Nassau: Swimming Pigs, Snorkeling, Lunch, & Beach Boat Tour

Piglets, reefs, and a fast boat ride make a lively Nassau day. The Bahamas Jet Boat tour combines a speedboat trip past Nassau and Paradise Island with time on a private beach, where you can feed swimming pigs, snorkel, kayak, play beach games, and eat lunch. I especially like the close pig encounter and the large mix of included activities. The main consideration is pace: this is a packed outing, and snorkeling time may feel short if you want a long session in the water.

The tour costs $140 per person and runs from about 150 minutes to four hours, depending on the departure and schedule. That price is reasonable if you plan to use the lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddleboards, beach facilities, and free photo package. It is less compelling if you only want a quiet beach afternoon.

Key Things to Know Before You Book

• The pigs are part of the basic tour: You can feed, pet, and photograph the famous swimming pigs without paying an extra animal-interaction fee.
• The speedboat is part of the fun: The ride offers clear-water views and sightseeing around Nassau, Paradise Island, Atlantis, and nearby islands.
• You get more than a pig visit: Beach games, kayaks, paddleboards, floats, hammocks, and snorkeling are included.
• Lunch and drinks are covered: A plated meal, snacks, soft drinks, and unlimited rum punch come with the tour.
• Professional photos are included: The crew takes individual and group pictures and sends a free photo and video package afterward.
• The meeting point is easy to miss: Find Bahamas Jet Boat headquarters inside Elizabeth on Bay Marketplace and Marina, near Bay Street and Elizabeth Avenue.

Starting at Elizabeth on Bay Marketplace and Marina

Your day begins at Bahamas Jet Boat headquarters, located inside the beige plaza with brown trim at Elizabeth on Bay Marketplace and Marina. If you are walking east along Bay Street, look for the second corner on the left after Parliament Square, at the corner of Bay Street and Elizabeth Avenue.

This detail matters. One person found Apple Maps sent them to the wrong place, so I would follow the written directions rather than rely only on a phone map. The meeting point is close to the Nassau Cruise Port, and one visitor estimated the walk at about eight minutes from the port. Still, allow extra time to find the office and check in.

The tour information lists cruise port pickup, but it does not include hotel pickup and drop-off. For a smooth start, confirm exactly where you are expected to meet when booking, especially if you are staying at a resort rather than arriving by ship.

The boat crew speaks English. The tour is guided, and the staff handle the safety briefing before the water activities. That is useful for families and for anyone who feels uncertain about snorkeling or getting in and out of a speedboat.

Speeding Past Nassau, Atlantis, and Paradise Island

The ride begins with views around Nassau Harbor. You pass the cruise port, Nassau, Paradise Island, Atlantis Bahamas, Versailles Gardens and French Cloister, Fort Montagu, Sun Cay, and other nearby points around New Providence.

This sightseeing is not a long historical tour. It is more of a moving introduction to the area, with the crew pointing out scenery and notable homes as the boat goes by. One guide, Sterling, was praised for combining local information with a good sense of humor, while Captain Johnny was singled out for making the ride enjoyable and safe.

The speedboat gives you a different view of Nassau than a road tour. You see the shoreline from the water, catch glimpses of resort architecture, and watch the color change from harbor water to the pale turquoise shades around the islands. The boat ride itself is a major part of the appeal, especially if you enjoy speed and open water.

There is a tradeoff. A fast boat is exciting, but it is not the quietest way to travel. If you prefer a slow sailboat and long commentary, this is not that sort of outing. Bring sun protection, and secure hats or loose items before the boat picks up speed.

Light refreshments and snacks are available during the trip, with soft drinks and rum punch included. The crew also shares information about Nassau Harbor along the way, so the ride is not simply transportation to the beach.

Meeting the Swimming Pigs at Athol Island

The main event is the pig encounter at the beach area associated with Athol Island. After a safety briefing, you enter shallow, clear water and meet the pigs at close range. The staff provide food so you can feed them, and you have time to pet them and take pictures.

The animals are friendly, but they are still pigs. They move quickly toward food, and several people noted that the guides explain how to avoid being stepped on. The crew also keeps the area tidy, including quickly cleaning up after the animals. That practical attention makes the encounter more comfortable.

For many people, the pig visit is the emotional high point. The piglets are especially cute, and some outings have included the chance to hold young piglets. The setting helps: golden sand, shallow water, and bright sea colors make this much more photogenic than a standard animal stop.

I like that feeding is included. Some animal attractions charge extra for every small part of the interaction, but here the food is part of the package. You should still expect other people to want the same pictures. One visitor felt the pig area was crowded at one point, making it harder to get clear photos. Arriving early can help, though the exact order of stops may vary.

The crew takes photographs for you, which means you can put your phone away and enjoy the encounter. The free photo and video package is one of the strongest value points. Several people were pleasantly surprised to receive professional images soon after the trip.

A Private Beach With More Than a Chair

After the pigs, you have free time on the private beach. This is not just a place to sit while waiting for the boat. The setup includes lounge chairs, hammocks, swings, individual and group floats, and water toys.

If you want a calm break, the hammocks and chairs are the obvious choice. If you are bringing children or teenagers, the activity list gives you more options. You can play volleyball, frisbee, cornhole, tug of war, giant Connect Four, or try hatchet toss. The mix works well for a family group with different energy levels.

Kayaks and paddleboards are included, letting you explore along the coastline at your own pace. The water is generally the star of the setting, with bright turquoise color and a broad sandy beach. Several people particularly enjoyed the water slide, floating equipment, and beach games, though the exact selection of equipment can change.

Jet skis are available, but they cost extra. That is worth knowing before you arrive. The standard price covers many activities, but not every motorized option. If you have your heart set on jet skiing, budget for an additional charge.

The beach stop also gives you a chance to slow down after the boat ride. That balance is important. A pig visit alone can feel brief, while the beach gives you time to swim, rest, eat, or try another activity.

Lunch, Rum Punch, and the Value of $140

Lunch is included, along with snacks, soft drinks, and unlimited rum punch. The meal offers American favorites, Bahamian dishes, and vegan choices. Reports on portion size differ: some people found the meal generous, while one person felt the portion was closer to a snack and advised eating beforehand.

That difference may reflect the menu or the day, so I would not book this as a food-focused tour. Still, having lunch included makes the outing easier and adds real value. You do not need to leave the island searching for food, and the beach setting makes the meal part of the day rather than a separate chore.

The $140 price also covers the boat, guides, snorkeling equipment, floats, beach games, kayaks, paddleboards, and photo package. Add the cost of a comparable boat ride, a pig encounter, beach access, equipment hire, lunch, drinks, and professional pictures, and the package becomes fairly competitive.

The value depends on how much you use. A parent with children can make good use of the games and water toys. A couple may care more about the pigs, photographs, food, and beach. Someone who only wants snorkeling could find the price high, since the reef stop is only one part of a much fuller schedule.

Snorkeling at the Reef

After the beach visit, the boat heads to a reef system near the islands. Snorkeling equipment is provided, and you can see tropical fish and other marine life in clear water.

The quality of the snorkeling can depend on conditions and the exact stop. Some people described the fish and reef as spectacular, while another found the site only average. That is normal for any reef excursion. Weather, visibility, tide, and the chosen location all matter.

One outing provided about 25 minutes in the water, which was enough for a satisfying look but not a full-length snorkeling session. If you are an experienced snorkeler who wants to spend an hour exploring, you may find this part too short. If you are new to snorkeling, or if your group includes children, a shorter session can be just right.

The crew supplies the gear and gives safety guidance. You can also use kayaks in suitable areas, though snorkeling is the better choice if your goal is to see fish below the surface. Some people considered the snorkeling the best part of the day, while others preferred the pigs or the beach.

The reef stop adds variety. You are not simply looking at animals on shore, then returning to Nassau. You get two very different water experiences: shallow water with pigs and open water with fish.

The Ride Home Through Nassau’s Island Chain

The return route passes Rose Island, Blue Lagoon Island, and other parts of New Providence before reaching Nassau Harbor. Depending on timing, the crew may continue pointing out sights around Atlantis and Paradise Island.

This scenic ride gives you a final chance to take in the shoreline. One person enjoyed having famous homes and island landmarks identified during the boat tour. Another liked seeing Atlantis from the water, which gives the enormous resort a different scale than you get from land.

The total duration is listed as 150 minutes to four hours. That is a wide range, so check the available departure time and expected length before paying. The shorter format is useful for cruise passengers who want to return to the ship with time to spare. One family chose it specifically because they did not want an all-day excursion.

The schedule can also be affected by other passengers. One person reported waiting for late arrivals from a ship. That may not happen on your departure, but it is sensible to leave a buffer before your next cruise activity or airport transfer.

Crew Service and Safety

The crew is one of the strongest parts of this experience. Names highlighted in accounts include Sterling, Captain Johnny, Kenny, and Teisha. Different people praised the staff for being cheerful, respectful, helpful, and attentive.

That high energy suits the tour. The boat ride, pig encounter, games, snorkeling, and rum punch create a social atmosphere rather than a quiet retreat. Guides keep the mood moving, remember names, and help with photographs and equipment.

Safety also receives careful attention. The crew gives instructions around the pigs, manages the water activities, and has adjusted plans when weather looked uncertain. One person specifically appreciated that safety remained the priority during less-than-perfect conditions.

You should still be comfortable with a boat trip and time in the water. The tour is not designed as a passive sightseeing cruise. Even if you spend much of the beach stop in a hammock, the day involves boarding a speedboat, walking on sand, and choosing whether to swim, snorkel, kayak, or paddleboard.

Who Will Enjoy This Nassau Tour Most?

I would recommend this trip to families, first-time Nassau visitors, cruise passengers, and anyone who wants several classic Bahamian activities in one booking. Children and teenagers have plenty to do beyond the pig encounter, and adults can relax with lunch, rum punch, and beach time.

It also works for solo visitors and mixed-age groups. The games and guided activities make it easier to meet people, while the free photo package is useful if you are traveling alone and would otherwise have few pictures of yourself.

Couples who want a peaceful, private beach day may find the atmosphere too active, especially when several groups arrive together. Serious snorkelers may also want a longer reef excursion. And if animal welfare is important to you, pay attention to the safety instructions and interact with the pigs calmly and respectfully.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. That helps if your Nassau plans may change, but you should still check the exact start time and duration before booking.

Should You Book the Swimming Pigs Tour?

Book it if you want an efficient, cheerful day that combines pigs, snorkeling, beach time, food, and a speedboat ride. The included equipment, drinks, games, lunch, and free photos make $140 a solid package price for an active outing.

I would skip it only if you want a slow, quiet beach day or a serious snorkeling session. For most visitors, especially cruise passengers with limited time, the tour offers a lot in a compact format. Go early if possible, follow the meeting-point directions instead of trusting Apple Maps alone, and leave room in your schedule in case boarding takes longer than planned.

FAQ

Where does the swimming pigs tour meet?

Meet at Bahamas Jet Boat headquarters inside Elizabeth on Bay Marketplace and Marina, at the corner of Bay Street and Elizabeth Avenue. Heading east on Bay Street, it is the second corner on the left after Parliament Square, in a beige plaza with brown trim.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The tour does list cruise port pickup, but you should confirm the exact meeting arrangement when booking.

How long does the tour last?

The stated duration is between 150 minutes and four hours. Check the available departure time and schedule for the specific date you want.

Are the swimming pigs included in the tour price?

Yes. The tour includes the boat trip, the pig encounter, and food for feeding the pigs.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, with American favorites, Bahamian classics, and vegan options. Snacks, soft drinks, and unlimited rum punch are also provided.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with floats. Kayaks and paddleboards are also included for exploring the coastline.

Do jet skis cost extra?

Yes. Jet skis are available to rent, but they are not included in the tour price.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide and listed tour language are English.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also offers a reserve-now, pay-later option.