Nassau, Private Swimming Pig, Island Hopping, Snorkeling, Turtles

The Bahamas look best from the water. This private Nassau boat trip combines turtle sightings and snorkeling with Rose Island beaches, scenic cays, and an optional visit to swimming pigs. I like the freedom of having your own boat for up to eight people, and I like that the crew can shape the day around swimming, photos, and time in the water. The main drawback is the extra $25 per person fee for entering the swimming-pig area, plus the fact that a four-hour tour has to fit several stops into one outing.

You’ll meet at Elizabeth on Bay in Nassau and return there after roughly four hours. Captains including Chris, Paul, Eddy, and Bodie have earned especially warm praise for being friendly, flexible, and good with families. Bring a towel, sunscreen, and sunglasses, and remember that weather can cancel the trip.

What makes this Nassau boat trip worth considering

• Green Cay brings the chance to swim near wild turtles, with colorful reefs nearby for snorkeling.
• A private speedboat carries only your group, up to eight people, instead of combining you with a large crowd.
• Rose Island gives you a proper beach stop, with swimming, snorkeling, beach activities, and restaurants.
• The pig visit is optional, and the island charges an additional $25 per person if you want to swim with them.
• Gilligan’s Island adds a photo stop, with a sandy cay linked to the famous television show.
• Water, snorkel gear, and life vests are included, so you do not need to rent the basic equipment separately.

One boat, several Bahamian islands

This is a good choice if you want more than one Nassau attraction in a single half-day. The route links New Providence with nearby cays and islands, giving you a quick taste of reefs, beaches, wildlife, and open water without committing to a full-day cruise.

The boat is a speedboat, which matters here. You are not simply being ferried from one dock to another. The ride itself becomes part of the outing, with sightseeing between stops and the chance to see the islands from a low, open-water viewpoint.

The private format is the biggest practical advantage. Your group can include up to eight people, and no unrelated passengers join you. That makes a difference if someone wants more time snorkeling, a child needs a slower pace, or your group would rather take photos than rush to the next activity.

The advertised price is $799 per group. Split eight ways, that works out to just under $100 per person before any pig interaction fee. A smaller group pays more per person, but you are buying privacy, a boat, equipment, drinks, and a custom-feeling outing rather than eight separate public excursion seats. The value is strongest for families or groups of friends who can fill most of the boat.

The planned stops add up to about three and a half hours: one hour at Green Cay, one hour at Rose Island, 45 minutes for the pig island stop, and 45 minutes at Gilligan’s Island. With transfers and the boat ride, expect about four hours overall. That is enough time for variety, but not enough for long, relaxed time at every stop.

Green Cay: turtles and reef time

Green Cay is the wildlife highlight. Turtles swim around boats that stop there, and you may have the chance to get into the water near them. That possibility is exciting, but it is best understood as a chance rather than a guarantee. Wildlife does not follow a tour schedule.

The stop lasts about an hour, and the area also has colorful reefs suitable for snorkeling. Snorkel equipment and life vests are supplied, which makes this an easy place to get in the water without arranging gear on your own.

I would treat Green Cay as the best reason to pack your mask, even if you are mainly interested in the pigs or beaches. The turtle encounter can be brief, while the reef gives you another reason to stay in the water if the animals are not close by.

Several people specifically enjoyed snorkeling with fish and turtles, and one family said the children were taken to good snorkeling places. That points to an important strength of the private setup: the captain can pay attention to your group’s comfort and interests rather than following a fixed crowd schedule.

Still, snorkeling requires reasonable comfort in the water. Most people can participate, but this is not designed as a dry sightseeing cruise. Life vests are available, and you should tell the crew if you need extra help or prefer to remain close to the boat.

Rose Island: the most balanced stop

Rose Island gives the tour its most conventional island break. You have time for snorkeling, swimming, beach activities, restaurants, and general sightseeing. At one hour, the stop is long enough to stretch your legs and enjoy the shore, but it will feel short if you want a leisurely meal and a long swim.

This is likely the easiest stop for a mixed group. One person can swim, another can sit on the beach, and someone else can look for food or take photographs. The pig and turtle stops are more specific, while Rose Island gives you room to choose your own pace.

The exact beach facilities you use may depend on the day’s route and what is open, so I would not plan the entire excursion around a particular restaurant. The supplied details confirm restaurants are available, but they do not state that a meal is included. Drinks on board are included, along with bottled water, but food is not listed as part of the package.

The island also helps break up the boat time. Four hours on the water can feel active and fun, but a shore stop gives you a chance to stand, walk, and enjoy a different setting. If your group includes children, Rose Island may be the easiest place to let them burn off energy between snorkeling stops.

The swimming pigs: fun, optional, and not free

The pig island stop lasts about 45 minutes. The interaction is optional, and the island charges $25 per person for swimming with the pigs. That fee is not included in the $799 tour price, so budget for it before you book.

You can also visit the area without paying for the swim. One account described feeding the pigs and taking photographs without getting into the water. That is useful if you want to see the animals but do not like the idea of swimming beside them.

The pig stop may be the most talked-about part of a Bahamas excursion, but it is not automatically the best part for every group. Some people will love the novelty and the photos. Others may decide that watching the animals from shore is enough, especially after seeing them in the water.

I would make this decision before the boat leaves. If everyone wants the full interaction, the extra fee is easy to factor in. If your group has mixed opinions, the optional setup helps because nobody has to pay for an activity they do not want.

You should also expect this stop to be more organized around a brief animal encounter than a quiet beach visit. With only 45 minutes, the time can pass quickly once you account for getting ashore, seeing the pigs, taking pictures, and returning to the boat.

Gilligan’s Island and the photo stop

The final listed stop is Gilligan’s Island, a sandy cay associated with the famous television show. The main appeal is exploring the sand and taking photographs, not a long list of structured activities.

The 45-minute stop gives you enough time for a walk and pictures. It is a pleasant change after the active water stops, especially if you want a few scenic images without spending the whole tour snorkeling.

This stop may matter more to some people than others. If you know the television reference, it adds a bit of pop-culture fun. If you do not, you can still enjoy the sandy cay and open views, but you should not expect a major attraction with exhibits or facilities.

The route can also include other nearby islands, such as Athol, Green Cay, or Pearl Island, depending on the day’s plan. The listed stops name Green Cay, Rose Island, the pig island area, and Gilligan’s Island, so the exact order and mix may vary. That flexibility is useful, but it means you should confirm the day’s route if one particular cay is essential to your plans.

Captains who shape the day

A private tour is only as good as the person running the boat. The strongest praise here centers on the captains and mates, with Chris receiving repeated appreciation for making families feel comfortable and for knowing where to take the boat. Paul was associated with a relaxed day of pigs, snorkeling, and a wild turtle sighting.

Eddy was praised for taking a family to good snorkeling locations, while Bodie was remembered for a rum punch and a helpful food recommendation. Those details suggest a personal style rather than a rigid script, although the exact captain for your booking is not guaranteed in the supplied information.

The crew provides safety equipment and snorkel gear, and the outing includes sightseeing as well as water activities. That combination suits you if you want guidance without signing up for a large group program.

I would still ask practical questions at the meeting point. Confirm the planned stops, the pig fee, and how much time you will have in the water. A clear conversation at the start can help the captain balance the priorities of adults, children, strong swimmers, and anyone who mainly wants to see the scenery.

What to bring and what to expect

Bring your own towel, sunscreen, and sunglasses. Bottled water and drinks are provided, but food is not listed as included, so plan for that when considering the Rose Island restaurant option.

The meeting point is Elizabeth on Bay, at Bay Street in Nassau, and the tour ends back there. The location is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying elsewhere on New Providence, though the details supplied do not specify a hotel pickup service.

Mobile tickets are supported, and confirmation arrives when you book. The experience is private, but the minimum group requirement still applies. If the minimum is not met, the operator can offer another date or experience, or provide a full refund.

This trip requires good weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. For your own planning, avoid placing this excursion too close to an important departure unless you have a backup plan.

The activity is not recommended for children under two. Most people can participate, but the tour includes a speedboat ride, swimming, snorkeling, and getting on and off at island stops. Anyone in your group who is uneasy in open water should know that the main attractions are water-based.

Is $799 a fair price?

At first glance, $799 is a serious price for four hours. The calculation changes when you divide it among a full group of eight. In that case, you get private use of the boat, a crew, transportation between several islands, drinks, life vests, snorkel gear, turtle viewing, and sightseeing for about $100 each before the pig fee.

For two or three people, the per-person cost is much higher. A small group may find a shared excursion cheaper, especially if privacy is not important. The private boat becomes more valuable when your group wants control over the pace or has children who do better away from crowds.

The tour also bundles several experiences that are often sold separately: reefs, turtles, a beach island, pigs, and a photo stop. You are paying for range and convenience. The tradeoff is that no single stop receives a long, unhurried visit.

If you want a quiet beach day, this may feel too busy. If you want to pack many classic Nassau water experiences into one outing, the price is easier to defend.

Who should book this private Nassau tour?

I would recommend it most strongly to groups of four to eight people who want a private boat and a varied route. Families are a particularly good match because the captain can adjust attention between children who want to snorkel and adults who prefer sightseeing or beach time.

It also suits a first-time visit to Nassau. In four hours, you can get a quick sense of the nearby islands without spending a full day away from the city. The private setting may help if someone in your group dislikes crowds or feels nervous about organized excursions.

This is less ideal for you if you want a single long snorkeling session, a full restaurant meal, or a guaranteed turtle encounter. The schedule is packed, the turtle sighting depends on nature, and the pig interaction costs extra.

The strongest features are the private format, friendly captains, and variety of stops. The main cautions are the price for small groups, the additional pig fee, the short time at each island, and the need for good weather.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Elizabeth on Bay, located at 3MH6+6QX on Bay Street in Nassau, The Bahamas.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at Elizabeth on Bay.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours. The listed stops total about three hours and 30 minutes, not counting travel between locations.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private boat can accommodate one group of up to eight people. Only your group participates.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life vests are included.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water and drinks on board are included.

Is swimming with the pigs included in the price?

No. Swimming with the pigs is optional and costs an additional $25 per person, charged by the island.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes within that period are not accepted.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the cancellation. The same options apply if the minimum number of participants is not met.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you can share the $799 cost with a group and want a private, active half-day on the water. The mix of Green Cay turtles, Rose Island, snorkeling, sandy cays, and optional pigs gives you plenty to do, while captains such as Chris, Paul, Eddy, and Bodie have helped make the outing feel personal.

Before booking, decide how important the pig swim is, set aside the extra $25 per person if needed, and keep your plans flexible for weather. If you want the freedom of a private speedboat and several Bahamian stops in one trip, this is a strong choice. If you prefer one long beach stay or the lowest possible price, choose a simpler shared excursion instead.