Private Boat Swim and Snorkel Adventure to Rose Island

The star of this private boat trip is the freedom to shape your day around Rose Island’s clear water and quiet beaches. You can snorkel coral reefs, look for turtles, relax on shore, or add a floating bar and beach stop instead of following a fixed group schedule. I like the private setup for families and friend groups, and I like that the boat carries snacks, drinks, snorkeling gear, and a restroom. The main catch is that lunch is not included, and swimming with pigs or visiting Footprints Beach Bar costs extra.

You get a four-hour outing for up to 12 people, with the option to book eight hours if you want more time on the water. Guides Gee and Higs have earned strong praise for their friendly help, quick decisions, and care with mixed-age groups. Just keep in mind that the meeting point is at Senor Frogs, private transportation is not included, and the boat’s capacity rules matter, especially if you bring an infant.

Key things to know before you book

• Rose Island is the main prize: Expect beaches, open water, and a flexible stop built around your group’s interests.
• Your group gets the boat privately: Up to 12 people can share the 32-foot or 40-foot vessel without strangers joining you.
• Snorkeling basics are covered: Equipment, bottled water, soda, snacks, alcohol, and an onboard restroom are included.
• The itinerary can change: You can choose reefs, turtles, beaches, a floating bar, Green Cay, Athol Island, or Gilligan’s Island.
• Pig swims are not included: Swimming with pigs is an optional extra, as is admission to Footprints Beach Bar.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, while cancellations within 24 hours are nonrefundable.

Rose Island gives the trip its center

Rose Island is the natural focus of this outing, and the four-hour format gives you enough time to enjoy the water without committing to a full day at sea. You may spend part of the trip on a beach, part snorkeling, and part cruising between nearby spots.

The island setting suits different moods. You can make the trip active with reef snorkeling and turtle encounters, or use the boat as a floating base for sun, drinks, and a relaxed beach break. That choice is the main reason to book a private charter instead of a standard excursion with a fixed route.

The wider route can include Athol Island, Green Cay, and the area known as Gilligan’s Island. These stops are options rather than guaranteed visits, so talk with the captain at the start about what matters most to your group. On a four-hour booking, trying to fit in every location could leave you rushing from one stop to the next.

Snorkeling, turtles, and the best use of four hours

Snorkeling equipment is supplied, which saves you from packing or renting the basics elsewhere. The outing also includes bottled water, soda, snacks, and alcohol, so you have simple refreshments while moving between stops.

The snorkeling is suited to a mixed group because you can make the reef stop as long or short as your group wants. One family outing began in drizzly weather, but the guides changed the order of activities and still got the group to Rose Island and the snorkeling area. The group included adults, children, and an infant, and the report specifically praised the care taken to keep everyone comfortable and safe.

That does not mean you should ignore the weather. Water conditions can affect visibility, comfort, and the order of the day. If snorkeling is your top priority, tell the captain early. If your group includes children, you may prefer to begin with a calmer activity and save the water time for better conditions later.

Swimming with turtles is one of the more appealing choices on the menu. It offers a wildlife encounter without turning the entire trip into a single-purpose animal attraction. Still, sightings are part of nature, not a guarantee, so book this for the chance to see turtles rather than a promise of a close encounter.

A private boat changes the pace

The charter is priced at $1,670 per group, with up to 12 people included. That sounds high beside a per-person cruise, but the calculation changes if you fill the boat. At the full limit, the cost works out to about $139 per person before any optional expenses. A group of six would pay about $278 per person, so the value depends heavily on your headcount.

I see the strongest value for families, wedding groups, birthday groups, and friends who want control over the schedule. You are not paying for 12 separate tickets. You are paying for a boat, crew, gear, drinks, and the ability to set the tone for your own outing.

The boat is described as either a 32-foot or 40-foot vessel. The exact boat may depend on availability or group arrangements, so ask if the size matters to you. Both are private boats, and the charter includes an onboard restroom, a useful feature when you are spending several hours away from shore.

The maximum group size is 12. One outing included 13 people because one was a baby, but that was an exception arranged by the crew, not something you should count on. Give the correct group size when booking, and ask about life jackets if your party includes young children or an infant.

Choosing between a beach day and a party day

You can shape Rose Island around quiet time or a livelier outing. A private beach stop works well if your group wants to swim, sunbathe, and talk without a packed public tour around you. A beach party or a stop at a floating bar gives the trip a more social feel.

Footprints Beach Bar on Rose Island is another optional stop, but admission is not included. That extra cost is easy to overlook, so settle the plan before you leave the dock. The same applies to swimming with pigs, which is specifically listed as not included.

For some groups, the appeal is simply having music, drinks, and a boat for the day. For others, the boat is a way to reach water and beaches that feel removed from the city. This trip can do either, but you should tell the crew which version you want. Four hours goes quickly if you combine a reef stop, a beach stop, a bar, and several island visits.

If you want a relaxed schedule, choose one main water activity and one shore stop. If your group wants to see as much as possible, accept shorter stops and more time underway. The eight-hour option gives you room to fit in more, though the supplied price applies to the four-hour experience.

How the guides affect the day

Guides Gee and Higs receive particularly warm praise for their service. Their names are useful to know because the crew’s role is more than steering the boat. They help with the order of stops, gear, safety, and the practical needs of a group that may include both children and adults.

The strongest example is the group that started in rain. Instead of forcing the original sequence, the guides shifted the activities and kept the group comfortable. That kind of judgment matters more than a polished sales pitch when the weather changes.

Another group described being greeted with energy at Senor Frogs and credited Gee and Higs with going out of their way to help. That suggests a friendly, involved crew rather than a bare-bones boat transfer. Still, weather, sea conditions, and wildlife sightings remain outside the crew’s control.

You should also communicate clearly before departure. The captain may know the number of people on the booking but not every detail about ages, infants, or special needs. Share that information early, especially when life jackets and seating are important.

Meeting point and what is included

The available information places the meeting point at Senor Frogs. Private transportation is not included, so you will need to arrange your own way to the departure point. The tour offers a mobile ticket, which makes it easy to keep the booking on your phone.

Included items are practical rather than elaborate:

• Snacks
• Soda and bottled water
• Alcoholic beverages
• Snorkeling equipment
• An onboard restroom
• The private boat and captain for the booked time

Lunch is not included. If your group needs a full meal, plan for that separately rather than assuming the snacks will cover it. The supplied details do not specify the exact snack selection or alcohol choices, so ask if those details matter to your group.

You should also ask about the precise meeting instructions, boat size, and preferred route before departure. The charter is flexible, but flexibility works best when your group has a clear first choice.

Weather, cancellations, and practical limits

This experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cause the operator to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. That is useful protection for a water-based trip, where conditions can affect both safety and enjoyment.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, you will not receive a refund, and changes made inside that window are not accepted. The cut-off follows local time.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The details also note access to public transportation, although private transportation is not part of the booking. If your group includes a baby, young children, or anyone with mobility concerns, confirm the boat setup and safety equipment in advance.

The tour is private, so only your group takes part. That is a major advantage if you want to choose the pace, but it also means your group needs to make decisions. Agree on your priorities before boarding so nobody loses half the trip debating between turtles, beaches, and the bar.

Who will get the most from this Rose Island charter

I would recommend this outing most strongly to a group that can share the cost and wants control over the day. Twelve people create the best value, though smaller groups may still prefer privacy and flexibility over a cheaper shared tour.

It suits:

• Families who want a private boat and adjustable activity order
• Groups with both children and adults
• Friends planning a beach party or birthday outing
• Visitors who want snorkeling without packing their own equipment
• People who prefer a flexible route over a fixed timetable
• Anyone who wants to combine Rose Island with nearby islands and reef stops

It is less suitable if you want a guaranteed pig swim, a full meal, or a low per-person price for a small group. It is also not ideal if your main goal is a carefully timed list of every possible stop. The boat can visit several places, but four hours is not unlimited.

The 4.9 rating from 24 ratings and a 100 percent recommendation record point to a consistently strong experience, though the sample is still small. I would put more weight on the specific practical details: the crew’s response to rain, the positive snorkeling experience for children, and the effort made to keep a large mixed-age group safe.

Should you book the private Rose Island boat?

Book it if you have a group of friends or family members who will use the private setting well. The cost makes the most sense with a fuller boat, and the included drinks, gear, snacks, and restroom reduce the need to organize extras.

Before paying, confirm your group size, the meeting details at Senor Frogs, the boat size, and which optional stops cost extra. Decide if snorkeling, turtles, beaches, a floating bar, or Footprints Beach Bar matters most. If you want pigs, set aside a separate budget because that activity is not included.

For a flexible half-day on the water with a friendly crew and several possible stops, this is a strong choice. I would skip it only if your group is small, price-sensitive, or set on a guaranteed wildlife encounter and included lunch.

FAQ

How long is the private boat experience?

The standard experience lasts about four hours. An eight-hour rental is also available as a flexible option.

How many people can join the private boat?

The boat accommodates up to 12 people. The listed experience is private, so only your group participates.

What boat sizes are available?

The experience uses either a 32-foot or 40-foot private boat.

What is included in the price?

Snacks, soda, bottled water, alcoholic beverages, snorkeling equipment, an onboard restroom, and the private boat experience are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included.

Is swimming with pigs included?

No. Swimming with pigs is an optional activity and is not included in the listed experience.

Is admission to Footprints Beach Bar included?

No. Admission to Footprints Beach Bar on Rose Island is not included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather. Cancellations made at least 24 hours before the start time also qualify for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refundable.