Private 38′ Defender Sportfishing/Swim with Pigs in Nassau

A private boat from Nassau takes you to Rose Island for bottom fishing, reef snorkeling, and beach time, with swimming pigs available as an optional add-on. The 38-foot Defender has space for up to seven people, plus a bathroom, making it a practical choice for families.

I like the flexible plan and the fact that the boat carries fishing gear, bait, snorkel equipment, ice, and water. I also like the family-friendly setup, especially the larger boat and onboard bathroom noted by one family who fished with Mike and DeAngelo.

The main catch is the extra $30 swimming-with-pigs fee, which is not part of the $850 charter price. You will also need good weather, and the four-hour schedule may feel tight if you want a long fishing session, reef time, beach time, and the pig stop.

Key points at a glance

• Private 38-foot boat: Your group of up to seven has the vessel to itself, rather than sharing the outing with strangers.
• Rose Island reef stops: You visit one reef for colorful fish and another area for snorkeling or beach time.
• Fishing is built in: Bottom-fishing equipment, bait, and ice are supplied, so you do not need to arrange a separate fishing rental.
• Optional pig swim: Swimming with the pigs costs an additional $30 on the island.
• Family-friendly design: The boat includes a bathroom, and the activity is suitable for most participants.
• Simple Nassau meeting point: You meet at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Bahamas Marina on Paradise Island and return there.

A private Nassau boat day with several ways to spend it

This charter works best when your group cannot agree on just one water activity. One person can fish, another can snorkel, and someone else can spend time on the beach. Since the boat is private, you are not locked into the pace or interests of a larger group.

The experience lasts about four hours. That is long enough for a useful outing from Nassau without taking up the entire day, but you should keep your expectations realistic. Fishing, two reef areas, beach time, and the pig stop all compete for the same clock.

The boat is a 38-foot Defender Express based out of Nassau. The supplied details describe it as suitable for families and children, with a bathroom onboard. That matters more than it may sound. A private boat day can become uncomfortable when young children have nowhere to sit out of the sun or no restroom available.

The charter can accommodate up to seven people for $850 per group. If you fill all seven places, the cost works out to about $121 per person before gratuity and the pig fee. A smaller group pays more per person, but you gain privacy and control over the day.

Meeting at Margaritaville on Paradise Island

Your start and finish point is Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Bahamas Marina, at Marina Drive on Paradise Island. This gives you a clear central meeting place if you are already in Nassau or staying nearby on Paradise Island.

You should allow time to arrive before departure and confirm the exact meeting instructions after booking. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability. The tour returns to the same marina, so you do not need to arrange a separate return trip from another island.

The marina setting also helps keep the day simple. You board in a developed area, then head out by boat toward Rose Island. The listing does not provide a precise sailing time or a detailed route, so do not assume that every minute of the four hours is spent at a reef.

Bottom fishing with Mike and DeAngelo

Fishing is one of the strongest reasons to choose this charter. Bottom fishing is included in the plan, and the operator provides fishing equipment and bait. Ice is also supplied, which is useful for keeping the day comfortable and handling any catch.

One family outing featured Mike and DeAngelo and was designed around children, with fishing close to Nassau before the group went to swim with the pigs. That detail gives you a helpful clue about the style of the trip. This is not presented as a serious offshore fishing expedition. It is a family-friendly boat day where fishing is one part of the fun.

You may catch plenty of fish, as one supplied account describes a productive outing. Still, fishing is never guaranteed, and the available information does not specify the target species, exact fishing grounds, or how long the boat remains at each spot.

For a family, that flexible approach can be a plus. Children may enjoy trying the rods without needing to spend hours focused on one activity. If fishing is your only priority, ask about the fishing plan before you book so you know how much of the four-hour charter can be devoted to it.

First reef stop at Rose Island

At Rose Island, the boat takes you to a large reef where you can swim among colorful fish. This is the most direct snorkeling portion of the experience, and snorkel gear is included in the charter price.

The value here is convenience. You do not need to pack or rent masks and snorkels separately, and you can move from the boat into the water without arranging another excursion. The reef also gives non-fishers something appealing to do while the fishing portion takes place.

The description does not promise a particular reef depth, water condition, or marine species. Conditions can change with weather and sea conditions, so the quality of visibility is not fully within the operator’s control. Even so, the combination of provided gear and a planned reef stop makes this a useful option for a group with mixed interests.

If you have children with you, bring any personal flotation aids your family normally uses. The supplied information confirms snorkel equipment, water, and ice, but it does not list children’s flotation devices or wetsuits.

The second reef, beach, or a slower pace

After the first reef, the boat goes to another reef where you can either snorkel again or spend time on the beach. This second stop gives the day some breathing room. You are not required to stay in the water for the entire outing.

I like this choice because it lets you match the afternoon to your group’s energy. Some people can swim and snorkel while others take a break on shore. If the first reef has already used up your enthusiasm for the water, the beach option gives you a change of pace.

The details do not identify the beach, describe its facilities, or say how long you stay there. You should therefore treat it as a simple beach stop rather than a full beach-resort visit. Bring what you need for sun protection and comfort, since the included items are water, ice, fishing gear, and snorkel equipment.

Adding the swimming-with-pigs stop

Swimming with pigs is available for an additional $30 fee on the island. This charge is separate from the $850 private charter price, so add it to your budget before you book.

The pig stop is a natural fit for families and for anyone who wants a memorable photo opportunity alongside the fishing and snorkeling. One family combined kid-friendly fishing with the pig swim, showing how the activity can work as a mixed-interest day rather than a single-purpose excursion.

The supplied information does not state whether the $30 fee is charged per person or per group. Ask the operator to confirm that point before departure. It also does not specify the length of the stop, so you should not assume that adding the pigs leaves plenty of time for every other activity.

This is the biggest planning issue with the charter. The four-hour outing includes travel, fishing, reef time, another reef or beach, and possibly the pig stop. If swimming with pigs is your main goal, confirm the order and approximate timing. If fishing is more important, make that clear at the start.

What is included for the $850 group price

The charter supplies the basic equipment needed for a day on the water:

• Bottled water
• Snorkeling equipment
• Fishing equipment
• Bait
• Ice
• Private boat service

Those inclusions improve the value, especially for a group that would otherwise need to rent gear. You can arrive without organizing separate fishing tackle or snorkel equipment.

The price does not include gratuities. It also does not include the $30 pig-swim fee. No meal is listed, so plan around food before or after the excursion rather than expecting lunch onboard.

At full capacity, the group rate is fairly easy to justify. Seven people sharing a private boat, fishing equipment, snorkel gear, and a captain-led route can make better financial sense than buying separate activities for each person. For two or three people, the same price becomes a more serious decision.

The private format is the key value point. You pay for space, flexibility, and a boat reserved for your group. You do not pay only for four hours of fishing or only for a reef visit.

Comfort, families, and the boat itself

The 38-foot size is useful for a mixed group. One supplied account specifically highlights the boat’s size and bathroom as reasons it worked well for a family. That is a practical detail worth taking seriously, particularly if you are bringing children or anyone who is less comfortable on small open boats.

The activity is described as suitable for most participants. Still, the information does not give detailed accessibility specifications, boarding assistance, or seating arrangements. If anyone in your group has mobility concerns, contact the provider before booking.

A larger boat can also make the trip feel less cramped when fishing rods, snorkel equipment, and personal bags are all onboard. It does not eliminate sun, wind, or motion, but it gives the outing a more usable setup than a very small fishing boat.

Hunter Charters is the experience provider. The supplied account names Mike and DeAngelo as crew members on one family-friendly outing. Because specific crew assignments can change, confirm who will operate your trip if having those guides matters to you.

Weather and cancellation rules

This experience requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded or accepted. The cut-off uses local time.

That policy gives you some room to adjust plans, but weather may remain uncertain until close to departure. Keep your Nassau schedule flexible if possible, especially during a short stay. A bad-weather refund helps, but it cannot replace a missed activity if you leave the island immediately afterward.

Who will get the most from this charter

I would choose this trip for a family or friend group with different ideas about a good day on the water. The private setup lets you combine fishing, snorkeling, beach time, and the pig swim without booking separate tours.

It also suits people who value a bathroom and a larger boat. Those details can make a four-hour outing easier for children and for anyone who does not enjoy cramped conditions.

I would be more cautious if your priority is a specialist fishing trip, a long snorkeling session, or a full-day island excursion. The schedule is short, and the description does not provide technical fishing details or long stays at any one stop.

The charter is also a good match for a group of six or seven. At that size, the $850 fee spreads across more people. A very small group should compare the total cost with shared boat options before committing.

Final call: should you book it?

Book this Nassau charter if you want one private, flexible boat day that can satisfy fishers, snorkelers, beach lovers, and children. The large boat, onboard bathroom, included gear, and private format give it practical value, while Rose Island and the optional pig swim add variety.

Before paying, confirm three things: the exact crew, how the $30 pig fee is charged, and how the four-hour schedule is divided. If your group accepts that the day will sample several activities rather than offer a long session at one, this is a strong fit. If one activity matters above all else, ask for a more focused plan or choose a specialist excursion instead.

FAQ

How long is the Nassau private boat tour?

The experience lasts approximately four hours.

Where does the tour start and finish?

You meet at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Bahamas Marina Drive on Paradise Island in Nassau. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How many people can join the private charter?

The $850 group price covers up to seven people, and only your group participates.

Is swimming with pigs included in the price?

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

What equipment is provided?

The charter includes snorkeling equipment, fishing equipment, bait, ice, and bottled water.

Is the tour suitable for children?

The experience welcomes families and children, and most participants can take part. One family-friendly outing also used the boat’s bathroom as a practical benefit.

What happens if the weather is bad?

If poor weather cancels the experience, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.