Private Tour 45ft Powerboat to Nearby Islands

The best part of this private 45-foot powerboat tour is the freedom to string several classic Bahamian stops into one fast-moving half-day. You can snorkel near Green Cay, watch turtles in the shallows, stretch out on Rose Island, visit tiny Sandy Cay and finish with beach games or swimming pigs.

I like the small private-group setup, especially for families or friends who want the boat to themselves. I also like the crew-focused service: Captain Adam, Captain Rico, Dia and Canaan are among the team members associated with recent outings. The main caution is value. At $3,800 for up to 10 people, this makes the most sense with a full group, and the lunch and pig package details should be confirmed before you pay.

Key points to know

• Four hours, several islands: Green Cay, Rose Island, Sandy Cay, a beach bar and Pig Island fit into one compact outing.
• Private boat for up to 10: The listed rate is for your group, not per person, with space for up to 22 for an added charge.
• Sea turtles at Green Cay: The small island near Rose Island is known for turtles swimming around its shore.
• Snorkeling equipment and drinks included: Masks and snorkels, bottled water, soda and beer and grapefruit Radlers are listed.
• Lunch details need checking: One part of the information includes lunch and the swimming-pig package for 10, while another says food and drinks at the beach bar cost extra.
• Weather matters: The tour is non-refundable if you cancel, but poor weather can bring a date change or full refund.

A fast island-hopping route from Paradise Island

You meet at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Bahamas2 Marina on Marina Drive, Paradise Island. From there, the 45-foot powerboat lets you cover several nearby islands without spending the whole morning getting from one place to the next.

That speed is important. In four hours, you are not getting a long, unhurried beach day at every stop. You are getting a sampler of the waters around Nassau, with time for snorkeling, swimming, sand, wildlife and lunch. I see this as a good fit if you want variety and a private boat, rather than one beach and a slow afternoon.

The group size shapes the experience. The price is $3,800 for up to 10 people, which works out to $380 per person if you fill every place. For eight people, the effective cost rises to $475 each. A larger group can be accommodated up to 22 people for an extra charge, so ask for the full total before booking.

The private format also gives your party more room to set the tone. You can focus on snorkeling and beaches, or give more time to the bar, volleyball, billiards and pigs. The actual timing still depends on the captain, sea conditions and the needs of the group.

Green Cay and the chance to see sea turtles

The first listed stop is Green Turtle Cay, a very small island near Rose Island. You have about 45 minutes here, with snorkeling equipment provided.

The appeal is simple: colorful fish, coral reefs and sea turtles around the island. The turtle encounter is not a guaranteed staged performance, and that is part of the charm. You may see them swimming in the water around Green Cay, but wildlife can move and visibility can vary.

I would treat this as a compact snorkeling stop, not a full reef expedition. Forty-five minutes gives you time to get your gear on, enter the water and look around, but it is not enough for a long session. If snorkeling is your main goal, tell the crew early so you can use this window well.

Bring a secure way to store valuables, and use the supplied gear if it fits comfortably. The tour lists snorkeling equipment, bottled water, soda and alcoholic drinks among the included items. Alcohol is served only to people age 21 and older, while younger participants receive non-alcoholic drinks.

Rose Island brings the powdery sand

Rose Island receives two separate portions of the route. The first is about an hour, and it is the most traditional beach stop of the day.

Expect long stretches of pale sand and clear turquoise water. You can stroll along the beach, sit in the sand or swim. This is the place where I would slow down after the powerboat ride and let the group spread out.

A private boat makes a beach stop easier for mixed groups. One person can stay in the water, another can walk, and someone else can simply sit with a drink. You do not have to follow a large group from one activity to the next.

The tradeoff is time. Rose Island is paired with several other stops, so you should not expect an entire hour of uninterrupted solitude. The island is included in the route, but the boat schedule needs to keep moving to Sandy Cay, the beach bar and Pig Island.

Sandy Cay, the tiny island with a big reputation

Sandy Cay is listed as a three-acre island about 15 minutes from Nassau Harbour. You get roughly 30 minutes here.

Its main draw is its postcard appearance. The small size, pale sand and aqua-colored water make it a popular subject for photographs. You can relax, explore a little or snorkel near the shore.

I would keep expectations realistic. Thirty minutes is enough for photos, a quick walk and perhaps a short swim. It is not enough to explore a large island because Sandy Cay is not large. That compact scale is exactly what makes it memorable, but it also means this stop works best as a brief scenic pause.

The phrase most photographed island in the world is part of the island’s promotional reputation, not a promise that you will have it to yourself. Still, the combination of tiny land area and bright water gives you one of the tour’s strongest photo opportunities.

A beach bar with lunch, games and ocean views

The beach bar stop lasts about 1 hour and 15 minutes, making it the longest single portion of the schedule. You can expect ocean views, a white-sand beach and activities that include volleyball, billiards and karaoke.

This stop gives the day a social break. Instead of moving from water to water, you can sit down, eat, play a game or join the group atmosphere. It is a useful option for anyone in your party who is less interested in snorkeling.

There is an important pricing detail here. The stop description says food and beverages at the beach bar are not included in the charter cost. Elsewhere, the tour information says lunch for 10 people is included, along with the swimming-pig package. Those statements do not match perfectly.

I would ask Aqua Shores to confirm three points in writing before booking: whether lunch is included for your exact party, what menu is provided, and whether drinks at the bar are separate. Dietary needs such as vegetarian and gluten-free meals can be accommodated, according to the tour details, but you should state those needs in advance.

The listed drinks include bottled water, soda, beer and grapefruit Radlers. That is helpful for a boat day, but it does not necessarily mean every drink at the beach bar is covered. Clarifying this protects you from a surprise bill.

Pig Island adds a playful final stop

The route returns to Rose Island for a 30-minute visit to Pig Island. The included information describes a swimming-pig interaction for 10 people.

This is likely the most unusual part of the day, especially for families and first-time visitors to the Bahamas. You can expect an organized animal encounter in the water rather than a simple beach visit.

Thirty minutes is a short window, so the stop is built around the pigs rather than a long stay on the island. Follow the crew’s instructions and keep your attention on the animals and the water. The tour lists the pig package for 10 people, with additional participants possible up to 22 for an extra charge.

Because the lunch and pig-package language is inconsistent in the supplied details, confirm both items together. Ask if the pig interaction is included in the $3,800 rate for your group and what the added price is for more than 10 people.

What the crew can add to the day

The strongest personal element is the crew. Captain Adam and crew members Dia and Canaan are named in connection with particularly well-received outings. Captain Rico and his crew are also associated with a private speedboat trip for a group of eight.

That matters because a private boat day depends on more than scenery. You want clear communication, help with equipment, sensible pacing and a crew that can handle a mixed group. The details provided about Adam, Dia, Canaan and Rico suggest that Aqua Shores puts real emphasis on service and company during the trip.

You should not assume that a particular captain will be assigned unless the operator confirms it. If you have heard good things about a specific crew member or want help with snorkeling, mention that when you book.

The boat also seems best suited to people who enjoy an active, social outing. You can swim, snorkel, walk beaches, play volleyball or billiards and take part in the pig stop. If you want a quiet, formal cruise with very little activity, this may feel busy.

Is $3,800 a fair price?

The price is high in absolute terms, but it covers a private group rather than one seat. At 10 people, the cost is $380 each for about four hours. That includes access to a private 45-foot powerboat and the listed snorkeling equipment, water, soda and selected alcoholic drinks.

Lunch and the swimming-pig package are also described as included for 10 people, though the beach-bar wording calls food and beverages extra. If lunch and pigs are truly included, the package has better value for a full group. If they are added separately, the final price will be higher.

For a group of eight, the base rate becomes $475 per person before any extra charges. That may still make sense if you value privacy, a faster boat and a custom-feeling route. It is less attractive if you are a couple or a small family and could join a shared excursion at a lower cost.

The additional capacity up to 22 people could improve the per-person value for a large party, but the operator charges extra for additional participants. Request the exact total, including lunch, pigs, extra people and any bar expenses.

Getting to the marina and planning the timing

The meeting point is Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Bahamas2 Marina, Marina Drive, Paradise Island, New Providence. The tour ends back at the same location.

Transportation to the dock is not included. The listed transfer cost is about $10 to $40, depending on distance. If you are staying at Atlantis, you can use the hotel shuttle to reach the operator, which may keep this part simple.

Confirmation is normally issued at booking. If you book within two hours of departure, confirmation comes as soon as possible and remains subject to availability. I would avoid making a tight connection with another activity because the route depends on weather and water conditions.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The experience is near public transportation, and dietary needs can be arranged. Share food restrictions before departure, rather than waiting until the beach bar.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. If you cancel for another reason or ask to change the booking, the payment is not refundable. That strict policy makes weather forecasts and group coordination worth checking before you commit.

Who will enjoy this private powerboat day?

I would recommend it most strongly to a full group of friends or family members who want several Bahamian experiences in one outing. It is especially suited to people who like active days and do not want to choose between snorkeling, beaches, a bar and swimming pigs.

Families may appreciate the range of activities, though adults should supervise children around the boat, reefs and animals. Couples can enjoy it too, but the price is harder to justify for only two people unless privacy is the main priority.

This is not the best choice if you want a slow, uninterrupted beach afternoon. The four-hour schedule covers a lot of ground, and each stop has a set window. It also may not suit anyone who prefers a low-cost shared boat or who dislikes changing activities several times.

Should you book the Aqua Shores tour?

Book it if you can fill most of the boat, want a private setting and like the idea of combining reefs, turtles, white sand, a beach bar and pigs in four hours. The crew names associated with the experience, especially Captain Adam, Dia, Canaan and Captain Rico, add confidence that the human side of the outing is taken seriously.

Before paying, get clear answers about lunch, beach-bar food, the pig package and the cost for anyone above 10 people. If those details are confirmed as included, the price is easier to defend. If they are extra, compare the final total with a shared tour.

For a well-organized group seeking variety, this is a lively and efficient way to see the waters near Nassau. For a small party on a tight budget, it is probably too expensive.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Bahamas2 Marina on Marina Drive, Paradise Island, New Providence. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the tour?

The experience lasts approximately four hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

The listed price covers up to 10 people. Groups of up to 22 can be accommodated for an additional charge.

What islands are visited?

The route includes Green Cay, Rose Island, Sandy Cay and Sandy Cay’s nearby beach areas, plus a visit to Pig Island at Rose Island. It also includes a stop at a beach bar in the Bahamas.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included.

Are drinks included?

Bottled water, soda, beer and grapefruit Radlers are listed as included. Alcohol is served only to people age 21 and older. Younger participants receive non-alcoholic drinks.

Is lunch included?

The tour details state that lunch for 10 people is included, but the beach-bar stop also says food and beverages are not included in the charter cost. Confirm the lunch arrangement and any extra charges before booking.

Is the swimming-pig interaction included?

A swimming-pig interaction for 10 people is listed as included. Additional people can be added up to a maximum of 22 for an extra charge. Confirm the final package details when booking.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. Customer cancellations or amendments are otherwise non-refundable.