Private Snorkeling or Fishing in Nassau – 55ft Cocorijo

The best part of this Nassau outing is that you are not locked into one narrow plan. On the 55-foot Hatteras Cocorijo, your private group can mix snorkeling, fishing, swimming, beach time, or a stop at Gilligan’s Island. Captain Roscoe and crew members Cleo and Kassandra have been especially praised for helping families feel safe and well cared for.

I like the private format, which gives your group room to set the pace, and I like the useful onboard setup: snorkel gear, fishing equipment, bottled water, an ice cooler, and local beer are provided. The main drawback is cost. At $1,650 per group for up to 10 people, it makes the most sense when you can fill the boat and share the price.

Key points to know before booking

• A private 55-foot Hatteras: Your group has the boat and crew to itself, with space for up to 10 people.
• You choose the mix of activities: Snorkeling, deep sea or inshore fishing, swimming, sunbathing, and island visits can be combined.
• Two activities are a practical target: A four-hour charter gives you variety, but not unlimited time at every stop.
• Footprints Beach Bar and Grill is an optional add-on: It offers beach time, lunch, music, drinks, volleyball, and billiards on Rose Island, but food and the landing fee cost extra.
• The crew is a major part of the experience: Roscoe, Cleo, Kassandra, and other Born Free crew members have earned praise for being attentive with children and first-time boaters.
• Fishing is never guaranteed: A successful outing can produce fresh fish, but one half-day trip ended without a bite.

What this Nassau private charter is really like

This is best understood as a flexible boat day rather than a fixed sightseeing cruise. You meet at Carnivale Bahamas at Sterling Marina, inside Hurricane Hole on Paradise Island, then board Cocorijo with your own party and a local captain and crew.

The charter lasts about four hours. That is enough time for two main activities, plus cruising between locations, but you should not expect to fit every option into one half-day. If your group wants snorkeling, fishing, a long beach lunch, and plenty of swimming, ask about a longer charter instead of trying to squeeze it all into four hours.

The crew handles the boat and equipment while you decide what kind of day you want. That matters in Nassau, where one person may want a reef stop, another may want to fish, and the children may simply want to swim and see the islands. A private boat removes the usual pressure to follow somebody else’s timetable.

Starting from Hurricane Hole on Paradise Island

The meeting point is Carnivale Bahamas, 1 Marina Way, at Sterling Marina in Hurricane Hole. The tour ends back at this same marina, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

If you are staying at a waterfront hotel, ask in advance if a pickup from a hotel jetty can be arranged. Some past charters have collected groups from hotel docks, including Rosewood and Baha Mar, but that should not be treated as automatic. The published meeting point remains the marina.

Cruise ship passengers need to give the operator the ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time when booking. That information helps the crew judge if a four-hour charter fits your port schedule. I would not book this as a tight shore excursion without allowing a good cushion for returning to the ship.

Once on board, you have bottled water, an ice cooler, snorkel equipment, fishing equipment, and local beer. Other drinks and food are not included unless specifically arranged. Bring whatever personal items you need for a sunny day, but avoid bringing more than you can comfortably manage on a boat.

Snorkeling around Nassau’s reefs and islands

Snorkeling is the natural choice if your group wants clear water and an easy way to see marine life. The crew can take you to more than one location, with past trips including areas between Gilligan’s Island and Rose Island. Exact sites depend on sea conditions and the captain’s judgment that day.

The attraction is variety. One stop may focus on colorful coral and fish, while another may offer a different view of the underwater plants and marine life. The crew can point out what you are seeing and answer questions, which is more useful than simply being dropped beside a reef with a mask and fins.

You may also encounter turtles or other familiar sea life, but sightings are not promised. Marine conditions, visibility, current, and weather all affect the experience. The private format helps here because you can tell the crew if some people in your party want more time in the water while others prefer to stay aboard.

Snorkel gear is included, which saves you from packing or renting equipment separately. Still, if you are particular about mask fit, bringing your own mask can be worthwhile. The available gear covers the basic need, but personal comfort can make a big difference during repeated swims.

Families should find the arrangement manageable. The crew has helped young children on board and has been praised for keeping family groups comfortable and safe. Parents should still watch children closely around the water, since this is a boat charter rather than a supervised children’s program.

Fishing, from a quiet cast to a serious half-day attempt

You can choose inshore or deep sea fishing, and all necessary fishing equipment is supplied. That makes this a simple option for a family or mixed group that does not want to bring tackle or arrange a separate fishing outfitter.

The crew can help with the practical side of fishing and make the activity accessible to first-timers. Past catches have included a 25-pound grouper and a six-foot reef shark, and one family caught fish they later ate for dinner. Those are memorable possibilities, not a promise of what your group will catch.

You need to approach fishing with the right expectation. Another half-day trip produced no fish at all, and the group felt the boat spent too much time moving without a bite. That is the honest tradeoff with ocean fishing: the crew can choose a suitable area and set the lines, but it cannot control the fish.

For a group split between anglers and swimmers, fishing works well as one part of the day. For a party whose only goal is to bring home dinner, a dedicated fishing charter may be a better fit than a flexible snorkel and fishing outing. I would choose this charter when the fun of being on the water matters as much as the catch.

Gilligan’s Island and the appeal of a short island stop

Gilligan’s Island is offered as one of the possible activities. It is known as one of the Bahamas’ most photographed islands, making it a good choice for groups that want a scenic stop and a few memorable pictures without committing the whole day to a beach resort.

The key word is choice. Your captain can help decide if an island visit makes sense alongside your preferred water activity. If you want serious fishing, two snorkel sites may use up most of the available time. If your group wants to swim, take pictures, and enjoy the ride, an island stop may be a better use of the charter.

The tour description also mentions swimming and sunbathing on the beach as possible activities. These are simple pleasures, but they can be exactly what a mixed-age group needs after time in the water. You are not required to keep moving from one attraction to the next.

Rose Island and lunch at Footprints Beach Bar and Grill

On afternoon or full-day charters, you may choose to visit Footprints Beach Bar and Grill on Rose Island. This stop adds a more social beach experience to the day, with white sand, turquoise water, lunch, music, a fully stocked bar, volleyball, and billiards.

Footprints can be a strong choice for a group that wants more than snorkeling. It gives non-swimmers something to enjoy and lets everyone take a break from the boat. Children and adults can spread out into different activities, while some people simply sit on the beach or enjoy the view.

Lunch and the landing fee are not included in the charter price. That is important when comparing the total cost. The $1,650 covers the private boat experience, but a Rose Island stop can add a separate charge for each person, along with food and any extra drinks.

A four-hour charter may not leave much time for a relaxed Footprints visit if you also want to snorkel or fish. I would ask the operator how much time is available at the bar and grill before booking it as a main feature. For a full-day outing, it makes more sense.

The crew and the feel on board

The crew is one of the strongest reasons to consider this charter. Captain Roscoe, Cleo, and Kassandra are frequently named as a capable team, with particular praise for their friendly manner, professional conduct, and attention to children. Other crews, including Davy, Tyson, Ding, Keith, Chris, Karro, Bobo, and Freddy, have also operated Born Free trips.

You should not assume a specific crew unless the company confirms it for your date. Still, the pattern is clear: the operator places real weight on hospitality and helping people feel at ease on the water.

That is useful if someone in your party is nervous about boats, snorkeling, or fishing. A good mate can make the difference between a child refusing to get in the water and a child remembering the day as the highlight of the holiday. The crew also provides information about the ocean, reefs, and boat, which gives the outing more substance than a simple ride.

The boat itself has been described as clean and well maintained. You get a private setting, rather than sharing deck space with a large crowd. That makes it easier to talk with the crew, ask questions, and adjust the day to your group’s comfort.

Is $1,650 good value for a private boat?

The price is $1,650 per group, with up to 10 people. At the maximum group size, that works out to $165 per person before any extra food, landing fees, or optional costs. For four people, the same charter works out to $412.50 per person, which changes the value considerably.

I think the price is fair for a full group that wants a private 55-foot boat and a captain-led day. You are paying for privacy, flexibility, equipment, and the chance to combine activities without booking several separate tours. Families and groups of friends can make good use of that setup.

For a small party, the economics are less attractive. If you only want a short swim or a single snorkel stop, a shared excursion may cost less. The private charter earns its price when your group values control over the route and wants several activities in one outing.

Remember to budget for food and drinks beyond the listed local beer, plus the landing fee and lunch at Footprints if you choose Rose Island. The operator’s information says food and drinks are not included unless specified, so confirm exactly what is covered before departure.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend Cocorijo to:

• Families who want a private boat and help with young children
• Groups of friends who cannot agree between fishing, snorkeling, and beach time
• Experienced boaters who value a flexible route
• First-time snorkelers who want crew support and included equipment
• Cruise ship passengers with a comfortable port schedule
• Groups of up to 10 who can share the fixed price

I would think twice if your group wants only one tightly focused activity, especially fishing. A mixed charter gives you options, but those options also mean less time devoted to one pursuit. I would also be cautious if your ship departure leaves little room for delays.

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

My verdict on this Nassau boat day

I like this charter because it gives you a genuine say in how the day unfolds. You can snorkel a reef, try for fish, swim near the islands, or spend time on the beach without being tied to a crowded group itinerary.

The strongest fit is a group of six to 10 people that wants comfort, personal attention, and several choices. The main caution is value for smaller parties and the fact that fishing results vary. Book it if you see the boat itself and the freedom to customize as part of the attraction. Skip it if you want a low-cost, single-purpose excursion or a guaranteed catch.

FAQ

How long is the private Cocorijo charter?

The charter lasts approximately four hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

The boat can accommodate a private group of up to 10 people.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It starts and ends at Carnivale Bahamas, 1 Marina Way, Sterling Marina, Hurricane Hole, Paradise Island.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Some hotel jetty pickups have been arranged, but you should confirm this directly before booking.

What activities can I choose?

You can choose from snorkeling, deep sea fishing, inshore fishing, swimming, sunbathing on the beach, and a visit to Gilligan’s Island. Afternoon or full-day charters may also visit Footprints Beach Bar and Grill on Rose Island.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkel equipment is included, along with fishing equipment, bottled water, and an ice cooler.

Are food and drinks included?

Local beer is listed as included. Food and other drinks are not included unless specified. Lunch and the landing fee at Footprints Beach Bar and Grill are extra.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.