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

The Bahamas looks best from the water. Secret Cays gives your private group a flexible four-hour outing from New Providence Island aboard a custom 35-foot Donzi Marine boat. I like the freedom to choose between snorkeling, turtle encounters, fishing, swimming pigs, and white-sand beaches. I also like the onboard restroom, cooler, and bow lounge, useful comforts on a half-day boat trip. The main concern is the route and boat speed, since one published account describes a rough return ride that caused injuries.

I also like the clear group pricing: $850 for up to eight people, before food, alcohol, and the optional pig interaction fee. That can work well for a family or group of friends, but the boat is described as suitable for up to six anglers, so a full group should clarify how fishing space will work. The activity earns a 3.6 out of 5 rating from seven published ratings, which makes careful planning worthwhile.

Key points to know before booking

• A private 35-foot Donzi boat gives your group the day rather than placing you with strangers.
• You choose the mix of activities, including snorkeling, turtles, swimming pigs, fishing, and beach cruising.
• The $850 group price can be good value when split among six to eight people.
• A restroom, bottled water, ice, and bow seating make four hours on the water easier.
• Pig interaction costs an extra $30 per person, and food and alcohol are not included.
• Ask about the exact route and return speed, especially if anyone in your group is prone to motion sickness or back discomfort.

Starting at Paradise Island Ferry Terminal

Your meeting point is the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal on Paradise Beach Drive. The trip begins and ends there, which keeps the plan simple. Confirmation arrives when you book, and the location is near public transportation, so you do not need to arrange a separate marina transfer based on the information available.

The private format is the main selling point. Your party controls the day with Capt. Javano and the crew, rather than following a fixed schedule built for a large boatload of people. You can give more time to snorkeling, switch to fishing, or spend less time in one activity if conditions or interest change.

That flexibility matters because four hours passes quickly. Travel time to the chosen water sites comes out of the half-day, so ask at the start how much time you should expect to spend getting to the first stop. One account describes a long ride to an island, so the exact route deserves a clear conversation before you leave the terminal.

A custom Donzi built for a half-day charter

The 35-foot Donzi Marine center console is a serious recreational boat, not a small open skiff. The layout includes front bow seating and lounge space, giving you a place to sit while cruising between activities. The center console also contains a dedicated full bathroom, a useful feature that can prevent an uncomfortable trip back to shore.

A cooler filled with bottled water and ice is included. That covers basic hydration, but food and alcoholic drinks are not included unless requested. If you want anything beyond bottled water, arrange it in advance instead of assuming it will be waiting at the dock.

The boat has an MP3 and Bluetooth-compatible multimedia system. That is a small but pleasant touch for a private charter, especially if your group wants music between stops. Keep the volume reasonable so you can hear the captain’s instructions and enjoy the sound of the water.

The capacity needs a closer look. The booking accepts up to eight people per group, while the boat is described as safely taking up to six anglers. If all eight people want to fish, space and equipment may feel tight. Ask Capt. Javano how he recommends dividing time between fishing and the other activities.

Choosing between turtles, pigs, snorkeling, and fishing

This is not a fixed attraction with a set order of stops. Capt. Javano aims to shape the outing around your choices, subject to weather and local conditions. That makes the trip appealing to mixed groups, since one person can fish while another prefers swimming or a beach stop.

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to pack your own mask and fins. The value here is convenience. You can move from cruising to a water activity without renting gear separately, and the guide is part of the package.

Turtle swimming is another possible activity. The supplied details do not promise a guaranteed number of turtles or a specific site, so treat it as a planned possibility rather than a sure sighting. Ask what conditions are best that day and how long the turtle stop is expected to last.

Swimming pigs require extra attention to the cost. The optional pig interaction fee is $30 per person, and it is not included in the $850 charter price. For eight people, that adds $240, bringing the group total to $1,090 before any requested food or drinks. Decide in advance who actually wants the pig experience, since not everyone in the party needs to take part.

The beach option may suit people who want less time in the water. The trip can cruise toward pristine white-sand beaches, giving your group a slower part of the day between snorkeling, fishing, or animal encounters. The information does not specify which island or beach you will visit, and one published account reports an additional fee just to step onto an island. Confirm any landing or access charge before you agree to that stop.

Fishing from a boat rated for six anglers

Fishing is one of the core choices on the charter, and equipment is included. That saves you the trouble of arranging rods and tackle separately. The captain and crew provide the support, but the available information does not state the species, fishing method, bait, or whether catch handling is included.

I would treat fishing as one part of the outing unless your group specifically books around it. The boat is noted as able to safely take up to six anglers, even though the overall private group limit is eight. With a larger party, ask whether all people can fish at once or if the activity needs to rotate.

This distinction affects value. A group of four fishing enthusiasts may find the setup more comfortable than a group of eight all expecting individual fishing space. A mixed party can make better use of the boat by combining fishing with snorkeling, turtle time, and a beach visit.

What four hours really gives you

Four hours is enough for a taste of several activities, not an unlimited day at sea. If you try to include fishing, snorkeling, turtles, pigs, and a beach, each stop may be fairly short once cruising time is counted. I would choose two main priorities and keep one or two extra options open.

For example, a group with children might focus on pigs and a beach, adding snorkeling if time allows. A group of adults could choose fishing and snorkeling, with turtles as a bonus. This kind of planning helps you avoid spending the whole trip moving from one stop to the next.

The captain’s flexibility is valuable, but it does not remove the need to speak up. Tell Capt. Javano what matters most before the boat leaves. If your group has different interests, agree on the priority list together rather than trying to negotiate every stop on the water.

Boat travel can also feel different from person to person. One published account describes a long ride out and a fast return that caused two injuries when family members were thrown upward and came back down hard. That is a serious warning, even if it does not describe every trip. Ask about expected sea conditions, request a safer return speed if needed, and make sure children and anyone with mobility concerns are seated securely.

Is $850 a fair private-charter price?

The headline price is $850 per group of up to eight. Split evenly, that works out to $106.25 per person for eight people, $141.67 for six, $212.50 for four, or $425 per person for two. The trip becomes much better value as your group fills the boat.

That price includes the private boat, captain and crew support, snorkeling equipment, fishing equipment, bottled water, ice, and use of the onboard bathroom. It does not include food, alcoholic beverages, or the $30-per-person pig interaction fee.

For a group of six to eight, the private format can make financial sense compared with paying separate per-person rates for several activities. You are also paying for control over the schedule. A smaller party should compare the total cost with a shared boat excursion before booking, since $850 is a substantial outlay for only four hours.

The extra pig fee changes the calculation. If eight people take part, the total reaches $1,090, or $136.25 each. If only four people choose the pig activity, the added cost is $120 and the total becomes $970. Ask exactly how that fee is collected and whether it applies only to people entering the pig area.

Comfort, equipment, and what to bring

The included cooler and water cover the basics, while the bathroom is one of the boat’s strongest practical features. The bow seating and lounge space give you somewhere to settle during the ride instead of standing for the entire trip.

Snorkeling and fishing equipment are supplied. You should still bring the personal items that make a water day easier, such as swimwear, sun protection, and a change of clothes, though the supplied details do not provide a formal packing list. Keep valuables limited, since the focus is on being outside and moving between water activities.

Food and alcohol require advance planning. They are not part of the standard package unless requested. If your group expects lunch, snacks, or drinks beyond bottled water, arrange them before the start time.

The mobile ticket is convenient for booking and entry, and confirmation is provided at booking. Most people can participate according to the supplied information, but the boat ride and water activities may not suit everyone equally. If someone in your party has mobility, balance, or motion concerns, ask the provider direct questions before paying.

Cancellation, weather, and planning details

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

Weather matters here. If poor weather forces cancellation, Secret Cays offers another date or a full refund. The trip also requires a minimum number of participants, and if that minimum is not met, you can receive a different date or experience, or a full refund.

Use the local time at New Providence Island when judging the cancellation deadline. Keep your confirmation details available, and contact the provider early if your group needs food, drinks, a particular activity mix, or clarification about island access fees.

Who will get the most from this charter?

I would consider this trip for a group that values privacy and wants several choices in one outing. Families, couples traveling together, and friend groups can share the fixed cost and shape the four hours around their own priorities.

It works best when your group agrees on what matters most. If one person wants fishing, two want turtles, and others want pigs, the private boat gives you a chance to combine them. It may work less well for someone seeking a long, dedicated fishing session or a guaranteed animal encounter.

The trip also suits people who appreciate simple comfort on a boat. The restroom, cooler, Bluetooth system, and bow seating are not flashy extras, but they make a practical difference during a half-day on the water.

I would be more cautious if your group dislikes boat travel, expects a slow and gentle ride, or wants every activity guaranteed. The reported rough return and possible island access fee are enough reasons to ask detailed questions first.

Should you book Secret Cays?

Book it if you have six to eight people, want a private boat, and like choosing among snorkeling, turtles, pigs, fishing, and beaches. The fixed price can be reasonable for a full group, and the included equipment, water, ice, and bathroom remove several common hassles.

Before paying, confirm three points: how the route and travel time will affect your four hours, what island landing fees may apply, and how the captain handles boat speed in rough conditions. Also confirm how fishing works when your party has more than six people, and budget separately for the $30 pig interaction fee.

My call: this is a flexible private outing with good group value, but it needs a careful pre-trip conversation. Book it for control and variety, not for a guaranteed checklist of every activity.

FAQ

Where does the charter start?

It starts at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal on Paradise Beach Drive in The Bahamas.

Where does the activity end?

The charter ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the experience?

The trip lasts approximately four hours.

How much does the private charter cost?

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

What activities can I choose?

You can choose among snorkeling, swimming with turtles, swimming pigs, fishing, and cruising to white-sand beaches.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and fishing equipment are included.

Is the pig interaction included in the charter price?

No. The optional pig interaction fee is $30 per person.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.