A private yacht day turns Nassau into your playground. I like the flexible itinerary (you choose two activities) and the fact that snorkel and fishing gear are already included. It turns a half-day in Nassau into something that feels more personal than the usual group boat shuffle.

One possible drawback: there’s no hotel pickup listed, so you’ll want to plan how you’ll get to Carnivale Bahamas at Paradise Island. Also, fishing success can vary day to day.

Key highlights you’ll care about

• Private half-day on a 55ft Hatteras: your party sails with the crew, not mixed with strangers
• Two-activity format: snorkel coral reef and/or do fishing, plus time for swimming and sun
• Equipment included: snorkel gear and fishing gear come with the charter
• Crew-led spotting and safety: Captain Roscoe and team (often Cleo and Kassandra) are repeatedly praised for being attentive
• Optional Rose Island stop on longer charters: Footprints Beach Bar and Grill can be added, with lunch and landing fees separate
• Strong track record: 4.9 rating and 95% recommendation, with bookings made about 50 days in advance

Why this 55ft Cocorijo charter feels different in Nassau

Nassau can be busy. This outing fights that by making the day about your group first. You’re on a well-maintained 55-foot Hatteras (Cocorijo), and the charter runs as a true private experience for up to 10 people. That means you can move at the pace your crew sets, ask questions without yelling across the boat, and swap plans if everyone wants more snorkeling time or more fishing time.

The biggest practical win is how the day is structured. You don’t have to pick from a strict checklist and hope it matches your interests. The half-day layout lets you choose two activities—like a coral reef snorkel plus fishing, or a reef snorkel plus an island stop. That flexibility matters, especially with kids or mixed-age groups, because not everyone wants the same intensity.

I also like that the basics are handled. You get bottled water and an ice cooler, plus snorkel equipment and fishing equipment. You’re not paying extra just to gear up. On a vacation day, that reduces friction more than people think.

Building your half-day plan: snorkel, Gilligan’s Island, or fishing

Your charter is about 4 hours on the water. In that time, the boat plan typically works like this: you choose two activities, then build around them with swimming and sun.

Here are the options that actually shape the experience:

Coral reef snorkeling, with time to ask questions

Snorkeling is the headline, and you can steer it toward a colorful coral reef. Since this is private, your crew can spend more time helping you get set, pointing out what to look for, and adjusting the pace based on comfort level.

Island time with a classic photo stop

You can also visit Gilligan’s Island, described as one of the most photographed islands in the world. Even if you don’t care about the photo, this is useful as a change of scenery. It breaks up the water time so the day doesn’t feel like one long session of gear, goggles, and saltwater.

Fishing: deep sea or inshore (you choose the feel)

You can swap snorkeling for fishing—or combine them across your two activities. The charter lists both deep sea and inshore fishing, which is a big deal. Deep sea typically feels more like an adventure hunt. Inshore can feel calmer and more relaxed, especially if you’re traveling with kids or people who get seasick.

Sunbathing and just plain swimming

This sounds basic, but it’s often what makes a private charter worth it. When there’s no crowded schedule, you can simply hang out on the water—swim when you want, take a break when you need one, and keep the day from turning into a sprint.

A balanced note: if you’re coming specifically for fishing, go in with reasonable expectations. One fishing-focused outing ended with no bites and lots of time without success. That can happen in any sport, so it’s smart to treat fishing as a bonus, not a guaranteed catch.

Snorkeling gear plus a crew that actually teaches

The charter includes snorkel gear, plus the boat comes with bottled water. That means you can spend your effort on the fun part—seeing fish and reef—rather than prepping equipment.

What elevates the snorkeling isn’t fancy marketing. It’s the way the crew runs it: safety and guidance first, questions welcome. In multiple trips, the crew team is praised for being professional and friendly, and for explaining what people are looking at. Names that show up often include Captain Roscoe, Mate Cleo, and Stewardess Kassandra. When kids are on board, the attention turns into hands-on help—getting families comfortable and supported in the water.

If you want value, ask for pointers before you jump in:

• Where should you float to see more coral?
• What should you watch for (fish behavior, reef shapes, sea life movement)?
• How long should you stay down before resurfacing?

Because this is private, you’re not stuck with a quick, one-size-fits-all briefing. You can tailor the snorkeling to who’s on the boat.

Fishing setups: deep-sea thrills and inshore relaxation

Fishing gear is included, and you’ll have options for deep sea or inshore fishing depending on what you choose for your two activities. The practical takeaway: you can match the trip to your group’s comfort level.

A standout detail from the experiences is how often the crew leans into the outcome. One trip highlighted fresh fish after a catch, with the fish being eaten later that day. That’s not guaranteed, but it does show what the charter can do when conditions cooperate and you’re fishing in a productive area.

At the same time, the chart isn’t perfect for everyone. One outing didn’t produce bites, and the experience felt more like time on the water than a serious catch-and-fish run. If fishing is your top priority, I’d treat this as a private fishing option with a decent chance of success—not a promise of a full cooler.

For better odds and fewer headaches:

• Plan to be flexible with the schedule on the water
• Choose deep sea if your group handles it well, inshore if you want steadier pacing
• Bring patience. Saltwater fishing is a waiting game

Rose Island and Footprints Beach Bar: the extra that makes longer charters sing

If you book an afternoon or full-day charter, you may add Rose Island and stop at Footprints Beach Bar and Grill. The description calls out a gorgeous section of beach with turquoise water and white sand, plus an easygoing setup for lunch, music, and time on the shore.

Two things to be clear about:

• Lunch is not included in the charter cost, and landing fees aren’t included either.
• This part of the day is more about the beach experience than a strict cultural museum-style stop. Think swim, eat, relax, and play.

Why this matters for your planning: it turns your day from a series of boat stops into a full mixed routine. You get water time, then a real beach break. People who want both snorkeling or fishing and a relaxed hangout time tend to love this kind of add-on.

Getting there: the Paradise Island meeting point and why timing matters

Hotel pickup is not included. Your start point is Carnivale Bahamas, 1 Marina Way, Paradise Island, Sterling Marina, Hurricane Hole, The Bahamas. That’s why timing and transportation planning matter more here than they do on tours that pick you up.

If you’re staying at a nearby big resort, you might find it easier than you expect. One set of experiences described being picked up from a hotel jetty on the boat, which suggests that in some cases, meeting up close to your hotel can happen. Still, don’t count on it. Treat the official meeting point as your plan.

Practical tip: arrive a bit early. Private charters run on water schedules, and you don’t want a rushed start.

Also keep your time expectations realistic. The end is back at the meeting point. If you have a show or dinner reservation right after your charter, give yourself buffer time for boarding, shifting schedules, and any weather delays.

The crew: what the best days have in common

A private charter rises or falls on the crew, and the names that come up most often are Captain Roscoe, Mate Cleo, and Stewardess Kassandra. The compliments are consistent: attentive, friendly, professional, and good with families.

You’ll also see other crew names in the same broader operation (like Captain Davy and Tyson, Captain Bobo and Freddy, and Captain Keith with Chris). That pattern suggests your experience is less about a single star and more about a team culture—people who know the water and know how to keep the day fun and safe.

If you’re traveling with kids, pay special attention to the crew’s track record for helping kids on board and keeping everyone comfortable around the boat and in the water. Multiple experiences highlighted this kind of support, and that’s a big reason families keep choosing this style of charter.

Price and value: when $1,650 works (and when it might not)

The price is $1,650 per group, up to 10 people, for about 4 hours. That’s not cheap on a per-person basis—especially if you’re traveling as two people—but private boat charters are priced for the entire boat, not just an individual ticket.

When it becomes good value:

• You have a group of 6 to 10 people. Splitting the cost drops the per-person number fast.
• You want real flexibility. Being able to steer the two-activity plan helps you avoid paying for options you won’t use.
• You care about included gear. Snorkel gear and fishing gear being in the price matters because gear rental is often an add-on elsewhere.
• You value staff attention. A crew that helps families and answers questions is hard to replicate on big group tours.

When you should think twice:

• If you’re only traveling with 1–2 people and you don’t plan to use both activities fully. In that case, you may be better off with a shared excursion, if your goal is snorkeling and basic sightseeing.
• If you mainly want a guaranteed fishing success story. Fishing depends on conditions. Your money buys you access and effort, not a fish guarantee.

One more value note: alcoholic beverages (local beer) and bottled water are listed as included. That can offset some vacation spending onboard, especially if your group normally buys drinks at the marina or beach.

Weather, realism, and how to avoid disappointment

This is a water activity, so weather matters. The experience is described as requiring good weather, and if it gets canceled due to poor conditions, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. That’s standard, but it’s still worth building in flexibility to your Nassau schedule.

For disappointment prevention, match your expectations:

• Treat snorkeling as the main event: it’s the activity with built-in visual payoff.
• Treat fishing as a major possibility, not a certainty. When bites happen, the day turns into a story. When bites don’t happen, you’ll still have water time, swimming, and island scenery.

If your group includes both snorkel lovers and fishing lovers, the two-activity setup is your friend. It keeps everyone from feeling like they chose wrong.

Who this charter suits best

This charter is a strong match if you want:

• A private Nassau outing rather than a crowded schedule
• A mix of snorkeling and/or fishing plus downtime on the water
• A crew that’s practiced at guiding families
• A realistic way to handle different comfort levels in one group

It may not be the best fit if:

• You only have two people and don’t want to pay the full group charter price
• Your whole trip hinges on guaranteed fishing results
• You don’t want to handle your own transportation to the marina (hotel pickup is not listed)

Should you book Cocorijo for Nassau snorkeling or fishing?

I’d book it if you’re planning a Nassau day with a real group and you want control. The private 55ft Cocorijo format is built for flexible snorkeling and fishing, with gear included and a crew that repeatedly earns praise for care and professionalism—especially when kids are along.

I’d think twice if you’re two people, or if fishing is your only goal and you’re not okay with the randomness of sport fishing. If that’s you, consider whether shared fishing options might fit your budget better.

If you do book, my best advice is simple: pick one must-do activity and one good-to-have activity. Then let your crew steer the timing once you’re out there. That’s where the value shows up.

FAQ

How many people can go on the private charter?

The charter is for up to 10 people per group on a private basis.

What snorkeling and fishing gear is included?

Snorkel equipment is included, and fishing gear is also included.

Does the price include food or drinks?

Bottled water is included, and local beer and alcoholic beverages are listed as included. Lunch is not included, and the Footprints Beach Bar and Grill stop (when added) notes that lunch and landing fees are separate.

Where do we meet for the tour?

The meeting point is Carnivale Bahamas, 1 Marina Way, Paradise Island, Sterling Marina, Hurricane Hole, The Bahamas. The tour ends back at the meeting point.

Is hotel pickup provided?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What happens if weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.