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

A private boat makes the day yours. Secret Cays gives your group a 4-hour charter from New Providence Island, with snorkeling, fishing, turtles, swimming pigs, and white sand beaches all on the menu. Capt. Javano can shape the outing around your interests instead of following a fixed sightseeing route.

I like the private format, since you are not sharing the boat with strangers, and I like the 35-foot Donzi Marine center console, which includes a private restroom, bow seating, Bluetooth audio, fishing gear, snorkeling equipment, and bottled water on ice. The main concern is safety and comfort at speed: one serious account describes a rough return trip that caused injuries, so I would discuss the route and pace with the captain before departure.

The price is $850 per group of up to eight, making it sensible for a full family or friend group, but the boat description says it can safely carry up to six anglers. That difference matters, especially if everyone plans to fish, so confirm the practical passenger limit before paying.

Key points to know before booking

• Private 35-foot Donzi boat: Your group has the charter to itself, with bow lounge seating and a restroom built inside the center console.
• Several activities in one trip: You can combine snorkeling, fishing, turtle swimming, pig interaction, beach time, and cruising.
• Pig interaction costs extra: The optional fee is $30 per person, so add it to your budget if swimming pigs are the main reason you are booking.
• Four hours goes quickly: This is a half-day outing, and time on the water is shared among the activities you choose.
• Fishing capacity needs clarification: The charter price covers up to eight people, but the boat is described as suitable for up to six anglers.
• Weather can change the plan: Poor conditions may lead to a new date or a full refund, which is useful protection for a boat trip.

Leaving Paradise Island Ferry Terminal

The tour begins at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal on Paradise Beach Drive. This is a practical meeting point near public transportation, and the activity ends at the same location, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup point after the boat returns.

I would arrive with enough time to find the terminal and settle your group before departure. The ticket is mobile, and confirmation is provided at booking. Since the charter is private, you can keep your party together from the first minute instead of sorting out seating with other passengers.

The meeting point also sets the tone for the day. You are not being collected at a distant marina and placed on a large shared vessel. You walk onto a smaller, purpose-built center console and spend the next four hours with your own group and the captain.

What the 35-foot Donzi adds to the day

The boat is one of the strongest parts of this charter. A 35-foot Donzi Marine center console offers more room than a small open skiff, while still keeping you close to the water. The front bow seating and lounge area give you a place to sit while cruising between stops.

The built-in bathroom is not a glamorous detail, but it is a very useful one. On a 4-hour boat trip, a proper restroom inside the console can make the outing easier for families and anyone who does not want to rely on a beach stop.

The boat also has a multimedia system with MP3 and Bluetooth compatibility. You can connect music for your group, assuming the captain permits it and the conditions allow. Keep the volume reasonable. The best part of a Bahamas boat trip is still the water, the wind, and the conversation around you.

A cooler with bottled water and ice is included. Food and other drinks are not included unless requested, and alcoholic beverages are specifically excluded from the standard package. If you want more than water, ask Secret Cays about arrangements before the trip rather than assuming provisions will be waiting onboard.

Choosing between snorkeling, turtles, pigs, and fishing

The appeal here is choice. You can ask for a day built around snorkeling, fishing, turtle encounters, pig interaction, beach time, or a mixture of several activities. That flexibility is useful, but it also creates a tradeoff: four hours is not long enough to spend unlimited time at every stop.

I would pick one main goal and one or two smaller additions. If snorkeling is your priority, make that clear at the start. If your children mainly want swimming pigs, say so before the boat leaves. A private charter gives you more control, but the captain still has to work with sea conditions, travel time, and the locations available that day.

Fishing equipment is included, so you do not need to arrange a separate rental. The description says the boat can safely take up to six anglers. If your whole party wants to fish, ask how many people can actively fish at once and how that affects the up-to-eight passenger limit.

Snorkeling in the open water

Snorkeling equipment is included, which keeps the packing list short. You can expect the captain and crew to provide the basic gear needed for the activity, though the supplied details do not specify the exact equipment sizes or styles.

Snorkeling works well as part of a private outing because you can avoid spending the entire day at a site that does not suit your group. If conditions are better elsewhere, you can ask about another stop. The important point is to treat the plan as flexible rather than expecting a guaranteed reef, fish count, or exact location.

I would bring a towel, sun protection, and any personal swim gear you prefer. Those items are not listed as included. You should also tell the crew if someone in your party is not a confident swimmer, so the activity can be approached at a comfortable pace.

Turtle encounters

Swimming with turtles is one of the more appealing choices on the menu. It offers a wildlife moment rather than a simple beach stop, and it can make the charter feel more personal than a standard cruise.

Still, turtles are wild animals, not scheduled performers. The supplied information does not promise a particular number of turtles or guarantee that you will swim beside one. Ask the captain what conditions look like that day and keep expectations realistic.

The private setting helps here. You can spend more or less time at the turtle area based on your group’s interest, subject to weather, local conditions, and the captain’s judgment.

Swimming pigs and the extra fee

The swimming pigs are likely to be the headline attraction for many families. The activity description presents pig interaction as an optional part of the day, but it comes with a separate $30 per person fee.

That fee can change the value calculation quickly. For four people, it adds $120. For eight, it adds $240. At the base charter price of $850, a full group pays a reasonable group rate, but a small party may find the total less attractive once pig fees and requested food or drinks are added.

Ask exactly what the $30 covers before you go. The provided details call it a pig interaction fee, but do not explain the length of the stop or what is included at the site. Also ask if the fee applies to every person who boards or only those who take part.

Fishing from the private charter

Fishing equipment is included, which makes this a convenient choice if some members of your party want an active outing while others prefer to swim or cruise. You can split the day rather than booking a fishing trip for one part of the group and a water activity for everyone else.

The boat is described as able to safely accommodate up to six anglers. That wording suggests a practical limit for people fishing at the same time, even though the overall booking price allows up to eight people. Clarify this before booking if fishing is central to your plans.

The supplied details do not state the fish species, fishing method, licenses, catch arrangements, or whether bait is included. I would ask those questions directly. Do not assume this is a dedicated full-day fishing charter. It is a flexible half-day experience with fishing among several possible activities.

Cruising to white sand beaches

The charter can include a cruise to pristine white sand beaches. This gives you a slower part of the day, especially if your group wants time to swim, sit, and enjoy the setting without rushing from one water activity to the next.

Beach time is also a useful fallback if someone does not want to snorkel or fish. Parents can spread the activities around the group, while children may get a place to play in shallow water or relax between stops, depending on the conditions at the beach.

The key limitation is travel time. One 1-star account describes a long ride to an island where an additional fee was required simply to step ashore. The supplied tour information does not confirm that this fee is standard, nor does it identify every island or beach used. Because of that, ask the captain where the boat is likely to go, how long the ride will take, and if any landing or access fee applies.

Comfort, pace, and the safety question

A private boat gives you control, but it also means your group is responsible for speaking up. If the ride becomes uncomfortable, ask the captain to reduce speed. One account reports being thrown around during a fast return, with two family members injured. That is not a minor complaint, and it deserves attention before booking.

Sea conditions can change the feel of the trip. A 35-foot boat may be more stable than a smaller craft, but no boat ride is perfectly smooth. If anyone in your group is prone to motion sickness, bring suitable medication and choose a seat with the captain’s advice.

I would set a few expectations at the start:

• Ask how the captain plans to divide the four hours.
• Confirm the return route and expected speed.
• Discuss any children, older adults, or nervous swimmers in the group.
• Clarify the maximum number of active anglers.
• Ask which stops may require extra fees.
• Tell the crew if your group prefers a calm cruise over a fast ride.

These questions do not spoil the fun. They help the captain build a better day for your particular party.

Is $850 good value for a private boat?

At $850 per group, the charter is not priced like a basic shared excursion. Its value comes from privacy, flexible activity choices, a larger boat, equipment, a restroom, and a crew focused only on your group.

For eight people, the base cost works out to $106.25 per person. For four people, it becomes $212.50 each before any pig fees, food, or requested drinks. A large group that wants several activities may find that fair. A couple or small family planning only one short swim stop may get better value from a shared trip.

The price also makes more sense if your party would otherwise book separate activities. Fishing equipment and snorkeling equipment are included, and you can combine several interests in one outing. On the other hand, the four-hour limit means you are paying for a compact experience, not a full day on the water.

The $30 pig interaction fee deserves its own place in your budget. Food and drinks are extra unless requested, and alcoholic beverages are not included. Get the final cost in writing if your plans include pigs, meals, or special provisions.

Who should book this charter?

I would consider this experience for a family or group of friends that wants a private boat and has different ideas about the perfect day. One person can fish, another can snorkel, and others can focus on turtles, pigs, beach time, or simply cruising.

It may suit you if you value flexibility more than a fixed, tightly scheduled itinerary. The private format is also useful if your group wants its own music, seating arrangement, and pace.

I would hesitate if you want a guaranteed fishing result, a precise turtle encounter, or a carefully timed list of every advertised activity. You should also think twice if anyone in your group is especially sensitive to speed or rough water, unless you discuss a calm pace with the captain ahead of time.

The public rating is 3.6 from seven ratings, so this is not a service I would book without asking practical questions. The boat features and private format are appealing, but the safety complaint and the unclear passenger distinction deserve a clear conversation with Secret Cays.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

The trip depends on good weather. If poor conditions cancel the charter, you can receive a different date or a full refund. The same options apply if the minimum number of travelers is not met. Since this is a private activity, only your group participates, and confirmation is provided when you book.

FAQ

Where does the charter start?

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

Where does the experience end?

The charter ends back at the meeting point, the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal.

How long is the private charter?

The experience lasts approximately four hours.

How much does the boat charter cost?

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

Is the boat private?

Yes. This is a private activity, so only your group participates.

What activities can I choose?

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

Is the pig interaction included in the price?

No. Pig interaction is optional and costs $30 per person.

What equipment and refreshments are included?

Snorkeling equipment, fishing equipment, a guide, and a cooler with bottled water and ice are included. The boat also has a full bathroom in the console and MP3 and Bluetooth compatibility. Food, other drinks, and alcoholic beverages are not included unless requested, and alcoholic beverages are excluded from the standard offering.

Should you book Secret Cays?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the $850 cost and you want a private, flexible day rather than a fixed boat tour. The Donzi boat, onboard restroom, included gear, and mix of snorkeling, fishing, turtles, pigs, and beaches give you plenty of ways to shape the outing.

Before you commit, confirm the actual passenger limit, the planned route, any beach access fees, the pig fee, and the captain’s approach to speed and rough water. If those answers are clear and your group agrees on one main activity, this can be a useful half-day on the Bahamas water. If safety concerns are brushed aside or the extra costs remain vague, I would choose another charter.