Private Eleuthera Island: Swim With Pigs, Turtles & Stingrays

Swimming with pigs is the headline, but the full-day route is the real attraction. You travel by boat from Nassau to Eleuthera, visit Pig Beach, snorkel around Spanish Wells, ride a golf cart through Harbour Island, and finish at a Royal Island sandbar. It is a busy day, yet it covers several of the Bahamas’ most photogenic stops.

I like the private format, since your group controls the pace rather than sharing a boat with strangers. I also like the useful onboard setup: snacks, soft drinks, water, alcoholic drinks for adults, snorkeling equipment, and a restroom are included.

The main drawback is cost. At $8,500 per group of up to 15, this only begins to make financial sense with a larger party. Weather can also force a change of date, and animal sightings are never fully predictable.

• An hour-long boat ride each way connects Nassau with Eleuthera and gives you a full day on the water.
• Pig Beach offers a close encounter with free-roaming swimming pigs, one of the Bahamas’ most unusual attractions.
• Spanish Wells adds snorkeling for turtles and stingrays in their natural setting.
• Harbour Island’s Pink Sands Beach gets two hours, with a golf-cart ride from the marina.
• Royal Island provides a quiet sandbar stop with clear water and wooden swings.
• The private boat carries only your group, up to 15 people, with drinks, snacks, gear, and a restroom onboard.

A Big Boat Day Built Around Four Bahamian Stops

This is not a quick Nassau harbor outing. Delfin Charters plans an approximately eight-hour private charter that links several islands and attractions in one long day.

The route begins and ends in Nassau, with about an hour on the boat in each direction. In between, you visit Eleuthera, Pig Beach, Spanish Wells, Pink Sands Beach on Harbour Island, and a Royal Island sandbar.

That variety is the strongest reason to consider the trip. You are not spending the whole day at one beach or one snorkeling site. You get animal encounters, open-water travel, a famous shoreline, island transport, and time to relax.

The tradeoff is that the day is active and tightly packed. The listed stops total roughly seven and a half hours before allowing for docking and transfers. You should think of this as a full excursion day, not a slow afternoon cruise.

The Boat Ride From Nassau to Eleuthera

The first hour is spent crossing from Nassau toward Eleuthera. The route gives you open views of the Bahamas and lets you see the capital recede as the boat heads toward quieter islands.

For many people, the ride is part of the fun. The trip includes bottled water, soda, snacks, alcoholic beverages for adults, and a restroom onboard. Those details matter on a long day at sea, especially when you are traveling with children or a mixed-age group.

Snorkeling equipment is also supplied. That means you do not need to organize a separate rental before leaving Nassau, though you may still prefer to bring your own mask if you have one that fits well.

The boat used on some outings has been described as a 32-foot Grady-White with twin engines. Boat equipment and vessel assignment can vary, so I would confirm the exact boat if space, shade, or seating matters to your group.

Swimming With the Pigs at Pig Beach

Pig Beach is the most playful stop. The pigs live freely on a secluded beach and are known for coming into the shallow water around visitors.

You can expect an informal encounter rather than a staged animal show. The appeal is seeing the pigs paddle out, approach the boat or shoreline, and behave in their usual comical way. Some are very comfortable around people, while others may stay closer to the beach.

This stop is especially good for families and groups who want a memorable photo opportunity. It is also a nice change from ordinary snorkeling, since the animals are the focus and the mood is light.

Use common sense around the pigs. Keep food handling under the crew’s direction, give the animals room, and avoid assuming every pig wants to be touched. Their friendly reputation does not remove the need to act carefully.

The exact location deserves a quick confirmation before booking. The experience is promoted around Eleuthera, while some accounts connected with Delfin Charters describe pig encounters near Rose Island. The broader Nassau area has several swimming-pig sites, and the route may depend on weather and operating conditions.

Snorkeling Near Spanish Wells

The Spanish Wells stop is scheduled for about an hour and a half. This is where the day shifts from playful animal watching to time in the sea.

The area is associated with green sea turtles, loggerhead turtles, and hawksbill turtles. You may also look for stingrays in the water, which are part of the advertised experience. The attraction is seeing marine life in its natural setting rather than visiting an aquarium or enclosure.

I like that this stop gives you more than one possible focus. Some people will want to watch turtles glide past. Others will be more interested in the reef, fish, or stingrays. The crew provides snorkeling equipment, so the activity is accessible to most participants who are comfortable in the water.

Still, you should keep expectations realistic. Wildlife is not a scheduled performance. Water conditions, visibility, season, and animal movement can affect what you see. The title promises pigs, turtles, and stingrays, but no responsible operator can guarantee a particular animal at a particular time.

If someone in your group is not a strong swimmer, this is worth discussing before booking. The tour information says most people can participate, but it does not describe flotation aids, water depth, or the precise snorkeling conditions.

Harbour Island and Two Hours at Pink Sands Beach

After docking at the marina, you transfer to a golf cart and travel through Harbour Island. This is one of the more distinctive parts of the outing because you are not simply getting off a boat and walking to the sand.

The golf cart ride gives you a look at the island streets and helps connect the marina with Pink Sands Beach. It also breaks up the time on the water. For anyone who likes a little land-based sightseeing mixed into a boat trip, this is a welcome change.

Pink Sands Beach receives about two hours, the longest single stop on the schedule. That gives you time to sit, swim, take photographs, and enjoy the shore without rushing through a ten-minute photo stop.

The pink tone comes from tiny marine fragments mixed into the sand. In photographs, the color can look stronger or softer depending on light and water conditions. You should expect a beautiful beach rather than a uniformly bright pink strip.

This is likely the most relaxing part of the day. The pig and snorkeling stops ask you to be active and attentive. Here, you can slow down and enjoy the setting.

The golf-cart transfer is also something to keep in mind for anyone with mobility concerns. The available information confirms the transfer but does not give details about accessible vehicles or beach access, so ask before booking if that affects your group.

The Royal Island Sandbar Stop

The final island stop is a sandbar near Royal Island. Clear water meets soft sand, and wooden swings provide a simple place to sit, pose for photos, or take a break.

A sandbar is highly dependent on tide and weather. Its shape, exposed sand, and water depth can change during the day. That makes this stop scenic and flexible, but less predictable than a fixed beach.

The Royal Island visit is scheduled for about an hour. It is a good place to use the camera, cool off, and enjoy the water without the more structured focus of snorkeling or the excitement of the pigs.

One detail from the charter experience is that some groups have stopped at Footprints for food and karaoke. That is not listed as a guaranteed part of this route, so do not book this excursion expecting a restaurant visit or karaoke. Ask Delfin Charters if you want to know if a food stop can be arranged for your date.

What the Private Price Really Buys You

The price is $8,500 per group, with up to 15 people included. That is a steep total for a couple or small family. For 15 people, the simple division is about $567 per person. For 10 people, it is $850 each. With four people, the cost becomes $2,125 each before any extra spending.

The value comes from exclusivity and range. You are paying for a private boat, a custom group setting, a long route, fuel and crew, and access to several stops in one day. Drinks, snacks, snorkeling equipment, and an onboard restroom also reduce the number of extras you need to arrange.

I would consider the tour best value for a large family reunion, wedding party, birthday group, or group of friends already staying in Nassau. The private setup makes more sense when you can spread the cost across many people.

For a couple or small group, a shared excursion may be cheaper, even if it offers less control. You should compare the total group price, not just the per-person figure shown in your planning notes.

Crew Style and Onboard Comfort

The crew is described as kind, entertaining, and involved in making the day enjoyable. That matters on a private charter because the crew shapes the pace and mood more than on a large group boat.

Delfin Charters also supplies the practical basics that help a long day run smoothly. You get:

• Snacks
• Bottled water
• Soda
• Alcoholic beverages for adults
• Snorkeling equipment
• An onboard restroom

Alcohol is not served to minors. If your group includes children, the mix of soda, water, snacks, and a restroom is useful. If you plan to drink, remember that you are still spending much of the day in and around the water.

The charter is described as private, meaning only your group participates. That gives you more room to set the tone. A family can focus on the pigs and beach time, while a group of friends may prefer longer snorkeling and a more social boat ride.

Who Will Enjoy This Most

I would recommend this tour to you if you want several different Bahamian experiences in one day and have enough people to share the cost.

It suits:

• Families looking for an unusual animal encounter
• Couples celebrating with a larger group of friends
• Groups that want a private boat rather than a shared excursion
• Strong swimmers who want turtles, stingrays, and snorkeling
• Beach lovers who want Pink Sands Beach without giving up the rest of the day
• Visitors who enjoy a busy itinerary with frequent changes of scenery

It may not suit you if you want a quiet, inexpensive beach day. The long boat rides and several transfers can feel like a lot if your ideal vacation is staying in one place.

It is also less suitable for anyone who dislikes open-water travel, cannot comfortably participate in water activities, or needs confirmed accessible transport. The general information says most people can participate and service animals are allowed, but it does not provide detailed accessibility specifications.

Timing, Weather, and Cancellation Details

The tour lasts about eight hours, including the boat trip from Nassau and the return ride. Plan your day around that full block of time rather than scheduling another major activity immediately afterward.

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you can receive a full refund or choose another date. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, based on local time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refunded or accepted.

That policy is reasonable for a weather-dependent private charter, but the $8,500 total makes the deadline especially important. Check the forecast early, keep your booking details handy, and avoid waiting until the last minute if your plans change.

Should You Book Delfin Charters?

Book it if you have a large group, want a private day on the water, and care more about variety than a low price. The combination of swimming pigs, turtle and stingray snorkeling, Pink Sands Beach, a golf-cart ride, and a Royal Island sandbar gives you a lot for one day.

I would be more cautious if your group is small or if you need guaranteed wildlife sightings. Ask Delfin Charters to confirm the exact departure point, boat model, pig-beach location, snorkeling conditions, accessibility arrangements, and whether any food stop is planned.

For the right group, this is a memorable splurge. You get the Bahamas at its most playful and photogenic, with enough private space to enjoy the day your way.

FAQ

How much does the private Eleuthera tour cost?

The price is $8,500 per group, with up to 15 people included.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours. The boat ride from Nassau to Eleuthera takes about one hour, followed by about one hour back to Nassau.

What places does the tour visit?

The route includes Eleuthera, Pig Beach, Spanish Wells, Pink Sands Beach on Harbour Island, Royal Island, and Nassau.

Are snorkeling equipment and drinks included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, snacks, bottled water, soda, and alcoholic beverages are included. Alcoholic drinks are not served to minors.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your own group participates, with a maximum group size of 15 people.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted, and the amount paid is not refunded.