Rose Island: Private Snorkeling, Fishing, and Swimming with Pigs

The best Bahamas days happen offshore. This private four-hour cruise from New Providence combines reef snorkeling, light-tackle fishing, sea turtles, Rose Island beaches, and views of Paradise Island. I like the freedom of a private boat, especially when your group can decide how much time to spend in the water. I also like that Captain Frenchie and his crew make a point of including children and nervous swimmers. The main caution is weather: wind can make the sea rough, muddy the snorkeling water, and limit which beaches you can reach.

At $850 per group of up to eight, the price makes more sense for a full family or friend group than for two people. Water, soft drinks, a snack, fishing rods, bait, tackle, and snorkel equipment are included, but lunch, alcohol, and the optional pig experience cost extra.

Key points to know before booking

• Private 28-foot boat: Your group has the boat to itself, with twin 250-horsepower motors and a captain who can adjust the outing to your interests.
• Sea turtles and reef fish: Snorkeling around Green Cay and near Rose Island can bring you close to turtles and many kinds of fish.
• Choice of activities: You can split the four hours among snorkeling, swimming, fishing, beach time, and sightseeing.
• Rose Island stop: Expect white sand and open water, with the option to buy lunch or relax at a beach venue such as Footprints Beach Bar.
• Swimming with pigs costs extra: The pig activity is $35 per person and is not part of the $850 boat price.
• Weather affects the day: Wind can change the route, reduce visibility, and prevent a calm beach stop.

What this private Nassau boat trip is really like

This is not a rigid sightseeing cruise with a fixed script. You board a private open-hull boat for about four hours, then spend the half-day moving between the waters around Paradise Island, Green Cay, and Rose Island.

The boat is 28 feet long and powered by twin 250-horsepower motors. That gives the captain plenty of power for moving between stops, though an open boat also means you feel the wind and spray more than you would on a large covered vessel. Bring sun protection and expect the conditions to be part of the experience.

The strongest feature is control. If your children want to fish, you can give fishing more time. If your group would rather snorkel with turtles, you can focus there. You are not sharing the schedule with a busload of strangers, and that matters when people in your group have different energy levels.

Captain Frenchie is the central personality on many outings, often working with a crew member called D or Mario. The praise centers on his warm manner, safety awareness, and willingness to help children who feel unsure in the water. One family described him letting a nervous six-year-old sit near the captain’s chair and feel involved. That small touch says a lot about the tone of the trip.

Passing Paradise Island and the old Gilligan’s Island setting

The cruise begins with views of Paradise Island, famous for its large resorts, waterfront homes, and what one booking group called billionaires row. You also pass the island associated with the 1960s television show Gilligan’s Island. These are quick sightseeing moments rather than full stops, but they give the ride a little character before the water activities begin.

I like this part because it adds context to the boat trip. You are not simply being taken to a random snorkeling site. You get a look at the developed side of New Providence and the smaller islands around it, then move toward quieter water and beaches.

The contrast is useful. Paradise Island shows the polished resort side of the Bahamas. Rose Island offers a slower, more open setting. The boat lets you see both without spending half the day on roads or in a crowded excursion group.

Green Cay snorkeling and sea turtles

The snorkeling portion usually takes place around Green Cay, along a reef area where you can see many fish. The water can be clear enough to make the reef and marine life the main event of the day, and sea turtles are one of the biggest draws.

Several groups had especially good turtle encounters, including time swimming near them. You may also see dolphins from the boat on the return trip, although that is an added bit of luck rather than a promised part of the experience.

The crew provides snorkels, so you do not need to pack your own equipment. Still, comfort in the water will shape your enjoyment. Most people can participate, but this is an active outing involving boarding a boat, entering the sea, swimming, and climbing back aboard.

The important qualification is the weather. Wind can stir up the water and make a normally clear site murky. It can also make the ride rough and force the captain to avoid a preferred snorkeling area. One group found the snorkeling crowded and cloudy because of the conditions, while another had clear water filled with fish and turtles on a calmer day.

That variation is not a flaw unique to this company. Reef trips depend heavily on wind, tide, and visibility. I would book this experience when you have some flexibility in your schedule, rather than treating one exact snorkeling site as guaranteed.

Rose Island beaches and a slower half-day pace

After the water activities, the boat takes you to Rose Island, known for white sand beaches and a more relaxed feel. This is where the trip changes gear. You can swim, sunbathe, snorkel again, eat lunch, or simply sit near the shore.

The beach stop is valuable because four hours in a fast boat and salt water can be tiring. A break gives children and less active members of your group a chance to reset. It also keeps the trip from feeling like one long series of timed water activities.

Some groups enjoyed lunch, drinks, swimming, and even volleyball at Footprints Beach Bar. Food and activities on the island are not included in the boat price, so plan to pay separately if you want more than the supplied snack and drinks.

The beach experience can vary. Strong wind may prevent the captain from reaching a calm beach, and busy conditions can make a small island feel less peaceful than expected. One group skipped a pig stop because the site was busy and instead had a less satisfying beach experience. That is a useful warning: Rose Island is attractive, but the exact feel of the stop depends on weather, timing, and local conditions.

Fishing around Rose Island and Paradise Island

Fishing is included, with rods, bait, tackle, and the option of using fishing poles or an electric reel. The focus is light-tackle fishing around the reefs near Rose Island and Paradise Island.

This works well for families because fishing gives children a hands-on activity between swims. The crew helps with the equipment and stays involved, which is useful if nobody in your group has much experience. One family finished its outing with fishing because that was what the children wanted, and the crew helped both the children and adults.

Do not book this as a serious offshore fishing charter. The description points to light-tackle reef fishing during a multi-activity boat trip. You are choosing variety over specialized fishing time.

That trade-off is a good one for many groups. You might catch something, but the main value is having another way to use the water. If one person wants to snorkel while another prefers a rod, a private boat makes that split easier.

Swimming with pigs, and the extra charge to expect

Swimming with pigs is an optional Rose Island activity. It costs $35 per person, in addition to the private boat fee.

That extra charge needs to be clear before you arrive. The boat tour includes seeing the island and can include the option to visit the pigs, but feeding and participating in the pig activity require payment. Bring enough money if everyone in your group wants to take part.

The pig stop is also the least predictable part of the outing. Conditions can be busy, and the experience may involve workers offering food for the animals. If your group is excited about pigs, ask the captain to confirm exactly what is included before leaving the dock.

If pigs are not important to you, you can skip the fee and spend that time swimming, fishing, snorkeling, or relaxing on the beach. Several groups considered the sea turtles and reef fish the highlight of the day, so you do not need the pig activity to get a full experience.

What is included, and what you should budget for

The $850 price covers the private boat for up to eight people. It also includes:

• Snorkeling equipment
• Fishing rods
• Bait and tackle
• Soft drinks
• Water
• A snack such as granola bars or chips

That snack is useful, but it is not lunch. You should budget separately for food on Rose Island, as well as the $35-per-person pig activity if you want it. Alcohol is not included.

The price is easiest to justify with six to eight people. At the full group size, the cost works out to $106.25 per person before optional expenses. For four people, it becomes $212.50 each, and for two people it is $425 each.

That is still reasonable for a private boat, but not a bargain for a small party. I would compare the price with a shared snorkeling trip only if you are comfortable losing the freedom to change the schedule. For a family with different interests, the private format may save frustration even when it does not produce the lowest per-person price.

Why the private format matters

A private boat changes the rhythm of the day. You are not waiting for a large group to finish snorkeling, board a bus, or follow a fixed beach schedule. Captain Frenchie can respond to your group, within the limits of safety and weather.

This flexibility is especially helpful with children. A six-year-old who feels nervous, an adult who wants more beach time, and a confident swimmer who wants another look at the reef can all have a better day than they might on a fixed group excursion.

It also helps couples and small groups who want a quiet boat ride. The drawback is cost. If your group does not fill most of the eight available spaces, the private arrangement becomes expensive.

The boat is open, so you should also think about sun and wind. The same breeze that makes the ride pleasant can make it rough. The crew’s care and experience help, but they cannot control the sea.

Who will enjoy this Rose Island tour most

I would recommend this outing to:

• Families who want several activities in one half-day
• Groups of six to eight who can share the cost
• Visitors who want both snorkeling and fishing
• People who prefer a private schedule
• Children who need patient help and varied activities
• Anyone hoping to see sea turtles near Nassau

It is less suitable if you want a guaranteed calm beach, a long gourmet lunch, or a dedicated fishing trip. It is also a weaker choice if you are booking mainly for the pigs and would be disappointed if the stop is busy or affected by weather.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The tour is near public transportation, confirmation is provided at booking, and a mobile ticket is available. Those details make it fairly simple to fit into a Nassau stay.

Practical tips for getting more from the four hours

Book with a full group when possible. The private rate stays the same for up to eight people, so inviting relatives or friends can make the cost much easier to accept.

Tell the captain early what matters most. If turtles are your priority, say so. If your children care more about fishing, mention that before the schedule takes shape. The crew can only adjust the day if they know your preferences.

Treat the itinerary as flexible, not guaranteed. Wind may affect the reef, beach, and pig stop. A good captain may change locations to keep the group safer and the water more usable.

Pack sun protection and anything you need for a comfortable boat ride. Water, soda, and a snack are included, but lunch and alcohol are not. If the pig activity interests you, remember the separate $35 charge per person.

The cancellation rule is generous only before the final day. Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, though poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should you book this private Rose Island trip?

I would book it for a group that values choice more than a rock-bottom price. The best parts are the personal service from Captain Frenchie and his crew, the chance to see turtles and reef fish, and the freedom to mix snorkeling, fishing, swimming, and beach time.

I would be cautious if your plans depend on one perfect beach or crystal-clear water. Weather can change the route, and the optional pig activity is an extra expense with a less predictable feel.

For a family or group of friends filling most of the eight seats, this is a strong way to spend a half-day around Nassau. For two people, compare the numbers carefully. If you want a private boat and can accept a little weather-related uncertainty, the flexibility and personal attention are likely worth the premium.

FAQ

How long does the Rose Island boat tour last?

The experience lasts approximately four hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers one private group of up to eight people.

What activities are available?

You can snorkel, swim, sunbathe, fish, visit Rose Island, and optionally participate in swimming with the pigs.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided, along with fishing rods, bait, and tackle.

Are food and drinks included?

Water, soft drinks, and a snack such as granola bars or chips are included. Lunch and alcoholic drinks are not included.

How much does swimming with the pigs cost?

The pig activity costs $35 per person in addition to the boat tour price.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can receive a full refund or choose a different date.