Private Charter for snorkeling, swimming pigs, turtles & fishing….

This private boat trip lets you shape the day around your group. With Capt. Javano at the helm, you can spend your four hours snorkeling, fishing, visiting turtles, or meeting swimming pigs, rather than following a fixed public-tour schedule.

I like the 35-foot Donzi boat, which includes bow seating, a built-in restroom, Bluetooth audio, snorkeling gear, fishing equipment, and a cooler with bottled water and ice. I also like the freedom to change the plan to suit your group, from a quiet cruise to a more active half-day on the water.

The main caution is capacity and ride comfort. The booking allows up to eight people, but the boat is described as safely carrying up to six anglers. One account also describes a rough, high-speed return that caused injuries, so discuss the return speed and sea conditions with the captain before setting out.

Key points to know before booking

• Captain Javano offers a flexible route: Your group can choose among snorkeling, turtles, swimming pigs, fishing, and white-sand beaches.
• The boat is a 35-foot Donzi center console: It has a private restroom, bow lounge seating, Bluetooth audio, and room for fishing gear.
• The $850 price is per group: At eight people, that works out to $106.25 each. At four people, it becomes $212.50 each.
• Pig encounters cost extra: Plan on an optional $30 per person fee if you want to enter the pig area.
• The trip begins and ends at Paradise Island Ferry Terminal: Allow time to reach Paradise Island Beach Drive before departure.
• A four-hour charter goes quickly: Agree on your priorities early, especially if you want both fishing and wildlife stops.

Setting out from Paradise Island Ferry Terminal

Your day begins at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal on Paradise Beach Drive. The charter returns to this same meeting point after about four hours, which makes the arrangement easy to understand and useful for planning the rest of your day.

This is a private activity, so only your group takes part. That matters here. Instead of waiting for a large boatload of people to choose between fishing and swimming, you can tell Capt. Javano what your group wants from the start.

I would settle the priorities before boarding. The choices sound generous, but four hours is not a long time once you account for the ride out, the ride back, equipment changes, and stops. If your group wants fishing, turtles, pigs, and snorkeling, you may need to accept shorter visits at each stop.

The meeting point is near public transportation, according to the available details. The booking confirmation arrives at the time of reservation, so keep that information handy and check the precise departure instructions before the day of the charter.

A 35-foot Donzi built for a small private group

The boat is a custom 35-foot Donzi Marine center console. That is a serious size for a half-day private charter, and the layout gives you more options than a basic open skiff.

The front bow has seating and lounge space. You can use that area while cruising or when you want a break from fishing and snorkeling. The boat also has a full restroom inside the center console, a useful feature when you are spending several hours offshore with children or anyone who prefers not to rely on a beach stop.

A multimedia system with MP3 and Bluetooth compatibility lets your group control the music. Bring your own device if you want to use that feature, but keep the volume sensible so you can hear the captain and crew when instructions matter.

The boat is described as able to safely take up to six anglers. That wording is important. The overall booking price covers up to eight people, but an eight-person group may not have the same comfort or fishing space as a smaller group. Before paying, ask Secret Cays how the eight-person limit applies to your exact party, especially if everyone wants to fish.

Choosing between snorkeling, turtles, pigs, and fishing

The charter is designed around choice. You can ask for snorkeling, swimming with turtles, a pig visit, fishing, or a cruise to white-sand beaches. The best plan depends on what your group values most.

Snorkeling is the easiest fit for a group with mixed interests. The charter provides snorkeling equipment, so you do not need to bring masks and fins unless you prefer your own. The supplied details do not promise a particular reef, fish species, or water depth, so ask Capt. Javano what conditions and locations are expected that day.

Turtle encounters are another possible focus. The appeal is clear, especially for families and photographers, but wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed from the information provided. Keep the plan flexible and listen to the captain’s advice about conditions and suitable stopping points.

Swimming pigs requires one extra cost. The optional interaction fee is $30 per person, separate from the $850 charter price. For a full group of eight, that could add $240. Ask whether the fee applies only to people entering the pig area, since the description calls it a per-person interaction charge.

Fishing equipment is included, and the boat can safely carry up to six anglers. If fishing is a major reason for booking, I would keep the group to six or fewer and make that the central activity. Trying to fish while several people move around for snorkeling or pig encounters could make the boat feel crowded.

White-sand beaches offer a slower option. You can cruise toward a beach, take in the scenery, and use the stop as a break from activity. The details do not state that food, chairs, umbrellas, or beach equipment are provided, so do not treat a beach stop as a catered beach day.

What is included, and what you need to arrange

The inclusions cover the basics for a flexible boat outing:

• Snorkeling equipment
• Fishing equipment
• A guide and captain
• Bottled water and ice in a cooler
• A full restroom inside the console
• MP3 and Bluetooth compatibility

Food and drinks are not included unless requested. Alcoholic beverages are also not included. If you want anything beyond bottled water, arrange it in advance rather than assuming the cooler will contain snacks or soft drinks.

The water and ice are a practical touch. Four hours in the sun can make hydration an issue, and having cold bottled water already on board removes one small task. Still, the supplied details do not say how much water is provided, so bring any additional drinks or food you need after confirming what Secret Cays permits.

The gear reduces packing, but personal equipment can still be useful. If you have a favorite mask, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, or a waterproof phone case, pack it. These are practical suggestions rather than supplied amenities, so consider them optional personal items.

The real value of an $850 private charter

The base price is $850 per group of up to eight people. At eight participants, the cost is $106.25 per person. At six people, it is about $141.67 each. With four people, the cost rises to $212.50 per person.

That pricing makes the charter most attractive for a larger family or friend group. You are paying for a private boat, captain, crew support, included equipment, water, and the ability to shape the route. A small group of two or three will carry much more of the cost and may find a shared excursion better value, if one is available.

The private format also has value beyond the arithmetic. If one person wants to fish while another wants to snorkel, the captain can try to balance those interests. On a fixed group tour, you often follow someone else’s schedule. Here, your party controls the emphasis.

The pig fee changes the calculation. An eight-person group that chooses the pig interaction could pay up to $1,090 in total, assuming all eight people are charged. That works out to $136.25 per person. Ask for the exact total before departure, especially if only some members of your party plan to participate.

A sensible four-hour plan

A good half-day might begin with a cruise from Paradise Island toward the first activity. The exact order is flexible, and that is part of the appeal. Your group can make snorkeling or fishing the main event, then use the remaining time for turtles, pigs, or a beach stop.

I would not try to force every option into the schedule. A group focused on fishing should say so clearly before leaving. A family that cares most about swimming and wildlife should make that the priority and treat fishing as optional.

The return trip deserves a direct conversation. One account connected to this experience describes the boat speeding back and throwing passengers around hard enough to cause two injuries. That account does not establish the usual operating style, but it is a serious reason to ask the captain to keep the ride at a comfortable speed, particularly if children, older adults, or anyone prone to motion sickness is aboard.

Sea conditions matter too. This charter requires good weather, and bad conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund. If conditions look questionable, ask how the captain expects the ride to feel and how much time will be spent traveling in open water.

Who will enjoy this charter most

This outing suits a group that wants privacy and flexibility more than a fixed list of guaranteed stops. It is a strong match for families, couples traveling with friends, or a group that cannot agree on one single activity.

It also works well for people who want the boat itself to be part of the day. The bow seating, restroom, cooler, music system, and 35-foot hull give you places to sit between activities. A smaller boat with fewer facilities may feel more basic during a four-hour trip.

Fishing groups should pay close attention to the six-angler limit. Six or fewer people who want to fish can make good use of the included equipment. An eight-person group should ask how much fishing room remains once everyone is aboard.

This is less suitable for anyone who wants a guaranteed wildlife encounter, a set snorkeling site, or a fully planned itinerary. The description gives you choices, not fixed animal sightings or named locations. That flexibility is useful, but it also means the day depends on conditions and the captain’s judgment.

Booking details, weather, and cancellation

The tour is usually booked about 10 days ahead, so reserve early if you need a certain date. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity begins and ends at Paradise Island Ferry Terminal.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

Good weather is required. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same choice applies if the minimum number of participants is not met and the operator cancels.

The listing says most people can participate, but no detailed accessibility information is provided. If anyone in your group has mobility, balance, or medical concerns, ask Secret Cays about boarding and movement on the boat before booking.

Should you book the Secret Cays charter?

Book it if your group values a private boat, wants several activity choices, and can split the $850 cost among at least six people. The included gear, onboard restroom, cooler, bow seating, and flexible route give the charter practical value.

Be more cautious if your group has eight people, if everyone wants to fish, or if you are sensitive to fast boat rides. Confirm the capacity, discuss the desired cruising speed, and ask for the full price if you want the pig interaction.

My practical choice would be to book this for a group of four to six people with a clear priority, such as snorkeling and turtles or fishing and a beach stop. That keeps the itinerary realistic, makes the private price easier to justify, and leaves room for a relaxed ride instead of rushing through every option.

FAQ

Where does the charter begin?

The charter begins at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal on Paradise Beach Drive in The Bahamas.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal, the same place where it begins.

How long does the charter last?

The charter lasts approximately four hours.

How much does the private charter cost?

The price is $850 per group, for up to eight people.

How many people can join the charter?

The booking allows up to eight people, but the boat is described as safely carrying up to six anglers. Confirm the best group size with Secret Cays if several people want to fish.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Is fishing equipment included?

Yes. Fishing equipment is included.

Are food and alcoholic drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included unless requested, and alcoholic beverages are not included.

How much does the pig interaction cost?

The pig interaction is optional and costs $30 per person.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can receive a full refund or choose a different date.