Rose Island: Private Yacht Party Charter

The best Nassau days happen offshore. This four-hour private yacht charter takes you from New Providence toward Rose Island for clear water, beach time, snorkeling, swimming, and a relaxed rum-punch cruise. I like the private boat setup, since only your group and the crew are onboard, and I like the restroom, snacks, drinks, and snorkeling gear included in the $165 price.

The main catch is that several popular extras cost more. Food, swimming pigs, jet skis, banana boat activities, and drone photography can quickly raise your total. Weather can also change the route, so this works best for people who want a flexible water day rather than a fixed sightseeing schedule.

Key points before you book

• A private four-hour charter: You share the boat only with your own group and the captain and crew.
• Two Rose Island route choices: One focuses on Gilligan’s Island, a reef, and a white-sand beach. The other gives you time at a Rose Island site with food, drinks, and party options.
• Drinks and water gear are included: Rum punch, soft drinks, water, ice, snacks, life jackets, snorkeling equipment, float noodles, and a Bluetooth speaker come with the charter.
• A proper cabin cruiser: The boat has a spacious cabin and an onboard restroom, useful during a four-hour outing.
• Extra costs need attention: Swimming pigs cost $50 per person, local food costs $300 for up to 15 people, and jet skis cost $200 per jet ski per hour.
• Willy’s crew gets strong praise: A verified February 2025 booking gave Willy and his team five stars and called them highly recommendable.

Starting at Antiki Floating Bar in Nassau

Your meeting point is Antiki Floating Bar and Grill, behind Malcolm Park on East Bay Street, after the first bridge toward Paradise Island. This is a useful place to set expectations: the experience begins with a boat departure, not a hotel pickup or a land-based beach visit.

If you need transportation, you must arrange it or ask about it in advance. The tour information says transportation can be made known if needed, but it does not state that transfers are included in the $165 price.

The starting point also gives the day a casual party flavor. Antiki is not a formal marina setting, and the charter is designed around music, drinks, swimming, and easygoing time on the water. I would arrive ready for sun, spray, and a boat day rather than a polished luxury cruise with a strict schedule.

The private group format matters here. You do not have to adjust your day around strangers, and you can spend more time swimming or relaxing if that suits your group. On the other hand, a private charter usually offers the best value when several people split the cost.

A harbor cruise with celebrity villa views

The first part of the ride takes you through New Providence’s harbor area. Along the way, you can sightsee and look toward well-known celebrity beach villas. This is a pleasant opening segment because it lets you settle into the boat before the main swimming and snorkeling stops.

The harbor portion is scenic rather than a formal architecture tour. Do not book this expecting a detailed talk about every villa or a long list of celebrity names. The supplied details promise views of notable beach homes, but not a dedicated guided tour of them.

I like this early cruise because it gives the trip some variety. You are not simply being dropped at a beach. You get a short look at the shoreline and harbor before heading toward the islands and open water.

The crew also has a Bluetooth speaker, so your group can set the mood as the boat moves along. Keep the music considerate, especially if the crew needs to communicate safety instructions or if other boats are nearby.

Athol Island brings the first water stop

Athol Island is listed as a stop for swimming and marine life viewing. It adds another chance to get in the water before or around the main Rose Island portion of the trip.

The descriptions do not promise a specific animal sighting, reef condition, or guided wildlife talk. Think of this as a chance to swim and look for marine life, not a guaranteed wildlife encounter. Conditions in the water can change with weather, visibility, and the day’s route.

Life jackets and noodles are included. Snorkeling equipment is also provided, which keeps you from having to pack your own mask and fins. Still, bring a towel, sunscreen, water shoes, sunglasses, and a waterproof camera. Water shoes are especially useful for rocky or uneven areas around a reef or shoreline.

The tour does not allow touching marine life. That rule is simple and important. Enjoy what you see without handling coral, animals, or other underwater life.

Choosing between the two Rose Island routes

The central choice shapes your day. You can select a more nature-focused route with Gilligan’s Island, a Rose Island reef, and a white-sand beach. Or you can choose another Rose Island location with opportunities to buy food and drinks, party, and relax.

Route one: Gilligan’s Island, reef, and beach

The first route is the better fit if you want a classic island day. The plan includes a cruise past picturesque Gilligan’s Island, snorkeling at a Rose Island reef, and time on one of Rose Island’s white-sand beaches.

This route gives you the strongest balance of scenery and water time. You get a named island stop, an underwater activity, and a beach break instead of spending most of the charter at a bar.

Snorkeling gear is included, along with life jackets and float noodles. The reef stop is likely to be the most active part of the day, while the beach gives you room to slow down. You can swim, float, take photos, or simply sit with the sand and sea in front of you.

The details do not guarantee a particular fish species, water depth, or length of time at each stop. Weather can affect the plan. If reef visibility or sea conditions are poor, the crew may need to adjust the route.

Route two: Rose Island party stop

The second route is better for a group that cares more about social time than snorkeling. You cruise to another Rose Island site where you can buy food and drinks, party, and unwind.

A local bar visit is included in the broader itinerary, with options listed for beer, cocktails, lunch, swimming, and stand-up paddleboarding. You might also find jet skis and banana boat rides at the Rose Island stop, but these are not included in the base price.

This route gives you more freedom to spend money on the activities your group actually wants. The drawback is that the price can climb quickly. Jet skis cost $200 per jet ski per hour, and lunch at the stop is listed at $10 to $30 per person.

If you want local food arranged for the group, the add-on costs $300 total for up to 15 people. That could be reasonable for a full group, but it is a large extra charge for a small party. Ask exactly what the local food includes before adding it.

What the $165 price really covers

At $165 per person, this is not a basic shared ferry ride. You are paying for a private four-hour boat charter with a captain and crew, a cabin cruiser, drinks, snacks, water equipment, and access to a flexible Rose Island outing.

The included items are practical:

• Water, ice, and soft drinks
• Rum punch
• Snacks
• Life jackets
• Snorkeling gear
• Noodles for floating
• Captain and crew
• Bluetooth speaker
• Restroom onboard

The restroom and cabin are easy to overlook when comparing boat tours, but they improve the day. Four hours in the sun is long enough for a restroom to matter, especially if you are drinking rum punch and soft drinks.

The value depends heavily on your group size. A private boat is usually easier to justify when several people share the cost. For two people, $330 before optional purchases may feel steep. For a larger group that wants its own music, route choice, and space, the private format becomes more appealing.

You should also budget for lunch if you choose the bar route. Drinks and snacks are included, but a full meal is not. Swimming pigs, jet skis, and drone photos all sit outside the base price.

Drinks, snacks, and the booze-and-cruise mood

Rum punch, soft drinks, water, ice, and snacks are included from the start. That means you do not need to bring every drink for the day, though you should still follow any crew guidance about alcohol and swimming.

The return ride is described as a booze-and-cruise trip through the harbor, with a possible stop at a floating bar if it is open. The phrase possible matters. The stop is not guaranteed, so do not book this expecting a fixed bar visit.

This is a good setup for birthdays, bachelor or bachelorette groups, families with older children, and friends who want a private boat atmosphere. It may be less suitable if you prefer quiet nature travel or a highly structured tour with long interpretive talks.

The crew is described as safe, fun, and energetic. Willy and his team received a five-star rating from a verified February 15, 2025 booking, with particular praise for the crew and a strong recommendation. That is a small sample, but it supports the idea that the people running the boat are a major part of the experience.

Optional swimming pigs and other add-ons

Swimming pigs are available for an additional $50 per person on either route. This is not included, and you should tell the operator ahead of time if you want to add it.

The pigs may appeal to people who want a playful photo stop, but they are not necessary for a good Rose Island day. If your main goals are beach time and snorkeling, you can skip this cost and keep the outing simpler.

Jet skis cost $200 per jet ski per hour. Banana boat rides are listed among the possible Rose Island activities, but no price is provided. Ask for the current cost before committing.

Drone photography is another $200 option. It may suit a celebration or group that wants polished aerial photos, but it is a major addition to a $165 base fare. A waterproof camera is listed among the suggested items, so you can also bring your own simple way to record the day.

Weather, mobility, and safety considerations

Weather-related changes may affect the charter. This is normal for a boat outing, but it matters when you are choosing between an open-water activity and a land tour. The crew may need to modify the route, stops, or timing for safety.

The experience is not considered suitable for pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, people with heart problems, babies under one year, or people over 70. Non-folding wheelchairs, non-folding strollers, mobility scooters, and scooters are not allowed.

The restrictions are broad, so ask before booking if anyone in your party has a medical concern or difficulty boarding a boat. Assistance dogs are allowed, but pets are not.

You should not bring weapons, sharp objects, fireworks, explosive substances, or anything used to make a fire. Riding animals and touching marine life are also prohibited. These rules keep the focus on swimming, sightseeing, and responsible water activities.

What to pack for four hours on the water

Bring a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a sun hat, and water shoes. The information lists both sunglasses and a hat, so take both if you want strong protection from the sun.

A waterproof camera is useful for the reef, beach, and boat ride. Keep personal items protected from spray, even on a cabin cruiser.

You do not need to bring snorkeling gear, life jackets, or float noodles because those are included. You also do not need to pack a cooler full of drinks, since water, ice, soft drinks, rum punch, and snacks are provided.

Still, bring anything specific you need for your own comfort. The included snacks are not described in detail, and lunch is not part of the base package.

Who will enjoy this charter most?

I would recommend this charter to a private group that wants several choices in one outing. You can combine harbor sightseeing, island views, swimming, snorkeling, beach time, drinks, and optional water sports without booking separate activities.

It suits groups celebrating an occasion, friends who want their own music and space, and people who prefer a relaxed party boat to a formal cruise. The private arrangement also works well if your group has different interests, since some can swim while others stay onboard or relax at the beach.

I would be more cautious if you want a guaranteed schedule, included lunch, or a quiet wildlife tour. The route can change with weather, the floating bar may not be open, and several popular activities cost extra.

The four-hour duration is long enough for a proper island outing but short enough to fit into a busy Nassau visit. Since the tour starts and ends at Antiki Floating Bar, plan your day around reaching East Bay Street behind Malcolm Park.

Should you book the Rose Island party charter?

Book it if you want a private Nassau boat day with a lively crew, included drinks, snorkeling equipment, and a choice between a beach-and-reef route or a more social Rose Island stop.

Before paying, decide which extras you actually want. Add up lunch, pigs, jet skis, local food, and drone photos instead of treating them as small afterthoughts. For a larger group sharing the $165 per-person price, the charter offers good flexibility and comfort. For a small group, the cost is harder to justify unless the privacy itself is your main priority.

The strongest reason to book is the mix of private space and choice. The main reason to hesitate is that the advertised base price is only the beginning if your group wants a full party package.

FAQ

How long is the Rose Island private yacht charter?

The charter lasts four hours, including the cruise from Antiki Floating Bar and Grill and the return to the same location.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Antiki Floating Bar and Grill behind Malcolm Park on East Bay Street, after the first bridge leading toward Paradise Island.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your private group, the captain, and the crew are onboard.

What drinks and food are included?

Water, ice, soft drinks, rum punch, and snacks are included. Lunch at the local bar is not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear, life jackets, and noodles for floating are included.

How much do swimming pigs cost?

Swimming pigs are an optional extra at $50 per person.

Are jet skis included?

No. Jet skis cost $200 per jet ski per hour.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.