Nassau: Swimming with Pigs, Snorkeling, and Sightseeing Tour

The star of this three-hour Nassau boat tour is the chance to reach islands and beaches that are inaccessible by road, then choose between snorkeling, swimming, beach time, and an optional swim with pigs. You also get a fresh view of Paradise Island from the water, where waterfront homes line the shore.

I like the mix of activities and the personal service. Snorkeling gear and safety equipment are supplied, while snacks, water, and drinks may be provided during the outing. Captain Chris has also helped with special needs, including changing the route for a motion-sick passenger and arranging a taxi after the boat returned.

The main consideration is that the route depends on weather and sea conditions. Water clarity may not be perfect, Rose Island can close, and swimming with the pigs costs extra. This is best approached as a flexible island outing, not a fixed sightseeing schedule.

Key points at a glance

• Start at Bayshore Marina: Meet the guide by the security booth and board from a convenient Nassau departure point.
• See Paradise Island from the sea: The first cruise passes waterfront homes and gives you a different view of the Nassau area.
• Snorkel over coral reefs: The tour provides basic snorkeling and safety equipment for reef swimming and marine-life viewing.
• Pig Island is optional: You can visit the beach and relax without paying for the pig swim, or arrange the extra activity on-site.
• Captain Chris is praised for personal care: He has adjusted routes, watched swimmers closely, and helped with return transportation.
• Bring cash and a towel: Cash is useful for the pig swim and other on-site costs, while a towel is not provided.

A speedboat start from Bayshore Marina

Your outing begins at Bayshore Marina, where the guide meets you by the security booth. This detail matters because marinas can have several entrances and boat operators, so you should allow enough time to find the correct meeting point rather than arriving at the last minute.

The first ride is a short speedboat journey of about 15 minutes. It gets you away from the city quickly and gives you a broad view of the water around Nassau. The boat is not just transportation between stops. The ride itself is part of the sightseeing, with islands, beaches, and coastal homes appearing from a viewpoint you cannot get on land.

The tour runs for about three hours, with the schedule divided among boat rides, sightseeing, swimming, snorkeling, and time on an island beach. That makes it a useful choice if you have only part of a day available. It is also short enough to fit around other Nassau plans, though you should leave some breathing room because the timing can be affected by sea conditions.

Paradise Island from the water

One of the first sights is the waterfront side of Paradise Island. From the boat, you see large homes and the coastline rather than the usual resort entrances and busy streets. This gives you a quick sense of how Nassau and Paradise Island fit together geographically.

The sightseeing portion lasts about 30 minutes in the planned schedule. Do not expect a full historical tour of Nassau. The focus is on coastal views, islands, and the experience of moving through the harbor and open water with an English-speaking captain or guide.

I like this part because it helps you get your bearings. It also breaks up the day before the swimming begins. Keep your phone or camera ready, but protect it from spray. The supplied information does not specify covered storage or dry bags, so bring your own waterproof protection if you plan to take photographs from the boat.

Snorkeling over coral and watching marine life

The snorkeling stop is one of the strongest reasons to book this excursion. You receive snorkeling gear and safety equipment, then have the chance to swim over coral reefs and look for marine life. The tour description refers to colorful coral and Rainbow reefs, though the exact reef used can change with conditions.

The planned schedule allows about an hour for swimming, marine-life viewing, and wildlife viewing. That is a generous portion of a three-hour tour, but it includes more than simply putting on a mask and swimming for a few minutes. You may spend part of the time getting comfortable in the water, moving between viewing areas, or swimming near the boat.

One practical strength is the guide’s attention to safety. Captain Chris is specifically praised for keeping watch while people were snorkeling. That matters because a guide who monitors swimmers lets you focus on the reef instead of worrying about how far you have drifted from the boat.

Water clarity is not guaranteed. On one outing, the ocean was not as clear as hoped, and the captain offered other activities instead. That is an important point for anyone booking mainly for underwater photography. A cloudy day or rough water can reduce the quality of the snorkeling, but the tour may still offer swimming, wildlife viewing, beach time, or the pigs as alternatives.

The supplied information does not promise particular animals. Turtles were seen on one outing, but you should treat them as a welcome possibility rather than a scheduled feature. Marine life is wild, and sightings can never be fixed in advance.

Pearl Island and the island stops

Pearl Island is included among the places visited by boat. The appeal is access: you are seeing a place reached by water, paired with swimming and reef time rather than a simple harbor cruise.

The precise order of the stops can change. The schedule includes a 15-minute speedboat ride, sightseeing, another boat ride, and then time for swimming, snorkeling, food, and wildlife viewing. The description also refers to Pig Island and beach stops. Think of the published order as a guide to the experience, not a promise that every stop will happen at a precise minute.

That flexibility can work in your favor. When Rose Island was closed, Captain Chris took the group to another local island where they could still swim and spend time with pigs. The downside is that you may not see every named destination in the same way you expected. The upside is that the captain appears willing to preserve the main parts of the day instead of simply canceling every activity.

What happens at Pig Island

Pig Island is the most unusual stop. Pigs roam freely on the island, and you can pay extra on-site to swim with them. The pig swim is not included in the $150 price, so bring cash and ask about the current charge before committing.

You do not have to swim with the pigs to enjoy this part of the outing. The island also offers a beach, a bar, drinks, and other beach activities. You can relax by the water, have a snack, or watch the pigs without taking part in the paid swim.

If you do choose the pig activity, follow the local instructions closely. The supplied details do not specify the extra price, duration, or exact rules, so those points should be confirmed on the day. A towel is not included, and you should expect to get wet if you combine swimming, snorkeling, and the pigs.

The island stop gives the tour a social, lighthearted feel, but it may not suit someone seeking a quiet reef trip. The pigs are the headline attraction, and beach time can feel less structured than the snorkeling stop. That is useful if you want freedom, but less useful if you prefer a tightly managed itinerary.

Snacks, drinks, and the value of $150

At $150 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend three hours in Nassau. The price becomes easier to justify if you plan to use most of what is offered: boat sightseeing, several island views, snorkeling equipment, safety gear, swimming, marine-life viewing, beach time, and the Pig Island stop.

The boat, captain, guide, and standard snorkeling equipment are included. Snacks and drinks are also part of the experience in practice, with water, chips, and rum punch provided on at least one outing. However, you should not assume every food or drink detail is identical each day, and you still need cash for the pig swim.

The value is strongest for a small group that wants several activities without arranging separate transport. You would otherwise need to organize a boat trip, snorkeling equipment, an island visit, and transport back to Nassau. The cost is less attractive if you only want a short swim or a beach chair, since much of the appeal comes from moving between several stops.

I also like the flexibility built into the service. Captain Chris changed the destination for a passenger with motion sickness and helped arrange a drop-off closer to Atlantis. Another outing returned on time for people working on a ship, with a taxi arranged at the harbor. These details suggest that the captain pays attention to practical needs, though you should request special arrangements in advance rather than assume they are guaranteed.

How the three hours usually fit together

The published schedule gives you a useful sense of pace:

• A 15-minute speedboat ride leaves Bayshore Marina.
• About 30 minutes are set aside for sightseeing.
• A second 15-minute boat ride brings you toward the water activities.
• Roughly one hour is available for swimming and marine-life viewing.
• A final 30-minute activity period may include free time, snorkeling, food, wildlife viewing, and another swim.
• Short boat rides return you to Bayshore Marina.

This is an active outing. You will probably spend time climbing in and out of the boat, standing or sitting during the ride, and changing between swimming and dry activities. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, and it is not recommended for people over 95. High-heeled shoes are not allowed, and smoking and fire-making are prohibited.

The boat rides are short, but repeated movement can matter if you suffer from motion sickness. Tell the captain early if you feel unwell. One of the strongest examples of the service was a route change made to help a motion-sick passenger, but the captain can only respond well if you speak up.

Weather, water clarity, and backup plans

This tour is subject to weather conditions, and the sea determines more than safety. It can affect the route, the clarity of the water, which island is available, and how long you spend at each stop.

That makes the experience more flexible than a standard land excursion. If a named island is closed, the captain may use another local island. If the water is not clear enough for ideal snorkeling, the day can shift toward swimming, pigs, beach time, or other activities.

I would not book this if your entire plan depends on seeing one exact reef, one exact island, or a particular animal. Book it if you are happy with a boat day built around the best available conditions. The combination of stops is part of the appeal, but the sea remains in charge.

Who will enjoy this Nassau boat trip?

This outing suits you if you want a short, active introduction to the islands around Nassau. Families, friends, couples, and cruise passengers with a limited window can all benefit from the compact schedule, provided everyone is comfortable with a speedboat and water activities.

It is especially good for anyone who wants more than a standard beach visit. You get coastal sightseeing, coral reefs, possible turtles and other marine life, island beaches, drinks, and the chance to meet swimming pigs. The captain’s reported flexibility is another advantage for mixed groups with different comfort levels.

You may want another type of excursion if you need wheelchair access, dislike changing plans, or want guaranteed clear water. It may also be a poor fit if you do not want to pay an extra fee for the pig swim but are booking mainly for that activity. You can still visit Pig Island without swimming with the pigs, but the central attraction will remain close by.

The English-language guiding is straightforward and practical. The emphasis is on getting you safely between stops and making the most of the available conditions, not on a long lecture about Bahamian history.

What to bring and how to prepare

Bring a towel, cash, and protection for your phone or camera. Cash is particularly important because the pig swim is paid separately on-site. The tour supplies snorkeling and safety gear, so you do not need to rent those items separately.

Wear practical footwear rather than high heels. You should also expect to get wet and spend time in direct sun, although the supplied information does not specify what shade or onboard storage is available.

For a smoother outing, tell the captain about motion sickness, timing needs, or mobility concerns before departure. The captain has helped with route changes, return timing, and taxi arrangements, but clear communication will make those requests easier to manage.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check the available departure time before booking.

Should you book this tour?

Book it if you want several Nassau water experiences in one compact trip and like the idea of choosing between snorkeling, swimming, beach time, wildlife viewing, and pigs. The $150 price is fair when you use the boat sightseeing, equipment, snacks, and multiple stops, especially since arranging these pieces separately would take more effort.

I would be cautious if you need a fixed route or perfect snorkeling visibility. The best reason to book is not one guaranteed sight. It is the combination of a capable captain, flexible island stops, colorful reef swimming when conditions cooperate, and a playful Pig Island finish. Bring cash for the optional pig swim, stay open to route changes, and you should get a memorable slice of the Bahamas beyond the main Nassau shoreline.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

Meet your guide by the security booth at Bayshore Marina.

How long does the activity last?

The tour lasts three hours, with departure times available according to the booking schedule.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear and safety equipment are included with the boat tour.

Is swimming with the pigs included in the price?

No. Swimming with the pigs costs extra and is paid on-site.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel and cash. Cash is useful for the optional pig swim and other on-island costs.

Can the itinerary change?

Yes. The tour is subject to weather conditions, and island or activity changes may be made when sea conditions, water clarity, or closures affect the planned route.