Swimming Pigs, Turtles & Reef Snorkel in Nassau-Champion Tours

The pigs are only part of the fun. This private four-hour boat trip from Nassau combines Rose Island, Pearl Island, Green Cay, Athol Island, turtle feeding, reef snorkeling, and a floating-bar lunch stop in one active morning or afternoon. I like the private format, which lets your group choose how long to stay at each stop, and I like the safety focus, with lifeguards and medical personnel on board.

The tour also provides bottled water, rum punch, snacks, Wi-Fi, and snorkeling gear, which keeps the day simple. The main catch is price: at $205 per person, you will also need to budget $45 per person for the pig attraction, plus lunch and any optional extras.

Key points to know before booking

• Four islands in about four hours: You visit Rose Island, Pearl Island, Green Cay, and Athol Island, also called Pig Island.
• The $45 pig fee is extra: Swimming, feeding, and taking photos with the pigs is optional and costs an additional $45 per person.
• Private control over the schedule: Your group can choose when to leave each stop, rather than following a fixed public-tour timetable.
• Snorkeling gear is included: You can use the supplied equipment around the reefs and swim with fish and marine life.
• Lunch is not included: The boat stops at a local restaurant or the Antiki floating bar, but food is at your own expense.
• Good for families: The crew provides safety support, and the experience is open to children and service animals.

A private speedboat day from Nassau

Champion Cruising Tours runs this as a private boat excursion, meaning only your own group takes part. That matters if you are traveling with family or friends and want room to set the pace. You are not tied to the preferences of a large mixed group, so a strong swimmer can spend more time snorkeling while someone else can move on to the next stop.

The boat leaves from the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Development on East Bay Street in Nassau. Pickup is offered, but private transportation is not included, so confirm your transfer plans before the day begins. The activity returns to the same meeting point.

The advertised duration is about four hours. That is enough time to sample several islands and water activities, but it is not a leisurely full-day cruise. You will make several stops, so each one may feel fairly brief if your group wants to see everything listed.

The vessel is described as a chartered speedboat, with licensed and insured boats and certified captains. The speed is useful here. Rose Island, Pearl Island, Green Cay, and Athol Island are separate stops, and a faster boat allows the tour to fit them into one outing.

Rose Island, Pearl Island, and Green Cay

The first part of the trip visits Rose Island, Pearl Island, and Green Cay. The main appeal is variety. Instead of spending four hours at one beach, you move through several island settings and get changing views of the clear Bahamian water.

At Green Cay, you have the chance to see and feed turtles. This is one of the more distinctive parts of the tour, especially for families. Turtle feeding gives children a clear focus, while adults get a close look at one of the area’s best-known marine animals.

You should follow the crew’s directions closely around wildlife. Feeding animals can be exciting, but the staff’s guidance helps keep the interaction orderly and safer for both you and the turtles. The exact amount of time at each island depends on your group and the captain’s handling of the day.

These stops are also useful for photographs. The tour includes open-water scenery, island views, and clear water around the boat. If you want pictures without bringing a separate photographer, your own phone should be ready and protected from spray.

Reef snorkeling with supplied equipment

Snorkeling is included, along with use of the required equipment. You can swim over reefs and look for fish and other marine life during the island portion of the trip.

This is a good value point because you do not need to rent a mask and snorkel separately for this outing. Still, bring your own sunscreen and towel. Those personal items are not supplied, and you may also want a dry bag or waterproof phone case for belongings, though those items are not listed as included.

The tour is built for people who want active water time, not just a boat ride. You will have opportunities to swim and snorkel, but the trip also includes wildlife stops and a meal break. If your main goal is a long, quiet reef session, the four-hour schedule may feel divided between too many activities.

Safety is given unusual emphasis. Lifeguards and medical personnel are said to remain on board, and the captains are professionally trained. That will reassure families and anyone who feels less confident in open water. You still need to judge your own swimming ability and listen to instructions before entering the water.

Athol Island and the optional swimming pigs

The final major attraction is Athol Island, also called Pig Island. Here you can swim near the pigs, feed them, and take photographs.

This is the most playful stop, but it is important to understand the pricing. The pig site charges $45 per person, and that fee is not part of the $205 tour price. Pig Island is optional, so you can skip it if the extra charge does not fit your plans or if your group prefers more time snorkeling.

The optional setup is helpful. You are not forced to pay for an attraction that may not interest everyone in your group. On the other hand, if swimming pigs are the reason you booked, the actual cost rises to $250 per person before lunch, transportation, or extras.

Bring patience and keep your belongings secure around the animals. The supplied details confirm feeding and photographs, but they do not promise a particular number of pigs, a specific swim time, or exact animal behavior. The experience is wildlife-based, so conditions can vary.

Lunch at the Antiki floating bar

The boat stops for lunch on the water at the Antiki floating bar, with a local restaurant stop also noted. Lunch is not included in the tour price, so plan to pay separately for your meal.

This break gives you time to get out of the water and enjoy the setting. It also adds a social, casual part to a trip that otherwise focuses on swimming and wildlife.

Because the meal is at your own expense, check how much time your group wants to spend eating. With only about four hours for the whole outing, a long lunch reduces time at the islands. If you want every advertised stop, keep the meal practical.

The inclusion of snacks, bottled water, rum punch, and Wi-Fi helps bridge the gap between activities. You should still bring any food or drink you specifically need, since the tour does not promise a full meal onboard.

What the $205 price really covers

The base price is $205 per person. That is a premium price for a four-hour outing, but it covers more than a basic shared boat ride. You are paying for a private charter, a captain, island-to-island transport, snorkeling equipment, onboard drinks and snacks, Wi-Fi, and the ability to shape the timing with your own group.

The price makes more sense for a family or small group that values privacy. A private boat can be worth extra money if you want to avoid strangers, keep children on a familiar schedule, or choose when to leave a stop.

The add-ons need careful attention:

• Pig Island costs $45 per person.
• Lunch is extra.
• Private transportation is not included.
• A jet ski can be added for another charge.
• A special photographer with drone footage can be requested.

With Pig Island, lunch, and optional upgrades, the final bill can move well above the headline price. Ask for the current cost of any add-on before confirming it.

The company advertises no hidden fees, but the listed extra charges are still real costs you should include in your budget. The clearest way to read the offer is this: $205 buys the private boat experience and listed onboard supplies, while attractions, food, transportation, and upgrades are separate.

Family comfort, safety, and flexibility

This outing suits families particularly well. A family-focused account praised the crew’s patience, professional manner, and care with children. That is useful context because the day includes swimming, snorkeling, wildlife, and a speedboat, all of which can be demanding with young children.

The tour is described as kid-friendly, and most people can participate. Service animals are allowed. The presence of lifeguards and medical personnel on board adds comfort, though it does not remove the need for adult supervision.

The private schedule is another family advantage. You can leave a stop when a child is tired, hungry, or ready for a change. You can also spend longer at the activity that works best for your group.

The downside is that flexibility does not mean unlimited time. Four islands, reef snorkeling, turtles, pigs, and lunch create a busy plan. If you prefer a slow beach day with long stretches in one place, this will feel packed.

Optional jet skis, photography, and boat views

You can add a jet ski for an additional charge. The available information does not specify the price, riding time, age rules, or operating requirements, so ask those questions before booking. Treat it as an optional extra, not part of the standard excursion.

You can also request a special photographer who includes drone footage. That may suit a celebration, family gathering, or proposal, but confirm the cost, weather limits, delivery method, and whether drone use is permitted at every stop.

Even without upgrades, the boat ride itself supplies scenic value. The route connects several islands and gives you views of clear water as the trip comes to an end. The return ride is described as smooth, offering a quieter finish after the swimming and wildlife stops.

The boat, captain, and onboard staff matter more here than polished extras. Champion Cruising Tours lists fully licensed and insured vessels, certified captains, lifeguards, and medical personnel. Those are practical protections for a water-based outing and help explain part of the price.

Timing, meeting point, and what to bring

The activity operates Monday through Sunday, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., during the published operating period from February 24, 2025, through November 26, 2026. Your booking confirmation provides the actual departure time.

Meet at the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Development, 3MFH+VW6 on East Bay Street in Nassau. The tour returns there after the boat ride. Since private transportation is not included, arrange your own way to the marina or confirm whether the offered pickup applies to your booking.

Bring:

• Sunscreen
• A towel
• Personal medication and other needed items
• Swimwear
• A secure way to protect your phone and valuables

Snorkeling equipment, bottled water, rum punch, snacks, and Wi-Fi are included. Lunch, transportation, the pig site, jet ski use, and photography are not included.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the outing, you can receive a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that 24-hour window, payment is not refunded and changes are not accepted.

Who should book this Nassau excursion?

I would consider this tour a good match for you if you want several Nassau water activities in one private outing. It works especially well for families, couples traveling with friends, and groups that value control over the schedule.

It is also a strong choice if your priorities include:

• Seeing turtles and swimming pigs
• Trying reef snorkeling without arranging separate equipment
• Having a captain and crew focused only on your group
• Adding a jet ski or professional photo package
• Combining sightseeing, wildlife, swimming, and lunch

I would think twice if you are watching every dollar. The base price is already high, and the pig attraction and lunch add to it. I would also hesitate if you want a relaxed beach day or a long snorkeling session at one reef, since the schedule covers several stops in four hours.

The current score is 5 out of 5, with 100 percent recommending the experience from 15 ratings. That is a small sample, but it supports the strongest parts of the offer: helpful crew service, care with children, and a private format.

Should you book Swimming Pigs, Turtles and Reef Snorkel?

Book it if you want a busy, private Nassau water day and can accept the extra charges. The most useful choice is to decide in advance if Pig Island is worth another $45 per person, then set aside money for lunch and transportation.

For families, the crew support and flexible timing are strong reasons to choose it. For a group celebrating a special occasion, the photographer and drone option may add value. For budget-conscious visitors or anyone seeking a slow afternoon, a simpler beach or snorkeling trip may be a better fit.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The boat excursion lasts approximately four hours.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Development, 3MFH+VW6, East Bay Street, Nassau, The Bahamas.

Where does the tour end?

The tour returns to the same meeting point where it begins.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Is Pig Island included in the price?

No. Pig Island is optional and costs $45 per person at the attraction site.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is taken at a local restaurant or the Antiki floating bar and is paid for separately.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included for use during the tour.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if poor weather causes cancellation.