Sandy Toes The Original Rose Island and Swimming Pigs Tour

The main attraction here is simple and wonderfully odd: you can swim with rescued pigs on Rose Island. The pigs come out at intervals, so this is not a one-minute photo stop. You also get a pleasant boat ride, a white-sand beach, and time to choose your own pace.

I like the way the tour mixes snorkeling and beach time with the animal visit, rather than building the whole day around one gimmick. I also like the practical package: lunch, lemonade, standard drinks, snorkel equipment, and round-trip boat transport are included. The main caution is that shade and seating can be limited, and the day may feel long if the water is too cold for swimming.

Key points

• Swimming pigs: Meet vet-checked, farm-rescued pigs in their island habitat, with repeated chances to interact.
• Rose Island beach: Spend free time on a clean private beach with hammocks, palm shade, and clear water.
• Snorkeling option: Join a guided snorkel outing and borrow equipment with a refundable $10 deposit.
• Bahamian lunch: Expect barbecue chicken, hot dogs, green salad, vegetable pasta salad, lemonade, and a standard open bar.
• Strict morning check-in: Arrive at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal by 9:15 a.m. Check-in closes at 9:45 a.m.
• Price and size: At $258 per person, it is not cheap, but the package includes transport, food, drinks, activities, and a full six-hour island visit for up to 75 people.

Sailing from Paradise Island to Rose Island

Sandy Toes leaves from the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal at 9:30 a.m., with check-in beginning at 9:15. The terminal is between the two bridges on Paradise Island, and you must drive over the Paradise Island Bridge to reach it. You are responsible for getting there yourself, so do not treat the departure point as if it were a hotel pickup.

The check-in rule is strict. You need to be checked in by 9:45 a.m., and anyone who has not checked in by 9:50 forfeits the seat and faces the full cancellation charge. Bring photo identification that matches the payment method used for the booking. The company may record the identification at check-in.

Once aboard, the boat ride to Rose Island is part of the pleasure. The crossing takes roughly 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the departure and conditions. You can watch Nassau and Paradise Island recede while the boat heads toward quieter water. One account specifically praises Captain Steve for playing classic rock during the ride, though the captain and music may vary by departure.

The boat holds up to 75 people. That is not an intimate sailing, but the size is still manageable for a day that offers several separate activities. You are not locked into one guided program from start to finish. After arrival, you can snorkel, swim, visit the animals, use a hammock, or simply sit by the beach.

Rose Island beach time without a fixed schedule

Rose Island is the reason this tour works even for people who are only mildly interested in pigs. The beach gives you a classic Bahamian island setting: pale sand, clear water, hammocks, and palm-shaded areas. You can stretch out, swim, sunbathe, or sit on the deck overlooking the harbor.

The free time matters. Some excursions rush you from one photo opportunity to the next. Here, the pig visit and snorkel outing fit into a broader beach day. If you want to stay active, there is water time and the guided snorkel option. If you have had enough sun, you can find a hammock and slow down.

The tradeoff is that comfort can depend on the weather and how busy the island feels. A few people found the beach chairs less comfortable than expected, and shade is not plentiful everywhere. Bring your own towel, and pack sun protection. If your idea of a beach day requires a padded lounger and constant shade, this may feel basic.

There are also stairs around the property. They are manageable for many people, but they are worth noting if someone in your party has trouble with steps. The activity is listed as suitable for most people, but the island setting is not the same as a fully level resort.

Snorkeling among tropical fish

The snorkeling portion adds real value because it gives you something to do beyond looking at the pigs. You can join a group snorkel outing among tropical fish in clear Bahamian water. Some outings have also included sea turtles and colorful fish, though marine life is never guaranteed.

Snorkel equipment is available with a refundable $10 deposit per person. The available gear includes a mask, fins, and vest. Safety procedures are taken seriously, and the organized format can help if you are nervous in the water. One person who was uneasy around water still found the snorkeling comfortable, which says something about the value of having staff guide the group.

You do not have to snorkel. You can choose ordinary swimming, sunbathing, or a hammock instead. That flexibility makes this a good choice for mixed groups. Children can enjoy the animals while an older relative sits in the shade, and confident swimmers can join the snorkel outing.

Water temperature is the biggest seasonal variable. In December, the water can feel too cold for some people, and that changes the day considerably. In warmer conditions, the snorkeling and pig swim become the center of the experience. In cooler weather, the tour becomes more of a boat ride, lunch, animal visit, and beach rest.

Meeting the rescued swimming pigs

The pig encounter is the feature that sets Sandy Toes apart from an ordinary beach transfer. The animals are farm-rescued and vet-checked, and the staff present them as resident animals rather than a wild population. They are accustomed to people and described as clean, calm, and well cared for.

The pigs generally come out about every half hour, giving you more than one chance to see them. You may watch from the shore, take photos, or enter the water with them if conditions and your comfort allow. This repeated schedule is useful because the beach, snorkeling, and animal area do not have to compete for your entire attention at one exact moment.

You should keep your expectations realistic. These are domesticated pigs, not untouched wild animals. They are brought out for interaction and are used to the routine. If you are hoping for a remote wildlife encounter with animals behaving entirely on their own, this will feel more staged. If you want a safe, memorable animal experience with a good chance of close contact, it delivers the point of the visit.

The pigs are especially popular with families. Children around the ages of 10 and 11 have plenty to enjoy, and adults often find the encounter just as amusing. The staff supervise the interaction, and the animals are presented as healthy and trained. Still, you should follow directions, give the pigs room, and avoid treating them like toys.

The animal area also includes royal peacocks and curly-tail lizards. Those extra sightings help the sanctuary feel like more than a single pig photo stop. The animals are part of the island visit, not an add-on at the ferry terminal.

A Bahamian lunch with lemonade and rum drinks

Lunch is served at a pavilion overlooking the harbor. The included buffet usually features barbecue chicken, hot dogs, mixed green salad, and vegetable pasta salad. Lemonade is included during the meal, and standard alcoholic drinks are available through the open bar.

The food is more substantial than the usual excursion snack. Barbecue chicken receives the most consistent praise, and hot dogs provide an easy choice for children or picky eaters. The buffet format also lets you choose how much you want before heading back to the beach.

The open bar includes standard alcoholic drinks but excludes premium liquors, imported beers, and frozen cocktails. You can pay an additional $29 for a premium liquor upgrade. Some people find that worthwhile, while others are perfectly happy with the regular selection. A few complaints describe the included drinks as weak, so I would treat the bar as a pleasant extra rather than the main reason to pay $258.

Lunch and drinks are important when judging the price. You are not paying only for a short boat ride and a pig photo. You are also paying for a full half-day on the island, a meal, staff supervision, snorkel access, standard drinks, and the convenience of returning to the same terminal. If you would otherwise buy lunch, drinks, and a separate boat trip, the package becomes easier to justify.

Is $258 a good value?

At $258 per person, Sandy Toes belongs in the premium excursion category. It costs more than a basic beach transfer or a simple pig-swim outing. The price makes the most sense when you plan to use several parts of the package.

I see the strongest value for someone who wants a complete day away from Nassau rather than a single activity. You get:

• Round-trip boat transportation
• About six hours at Rose Island
• A private beach setting
• A guided snorkel option
• Snorkel equipment with a refundable deposit
• Pig interaction
• Animal sanctuary access
• Bahamian lunch
• Lemonade
• Standard alcoholic drinks
• Professional staff

The cost is harder to defend if you do not drink, do not swim, and do not care much about animals. In that case, you may spend much of the day sitting on the beach, and the price can feel high for a hammock and lunch.

The strong staff presence helps. People consistently praise the friendliness, organization, safety reminders, and clear communication throughout the day. That matters on a boat excursion, especially when several activities happen at different times. You should know where to go next rather than trying to decode the island on your own.

Who will enjoy this Rose Island day?

This tour suits families, couples, groups of friends, and cruise or hotel visitors who want an easy island day from Nassau. It works particularly well for a mixed-age group because not everyone must snorkel or swim with the pigs.

You are likely to enjoy it if you want:

• A simple escape from Nassau
• A private beach setting
• A supervised animal encounter
• A choice between activity and downtime
• Lunch and drinks included
• A day that feels more special than a standard beach visit

It is less suitable if you dislike organized group outings or want a truly quiet, unstructured island. The maximum group size is 75, and the schedule includes a shared boat, guided snorkeling, lunch service, and timed pig visits.

It is also not the best pick if you need guaranteed warm water. December can be chilly, and poor weather can affect the experience. The company requires good weather and offers a different date or full refund if the trip is canceled for that reason.

Practical details that can save your morning

Arrive early. Check-in opens at 9:15 a.m. at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal, and the boat leaves at 9:30. Because the cutoff is enforced, being five minutes late can turn into a very expensive mistake.

Bring a towel, swimwear, sun protection, and a method of payment for optional purchases. Visa and Mastercard are accepted for extras. Kayaks and floats are not included, so plan around snorkeling, swimming, hammocks, and beach time rather than assuming every water toy is available.

The itinerary can change without notice. Boat conditions, weather, water temperature, and island timing can affect the order of snorkeling, lunch, and pig interaction. That is normal for a marine outing, but it is worth understanding before you book.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not accepted and are not refunded. The experience ends back at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal, usually around 3:30 p.m. based on the six-hour schedule.

Should you book Sandy Toes?

Book it if swimming with pigs is high on your list and you also want a proper beach day, snorkeling, lunch, and drinks. The staff care, the animals are presented as well looked after, and the repeated pig visits give you time to enjoy the island without watching the clock.

Think twice if $258 feels steep for a day that may include limited shade, basic seating, and a shared group format. Also consider the season. In cooler months, the water may not tempt you, and the experience becomes less active.

For most people who want one polished Rose Island excursion from Nassau, I think the package earns its price through variety and organization. Arrive early, bring a towel, use the snorkeling option, and treat the pigs as one part of a full island day rather than the entire reason to go.

FAQ

Where does the Sandy Toes tour depart from?

It departs from the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal on Paradise Beach Drive in The Bahamas, between the two bridges on Paradise Island.

What time should I arrive?

Check-in is at 9:15 a.m. The scheduled departure is 9:30 a.m. Check-in closes at 9:45 a.m., and anyone not checked in by 9:50 a.m. forfeits the seat.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts about six hours. The listed schedule runs from the morning departure until approximately 3:30 p.m., with the return to the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The full Bahamian buffet includes barbecue chicken, hot dogs, mixed green salad, and vegetable pasta salad. Lemonade is included during lunch.

Are drinks included?

Standard alcoholic drinks are included, along with lemonade during lunch. Premium liquors, imported beers, and frozen cocktails are not included, but a premium upgrade is available at Sandy Toes.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkel equipment is available with a refundable $10 deposit per person. The equipment includes a mask, fins, and vest for the group snorkeling outing.

Do I have to swim with the pigs?

No. Pig interaction is included, but you can choose to watch from shore or spend your time snorkeling, swimming, sunbathing, relaxing in a hammock, or using the deck.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted and are not refunded. If poor weather causes the company to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund.