Exuma’s animals come to you by private boat. Crystal Bay’s Great Exuma excursions run from Barraterre Dock and are built for groups who want their day to feel calm, personal, and a little wild, with stops like Pig Beach, rock iguanas, and snorkeling in clear water.

My favorite part is the animal-focused route. You’re not just touring—you’re timing swims and sightings for what Exuma does best, with either stingrays and the blow-hole on the shorter plan or nurse sharks plus Thunderball Grotto on the longer one.

One thing to consider: snorkeling gear isn’t included, so if you want to snorkel, plan to bring your own mask and fins (or arrange rentals before you go).

Key things to know before you go

• Private by design: up to 10 people, with your own captain and boat
• 4-hour vs 8-hour animal lineup: stingrays and blow-hole on 4 hours; nurse sharks and Thunderball Grotto on 8 hours
• Short stop times with real variety: most stops are planned for about 45 minutes, and the captain can adjust the order
• Admission is listed as free for the featured stops: so your day feels simpler at each stop
• Snorkeling is included, but gear isn’t: pack accordingly or plan to rent elsewhere

Private Exuma boat time: what you’re really paying for

At $2,400 per group (up to 10), you’re buying flexibility. That matters in the Bahamas because your best day can depend on wind, water movement, and how your captain wants to pace the route.

You’ll start and end at Barraterre Dock, so the day feels straightforward: fewer transfers, less time “getting there,” more time in the water. And since it’s private, you can build the day around your group’s comfort level—whether you’re the everyone-into-the-water type, or the let’s watch first and jump in later type.

This also tends to be a great fit for families and friend groups who want the fun without the crowd-energy. With a private charter, the boat becomes your home base, and the stops feel less like a checklist and more like short, memorable chapters.

4 hours vs 8 hours: pick your animal day

The biggest decision is which version matches your group’s vibe.

The 4-hour private boat tour

This shorter plan is built around the most famous Exuma “meet the wildlife” moments:

• Swimming with the pigs
• Seeing rare rock iguanas
• Touching wild stingrays
• Swimming at Exuma’s blow-hole
• Snorkeling
• Chilling on Exuma beaches

If your group wants maximum variety without a full day on the water, this is the one. It also avoids the longer multi-stop island hopping, which can feel like a lot for very young kids or anyone who gets motion-sick easily.

The 8-hour private boat tour

The long plan keeps the classics and adds deeper wildlife and scenery time:

• Swimming with the pigs (at Staniel Cay)
• Rare rock iguanas
• Swimming with friendly nurse sharks
• Visiting 007 Thunderball Grotto
• Hanging out at a sandbar
• Snorkeling
• Visiting islands and beaches
• Docking at Staniel Cay

Choose this if your group loves the idea of switching scenes repeatedly—wildlife, snorkel time, a sandbar stroll, then more island and beach time. It’s also the option if Thunderball Grotto and nurse sharks are non-negotiable for you.

Stop-by-stop: Pig Beach, iguanas, stingrays, and the blow-hole

On the 4-hour tour, the day’s rhythm is all about fast, vivid wildlife encounters plus a good chunk of water time.

Pig Beach

You’ll spend time at Pig Beach, where the star of the show is simple: pigs swimming in bright sun. This stop runs about 45 minutes, with admission listed as free. The practical win here is timing—your captain can plan the route so you arrive and enjoy without rushing every detail.

Tip: bring a close-to-you landing plan. If you want photos, pick a spot near where the captain stops, then let the group rotate in for quick swims.

Rock iguanas

Next up is the rare rock iguanas. They hang out along Exuma’s warm, sandy edges, and the stop is scheduled for about 45 minutes. Again, admission is listed as free.

What I like about this stop is how it doesn’t feel like a zoo moment. You’re watching wild animals in a place they’re clearly adapted to—heat, sand, and sun. For families, it’s an easy win because it feels like nature, not a performance.

Touching wild stingrays

Then comes one of the most memorable interactions on the route: touching wild stingrays. This is offered only on the 4-hour tour, with about 45 minutes allocated. Admission is listed as free.

A helpful mindset: think calm, slow, and respectful. You’re not trying to force contact. The best experiences tend to happen when you let the animals come close on their own and you keep your movements controlled.

Swimming in the blow-hole

The blow-hole is one of those Exuma sights that sounds odd until you see it. You’ll get time at this unique feature, and it’s listed as part of the 4-hour plan only. The stop is about 45 minutes, and the captain can adjust timing and order.

Practical note: water conditions matter. If the sea is moving differently that day, your best plan is to follow the captain’s call on when to go in and when to hang back.

Snorkeling plus beach chill

Finally, you get snorkeling time and then downtime on an Exuma beach. The route notes that snorkeling gear is not included, so plan ahead.

This is where the 4-hour format works well: you get the big wildlife moments early, then you end with relaxed water play and beach time when everyone’s energy is still good.

The 8-hour route: nurse sharks, Thunderball Grotto, and a sandbar stroll

If the 4-hour version is a fast hit, the 8-hour tour feels like a full Exuma story with more chapters and more water-to-land switching.

Pig Beach at Staniel Cay

On the longer itinerary, pig time is at Staniel Cay, still with about 45 minutes and free admission listed. Same iconic idea, different location on the route.

Nurse sharks

Only offered on the 8-hour tour: swimming with nurse sharks. This stop is planned for about 45 minutes, and admission is listed as free.

What you’ll want here is patience and calm. Nurse sharks tend to be more comfortable when people aren’t thrashing. If your group has different comfort levels, this is where the private setup really helps—you can stagger swims without feeling like you’re holding up a crowd.

007 Thunderball Grotto

Next is 007 Thunderball Grotto at Staniel Cay. It’s scheduled for about 45 minutes and admission is listed as free. This stop is also the reason a lot of people choose the 8-hour plan: it’s a famous Exuma feature, and your captain controls when you’re there.

Because timing can shift, keep your schedule flexible and let the captain set the pace. In places like this, the day’s conditions can affect how good it feels once you’re actually there.

Sandbar hang time

You’ll also get time at a sandbar, with about 45 minutes noted. There’s something almost surreal about walking in the sea, and it’s the kind of stop that gives everyone a break from swimming while still keeping the experience active.

If your group has kids, this can be a highlight because it’s less about underwater effort and more about a simple, fun moment together.

Snorkeling and island hopping

After nurse sharks and grotto time, you’ll snorkel, then do island and beach hopping, plus a dock stop at Staniel Cay. Expect more changing scenery, with the captain able to adjust the order and timing.

This longer tour is a good match if you want more variety than just wildlife. You’ll leave with that full-day feeling: water, sand, small sights, and time to breathe.

Snorkeling reality check: bring your gear

Snorkeling is included on both the 4-hour and 8-hour boat tours, but snorkeling gear is not included. That’s a big practical detail because a mask that doesn’t fit well or a snorkel you hate can turn a great day into a mildly annoying one.

So plan to:

• Bring your own mask and snorkel if you already have favorites
• If you rely on rentals, confirm what’s available before your day (the tour description doesn’t list gear supply)
• Wear something comfortable that dries fast and doesn’t make you feel bulky in the water

Also, since itinerary order and timing can change, the best way to stay stress-free is to keep your swim plans flexible. If you’re ready early, great. If conditions mean you swim later, you’ll still get your time in the water.

Fishing charter: bonefishing, shore, and deep-sea options

Crystal Bay also offers private fishing charters for 4 hours and 8 hours. The key point is that Exuma is known for strong bonefishing year-round, and the charter options are designed for both first-timers and experienced anglers.

You can also do deep-sea fishing and shore fishing in the Bahamas, which gives you two different styles of day on the water:

• Shore fishing can work for anglers who like simpler access and a more casual pace
• Deep-sea fishing can appeal if you want more open-water action

One practical tip: ask what to expect for your specific charter style. The description clearly states the types of fishing offered, but it doesn’t spell out tackle, bait, or rods. If those details matter to you, confirm them when you book so there are no surprises once you’re on the dock.

Logistics that affect your day (more than you think)

This tour runs as a private activity, so only your group participates. That’s not just a comfort win—it also means the captain’s decisions around timing have more flexibility.

A few details you should factor in:

• The tour lasts about 4 to 8 hours depending on your chosen plan
• The captain can change the itinerary order and the timing
• Most stops are planned around 45 minutes each
• It needs good weather
• Confirmation is received at booking, and the ticket is mobile

Meeting point is Barraterre Dock, and the tour ends back there. That keeps the day tidy. You don’t need to reinvent the logistics after you’re tired and sun-warmed.

If you’re traveling with kids, plan for the fact that wildlife and water stops can take more mental energy than a standard sightseeing tour. The private setup helps, but your crew still needs breaks, water, and a calm plan for when it’s time to switch between boat, sand, and water.

Price check: is $2,400 good value?

Let’s do the math in a way that helps you decide.

It’s $2,400 per group, up to 10 people. That means the per-person cost depends entirely on how many people you bring:

• Up to 10 people: about $240 per person
• Smaller group: it rises fast

So this charter is best value when you’re traveling with a full group and want privacy. If you’re only a couple, it can still be worth it for the convenience and quality of the day, but you’re paying more per person for the same boat charter.

Where it feels like solid value is the mix of activities. You’re getting private boat time, classic Exuma wildlife stops, and snorkeling included in the tour. On the longer plan, you also add nurse sharks, Thunderball Grotto, and sandbar time.

Who should book this tour?

This is a great match if you:

• Want a private boat day in Great Exuma with your own group
• Care about wildlife time as much as scenery
• Prefer a short, focused itinerary rather than a long bus-style day
• Are happy to handle snorkeling gear yourself since it’s not included

You may want to think twice if:

• You’re hoping everything is fully gear-provided (snorkeling gear isn’t listed)
• Your group needs a very fixed schedule with zero flexibility (the captain can adjust order and timing)

Should you book Crystal Bay Private Exuma boating & fishing excursions?

If your ideal Exuma day includes pigs, iguanas, and time in the water, I’d lean toward booking. The private format makes the day feel custom, and the 4-hour and 8-hour options give you a clear way to match your energy level to the animal lineup.

Choose 4 hours if you want the highlights—stingrays and the blow-hole—plus snorkeling and beach chill without committing to a full-day route. Choose 8 hours if you’re chasing nurse sharks and Thunderball Grotto, and you want more scene changes, including sandbar time and island/beach hopping.

One last decision tip: count your group size before you book. At $2,400 per group, the value gets dramatically better as you fill the boat.

FAQ

How much is the Crystal Bay private Exuma boating and fishing excursion?

The price is $2,400 per group (up to 10 people).

How long is the tour?

It runs about 4 to 8 hours, depending on which option you choose.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It’s private, and only your group will participate.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts at Barraterre Dock in Barraterre Road, The Bahamas, and it ends back at the meeting point.

What’s included in the 4-hour private boat tour?

It includes swimming with the pigs, rare rock iguanas, touching wild stingrays, swimming in the blow-hole, snorkeling, and time chilling on Exuma beaches.

What’s included in the 8-hour private boat tour?

It includes swimming with the pigs, rare rock iguanas, swimming with nurse sharks, visiting 007 Thunderball Grotto, hanging out at a sandbar, snorkeling, visiting islands and beaches, and docking at Staniel Cay.

Do I get snorkeling gear?

No. Snorkeling gear is not included.

Is there a fishing option, and is it for beginners?

Yes. There are private fishing charters, including options for first-timers and veterans, with bonefishing noted as available year-round, plus deep-sea and shore fishing.

What if weather is bad?

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

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount you paid isn’t refunded.