Boat Charters & Excursions

Paradise comes with options. Prestige Boat Charters takes you from New Providence into the clear waters around the Bahamas, with private boat plans built around swimming pigs, turtles, sharks, coral reefs, beaches, fishing, and local food. You choose the route, which gives the day a more personal feel than a fixed group excursion.

I like the private group format, which lets you share an eight-hour outing with family or friends rather than strangers. I also like the wide choice of stops, especially Rose Island snorkeling and the beach picnic option. The main drawback is price: $1,500 per group is a serious spend, especially for a small party, and food at a local Exuma restaurant costs extra.

Captain Ricky has been praised for being pleasant, professional, and careful while showing his party the best spots around Rose Island. That detail matters. On a water day, a captain who pays attention to comfort and safety can make the difference between a smooth adventure and a long, tiring ride.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to 14 people: The flat group price can work well for a large family or friend group, but it is less attractive for only two or three people.
• Several island plans are available: You can ask about Exuma swimming pigs, Eleuthera pigs, Compass Cay sharks, Turtle Cay turtles, Rose Island snorkeling, fishing, or a beach picnic.
• Eight hours gives you a full day on the water: The time is suited to combining several activities, although the exact route depends on the plan you select.
• Rose Island is a strong choice for a simpler day: You can snorkel around coral reefs, visit beaches, and keep the outing closer to Nassau than some farther-ranging options.
• Lunch is not automatically covered: A beach picnic is offered, and Bahamian food at a local Exuma restaurant is available, but restaurant food is non-inclusive.
• Weather controls the schedule: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, while cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not refundable.

Leaving Harbourside Marine in Nassau

The excursion begins at Harbourside Marine in Nassau and returns there at the end of the day. Pickup is offered, but because the stated meeting point is Harbourside Marine, I would confirm the pickup arrangement before booking rather than assume hotel collection is included.

That small check can save time on an early start. You will also want to know exactly where to meet, especially if your party is staying in a busy part of Nassau or arriving by another form of transportation. The location is near public transportation, which gives you another way to reach the departure point.

The boat trip is private, so only your own party participates. That is a major advantage for families, couples traveling with friends, and groups with mixed interests. You can talk through the plan with the captain instead of being tied to the wishes of a large crowd.

The tour lasts about eight hours. That is enough time for a proper day at sea, not just a quick ride to one photo stop. Still, you should not expect to fit every listed activity into one outing. Swimming pigs in Exuma, sharks at Compass Cay, turtles at Turtle Cay, fishing, and Rose Island snorkeling are separate choices within a broad menu of routes.

Choosing between pigs, turtles, sharks, and reefs

The best part of this charter is the ability to pick the kind of Bahamian water day you want. Ask yourself what sounds most appealing before you arrive. Do you want wildlife, snorkeling, a beach lunch, or a mix of quiet swimming and sightseeing?

The Exuma swimming pigs are likely to be the headline choice for many families. This option gives you the famous pig encounter associated with the Exumas, along with a full-day or half-day format. The appeal is easy to understand, especially for children, but pig visits can become the center of the entire day. If your group also wants a relaxed beach picnic or long snorkeling session, ask how much time remains for those additions.

The Eleuthera swimming pigs offer another pig-focused route. Since the exact schedule and stops are not specified, ask which locations are included, how long the boat ride will take, and whether the plan is designed as a half-day or full-day outing. That is useful when your group includes young children or anyone who prefers less time on the boat.

At Compass Cay, you can swim with sharks. This is a very different experience from the pigs and may suit confident swimmers who want a more memorable wildlife encounter. If anyone in your group feels uneasy around sharks, there are gentler choices, including Turtle Cay, a beach picnic, or snorkeling near Rose Island.

Turtle Cay offers the chance to swim with turtles. This is a good middle ground for a family group with different comfort levels. You still get a close look at marine life, but the activity may feel calmer than the shark option. Ask the captain how swimming conditions look that day and what gear is provided.

For underwater scenery, choose the coral reefs around Rose Island. Snorkeling here gives the day a more natural focus, with time in the water rather than a quick wildlife stop. You may also have a chance to view underwater statues on the broader excursion menu, though the exact statue site is not specified and should be confirmed when you choose your route.

Why Rose Island may be the smartest all-around plan

A Rose Island outing can be the most flexible choice for a mixed group. One person can snorkel, another can enjoy the beach, and someone else can simply appreciate the water and boat ride without committing to a wildlife encounter.

A firsthand account of a Rose Island family trip praised Captain Ricky’s care and his ability to show the best spots around the island. The same account described the boat as expensive during spring break and wished pickup had been included. I would take both points seriously: the service may be warm and professional, but holiday pricing and transport details deserve attention.

Rose Island also makes sense if you want a day that feels less tightly programmed. The charter description includes coral reef snorkeling and a beach picnic, so you can build a gentler schedule instead of racing between several headline attractions. Since the exact route is chosen with the charter, confirm whether underwater statues, a picnic stop, or both can fit into your plan.

Adding a beach picnic or Bahamian lunch

A beach picnic can turn a series of water activities into a real day out. You get a break from swimming, a chance to dry off, and time to enjoy the setting without watching the clock for the next stop.

The wording here matters: a beach picnic is offered, but the details of what is supplied are not stated. Ask what food, drinks, plates, and seating are included before you count on a full meal. That is especially important for a group of 14, since a simple snack plan is different from a prepared lunch.

Another option is Bahamian cuisine at a top-notch local restaurant in Exuma. This can add a more local food experience to the trip, but restaurant food is non-inclusive. You should budget for the meal separately and ask how the restaurant stop affects your time on the water.

I like having both choices. A picnic can keep the day casual and private, while a restaurant stop gives you a chance to eat a proper local meal. Neither should be treated as automatically included in the $1,500 price.

Snorkeling, underwater statues, and fishing

Snorkeling around Rose Island’s coral reefs is the clearest choice if you want to see more than a beach and a boat. The Bahamas is known for clear, shallow water, and the charter is designed around those conditions. You can expect the water itself to be a central part of the experience, not just the route between islands.

The tour also lists underwater statues as a possible sight. Because no exact site or duration is provided, ask whether the statues are part of your selected itinerary. This is a useful question if your group prefers art and reef scenery over animals.

Fishing is another available activity. It may suit a group that wants to spend less time swimming and more time trying a traditional sea activity. Again, ask what kind of fishing is offered and whether equipment is included, since those details are not stated.

Life jackets are provided. Most people can participate, but you should still tell the operator about any swimming concerns before the day begins. The activities involve open water, and your group may have very different levels of confidence in the sea.

What $1,500 means for your group

The price is $1,500 per group of up to 14 people. At the maximum capacity, that works out to about $107 per person before any extra food costs. For a large family or friend group, that can be reasonable for a private eight-hour boat day.

For two people, the same price feels much harder to justify. You are paying for privacy, a full boat charter, and the ability to shape the route, not simply for a ticket to one attraction. If your group is small and you only want a short swim or quick sightseeing trip, a shared excursion may offer better value.

The price also deserves a closer look during high-demand periods. A spring break party found the boat expensive, so seasonal demand may affect how the cost feels in practice. I would compare the number of people in your group with the activities you genuinely want, rather than choosing the charter because every possible stop sounds exciting.

The best value comes when you fill the boat with family or friends and use the private format well. You can choose a route that suits your group, avoid strangers, and spend most of the day on the water. The value is weaker if people in your party are not interested in swimming, snorkeling, fishing, or wildlife stops.

Who will enjoy this private charter most

I would recommend Prestige Boat Charters for a group that wants control over its day. Families can choose between pigs, turtles, a beach picnic, and snorkeling. Friends can split their time between wildlife, fishing, and swimming. A private booking also gives your group more room to discuss changes with the captain.

This is a particularly good fit for groups of eight to 14 people. The fixed price spreads across more people, and the private boat becomes a practical way to keep everyone together. For a very small party, calculate the per-person cost first.

The charter may be less suitable if you want a tightly defined, low-cost package with every meal and activity already included. The route is flexible, but that also means you need to ask questions. Food is not included at the Exuma restaurant, and the exact combination of stops is not set out in advance.

I would also think carefully about your weather flexibility. This is a water-based experience, so poor conditions can cancel the trip. If the operator cancels because of weather, you can receive a different date or a full refund, which protects you from losing the full fare in that situation.

Practical details that can affect your day

Confirmation arrives at booking, and the activity ends back at Harbourside Marine. A mobile ticket makes it easy to keep your booking available on your phone, but I would still make sure your phone is charged before leaving.

Pickup is offered, yet the meeting point remains Harbourside Marine. Confirm whether pickup applies to your accommodation and whether there is an extra charge. The earlier you settle that detail, the less likely you are to begin the day with a scramble.

The cancellation rule is simple but strict. You receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

Since the charter depends on good weather, keep some flexibility in your schedule if possible. A different date or a full refund is offered when poor weather forces a cancellation, but that does not help if you have a flight or cruise departure immediately afterward.

Should you book Prestige Boat Charters?

Book it if you have a larger group, want a private boat, and care more about a custom water day than the lowest possible price. Rose Island snorkeling, a beach picnic, and a calm mix of swimming and sightseeing may give you the best balance. Captain Ricky’s praised personal care is another reason to feel comfortable asking for guidance on the day’s route.

Choose the Exuma or Eleuthera pigs if that is the main reason you are visiting the Bahamas. Pick Compass Cay for a shark encounter, Turtle Cay for turtles, or Rose Island for reefs and a more flexible day. Ask in advance what can fit into eight hours, what food is included, and whether pickup applies to you.

My call: this is a strong choice for a full group that wants privacy and variety. It is a much weaker value for a small party or anyone who expects lunch, transportation, and every listed activity to be bundled into the price.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start?

The tour starts at Harbourside Marine in Nassau, on New Providence Island.

Where does the tour end?

The activity returns to the meeting point at Harbourside Marine.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

How many people can join the private charter?

The price covers one private group of up to 14 people.

What is the price?

The charter costs $1,500 per group of up to 14 people.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is offered, but the stated meeting point is Harbourside Marine. Confirm the pickup details before booking.

Can I visit the swimming pigs?

Yes. Available options include the swimming pigs in Exuma and the swimming pigs in Eleuthera.

Can I swim with sharks or turtles?

Yes. The tour offers swimming with sharks at Compass Cay and swimming with turtles at Turtle Cay.

Is food included?

Food at a local Exuma restaurant is not included. A beach picnic is offered, but the available information does not specify exactly what picnic items are supplied.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes the activity to be canceled, you are offered a different date or a full refund. If you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time, you receive a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refundable.