Nassau: 3 Islands Boat w/ Swimming Pigs, Snorkeling & Turtle

Swimming with pigs is the headline here, but the clever part is the mix: you get snorkeling at Pearl Island, turtle spotting at Green Cay, and beach time on Rose Island in one three-hour boat trip. The fast boat ride keeps the day moving, with a short 25-minute run back to Nassau at the end.

I like the friendly, upbeat crew and the fact that water, soft drinks, snacks, alcohol, and snorkel gear are included. I also like the easy variety: you can swim, watch wildlife, take photos, and sit with a drink at a beach bar without committing to a full-day outing.

The main tradeoff is time. Three hours goes quickly, and the turtle stop may be brief or quiet. One recent outing also became crowded and chaotic around the pigs, so this is best for you if you enjoy a lively group excursion rather than a private, slow-paced wildlife trip.

Key points to know before booking

• Swim with pigs at Rose Island, the tour’s main event and biggest photo opportunity.
• Snorkel from the boat at Pearl Island over a reef reported at about 10 feet deep.
• Look for sea turtles at Green Cay from the boat, with sightings depending on animal activity.
• Use the Rose Island beach bar for lunch and drinks, but bring extra money because lunch is not included.
• Ride a fast boat between three island stops, with music, rum punch, water, soft drinks, and snacks available aboard.
• Meet in Nassau or Paradise Island, not at your hotel: pickups are at the pier by Senor Frogs downtown or at Margaritaville Paradise Island.

A three-island outing with pigs as the main event

This Delfincharters trip is built around a simple idea: pack several popular Nassau-area water experiences into one short boat outing. You leave Nassau, stop at Pearl Island for snorkeling, cruise past Green Cay to look for turtles, then spend the longest stop at Rose Island with the pigs and beach bar.

That structure works well if you have only a few hours. You are not spending the whole day at one beach, and you get a taste of several sides of the Bahamas: clear water, marine life, playful animals, and a casual island bar.

The mood is social. One boat carried about 24 people on a recent trip, and the crew used several guides to provide safety help, instructions, and information at different stops. Music, dancing, rum punch, and drinks add to the party feel.

I would not book this expecting a quiet nature cruise. The boat, alcohol, swimming, and pig feeding make it lively. That is a strength for couples, families with older children, and groups of friends. It may be less appealing if you want long periods of silence or a private wildlife encounter.

Leaving Nassau by speedboat

Pickup is by boat rather than by van. If you are staying in Nassau or arriving by cruise ship, meet at the pier in front of Senor Frogs downtown. If you are on Paradise Island or staying at Atlantis, meet at the dock in front of Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Paradise Island.

Look for a boat marked Delfincharters on both sides. You need to reach the stated meeting point yourself, so allow time to find the pier and get settled. The boat trip is part of the attraction, with several fast runs between the stops. The listed legs take about 15 minutes to Pearl Island, 10 minutes to Green Cay, 10 minutes to Rose Island, and 25 minutes back to Nassau.

That adds up to a fair amount of time on the water. Bring sunscreen and a towel, and expect spray or wind during the faster sections. The trip is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back or heart problems. Sharp objects, weapons, and chewing gum are not allowed.

Water, soft drinks, snacks, and alcohol are included. The exact drink selection is not specified, but one outing included rum punch, and the onboard atmosphere was described as particularly cheerful. If you want to stay completely clear-headed for snorkeling and swimming, you can simply stick with water or soft drinks.

Pearl Island snorkeling in shallow water

The first major stop is Pearl Island, where you snorkel from the boat for about 45 minutes. The reef area was described as roughly 10 feet deep, which is useful to know. It is shallow enough to feel less intimidating than open-water snorkeling, but you still need to be comfortable in the sea.

You can expect clear water, small fish, coral, and other marine life. One outing produced many fish and attractive underwater views, while another found only a few fish despite the excellent water clarity. That difference is normal in a wildlife setting. Fish move, water conditions change, and the exact stopping point matters.

The crew provides masks and snorkels and gives safety instructions. The guides also assist people in the water, which is especially helpful if you are a nervous swimmer or have not snorkeled recently.

I like that snorkeling comes early, when you still have plenty of energy. The drawback is that 45 minutes passes quickly once everyone receives equipment, enters the water, and returns to the boat. Treat this as a pleasant reef stop, not a long scientific snorkeling session.

You might also spot more than fish during the boat rides. Dolphins, stingrays, and other marine life have been seen, but these are possible sightings rather than promised parts of the tour. Keep your eyes on the water, but do not book this specifically for dolphins.

Green Cay and the quiet turtle stop

After Pearl Island, the boat heads to Green Cay for about 15 minutes of boat-based wildlife viewing. This is a short stop, and you remain on the boat while looking for sea turtles near the surface.

The appeal is the setting. You get to watch for gentle animals in their natural habitat rather than seeing them in a tank or enclosure. If a turtle surfaces near the boat, it can be a calm, memorable moment.

The limitation is just as important: turtles do not perform on a schedule. One outing saw only a few turtles coming up, and the stop felt less exciting than the snorkeling and pig swim. Keep your expectations measured. You may get a good look, or you may spend much of the time scanning the water.

This stop works best as a short wildlife pause between the more active parts of the trip. I appreciate that the tour includes it, but I would not choose the excursion mainly for turtle photography.

Rose Island, the pigs, and beach-bar time

Rose Island receives about one hour, making it the most substantial stop. Here you can swim with the famous pigs, spend time on the beach, and use the beach bar for food and drinks.

The pig encounter is the tour’s star. The animals are friendly and used to attention, and you can get into the water with them, feed them, and take photos. Expect a playful scene rather than a quiet animal encounter. Pigs may swim, paddle, crowd around food, or simply do their own thing.

Bring patience and follow the crew’s instructions. The pigs are the reason many people book this trip, so the water can become busy. One outing became crowded and chaotic when another group arrived for the pig session. That does not make the experience worthless, but it can affect your photos and how much personal space you have.

The beach itself adds needed breathing room. You may swim, sit on the sand, use a kayak if available, and watch for wildlife. The water and beach are a strong part of the appeal, even for anyone who is less interested in pigs.

Rose Island is also where you can buy lunch. Lunch is not included in the $175 price, and the information provided does not specify the menu or prices. Bring extra cash or another accepted payment method for food and any additional drinks. Since this is the only proper meal opportunity listed, do not assume snacks on the boat will replace lunch.

The one-hour stop has to cover several things: pig interaction, photos, swimming, possible kayaking, beach time, and food. You will need to choose your priorities. If pigs are your main goal, go directly to that activity when the crew gives instructions. If you would rather relax, claim beach-bar time and let the busiest part pass.

What $175 buys you

At $175 per person, this is not a budget boat ride. The value comes from combining several paid-style experiences into one outing: snorkeling equipment and instruction, a speedboat trip, turtle viewing, swimming with pigs, beach access, and onboard drinks and snacks.

Alcohol is included, which may matter to you if you want rum punch or a casual boat-party atmosphere. Water and soft drinks are also provided, so you are not forced to drink alcohol to get value from the package.

Lunch is the main extra cost. Add that to the tour price when comparing options. Gratuity is also not included, so plan for a tip if the crew gives you good service.

I think the price makes the most sense for someone who wants variety and convenience. You would otherwise need to arrange separate transportation, snorkel access, wildlife stops, and a pig encounter. The price is harder to justify if you mainly want a beach, mainly want turtles, or dislike group activities.

The strong rating of 4.8 from 16 bookings supports the idea that the overall package works well for many people, but the small number also means you should pay attention to the practical drawbacks: timing, possible crowding, and the variable turtle stop.

Who will enjoy this most

This trip suits you if you want a busy, cheerful half-day on the water. Families can enjoy the mix of animals and swimming, and one family outing had both children and a previously skeptical parent enjoying the day. Couples in their 20s through 60s also fit comfortably into the group atmosphere.

It is a good choice for cruise ship visitors who have a limited window in Nassau. The three-hour length gives you a clear morning or afternoon activity without using your entire day, though you must allow time to reach the downtown or Paradise Island pickup point.

You should think twice if you have back or heart problems, are pregnant, or are not comfortable with a fast boat ride and ocean swimming. You should also think twice if you want a private tour. The boat can carry a sizeable group, and the pig area can feel crowded when more than one group arrives.

Practical ways to make the day better

Wear a swimsuit under your clothes and bring a towel. Sunscreen is essential, since you will be exposed on the boat, at the snorkeling stop, and on the beach.

Bring money for lunch at Rose Island. The boat provides snacks, but the tour does not include a meal. If you want to eat and still have time with the pigs, do not wait until the end of the island stop.

Listen carefully to the crew before entering the water. The guides provide safety help and instructions, and using their advice makes snorkeling and the pig swim easier.

Keep your expectations flexible at Green Cay. A turtle sighting is possible, but it may be brief. The same applies to extra wildlife such as dolphins and stingrays.

If you are taking photos, protect your phone from water and spray. The boat ride is fast, and the pig swim is wet and active. The experience is more enjoyable when you are not worrying about your electronics.

The operator offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date before planning the rest of your Nassau day.

Should you book this Nassau boat tour?

Book it if you want the best variety in three hours: reef snorkeling, turtle watching, swimming pigs, a beach, and a lively boat ride. The crew’s safety help, included drinks, and supplied snorkel gear add real value, and the Rose Island stop gives you time to slow down after the faster sections.

Skip it if your priority is a quiet beach day, a private boat, or a guaranteed close turtle sighting. The pig area may be crowded, the turtle stop can be understated, and lunch costs extra.

For most visitors with limited time in Nassau, I would choose this as a fun, active introduction to the nearby islands. Just bring sunscreen, a towel, money for lunch, and a willingness to share the pigs with other people.

FAQ

How long is the Nassau swimming pigs tour?

The tour lasts three hours, including the boat rides between Nassau, Pearl Island, Green Cay, and Rose Island.

Where is pickup located?

You meet at the pier in front of Senor Frogs downtown if you are staying in Nassau or arriving by cruise ship. Paradise Island and Atlantis guests meet at the dock in front of Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Paradise Island.

What islands does the tour visit?

The trip visits Pearl Island for snorkeling, Green Cay for turtle viewing from the boat, and Rose Island for the pigs, beach time, swimming, and the beach bar.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but you can buy food at the Rose Island beach bar. Bring extra money for lunch and any additional purchases.

Are snorkel masks and equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkel and mask equipment are included, along with crew instruction and safety assistance during the snorkeling stop.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Water, soft drinks, snacks, and alcohol are included. Lunch is separate.

Can I cancel the activity?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.