A charter with pigs and turtles on the menu. This private New Providence Bahamas trip is built around choice: snorkel, fish, cruise to white sand beaches, and add animal encounters with Secret Cays. Your captain, Capt. Javano, runs the day on a custom 35-foot Donzi center console.

I like the practical setup. You get snorkeling equipment plus fishing equipment, and the boat has a full bathroom inside the console. For comfort, there’s a cooler with bottled water and ice, plus an MP3 and Bluetooth-compatible multimedia system.

One watch-out: at least one unhappy review complains about a fast ride that felt rough. If you get motion sick or your group includes people who need a calmer pace, you’ll want to communicate that early and pay attention to sea conditions.

Key Highlights You’ll Actually Care About

• Captain Javano helps shape your 4-hour mix of snorkeling, turtles, pigs, fishing, or beach cruising
• 35-foot Donzi center console with a restroom inside the console
• Snorkeling equipment and fishing equipment are included
• Bluetooth/MP3-ready audio and a front bow seating/lounge area for hanging out
• Optional pig interaction fee can add $30 per person
• One low rating raises a possible issue with speed and ride smoothness

A 35′ Donzi Charter Means You Control the Day

This is a private half-day charter, built for a small group. The boat is a custom 35-foot Donzi Marine center console, and the listing says it can safely take up to 6 anglers. At the same time, the private booking is priced for a group up to 8, so expect that seating and line-fishing space may be handled by how your group is split between anglers and non-anglers.

What that really means for you: you’re not sharing a boat with strangers. You’re choosing the order of activities, and your captain can steer the day toward what your group wants most—snorkeling time, fishing time, or the animal encounters. With only about four hours on the water, you’ll get the best results by picking one “anchor” activity and letting the rest fill in around it.

You’ll also notice the focus on comfort and convenience. The boat has a dedicated restroom inside the console, which is a big deal for a half-day outing when everyone else ends up searching for the nearest shore option. There’s also a multimedia system with Bluetooth support, so you can set a mood that fits your group.

Leaving From Paradise Island: Simple Start, Straight Back

Your meeting point is the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal on Paradise Beach Dr, The Bahamas. The trip ends back at the same meeting point, so you’re not dealing with a long transfer or a one-way return after you’re tired and salty.

The charter is described as private and mobile-ticket based. In plain terms, you should plan to show up with your ticket ready and be prepared to check in at the terminal area. It’s also noted as near public transportation, which matters if you’re not driving or if you’re combining plans on Paradise Island.

For timing, the overall duration is about 4 hours. That half-day window is why the day feels like a “hit the highlights” style trip. You can still have a full experience—especially because snorkeling gear and fishing gear are included—but you’ll want to keep your expectations realistic about how much you’ll fit in.

Practical tip: if you’re doing both snorkeling and fishing, decide what success looks like. Is it seeing turtles? Getting a few solid bites? Or just spending relaxed time near calm water? Your captain can work with your priorities.

What You Can Do: Snorkeling, Swimming Pigs, Turtles, and Fishing

The heart of this charter is choice. The plan is described as a day full of fishing and snorkeling, with the option to swim with turtles or pigs, plus cruising to pristine white sand beaches. The exact mix is up to you, and Capt. Javano’s goal is to help you have a fun day with the activities you pick.

Here’s a useful way to think about it:

Snorkeling

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you don’t need to pack gear or hunt for a rental. Snorkeling works best when you treat it as your “center of gravity” activity. If you’re also fishing, you might do fishing first and then shift into snorkeling once the group has had time to settle.

Swimming with turtles and pigs

The listing includes pig and turtle encounters as options, and there’s an additional cost for pig interaction. The pig interaction fee is optional and listed as $30 per person. If your group is split between people who care about pigs and people who only care about turtles, you can often plan around that by deciding who pays for the interaction and who skips it.

Fishing

Fishing equipment is included, which is a real value point. You’re paying for a captain and a boat day, but you’re not also paying for tackle rental on top. Fishing is also the easiest activity to “scale” for mixed groups—some people may fish while others focus on swimming or lounging.

Cruising and white sand beaches

There’s also time described for cruising to pristine white sand beaches. Since the charter is only about four hours, you should expect beach time to be functional, not long and lingering. Think of it as a scenic break and a reset between water activities.

Included Gear and Comfort: The Stuff That Makes a Short Trip Feel Longer

For a four-hour outing, the included items matter a lot. This charter covers:

• Snorkeling equipment
• Fishing equipment
• A guide
• A cooler with bottled water and ice
• A full bathroom in the console
• MP3 and Bluetooth-compatible audio

That combination is how you avoid the common half-day pain points. If snorkeling gear is provided, you’re not stuck packing, charging batteries, or arriving unprepared. If fishing equipment is provided, you’re not negotiating tackle rentals on the spot.

The onboard bathroom is the biggest comfort win. Boats can be fine for a day at sea, but a restroom inside the console is a quality-of-life upgrade you notice immediately when you’re on a schedule. It also helps when you’ve got kids, older travelers, or anyone who doesn’t want to wait until you return to shore.

Then there’s the audio setup. Bluetooth and MP3 compatibility sounds minor until you’re actually on the boat and the music choices become part of the experience. The boat also has front bow seating/lounging space, so you aren’t all packed into one cramped area.

Price and Value: $850 Per Group and How It Changes With Add-Ons

The price is $850 per group, up to 8 people. Most bookings are made about 10 days in advance, which tells me this fills like a planned activity, not a last-minute whim.

To judge value, look at what you’re paying for:

• a private boat day (not a shared excursion)
• a 35-foot Donzi center console
• a captain and guide
• included snorkeling and fishing equipment
• bottled water and ice
• restroom access onboard

That makes the base rate feel less like an entry ticket and more like you’re hiring a boat and crew for a half-day. If your group is serious about activities—snorkeling plus fishing plus an encounter—the included gear and gear rental savings help the math.

Now for the cost curve: pig interaction has an optional $30 per person fee. If everyone in your group wants that, it can change the overall total fast. For example, if four people opt in, you’re adding $120. So before you commit, I’d sit down with your group and decide if pigs are a must-have or a maybe.

Also remember the boat capacity note: it can take up to 6 anglers. If your group is at the upper limit of 8, ask how seating and fishing spots are handled. It’s not about being picky; it’s about making sure everyone gets a comfortable plan.

Safety and Ride Smoothness: The One Review That Changes the Conversation

The overall rating is 3.6 based on 7 reviews, but the single written review we have is a big red flag. It reports a long ride to an island with a cost to even step on, and it describes the boat speeding with a rough ride that caused injuries to family members.

That doesn’t mean your day will match that story. It does mean you should treat ride comfort as a real factor, not an afterthought.

Here’s what I recommend you do:

• Ask Capt. Javano (or the booking contact) what pace and ride style to expect.
• Tell them if anyone in your group is sensitive to speed, waves, or motion.
• Keep your day-plan flexible. If sea conditions are rough, prioritizing one main activity may be better than trying to do everything in a choppy period.

You’re also told the experience requires good weather. If weather doesn’t cooperate, you should expect the trip to be rescheduled or refunded. In practical terms, that’s one more reason to plan with a weather-aware mindset rather than treating this like a guaranteed calendar lock.

Who This Charter Fits Best (and Who Might Want Another Plan)

This private charter is a strong fit for groups who want control. If you and your group know you want a mix of snorkeling and fishing, and you’re interested in either turtles or pigs, this is exactly the kind of half-day that can feel worth it.

It’s also a good fit for people who value comfort items that are hard to find on smaller day trips—like the full restroom inside the console and the fact that gear is included.

I’d be more cautious if:

• your group needs a very calm ride
• your group is prone to motion sickness
• you’re expecting a slow, spend-the-afternoon beach day with lots of walking

Also, because pig interaction costs extra and not everyone may want it, you’ll want to align your group’s priorities ahead of time. A private charter works best when you’ve got shared expectations.

Should You Book This Secret Cays Private Charter?

If your top goal is a private, four-hour boat day with snorkeling and fishing gear covered—and you’re excited about the possibility of turtle or pig encounters—this can be a good value. The included restroom onboard and the ability to steer the day around your group’s interests are the big reasons I’d consider it.

But I wouldn’t book on autopilot. The one negative review is serious enough that I’d factor in ride comfort. Ask about pace, be honest about motion sensitivity, and make sure your group agrees on the pig interaction add-on cost before you go.

If you want a flexible, private half-day with real amenities for a small group, this charter can deliver. Just go in with your eyes open, especially about speed and sea conditions.

FAQ

Where does the charter start and end?

It starts at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal on Paradise Beach Dr, The Bahamas, and it ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the private charter?

The duration is approximately 4 hours.

How many people is the group price for?

The price is $850 per group for up to 8 people, and it is described as a private tour where only your group participates.

What boat will you use?

The trip uses a custom 35-foot Donzi Marine center console boat.

What activities can you choose during the charter?

You can choose from snorkeling, swimming with turtles or pigs, fishing, and cruising to pristine white sand beaches.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes, use of snorkeling equipment is included.

Is fishing gear included?

Yes, fishing equipment is included.

Is a restroom available on board?

Yes, there is a full bathroom in the console.

Do you pay extra for swimming with pigs?

Yes. Pig interaction has an optional $30 per person fee.

What is the cancellation policy?

There is free cancellation. You must cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, you do not receive a refund. The experience requires good weather, and if it’s canceled due to poor weather you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.