Exotic half day private charters to Rose Island, Pigs and Turtles

The best Bahamian days happen offshore. This four-hour private boat trip from Nassau gives you your own captain, snorkeling gear, a chance to see turtles, and time on Rose Island with an optional swim with pigs. I like the private format, which lets your group enjoy the water without sharing the boat with strangers, and I like the mix of wildlife, beach time, and harbor sightseeing. The main caution is cost: at $1,020 per group, plus $40 per person for the pigs and extra money for lunch, this makes the most sense when you can fill the boat.

The trip is designed for up to nine people, though the boat is described as having comfortable seating for eight. That small mismatch is worth clearing up before you book, especially if your group includes nine adults. The experience also depends on good weather, and the exact boarding details should be confirmed because the information gives both Bayshore Marina on East Bay Street and Elizabeth on Bay as meeting references.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for your group: You and your companions get a private activity with your own captain rather than joining a large shared excursion.
• Rose Island combines several stops: Expect harbor views, snorkeling, a possible turtle encounter, pig swimming, and time on a quiet beach.
• Pig swimming costs extra: The advertised price does not include the $40 charge at the location.
• Drinks and basic supplies are covered: Snorkeling equipment, bottled water, snacks, and unlimited Bahama Mamas are included.
• The price works best for a full group: At $1,020 for up to nine people, the per-person cost drops sharply when everyone comes along.
• Weather can change the plan: Poor conditions may lead to a new date or a full refund.

Leaving Nassau from East Bay Street

Your outing begins in Nassau, where you are escorted to the dock after meeting near the waterfront. The listed starting information names Bayshore Marina The Waterfront at 64 East Bay Street, while the meeting-point details identify Elizabeth on Bay. I would confirm the precise pickup spot and arrival instructions before the day of departure.

That little bit of preparation matters. A private charter does not mean you can simply wander down any dock and expect to find the boat. Keep your mobile ticket handy, arrive with enough time to locate the marina, and ask where the vessel is docked if the waterfront is busy.

Once aboard, the first part of the trip is more than a transfer. You tour through Nassau Harbour and see a polished side of New Providence Island, including celebrity homes, five-star hotels, and an oceanside golf course. It is a pleasant way to shift from city time to sea time, with turquoise water around you and the shoreline gradually becoming less central.

The boat is meant to accommodate up to eight comfortably, while the booking capacity is listed as nine. If you are bringing a full group, ask how seating will work. For a family or group of friends, this kind of private space can feel far more relaxed than a crowded public boat, but comfort depends on the final head count.

Rose Island brings beach time and open water

Rose Island is the main setting for the charter, and its appeal is simple: it gives you room to combine several classic Bahamian activities in one short outing. You are not locked into a single attraction. Your group can spend time in the water, visit the pigs, sit on the sand, or choose a meal at a beachside restaurant.

That flexibility is one of the trip’s strongest features. Four hours is not a long time, so you will not get an unhurried full-day island visit. Still, a private captain can help your group decide how to use the available time instead of following a rigid public-tour schedule.

The beach portion may be the quietest part of the day. One experience described a private island beach that was incredibly beautiful and effectively empty for the group. Since beach conditions and exact stops can vary, I would treat solitude as a possibility rather than a guarantee. The promise is less about a particular postcard view and more about getting away from Nassau for a peaceful stretch of coast.

You can also make a culinary stop at a beachside restaurant. Lunch is not included, so bring a payment method and expect this part of the day to add to the total. The restaurant option is useful if you want a proper meal, but it also takes time away from snorkeling or beach lounging during a four-hour charter.

Snorkeling equipment keeps the water time easy

Snorkeling equipment is included, which removes one common nuisance from a short boat trip. You do not need to arrange a separate rental before leaving Nassau, and you can use the water time for looking below the surface rather than dealing with extra equipment logistics.

The supplied information does not promise a particular reef, fish species, or fixed snorkeling site. That is important. You should expect an opportunity to snorkel in Bahamian waters, not a guaranteed marine-life show. Visibility, water conditions, and the captain’s chosen location can affect what you see.

Turtles are a major draw. The experience is built around the chance to encounter sea turtles, and one family outing included seeing them along with snorkeling and the pigs. A turtle sighting is never something I would treat as guaranteed in the wild, but it gives the trip a stronger wildlife focus than a simple ride to a beach.

Keep your expectations sensible and your approach calm. The appeal of seeing a turtle is the quiet moment when it moves through the water, not a staged performance. That makes this a good choice for people who enjoy nature at an easy pace rather than needing a packed schedule of attractions.

Swimming pigs come with a $40 decision

The pigs are the most unusual part of the trip, and they are also the easiest place to misunderstand the price. Swimming pigs are not included in the $1,020 charter fee. The additional charge is $40 at the location.

That fee can be worthwhile if the pigs are the main reason you chose this outing. It gives you a memorable activity that is hard to replicate during an ordinary beach day, especially for children and first-time visitors to the Bahamas. If your group is more interested in snorkeling, turtles, and a quiet beach, you may decide the extra charge is not necessary.

I would ask before setting out how much time the pig stop will take and how the payment is handled. The supplied details only confirm the extra cost at the location, not the exact duration or payment method. Clear communication helps prevent an awkward surprise when your group is already on the island.

The wording describes the chance to swim with pigs on a secluded island, while the itinerary also places pig visits within the Rose Island stop. I would focus on the activity rather than a precise island label. The important point is that the pig experience forms part of the island portion of the private charter.

Drinks, snacks, and lunch: what your price really covers

The charter includes bottled water and snacks, along with unlimited Bahama Mamas. That is a generous beverage setup for a four-hour outing, especially for adults who want a festive boat ride rather than a bare-bones transfer.

Still, unlimited cocktails make water and pacing important. You will be in the sun, moving around on a boat, and possibly snorkeling. Drink water regularly, use the included supplies, and remember that the Bahama Mamas are an extra pleasure rather than a substitute for hydration.

Lunch is not included. If you eat at the beachside restaurant, you will pay separately, so the true cost of the day is the charter fee, any pig admission, and your meal. Snacks may hold you over for four hours, but a group with children or a large appetite should plan for food.

At $1,020 per group, the price looks high for a half-day outing. The value improves when shared by a larger party. For eight people, the base cost works out to about $127.50 per person. For nine, it is about $113.33 per person, before the pig fee and lunch. For two people, the same boat costs $510 each, which is a much tougher sell.

This is not the best bargain for a couple or a small party. It can be a sensible splurge for a family reunion, a group of friends, or several couples traveling together. The private setting, captain, equipment, drinks, and multiple activities help explain the cost, but only a full group gets the strongest value.

Why a private captain changes the day

The private format is more than a label. Only your group participates, so you are not required to match the pace of strangers or spend the whole outing on an activity that does not interest you.

That matters on a four-hour schedule. Your group can decide how much time to give the pigs, snorkeling, turtle watching, beach time, and food. The captain still controls the boat and route, but the experience should feel more personal than a fixed group excursion.

Antoine and Chris are named as hosts and guides connected with the experience. Their role is especially important on a private charter because the captain shapes the mood of the outing. A good guide can help a family relax, point out sights around the harbor, and keep the day moving without making it feel rushed.

The strongest praise for the trip centers on this complete mix: a private beach, pigs, snorkeling, turtles, and friendly hosting in one day. That combination explains the perfect 5 out of 5 rating from 20 ratings and the 100 percent recommendation figure provided for the experience.

Who will enjoy this Nassau charter most

I would recommend this outing to families and groups that want several Bahamian highlights without committing to a full day at sea. It works especially well for people who value privacy, flexible pacing, and a comfortable boat setting.

It also suits visitors who want more than a simple beach transfer. The harbor sightseeing gives you a look at Nassau from the water, while Rose Island adds swimming, wildlife, food, and quiet sand. You can build a relaxed day around your group’s interests.

Children may enjoy the pigs and the chance to spot turtles, though the supplied information does not give age rules or specific child-safety details. Ask the provider about those points if you are traveling with young children.

I would be less likely to choose it for a strict budget, a solo visitor, or a couple that cannot share the charter cost. I would also think twice if your main goal is a long snorkeling session. Four hours includes the marina departure, harbor tour, island activities, and return, so the water time will be only part of the outing.

Timing, weather, and practical details

The charter lasts about four hours and returns to the meeting point. Since the trip combines several stops, try not to schedule an important event immediately afterward. The supplied details do not give exact departure times, so confirm the start time and boarding point when you book.

Good weather is required. If poor weather cancels the experience, you can receive a different date or a full refund. That policy is useful in the Bahamas, where wind and sea conditions can affect both comfort and safety.

You receive confirmation at booking, and the experience uses a mobile ticket. Service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation. Most people can participate, though you should ask the provider directly about any personal mobility or swimming concerns because the supplied details do not explain boat access or water assistance.

Pack light, practical beach clothing, and anything you personally need for time in the sun. Bottled water, snacks, and snorkeling equipment are included, but lunch is not. Also keep the extra $40 pig charge in your budget if that activity matters to your group.

Cancellation is free when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund, and the cutoff uses local time. That gives you a reasonable safety net, but the weather requirement still makes an early forecast check wise.

Should you book this private Rose Island trip?

Book it if you can fill most of the boat and want a private half-day built around pigs, turtles, snorkeling, and beach time. The strongest reason to choose it is the range of experiences packed into one outing, with Antoine and Chris named as friendly hosts and guides and a captain who can shape the pace for your group.

Skip it if you are traveling alone, watching every dollar, or hoping for a long, specialized snorkeling trip. Before paying, confirm the exact marina meeting point, the seating arrangement for nine people, the pig fee, and the restaurant plan. With those details settled, this is a polished way to turn a Nassau stay into a relaxed day on the water.

FAQ

How long does the private charter last?

The experience lasts approximately four hours and ends back at the meeting point.

How many people can join the charter?

The booking allows up to nine people per group. The boat is described as having comfortable seating for eight, so groups of nine should confirm the seating arrangement before booking.

Is swimming with the pigs included in the price?

No. Swimming pigs costs an additional $40 at the location.

What is included in the charter?

Snorkeling equipment, bottled water, snacks, and unlimited Bahama Mamas are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, though you may visit a beachside restaurant during the island portion of the outing.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the experience to be canceled.