Private 38′ Defender Sportfishing/Swim with Pigs in Nassau

Fish first, pigs later, memories all day. This private Nassau charter combines bottom fishing, snorkeling, sightseeing, and a stop at Rose Island in one flexible four-hour outing. I like the private format, which keeps your group together, and I like that water, ice, bait, fishing gear, and snorkel equipment are included.

The 38-foot Defender Express also gives families useful room to spread out, with a bathroom onboard. The main catch is that swimming with the pigs costs an extra $30, and the four-hour schedule may feel short if you want serious fishing, a long beach stop, and plenty of time in the water.

Key Points Before You Book

• Private boat for up to seven: You get the vessel and crew for your own group rather than sharing the outing with strangers.
• Rose Island reef stop: One reef is set aside for swimming among colorful fish, with a second reef available for snorkeling or beach time.
• Fishing gear and bait included: You can try bottom fishing without bringing equipment from home.
• Family-friendly boat setup: The 38-foot boat has room for families and includes a bathroom, a practical touch on the water.
• Pig swim is optional: The experience is available for an extra $30 fee on the island, so you can choose it or keep the day focused on fishing and snorkeling.
• Strong overall rating: The charter is recommended by 98 percent of guests and carries a 4.9 rating from 50 reviews.

Leaving From Paradise Island’s Margaritaville Marina

Your meeting point is Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Bahamas at 2 Marina Drive on Paradise Island. The tour ends at the same marina, so you do not need to arrange a separate return ride from another part of New Providence Island.

That simple start and finish matters. A private boat day can become awkward when pickup points are scattered around a harbor, but this one keeps the logistics clear. You arrive at the marina, meet the charter crew, board the Defender, and return to that same place after roughly four hours.

Because confirmation is subject to availability and is sent within 48 hours of booking, I would not leave this reservation until the last minute. The experience is booked about 20 days ahead on average, which gives you a useful planning target. If you want a particular day during a busy Nassau visit, reserve early.

What the 38-Foot Defender Means for Your Day

The boat is a 38-foot Defender Express. That is a useful size for a private group of up to seven. You have enough space for a family or small group to fish, sit, handle snorkel gear, and move around without the cramped feeling of a tiny open boat.

The onboard bathroom is especially helpful for families with children. It also makes the outing easier for anyone who would rather not spend four hours without basic facilities. The crew welcomes families and kids, and the boat is set up for a mix of activities rather than one narrow purpose.

The included water, ice, and bait remove several small costs that can add up on a private charter. Snorkel equipment and fishing equipment are also provided, so you can pack lightly. You should still bring the personal items you need for a day around salt water, but the main activity gear is covered.

This is a private activity, not a shared excursion. That gives you more control over the pace and the mix of fishing, snorkeling, beach time, and sightseeing. It does not mean every minute is custom-planned in advance. Your captain still has to work with weather and sea conditions, and four hours puts a natural limit on how much you can fit in.

Bottom Fishing Near Nassau

The fishing portion is designed around bottom fishing. That usually means working close to the seafloor for species found around reef and island waters, but the exact catch and location can change with conditions.

I like this style of fishing for a family charter because it gives children and first-time anglers a clear activity. You are not expected to bring specialized knowledge or tackle. Fishing gear and bait are supplied, and the crew can help make the process approachable.

A family-friendly charter may not satisfy someone seeking a full-day offshore sportfishing campaign. You are booking a mixed marine outing, not an all-day tournament trip. The four-hour format gives you a taste of fishing while leaving room for the reefs and the island stop.

One account connected to this charter names Mike and DeAngelo and describes a kid-friendly trip on a boat called Strikezone, with plenty of fish caught close to shore. The supplied tour details identify the experience as a 38-foot Defender operated by Hunter Charters, so boat naming may vary by vessel or trip. The useful takeaway is that the operation is prepared for family fishing rather than only experienced anglers.

If fishing is your top priority, tell the crew early. The tour description makes clear that your wishes help shape the day, but fishing time competes with snorkeling, beach time, sightseeing, and the pig stop.

Rose Island’s First Reef and Colorful Fish

At Rose Island, the first stop takes you to a large reef where you can swim among colorful fish. This is the heart of the snorkeling side of the trip.

You receive snorkel equipment as part of the price, which keeps the stop easy. You do not need to rent masks and fins separately or pack bulky gear from your hotel. The reef is described as beautiful and full of excited fish, though conditions can change with weather and water visibility.

For strong swimmers, this stop offers a chance to spend time in the water rather than simply view the reef from the boat. For families, it gives children a different activity after fishing. The private format also helps because your group can focus on the water without trying to match the schedule of a large boatload of people.

There is one practical point to remember: the tour information does not provide a detailed safety briefing, water depth, or exact snorkeling time. You should listen closely to the crew on the day and be honest about your swimming ability. The operator says most people can participate, but every person should judge their own comfort in open water.

A Second Reef for Snorkeling or Beach Time

The next reef gives you a choice. You can snorkel again, or you can spend the time on the beach.

That choice is one of the strongest features of this charter. Not everyone in a family wants the same kind of water day. One person may want another look at the fish, while someone else may prefer dry sand and a slower break. A private boat makes that split easier to manage.

The second stop also gives the outing a better rhythm. Fishing provides a hands-on activity, the first reef brings you into the water, and the second stop lets you choose between more snorkeling and a beach visit. You are not locked into one repeated activity for the full four hours.

Still, keep your watch on the clock. The tour lasts approximately four hours, and the island stop for swimming with pigs is separate from the included reef activities. If your group wants fishing, two reef stops, and a pig encounter, you may get only a short amount of time at each place.

Adding the Swimming With Pigs Stop

Swimming with pigs is optional and costs an additional $30 on the island. That fee is not included in the $850 charter price.

This is an important distinction when comparing the total cost. The base price covers a private boat for up to seven people, fishing equipment, bait, ice, water, and snorkel gear. The pig swim is an add-on, so your final budget depends on whether your group chooses to pay for it.

For a group of seven, the base price works out to about $121 per person before the pig fee and gratuity. For two people, the same charter costs $425 each before extras. That makes this a much stronger value for a full family or group of friends than for a couple traveling alone.

The pig stop is best treated as an optional extra, not the entire reason to book this boat. The main charter already includes fishing and two reef or beach opportunities. If one person in your party is excited about pigs and another is not, the flexible setup lets you decide on the island rather than forcing everyone to pay in advance.

The supplied information does not specify the exact pig island, how long the stop lasts, or what other fees might apply there beyond the stated $30. Ask the crew for the current details before committing to that part of the outing.

Is Four Hours Enough?

Four hours is enough for a taste of several Nassau water activities. You can fish, visit the first reef, make a second reef or beach stop, and possibly add the pig swim.

It is not enough for an unhurried version of everything. Every stop requires boat travel, boarding, equipment changes, and time in the water. If your group wants a long fishing session, extended beach time, and relaxed snorkeling, you will need to choose what matters most.

I see the duration as a good fit for a cruise stop, a half-day family plan, or a morning or afternoon break from Nassau sightseeing. It also leaves part of the day open. A full-day charter would offer more breathing room, but it would also cost more and demand more time from young children or less experienced swimmers.

Before departure, tell the crew your priorities. If your family mainly wants to fish, say so. If snorkeling and pigs are the main goals, make that clear. The tour description says your wish is the crew’s command, and the private format gives that promise practical weight.

The Price: Strong for Seven, Costly for Two

The group price is $850 for up to seven people. The value improves as your party gets larger because the price does not change between one and seven participants.

For seven people, the per-person price is reasonable for a private boat with equipment and supplies included. For four people, it comes to $212.50 each. For two people, it becomes a premium outing, especially after adding the $30 pig fee and gratuity.

You are paying for more than transport to a beach. The price includes a private captain-led experience, fishing gear, bait, ice, bottled water, and snorkel equipment. You also avoid sharing the boat with strangers and can shape the day around your own group.

The cost makes the most sense for families, wedding groups, or friends who can fill most of the seven available places. If you are booking for one or two people, compare the total against shared Nassau boat excursions before deciding.

Gratuities are not included. The cancellation terms allow a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. Since the tour requires good weather, a cancellation caused by poor conditions gives you the choice of another date or a full refund.

Who Will Enjoy This Nassau Charter Most?

I would recommend this outing to families who want several activities in one package. Children can fish, swim, look for colorful fish, and choose beach time without needing to commit to a single long activity.

It also fits groups that value privacy. You can keep your own conversation, set a comfortable pace, and avoid organizing around a large shared boat. The bathroom onboard adds real comfort for a mixed-age group.

This is a good choice for people who want a light fishing experience rather than a specialized offshore expedition. It is also useful for groups with different interests. One person can focus on fishing, another can snorkel, and another can choose the beach or pig stop.

I would hesitate if your only goal is serious sportfishing or a long, quiet beach day. The four-hour schedule and multi-activity plan spread your time across several stops. The price is also hard to justify for just one or two people unless privacy is your top concern.

The 98 percent recommendation rate and 4.9 rating from 50 reviews point to a consistently well-liked experience. The praise centers on the family-friendly setup, the roomy boat, the bathroom, the fishing, and the chance to combine fishing with swimming with pigs.

Practical Details to Keep in Mind

You receive a mobile ticket, and confirmation arrives within 48 hours, subject to availability. The meeting point is Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Bahamas at the Paradise Island marina, and you return there after the tour.

The charter includes bottled water, ice, bait, fishing equipment, and snorkeling equipment. Pig swimming and gratuities cost extra.

Most people can participate, but the activity still includes open-water swimming and boat movement. If someone in your group has concerns about swimming or snorkeling, discuss them with the crew before entering the water.

Weather matters. A poor-weather cancellation results in a different date or a full refund. That policy is useful in the Bahamas, where sea conditions can affect both comfort and visibility.

Should You Book the Private Defender Charter?

Book this tour if you have a group of four to seven and want a flexible half-day on the water. The combination of bottom fishing, Rose Island reefs, beach time, and optional pigs gives you more variety than a single-purpose boat trip.

The strongest value comes from filling the boat. Families will appreciate the bathroom, the included equipment, and the kid-friendly approach. The private setup also makes it easier to keep a mixed group happy.

Think twice if you are traveling as a couple, want an all-day fishing expedition, or care only about swimming with pigs. In those cases, the $850 base price may be more than you need.

For a full family day with several choices and a captain who can adjust the plan, this is a solid Nassau pick. Just set your priorities before leaving the marina, keep the extra pig fee in your budget, and remember that four hours passes quickly on the water.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Bahamas, located at 2 Marina Drive on Paradise Island, New Providence Island, Bahamas.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Bahamas marina.

How long does the charter last?

The experience lasts approximately four hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The $850 price covers one private group of up to seven people.

Is the boat private?

Yes. Only your group participates in this private tour or activity.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included in the tour price.

Is fishing equipment included?

Yes. Fishing equipment, ice, and bait are included.

Is bottled water provided?

Yes. Bottled water is included.

Does the price include swimming with pigs?

No. Swimming with pigs costs an additional $30 fee on the island.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and poor-weather cancellations offer a different date or a full refund.