activity ends back at the meeting point. The provided information does not promise a cruise-port pickup, so you should plan your own way to Colours of The Bahamas.

What you can expect at the island stops

Private Snorkeling And Fishing Activity - What you can expect at the island stops

The islands are uninhabited, which gives the stops a quieter feel than Nassau’s developed beaches. You get a chance to walk on sand, look around, and enjoy open water without the usual hotel setting.

The beaches are described as comparable to beaches anywhere in the world, but you should keep your expectations practical. These are short stops within a four-hour boat outing, not a full beach day with a long period for lounging. Your time is shared with the ride, fishing, snorkeling, and any changes made for the group.

The best use of the island stops will depend on your priorities. If you want photographs and quiet sand, ask for enough beach time. If catching fish or seeing the reef matters most, you may prefer to keep moving to the next water site.

Because the islands are uninhabited, do not expect shops, restaurants, or built facilities there. The boat carries water and soda, and lunch can be purchased for $25, but the information provided does not specify where lunch is served or what it includes. Ask about lunch when booking if food is important to your plan.

Snorkeling over coral reefs

Private Snorkeling And Fishing Activity - Snorkeling over coral reefs

The snorkeling is the strongest reason to book this trip if your group wants more than a quick swim. The reefs around Rose Island are described as untouched and covered with colorful coral, fish, and turtles. The crew supplies snorkeling equipment, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins.

The activity is open to snorkelers of different abilities. That does not mean every site will feel equally easy for every person, so tell the crew about your group before setting out. A first-time snorkeler may need a calmer, simpler stop, while a confident swimmer may want more time over the reef.

I like that the snorkeling is part of a private plan. Your group can spend more time at a spot that suits you instead of being moved along because a large shared boat has a fixed schedule. It also gives the crew room to respond to what you see. If turtles or a good patch of reef appear, you may be able to make that stop more worthwhile.

Still, snorkeling depends on sea and weather conditions. Clear water, calm conditions, and reef access cannot be guaranteed. The company requires good weather, and poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund. That policy is sensible for a water activity, but keep it in mind if your Nassau visit has only one open day.

Fishing for snapper, triggerfish, lobster, and grouper

Private Snorkeling And Fishing Activity - Fishing for snapper, triggerfish, lobster, and grouper

Fishing gives this outing a second focus. The light-tackle option is aimed at yellowtail snapper and triggerfish. It is a good fit if your group wants a hands-on activity without making the entire day a serious fishing charter.

Spear fishing is also offered for lobster and grouper. You should ask the crew how this option fits your group’s abilities and preferences before the boat leaves. The description presents it as an available choice, not a guarantee that you will catch a particular species.

The fishing stops can also be adjusted. Eddie and Jim are specifically noted for finding good fishing spots, and the plan can leave room for more fishing if that is what your group enjoys. On the other hand, fishing is never certain. The chance of taking home a grouper, snapper, or lobster is part of the appeal, but you should not book this as a guaranteed catch.

If you want equal time for fishing and snorkeling, say so at the start. Four hours passes quickly once you include the speedboat ride and island stops. A clear conversation with the crew will help prevent one activity from taking over the day.

The boat, shade, and onboard supplies

Private Snorkeling And Fishing Activity - The boat, shade, and onboard supplies

The boat is a large center console with adequate shade and room for the group. That matters in the Bahamas, where a four-hour outing can feel long if you have nowhere to get out of the sun.

Water and soda are included, and the boat has snorkeling equipment, fishing gear, and bait. Rum punch or beer can be added to the cooler, which gives adults a way to make the trip feel more festive. The supplied information does not state that alcoholic drinks are included, so confirm the cost before adding them.

You still need to think about personal supplies. The provided details do not list towels, sunscreen, dry bags, or a change of clothes, so ask what you should bring. A practical approach is to wear a swimsuit, bring sun protection, and keep valuables to a minimum.

The boat’s shade and space also help mixed-age groups. A family member who does not want to snorkel or fish can remain aboard without being forced into the water. That was especially relevant for one outing in which Captain Jason and his son Jason helped parents aged 90 and 86 get on and off the boat.

How the crew shapes the day

Private Snorkeling And Fishing Activity - How the crew shapes the day

The human side of this activity matters. Captain Jason and his son Jason are named as part of the crew, and Eddie and Jim are also associated with the fishing outings. The service appears able to accommodate different ages and interests, which is important on a private family charter.

That does not mean you should expect a formal, scripted program. The appeal is the hands-on, flexible style. Tell the crew what you want, be honest about swimming ability, and explain if someone needs extra help getting aboard.

The crew can also help you decide how to divide your time. You might begin with fishing, stop at a quiet island, then snorkel after other boats have left an area. One outing specifically included a reef stop after the area had cleared, which suggests that timing can make a real difference.

Is $850 a good value?

Private Snorkeling And Fishing Activity - Is $850 a good value?

The price is $850 per group of up to eight people. For a couple, that is a major splurge. For six to eight people, the math is more favorable, especially because the cost covers the private boat rather than a seat on a shared excursion.

Included equipment and drinks reduce the number of extras you need to arrange. You receive snorkeling equipment, fishing gear, bait, water, and soda. Lunch costs an additional $25, and rum punch or beer may be added to the cooler.

The real value comes from privacy and control. You can ask for more fishing, more snorkeling, or more beach time. You are not locked into the interests of a large group. If everyone in your party wants a different version of a day on the water, that flexibility may be worth more than a cheaper shared trip.

I would compare the price by group size:

  • Two people: expensive, unless a private boat is the main goal.
  • Four people: a reasonable splurge for a special Nassau day.
  • Six to eight people: the strongest value, since the cost spreads across the group.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it most to families, couples traveling with friends, and groups with mixed interests. It is particularly useful when some people want to fish, others want to snorkel, and not everyone wants the same level of activity.

It also suits groups who value quiet beaches and a private boat more than a fixed schedule. Older family members may appreciate the shade, space, and the crew’s willingness to assist with boarding, though you should discuss mobility needs before booking.

Strong swimmers and keen snorkelers may enjoy the reef stops, while casual snorkelers can tell the crew they need a comfortable site. Fishing fans should choose it if they enjoy the process and the chance of a catch, not because a specific fish is promised.

I would think twice if you want a guaranteed catch, a full-day beach stay, or a large lunch included. Four hours gives you a good sample of the area, but it cannot provide unlimited time for every activity.

Booking, weather, and practical details

You receive confirmation at the time of booking, and the activity uses a mobile ticket. Service animals are allowed, the meeting point is near public transportation, and most people can participate.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. Since the activity requires good weather, a weather cancellation results in a different date or a full refund.

The booking is private, so only your group participates. That is the key detail to confirm when comparing prices with shared Nassau excursions. You are paying for space, privacy, and an adjustable plan, not just for access to snorkeling gear.

Should you book the Rose Island charter?

Book it if you have a group of four to eight, want a private boat, and like the idea of choosing between snorkeling, fishing, and quiet island stops. The colorful reefs, possible turtle sightings, uninhabited beaches, and choice of light tackle or spear fishing give the day more variety than a simple beach transfer.

The best way to get value is to agree on priorities before you arrive. Tell the crew how much time you want for fishing, ask about the snorkeling conditions, and confirm lunch and drink costs. If your group can share the $850 price and accepts the weather risk, this is a flexible, personal way to spend four hours off Nassau.

FAQ

How long is the private snorkeling and fishing activity?

The activity lasts approximately four hours, including travel from Nassau and the return to the meeting point.

Where does the activity begin and end?

It begins at Colours of The Bahamas in Nassau and ends back at the same meeting point.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers one private group of up to eight people. Only your group participates.

What islands will the boat visit?

The outing visits three or four uninhabited tropical islands in the area off Rose Island.

What fish can you catch?

Light-tackle fishing targets yellowtail snapper and triggerfish. Spear fishing is available for lobster and grouper.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with fishing gear and bait.

Are food and drinks included?

Bottled water and soda are included. Lunch can be purchased for $25, and rum punch or beer can be added to the cooler.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The activity requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.

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