Private 38′ Defender Sportfishing/Swim with Pigs in Nassau

The best part of this Nassau outing is the freedom to mix bottom fishing, reef snorkeling, and a beach stop in one private boat trip. At Rose Island, you head to a large reef where colorful fish gather, then continue to another reef or beach area. Swimming with pigs is available for a separate $30 fee.

I like the private format for families and small groups, since the boat is reserved for up to seven people and the crew can shape the day around your interests. I also like the practical setup: fishing gear, snorkel equipment, bait, ice, and bottled water are supplied, and the 38-foot boat has a bathroom.

The main consideration is time. Four hours passes quickly once you add boat travel, fishing, snorkeling, and the pig stop. The pig fee is not included, and poor weather can cancel the trip, so confirm the exact plan and fee details before you go.

Key points to know before you book

• A private 38-foot boat carries only your group, with space for up to seven people.
• Rose Island brings the main reef stop, with swimming among colorful fish and a second reef or beach option.
• Bottom fishing is built into the possible plan, with rods, bait, and fishing equipment supplied.
• Swimming with pigs costs an extra $30, separate from the $850 charter price.
• Families get useful comforts, including a bathroom, snorkel gear, water, and ice.
• The trip leaves from Margaritaville Marina on Paradise Island and returns to the same point.

What the $850 private charter really buys you

The advertised price is $850 per group, not per person, for up to seven people. If you fill all seven places, the base cost works out to about $121 per person. For a couple or a small family, the per-person price rises quickly, but you are paying for a private boat rather than a shared excursion.

That distinction matters in Nassau. You are not placed with strangers, and your group can focus on fishing, snorkeling, beach time, or sightseeing without trying to match the pace of a large boatload. The crew can also make the day more family-friendly, which is useful when children have different interests and attention spans.

The price includes the working parts of the outing: snorkel equipment, fishing equipment, bait, ice, and bottled water. You do not need to arrange separate rentals for those basics. Gratuities are not included, and swimming with pigs requires an additional $30 fee.

The wording gives the pig fee as $30, but it does not clearly say whether that amount applies to each person or to the group. I would confirm this before booking. That one question can change the final cost, especially for a group of seven.

Leaving from Margaritaville Marina

You meet at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Bahamas, at 2 Marina Drive on Paradise Island. The experience ends back at the same marina, which keeps the day simple if you are staying nearby or have arranged your Nassau plans around Paradise Island.

The meeting point is practical, but allow enough time to find the marina and gather your group before departure. A private charter normally works best when everyone arrives ready to board. Bring anything you personally need for several hours on the water, since the supplied list covers water, ice, fishing equipment, and snorkel gear, not every personal item.

The tour lasts about four hours. That is long enough for several activities, but not long enough to linger at every stop. If you want serious fishing time and a full snorkeling session, adding the pig visit may make the schedule feel tight. If the pigs are your main goal, tell the crew early so the day can be planned around that priority.

A 38-foot Defender built for a family day

The boat is a 38-foot Defender Express. That gives the outing a useful advantage over a small open skiff: you have more room for a mixed-age group, fishing equipment, snorkel gear, and personal belongings.

A bathroom is another practical feature. It matters more than people expect on a four-hour trip, especially with children. A family-friendly boat is not only about comfort. It also gives you a better base between activities, when someone wants a break from the sun or the water.

The boat is described as welcoming to families and children, and the fishing format is bottom fishing. That usually means the emphasis is on accessible angling rather than a specialized offshore hunt for large sport fish. You should book this with the expectation of a relaxed, mixed-activity charter, not a full-day tournament-style fishing trip.

Mike and DeAngelo are names connected with a kid-friendly charter on this operation. If having a particular crew member matters to you, ask when confirming availability. The booking information does not promise a named guide for every departure.

Rose Island reef snorkeling

Rose Island provides the main water stop. You are taken to a large reef where you can swim with colorful fish. The appeal here is direct and easy to understand: you get a reef experience without committing the entire outing to snorkeling.

The supplied snorkel equipment removes one common nuisance. You do not have to rent masks and fins separately or carry a full set from another part of Nassau. Still, fit matters. Check your mask and equipment before moving away from the boat, and tell the crew if anything feels uncomfortable.

The reef stop is likely to be the most active part of the day. You can swim, watch the fish, and take in the clear island water at your own pace, within the time allowed by the crew. If some members of your group do not snorkel, they can remain aboard or use the time for a quieter break.

The key limit is timing. The trip is only about four hours, and the itinerary can include fishing, two reef or beach areas, and the pig option. You will get a taste of several Nassau water experiences rather than an extended snorkeling expedition.

The second reef or beach choice

After the first reef, the boat goes to another reef where you can snorkel again or spend time on the beach. This choice gives the outing a welcome change of pace.

A second reef suits a group that wants more time in the water. A beach stop is better if someone is tired of swimming, if children need a calmer break, or if you want a simple stretch of sand and scenery. The flexibility is one of the stronger reasons to choose a private charter instead of a fixed group cruise.

The exact balance depends on your group and the day’s conditions. You should not assume the second stop will become a long beach visit, since the tour also allows for fishing and the optional pig activity. Let the crew know which matters most before the boat leaves.

Bottom fishing with supplied gear and bait

Fishing is one of the main choices on the boat, and the charter supplies fishing equipment and bait. That makes this a good fit for beginners or families who want to try fishing without bringing their own tackle.

The available account of a kid-friendly outing describes catching lots of fish close in. That detail suggests the experience can work well for children who want regular action instead of a long wait for one large catch. As with any fishing trip, the catch itself is not guaranteed, and the final result depends on conditions and the day’s location.

Bottom fishing is also easy to combine with the other activities. You can spend part of the trip fishing, then move to a reef or beach rather than committing the full four hours to one pursuit. This mixed plan is likely the strongest use of the boat for a family group with different interests.

If fishing is your only reason for booking, ask how much of the four-hour schedule can be reserved for it. The charter is designed to accommodate several activities, and the time available for fishing will depend on your chosen stops.

Swimming with pigs costs extra

The swimming-with-pigs visit is not included in the base charter. The separate fee is listed as $30, and the tour description notes that this activity takes place on the island and carries its own charge.

That means you should treat the pigs as an optional add-on, not as the central included feature of the boat trip. If everyone in your group wants the experience, confirm the total fee before departure. If only part of the group is interested, ask how the remaining time will work for those who stay with the boat or choose another activity.

This stop can be a fun change from snorkeling and fishing, particularly for children. It also uses valuable time during a four-hour outing. My advice is simple: decide in advance if the pigs are a must-do or just a bonus. That choice helps the crew build a sensible schedule.

Why the private format matters

A private tour is most valuable when your group has mixed goals. One person can fish, another can snorkel, and someone else can favor the beach, at least within the boundaries of the route and available time.

It is also easier for families. The boat is not built around a large public schedule, and the crew can focus on your group alone. The bathroom, supplied water, and equipment add to that convenience.

The trade-off is cost. An $850 charter is a strong value when split among six or seven people who plan to use the boat for several activities. It is harder to justify for one or two people unless privacy and control are especially important to you.

The rating is listed at 4.9 from 50 reviews, with 98 percent recommending the experience. That is a strong satisfaction record, and the most praised details are clear: the boat works well for families, the fishing can keep children engaged, and the bathroom makes a full half-day on the water easier.

Weather, cancellation, and practical planning

The experience requires good weather. If conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also 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 departure are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows local time in the Bahamas, so do not wait until the last minute if your plans change.

Booking confirmation arrives within 48 hours, subject to availability. The activity is generally open to most people, but anyone with concerns about swimming, fishing, or time on a boat should ask the provider before committing.

Who should book this Nassau boat trip?

I would choose this charter for a family, two couples, or a group of friends who want several Nassau experiences in one outing. It is especially suitable if you value privacy, need a bathroom aboard, and do not want to rent fishing or snorkeling gear separately.

It also fits a group with children because the plan can shift between fishing, swimming, beach time, and sightseeing. The close-in fishing described for a kid-friendly outing is a useful sign for families, though you should not expect a guaranteed catch.

I would hesitate if you want a long, serious fishing charter, a full-day reef trip, or a guaranteed pig encounter. Four hours is a compact schedule, and the extra $30 pig fee needs to be added to the budget.

Should you book it?

Book this private Nassau charter if you can fill most of the seven seats and want a flexible family day on the water. The combination of a 38-foot boat, supplied gear, fishing, Rose Island reefs, and a possible beach or pig stop gives you a lot to work with.

Before paying, confirm the pig fee, ask which crew will operate your trip, and decide which activity gets priority. If your group wants a comfortable, mixed-activity outing rather than one narrowly focused excursion, this is a practical choice.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The tour begins at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Bahamas, 2 Marina Drive, Paradise Island, New Providence, The Bahamas.

Where does the tour end?

The experience ends back at the same meeting point at Margaritaville Marina.

How long is the tour?

The outing lasts approximately four hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private charter accommodates up to seven people per group.

Is swimming with pigs included in the price?

No. Swimming with pigs requires a separate $30 fee.

What equipment is included?

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

Is this tour suitable for children?

The boat and charter are described as family-friendly and welcoming to children. A kid-friendly fishing outing is also associated with the experience.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes the activity to be canceled, you are offered a different date or a full refund.