Powerboat and Snorkel Experience with Swimming Pigs and Turtles

The pigs are only part of the fun here. In about three and a half hours, you’ll speed across the water on a 35-foot Donzi powerboat, snorkel around Rose Island, visit the swimming pigs, and look for turtles near Green Cay. Sandy Cay adds a quiet beach stop, with the bonus of a small onboard restroom.

I like the compact route, which packs several classic New Providence water experiences into one morning or afternoon. I also like the small-boat setup: it can cover plenty of ground without feeling like a large cruise, and the crew supplies snorkeling gear, water, and soft drinks. The main consideration is the weather. Rough conditions can cancel the trip, and a powerboat ride plus open-water swimming may not suit anyone who is uneasy in the sea.

Key points to know before booking

• Three island stops: Rose Island, Sandy Cay, and Green Cay give the trip more variety than a single snorkeling outing.
• A 35-foot Donzi boat: The center-console boat has a dedicated restroom, useful during a half-day on the water.
• Swimming pigs and turtles: You get both a hands-on animal stop and a quieter wildlife encounter.
• Small-group feel: The stated maximum varies between 14 and 15 people, so confirm the exact capacity when booking.
• Captain and guide included: Captain J and his partner have been praised for friendly, patient care.
• Bring your own lunch: Water and soft drinks are included, but food is not.

A fast-moving Bahamas outing with three different moods

This Secret Cays excursion works because each stop offers something different. Rose Island is the active part, with reef snorkeling and time in the water. The swimming pigs provide the playful, memorable moment. Green Cay brings a calmer wildlife stop, while Sandy Cay gives you a chance to sit on the beach or simply enjoy the setting.

You leave from the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal on Paradise Beach Drive and return there after roughly three hours and 30 minutes. That makes the trip easy to fit into a day based on Paradise Island, Nassau, or a nearby resort, provided you allow enough time to reach the meeting point.

The boat is not a huge sightseeing vessel. It is a custom 35-foot Donzi Marine center-console boat, and that matters. A smaller craft can feel more direct and personal, with less time spent loading people or moving through a large group. It also means you should expect an open-water ride rather than the stable, slow pace of a ferry.

The boat has a restroom inside the center console. That is a practical detail, not a luxury footnote. On a warm day, with several hours away from shore, having a restroom onboard makes the outing easier for families and anyone who does not want to plan around the next beach stop.

Rose Island snorkeling is the active centerpiece

The first major water activity takes place around Rose Island, where you use the supplied snorkeling equipment to explore a reef. The setting is meant for seeing aquatic life rather than simply floating near a beach, so this is the part of the trip where you will want to be comfortable putting your face in the water and swimming with a mask and snorkel.

You should expect the usual limits of reef snorkeling: visibility and sea conditions can change, and the amount of marine life you see is never guaranteed. Still, the reef stop gives the day real substance. You are not only riding around looking at pretty water. You get time to observe the underwater area at your own pace.

The crew provides the snorkeling equipment, which saves you from packing fins, masks, and other gear. If you already own a mask that fits you well, you may still prefer to bring it, but the included equipment keeps the price easier to justify.

The water portion is also where you should judge your own comfort. Most people can participate, according to the booking information, but this is still an ocean activity. If you are not a confident swimmer, ask the crew about flotation support before entering the water.

One important safety lesson comes from the banana boat experience described by one person on the trip. The boat flipped, and the incident was especially frightening for a passenger who was not a strong swimmer. Banana boat riding is not listed among the main included activities, so you should not assume it is part of every departure. If it is offered as an extra activity, ask for a life jacket before getting on.

Meeting the swimming pigs at the right pace

The pig stop is the most playful part of the outing. You meet, feed, and interact with the swimming pigs, an experience designed to be social rather than simply observational.

This stop is a good match for families and anyone who wants a lighthearted break from snorkeling. The pigs give you something to do on the surface, and the interaction adds a bit of personality to the trip. It is also a useful change of pace after time spent concentrating on reef life below the water.

Keep your expectations sensible. This is a short island-hopping excursion, not a full farm visit or a long animal encounter. The exact amount of time with the pigs can depend on the sea conditions, the group, and the schedule. You will have an opportunity to meet and feed them, but the trip still has to move on to the turtle area and beach stops.

You may also want to protect your phone carefully around the animals and water. The supplied details do not promise lockers or dry storage, so use a waterproof case if you plan to take pictures. The pigs are likely to be the images everyone remembers, but losing a phone in the water would put a damp end to the day.

Green Cay offers a quieter turtle encounter

At Green Cay, the focus shifts to turtles in their natural habitat, described as a turtle sanctuary area. This is a calmer stop than the pig encounter, and it gives you time to watch rather than interact.

Turtles can be the highlight for people who prefer wildlife to staged activities. You may see several turtles, and one recorded outing included a turtle with a remora attached. That kind of detail shows why patience helps here. The best moment may not happen the instant you arrive.

The turtle stop also gives the crew a chance to point out what you are seeing and help you make sense of the water around you. Captain J and his partner have been specifically praised for being welcoming, friendly, and patient, qualities that matter when a group includes different swimming abilities or people who need extra help with snorkeling equipment.

Do not expect a guaranteed number of turtles. Wildlife sightings can vary, and the booking information does not promise a particular species count or viewing time. Still, this stop gives the tour a stronger nature focus than a simple beach-and-pigs outing.

Sandy Cay is your chance to slow down

Sandy Cay was featured in a trailer for Gilligan’s Island, which gives the stop a small piece of screen history. The bigger appeal is simpler: you get a sandy beach where you can relax or play.

After the boat ride, reef snorkeling, and pig encounter, a beach stop is welcome. You can use it to dry off, stretch your legs, take pictures, or enjoy a softer stretch of the day. If you are traveling with children, this may be the easiest place for them to burn off energy without having to stay in a mask and snorkel.

Sandy Cay is not presented as a long historical visit or a guided cultural stop. It is about beach time. That simplicity is part of its value, especially if you want a short excursion that does not keep you moving every minute.

The tradeoff is that beach time may feel brief if the snorkeling or animal stops take longer than expected. The tour covers a lot in three and a half hours, so you should choose it for variety, not for a full day of lounging on one island.

What the small boat changes

The Donzi center-console design helps make this a nimble outing. You are on a boat built for moving between islands and reef areas, not a large vessel with extensive indoor facilities. That usually means closer contact with the water and a more informal feel.

The crew plays a large role in how comfortable the trip feels. The strongest praise goes to Captain J and his partner for being kind, attentive, and patient. The music onboard has also been part of the fun, giving the ride a relaxed, social mood instead of a silent transfer between stops.

At the same time, a small powerboat is not for everyone. If the sea is choppy, the ride may feel bouncy. People prone to motion sickness should plan carefully, though no specific motion-sickness provisions are included in the tour details.

The maximum group size is listed as 14 to 15 people in the booking information. That is still much smaller than a typical large sightseeing boat, but it is not a private charter unless your group happens to book the whole boat. One person reported having the boat to themselves, but that was a special circumstance, not something you should count on.

Is the $145 price fair?

At $145 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get onto the water in the Bahamas. The value comes from combining several paid-style activities into one organized outing: powerboat transportation, reef snorkeling, swimming pigs, turtle viewing, beach time, equipment, and a captain and guide.

If you booked separate boat transfers, snorkeling, and animal visits, the day could become more expensive and harder to coordinate. This trip keeps the schedule together and returns you to the same meeting point. That convenience is worth something, especially if your stay is short.

The included water and soft drinks are useful, but lunch is not included. Bring food only if the operator allows it and you can carry it safely, or plan to eat before or after the excursion. Do not assume that the drinks replace a meal.

The price makes the most sense for you if you want variety. If your main goal is two quiet hours on a beach, you may be paying for stops you do not care about. If you want snorkeling, pigs, turtles, and a fast boat ride in one half-day, the package is easier to defend.

Timing, meeting point, and weather concerns

The trip starts and ends at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal on Paradise Beach Drive. Because the terminal may have several boats and operators nearby, look carefully for Secret Cays rather than assuming the first boat you see is yours. One useful tip is to search for the company name on the booking confirmation and match it at the terminal.

Confirmation is provided when you book, and the area is near public transportation. The exact departure time is selected when you reserve, with a 9:00 a.m. departure among the times used for this experience.

Allow extra time to find the correct boat. The terminal area can be active, and the boat itself reportedly carries the company name in a limited way. Arriving early is a better plan than trying to identify the operator at the last minute.

Weather is a real part of the decision. The activity requires good conditions, and poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the local start time, but cancellations inside that window are not refunded.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would choose this for you if you want a compact Bahamas water day with several distinct stops. It suits couples, families, and small groups who like a bit of activity but do not want to spend an entire day at sea.

It is especially good for:

• People who want both snorkeling and animal encounters
• Families looking for a memorable pig experience
• Visitors who want turtle viewing without booking a separate wildlife trip
• Anyone who values a small boat and an onboard restroom
• People with only half a day available

I would think twice if you dislike fast boat rides, are uncomfortable in open water, or want guaranteed calm seas. The trip includes several water-based activities, and weather can affect the experience. You should also be clear about the difference between a shared excursion and a private charter.

Should you book Secret Cays?

Book it if your ideal Bahamas outing includes reef snorkeling, swimming pigs, turtles, a sandy beach, and a powerboat ride, all within about three and a half hours. The strongest reasons are the varied route, the small boat, the included equipment, and the crew’s friendly, patient approach.

Skip it if you want a slow beach day, a full meal included, or a guaranteed wildlife show. At $145, the value depends on using most of the stops. For the right person, it is a practical way to fit several popular New Providence experiences into one well-packed half-day.

FAQ

Where does the experience begin?

It begins at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal on Paradise Beach Drive in The Bahamas.

Where does the experience end?

It ends back at the same meeting point, the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately three hours and 30 minutes.

What islands or cays does the tour visit?

The trip includes Rose Island, Sandy Cay, and Green Cay.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water and soft drinks are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the price.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the cancellation.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted or refunded.