Nassau, Private Swimming Pig, Island Hopping, Snorkeling, Turtles

The best part of this Nassau outing is the chance to pack several island experiences into one private boat trip. You can look for turtles at Green Cay, snorkel over colorful reefs, stretch out on Rose Island, and finish with pigs or the sandy little cay known as Gilligan’s Island. It is a busy four hours, in a good way.

I like the private boat and the freedom that gives your group. I also like the mix of water time and dry land, since you are not stuck snorkeling all morning or sitting on one beach. The main catch is the pace: four hours is short, and the optional pig swim costs another $25 per person.

Key points at a glance

• Green Cay turtle stop: Look for turtles around the boats and swim with them if conditions and sightings line up.
• Rose Island beach time: Snorkel, swim, enjoy the beach, or visit a restaurant during roughly an hour ashore.
• Pig Island is optional: The pig interaction costs $25 per person, paid to the island, and is not part of the tour price.
• Private speedboat for up to eight: Your group has the boat to itself, with safety gear, snorkel equipment, life vests, and bottled water.
• Several possible cays: The route can include Green Cay, Rose Island, Pig Island, Gilligan’s Island, Athol, or nearby Pearl Island.
• Good crew names to know: Past bookings have included captains Paul, Chris, and Eddy, plus a guide named Bodie.

One boat, four hours, several Bahamian stops

This is a good fit if your ideal Nassau day includes movement. Instead of choosing one beach or one snorkeling site, you spend the morning or afternoon moving between small islands and cays near New Providence Island.

The boat ride itself is part of the fun. You get sightseeing from the water, quick access between stops, and a private setting for your own group. Up to eight people can share the boat, so the $799 group price makes more sense for a full party than for just two people.

At eight people, the base cost works out to about $100 per person before the pig fee. For a couple, it is a much larger spend, though the private boat and personal attention may still be worth it if you care more about flexibility than a low-cost group excursion.

The crew supplies bottled water, life vests, and snorkeling equipment. Bring your own towel, sunscreen, and sunglasses. One useful detail from the strongest feedback is that rum punch may be available from the guide, but it should not be treated as a guaranteed inclusion because the formal inclusions list only bottled water.

Green Cay is the best chance for turtles

Green Cay is the most wildlife-focused stop. Turtles swim around boats that pause there, so you may have the chance to get into the water with them. That wording matters: turtles are expected in the area, but a wild animal does not follow a schedule.

You will also have a chance to snorkel above colorful reefs. The stop lasts about an hour, which gives you enough time to get fitted with equipment, swim, and look around without using the whole tour on one activity.

I would treat Green Cay as a bonus-rich water stop rather than a guaranteed turtle encounter. If the turtles are nearby, this could be the most memorable part of the trip. If they are not, the reef and open-water setting still give you a useful snorkeling session.

The supplied gear makes this easier for cruise passengers and visitors who did not pack their own mask and snorkel. You still need to be comfortable in the water, and you should pay attention to the crew’s instructions before swimming near the boat.

Rose Island gives you time to slow down

Rose Island is the longer land-based break, with about an hour for snorkeling, swimming, beach activities, and possible restaurant time. After the speedboat ride and the first water stop, this pause adds welcome variety.

You can decide how active you want to be. Swimmers can get back in the water, snorkelers can use the equipment provided, and anyone who needs a break can stay on the beach. The possibility of a restaurant is useful, but food is not listed as included, so plan to pay separately if you eat.

An hour goes quickly. You probably will not have time for a long meal, an extended beach stay, and a full snorkeling session. Pick your priority before you arrive at the island. If you are traveling with children, the beach stop may be easier than asking everyone to stay in the water for multiple sessions.

Rose Island also gives you a little breathing room for photographs. You are not just checking off water stops. You can take in the shore, enjoy the scenery, and let the group spread out for a while.

The swimming pigs come with an extra charge

Pig Island is optional, and the island charges $25 per person for the swim. That fee is separate from the $799 tour price, so a full group of eight would add $200 if everyone chooses to enter the pig area.

You may still see the pigs without paying for the swim. One useful account described feeding them and taking photographs without getting into the water. That may suit you if you want the novelty of Pig Island but are not keen on sharing the water with animals.

It is worth keeping expectations sensible. Pigs in the water are entertaining, but this is not a polished wildlife encounter. You may see them swimming, feeding, or simply doing ordinary animal business. One booking described seeing pigs defecating in the water before entering, which is a blunt but practical reminder that this stop can be messy.

If you do choose the swim, listen closely to the island staff and crew. Keep your phone secure, protect your camera from splashes, and remember that the pig fee is paid locally. If your main goal is turtles and snorkeling, skipping the pig swim lets you put that extra money toward other parts of your Nassau day.

Gilligan’s Island is a quick photo stop

Gilligan’s Island is described as a sandy cay connected with the famous television show. The stop lasts about 45 minutes and is mainly about exploring, taking photographs, and enjoying a small island setting.

This is not the place to expect a major attraction or a long list of activities. Its appeal is simple: sand, water, a small cay, and a playful pop-culture connection. It can be a nice change after swimming and snorkeling, especially if you want a dry stop with easy photo opportunities.

The name may be used loosely for a local cay rather than a full-scale television set. Keep that in mind when deciding how much importance to give it. The stop works best as a scenic add-on, not as the central reason to book the tour.

The route may also include Athol or nearby Pearl Island. The exact combination of stops can depend on the day and the captain’s plan, so ask at the start which islands are on your route. The tour description specifically highlights Green Cay, Rose Island, Pig Island, and Gilligan’s Island, while also naming these other nearby options.

Private touring changes the feel of the day

A private activity means only your own group takes part. That matters if you are traveling with children, want to control the pace, or simply do not enjoy being packed onto a large excursion.

One booking chose the private format because a ten-year-old became nervous around crowds. That is a useful reason to consider this option. A private boat can feel calmer and lets your group ask for help, adjust attention between children and adults, and enjoy the ride without strangers setting the mood.

The guides also receive strong praise for being friendly and easy to work with. Captains Chris, Paul, and Eddy are named in the available feedback, and Bodie is noted for adding a rum punch and a food recommendation. Guides can vary by date, so you should not assume one particular captain will be assigned.

This personal approach is especially useful on a water day. You may need help with the snorkeling gear, directions to the beach, or deciding how to use limited time. A good captain can also help the group stay organized between several short stops.

Still, private does not mean unlimited. The tour lasts about four hours, and the boat must cover several locations. You can ask questions and enjoy your own group, but you cannot turn every stop into a full afternoon.

What the $799 price really buys

The price is $799 per group, with up to eight people included. It covers the speedboat ride, bottled water, life vests, snorkeling equipment, turtle sightings as an activity goal, and sightseeing. The private format is the biggest part of the value.

For a group of six to eight, the cost can be reasonable compared with buying several separate activities. You get a boat, crew, equipment, and access to multiple cays in one booking. You also avoid paying separately for a basic boat transfer between each stop.

For a small group, the calculation is harder. Two people would carry the full group price, and the optional pig swim adds another $25 per person. Rose Island restaurant purchases are also extra, and the supplied information does not list meals, beach rentals, or other personal spending as included.

I would book this for a family or friend group that wants a private day on the water. I would think twice if your priority is simply the lowest-cost snorkeling trip. The value improves when eight people share the boat and when everyone wants a mixture of turtles, snorkeling, beaches, and island stops.

Timing, meeting point, and practical preparation

The tour starts and ends at Elizabeth on Bay, 3MH6+6QX, Bay Street, Nassau. The activity returns to the same meeting point, which keeps the day simple if you are staying nearby or planning other time in Nassau.

The total duration is approximately four hours. The listed stops add up to about three hours, leaving some time for boat travel and moving between islands. That travel time is not wasted. You get sightseeing from the water, but it also means each stop has a firm limit.

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and sunglasses. The boat provides life vests and snorkeling gear, but personal sun protection remains your responsibility. Bottled water is included, while food and the pig interaction are not.

Most people can take part, but the activity is not recommended for children under two. It is also a water-based outing, so your group should be ready for boat travel, swimming, and getting on and off at island stops. If anyone has concerns about the water or the boat, raise them with the crew before leaving.

You receive confirmation when booking, and mobile tickets are supported. The tour requires suitable weather. If poor weather cancels the outing, you can receive a different date or a full refund.

How to handle the route on your day

At the start, ask the captain to explain the planned order of stops. The listed schedule places Green Cay first, followed by Rose Island, then Pig Island, and finally Gilligan’s Island, but the broader description allows for other nearby cays too.

Keep your most important activity in mind. If turtles are your top goal, pay close attention during the Green Cay stop. If your group mainly wants the pig experience, confirm the $25 fee and how much time will be available there before you agree to the route.

Do not spend too long debating every option once you are on the boat. Four hours passes quickly. I would use Green Cay for the water, Rose Island for a mix of water and beach time, Pig Island only if the group is comfortable with the extra fee and mess, and Gilligan’s Island for photographs and a short walk.

The strongest part of this outing is the variety. The main risk is trying to do everything in depth. You will get a taste of several Bahamian stops, not a full day at each one.

Who should book this Nassau tour?

I would recommend it to families, couples traveling with friends, and cruise passengers who want a private boat rather than a large organized group. It is also a good match for people who cannot agree on one activity, since the route combines snorkeling, turtles, beach time, sightseeing, and optional pigs.

Children who enjoy boats and water activities should have a good time, though very young children are not recommended. The private setting may also help a child who dislikes crowds.

I would choose another outing if you want a long, quiet beach day, a serious reef-focused snorkeling session, or a low-cost boat ride. The short stops and several transfers favor variety over depth.

The tour has a 5.0 rating from 23 reviews and a 100 percent recommendation rate. The praise centers on the captains, the scenery, the turtle encounter, and the private feel. Those are the parts I would use to judge the booking, rather than expecting a luxury charter or a perfectly controlled wildlife visit.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you have a group of up to eight and want one private outing that covers a lot of Nassau’s nearby water attractions. The turtle stop, Rose Island beach time, and personal service from captains such as Chris, Paul, Eddy, or Bodie give the day real appeal.

Before booking, agree on your priorities and budget. Add the $25-per-person pig fee only if everyone wants that experience, and remember that food is extra. If your group values choice, privacy, and a busy island-hopping route, this is a strong Nassau pick. If you want the cheapest or most relaxed option, the price and fast pace may not suit you.

FAQ

How long is the Nassau private boat tour?

The experience lasts approximately four hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

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

What is included in the price?

The tour includes bottled water, snorkeling equipment, life vests, the speedboat ride, sightseeing, and the chance to see turtles.

Does the tour include swimming with the pigs?

No. Swimming with the pigs is optional and costs $25 per person, charged by the island.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts and ends at Elizabeth on Bay, 3MH6+6QX, Bay Street, Nassau, The Bahamas.

Which places can the tour visit?

The route includes Green Cay, Rose Island, Pig Island, and Gilligan’s Island. It may also include Athol or nearby Pearl Island.

Is the tour suitable for young children?

Most people can participate, but the experience is not recommended for children under two years old.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the cancellation. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.