Nassau: Swimming Pigs And Snorkel With Turtles

The main draw is wonderfully clear: you get two very different Bahamian encounters in one boat trip, snorkeling with sea turtles at Green Cay and feeding swimming pigs at Rose Island. The turtles give the outing its wild side, while the pigs provide the comic relief.

I like the sensible three-hour length and the useful extras: snorkel gear, water, snacks, soft drinks, music, and alcoholic drinks on the boat. I also like the small-group format, though the boat can feel crowded when bookings approach the stated maximum of 26 people.

Key points to know

• Two headline stops: Green Cay offers shallow-water turtle snorkeling, then Rose Island brings the pigs, beach time, kayaks, and paddleboards.
• Good for families: Calm water, life jackets, a short safety briefing, and a kid-friendly crew make this an easy introduction to snorkeling.
• Food and drinks are limited but useful: Water, chips or similar snacks, juice, soft drinks, and some alcoholic drinks are supplied. Lunch is extra.
• The boat ride is part of the fun: Music, turquoise water, and a lively crew make the transfers feel like part of the outing.
• Cruise passengers need to watch the clock: Pickup is offered from two locations, but ship arrival and meeting times must line up exactly.
• Weather can change the plan: Poor conditions may lead to a new date or a full refund, and cancellation without penalty requires at least 24 hours’ notice.

Green Cay sets the tone with turtles and calm water

The first stop is Green Cay, where the water is shallow, clear, and generally calm enough for beginners. You receive snorkeling equipment, a life jacket, and a quick safety briefing before entering the water.

The crew looks for turtles before sending you in. That matters, especially if you are snorkeling with children or if this is your first time using a mask and fins. The turtles may be resting or moving along the ocean floor near the reefs, so patience helps. You may also see coral, fish, and an occasional stingray.

This is not presented as a technical snorkeling trip. You are not heading out for a long reef session or a serious underwater survey. Instead, Green Cay gives you a relaxed chance to see marine life in manageable conditions. I think that balance works well for families, mixed-age groups, and anyone who wants a taste of snorkeling without giving up most of the day.

Keep your hands to yourself around the turtles and other wildlife. Let them move at their own pace, and bring a waterproof camera if you have one. The water may look calm, but a phone without proper protection is a poor substitute for a camera case.

You have about an hour and 15 minutes at this stop. That is enough time to receive instructions, get comfortable in the water, search for turtles, and enjoy the setting without making the whole outing feel like a swim lesson.

One practical point: wildlife is never fully predictable. The crew may need to search more than once. On one outing, a second look at Green Cay produced turtles after the first attempt came up short. That is a good sign that the crew makes an effort, but you should still treat the turtles as a possibility rather than a guarantee.

Rose Island turns the trip into piggy time

Rose Island is the big crowd-pleaser. The boat brings you close to the pigs, and the crew supplies treats so you can feed them as they swim toward shore or the boat area. You may be able to pet them, and a baby piglet might be available to hold.

The pig encounter is charming, but it is also a managed wildlife stop. Pigs are sturdy animals, and several eager visitors feeding them at once can create a lively scene. Listen to the crew, keep your fingers clear when offering food, and avoid chasing or grabbing an animal that wants to move away.

The stop lasts about an hour and 15 minutes, giving you time for more than a quick photograph. After feeding the pigs, you can settle on the beach, take in the Caribbean views, or use the available kayaks and paddleboards. Beach volleyball is also mentioned as an option.

A beach bar is fully stocked, but drinks and food there cost extra. Lunch is not included in the tour price, so bring something to eat or budget for a purchase at the bar. The boat supplies snacks and drinks, but those are not a replacement for a full meal, especially if you are bringing hungry children.

Rose Island gives the tour a welcome change of pace. Green Cay is about watching and swimming. Rose Island is more social, with sand, pigs, beach activities, and a chance to dry off. If you want nonstop snorkeling, the beach time may feel like a pause. If you want a half-day outing with variety, it is one of the trip’s strengths.

The boat ride is lively, not silent

Delfin Charters uses music to keep the boat ride upbeat. Capt. H, O, and M are among the crew members associated with the outings, and CJ has also received warm mention for helping make the day enjoyable. The crew’s role is not just to steer the boat. They handle the safety briefing, help with snorkeling equipment, locate wildlife, serve refreshments, and keep the group moving.

Expect a social ride rather than a quiet nature cruise. Music may be playing, and alcoholic drinks are available on the boat. Water, juice, soft drinks, and snacks are included, with choices such as apple, orange, cranberry, and pineapple juice listed among the refreshments.

That setup works well if you like a cheerful boat party atmosphere in small doses. It may be less appealing if you want silence, a private charter feel, or a slow, formal marine tour. The boat is described as safe and roomy, but it can feel packed when close to a full departure. The stated maximum is 26 people, and some outings have had more than 20 aboard.

The upside of a larger group is a lower price per person than a private boat. The tradeoff is less elbow room around the snorkeling gear, the pig stop, and the best photo spots. If personal space matters most to you, ask about the expected group size before booking.

Is $140 a fair price for three hours?

At $140 per person, this is not a cheap Nassau add-on. It is also more than a simple beach transfer or a basic harbor cruise. The price includes boat transportation, two major stops, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, water, snacks, soft drinks, juice, some alcoholic drinks, and use of kayaks and paddleboards on Rose Island.

I see the value in the combination. You are paying for a short boat trip that covers turtle snorkeling, a pig encounter, beach time, and equipment rental without requiring separate bookings. For a family that wants several activities in one morning or afternoon, that convenience can justify the cost.

The value is weaker if you mainly want one quick look at the pigs. In that case, a shorter or less activity-filled option might suit you better, if available. You should also add the cost of lunch or drinks at the Rose Island beach bar, since neither is part of the price.

The three-hour format helps the price feel more reasonable. You are not committing an entire day, and the schedule leaves time for another Nassau activity. The outing is also long enough to make the boat ride worthwhile rather than rushing directly to one photo stop.

Morning or afternoon changes the feel

You can choose a morning or afternoon departure. The better choice depends on your wider Nassau plans, your ship schedule, and how your group handles heat and activity.

A morning trip gives you a clean start and leaves the rest of the day open. An afternoon trip may fit better if you arrive in Nassau early and want a slower start, but you must allow plenty of time for check-in and the return to port.

Cruise passengers need special care here. Pickup is offered from two locations, and the meeting point is described as close to the cruise port. Still, ship schedules can shift, and the tour has fixed departure times. One serious problem came from a cruise arrival that did not match the scheduled pickup, with confusion over whether the booking was shared or private.

Do not rely on a vague assurance that the walk from the ship will take only a few minutes. Check the exact meeting time, pickup point, and booking type. If your ship changes its itinerary, the operator allows you to move the tour date or request a full refund, which is useful protection for cruise passengers.

What to bring for a smoother outing

Pack a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and a waterproof camera. You will want dry clothes for the ride back, especially if you spend time snorkeling or using a paddleboard.

Bring lunch money if you expect to be hungry. Snacks and drinks are supplied on the boat, but lunch is not. You can bring your own lunch or buy food at the Rose Island beach bar.

A few other practical choices will help:

• Use reef-friendly habits: Do not touch turtles, coral, stingrays, or other marine life.
• Bring a secure phone case: The best photos will likely be around the water and pigs.
• Keep valuables light: You will be moving between boat, water, beach, and equipment.
• Expect changing weather: Rain can arrive during the ride, even when the day begins brightly.
• Listen during the safety talk: It is brief, but it covers the gear and water conditions you need to know.

Most people can take part, including beginners and children. The availability of life jackets and shallow water at Green Cay makes this more approachable than a demanding open-water snorkeling trip. Still, you should judge your own comfort in the water and follow the crew’s directions.

The strongest part is the mix of wildlife and beach time

Many boat trips force you to choose between nature and leisure. This one gives you both, though neither stop is designed for a specialist audience.

Green Cay is the more natural encounter. You may see turtles moving near the reef, fish in the clear water, and stingrays passing through. The pigs at Rose Island are less wild in the usual sense, but they are a memorable Bahamian attraction and especially appealing to children.

The variety also helps if your group has different interests. A teenager may prefer snorkeling, a younger child may care only about piglets, and an adult may be happy with a beach chair and cold drink. Kayaks and paddleboards give active visitors something to do after the pig encounter, while others can sit on the sand.

The drawback is that the outing can feel busy. You are sharing the boat and wildlife stops with other people, and the pig feeding may become crowded around the most popular moments. The group cap of 26 is smaller than a large excursion boat, but it is not intimate when fully booked.

Who should book this Nassau boat tour?

I would choose this tour for families, first-time snorkelers, cruise passengers with a well-matched schedule, and anyone who wants several easy activities in one half-day. The combination of turtles, pigs, beach time, and included refreshments gives you plenty to do without spending all day on the water.

It is also a good pick for a group that wants a friendly, informal atmosphere. The crew uses music and humor, and the trip has a party-like feel without being described as an all-day celebration.

I would hesitate if you want a private boat, a quiet wildlife trip, or serious reef snorkeling. You should also think twice if your cruise arrival is close to the departure time or if lunch needs to be included in the base price.

Free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Weather cancellations can lead to a different date or a full refund, and a departure that fails to meet its minimum number may receive the same options.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want the classic Nassau combination of sea turtles and swimming pigs in a compact three-hour outing. The strongest value comes from the range of activities and the included gear, snacks, drinks, and beach equipment.

Before paying, confirm the meeting time and pickup point, especially if you are coming from a cruise ship. Also ask about the expected group size if a crowded boat would spoil the day. With those points settled, this is a practical and cheerful way to spend half a day around New Providence Island.

FAQ

How long does the Nassau pigs and turtles tour last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours. The planned stops at Green Cay and Rose Island each take about one hour and 15 minutes, with the remaining time used for boat travel and activities.

What animals can I see?

At Green Cay, you can snorkel near sea turtles, fish, coral reefs, and occasional stingrays. At Rose Island, you can feed and pet swimming pigs, with a chance to hold a baby piglet.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are included, along with a short safety briefing.

Are food and drinks included?

Bottled water, snacks, juice, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks on the boat are included. Lunch is not included. You can bring lunch or buy it at the Rose Island beach bar, where drinks and food cost extra.

Can I use kayaks or paddleboards?

Yes. Kayaks and paddleboards are available for use on Rose Island.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also receive a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time.