3 Islands Tour, Swim with Pigs, Turtles, Snorkelling & lunch

The pigs are the headline act, but the best part of this four-stop boat trip may be the mix of experiences. You get Atlantis from the water, reef snorkeling, a search for sea turtles, and time on Rose Island for pigs, beach chairs, kayaks, and paddleboards.

I like the way snorkel gear and life jackets are provided, and I like the friendly crews, especially captains and guides such as TJ, Lee, Miko, Teggie, and Rio. The main caution is timing: some trips have lasted closer to three hours than four, and the Rose Island stop may be shorter than the stated two hours.

Key points at a glance

• Atlantis from the water: Cruise through the resort’s tunnel and view the lost-city design from a different angle.
• Three water activities: Snorkel over coral and fish, look for turtles in their natural habitat, then meet the pigs at Rose Island.
• Lunch and drinks included: Lunch is served during the island portion, with water, sodas, rum punch, and pina coladas reported on the boat.
• Guides make a difference: TJ, Lee, Miko, Teggie, Rio, and other crew members are praised for keeping the trip safe, social, and flexible.
• Small enough to feel manageable: The boat carries a maximum of 29 people, though the actual group may be smaller.
• Timing can shift: Weather, sea conditions, turtle sightings, and boat operations can affect the route and time at each stop.

A busy half-day on the Bahamas water

At $175 per person, this is not the cheapest short boat ride around New Providence. It is also not just a quick trip to Pig Beach. The price covers a full sequence of stops, snorkel equipment, the boat ride, the island activities, and lunch. That makes the cost easier to justify if you want several classic Bahamas experiences in one outing.

The tour is advertised at about four hours, although the schedule is not a stopwatch exercise. Some outings have run for roughly three hours, while other groups received extra time or adjusted stops. Sea conditions matter, especially for reef visibility and turtle spotting. I would book this for the overall outing, not for a guarantee that every stop will receive the exact printed time.

The name can also cause confusion. It is called a three-island tour, but the route described includes four stops: Atlantis Bahamas, Pearl Island, Green Turtle Cay, and Rose Island. Atlantis is a resort area rather than a separate island stop in the usual sense, which likely explains the title.

Atlantis by boat, with a short photo stop

The first stop takes you past Atlantis Bahamas. You see the resort from the water and pass beneath a tunnel designed to resemble the lost city. It is a brief stop of about 30 minutes, with time for photographs rather than a full visit to the resort or aquarium.

This works well as an opening scene setter. You get an unusual angle on one of Paradise Island’s best-known sights without paying an Atlantis admission fee. If you have already visited the resort on land, the boat view still gives you a different perspective.

Keep your camera ready. The tunnel is the specific feature worth photographing, and the boat ride itself gives you views that are difficult to get from the beach. Just do not expect time to wander through Atlantis or see its indoor attractions. Those are not part of this excursion.

Pearl Island and the first snorkeling session

At Pearl Island, the boat anchors near coral reefs. You receive a mask and life jacket, then enter the water to look for reef fish and other marine life. The stop is listed at about 30 minutes, so it is a compact snorkeling session rather than a long reef expedition.

The quality of this stop depends heavily on the day’s water conditions. When visibility is good, you can see coral and fish close to the boat. If wind or weather clouds the water, the captain may change the snorkeling location or skip a reef area because there would be little to see.

That flexibility is sensible, but it can also mean the route does not match every detail of the printed plan. If your priority is coral snorkeling, ask the crew at the start how conditions look and how they plan to handle poor visibility. The equipment is supplied, which saves you from bringing a mask and flotation vest.

Green Turtle Cay and the search for turtles

The turtle stop is the most natural encounter on the route. At Green Turtle Cay, the boat searches for sea turtles in their normal habitat, and you enter the water when turtles are found. The planned stop is about one hour.

This is not a staged animal show, so sightings cannot be promised. Some outings have found several turtles, including large ones, while others have seen none. The crew may scout around and spend time looking, which is one reason the actual schedule can shift.

I like this stop because it gives the tour more substance than a simple photo outing. You are not only posing with an animal. You are watching for turtles in open water and sharing space with them. Still, set your expectations correctly: you may get a memorable encounter, or you may get excellent snorkeling without a turtle sighting.

The water activity suits confident swimmers, but the tour is designed for broad participation, and life jackets are provided. If you are traveling with children, stay close to the crew’s instructions and keep younger swimmers within easy reach.

Rose Island, pigs, beach time, and lunch

Rose Island is the longest planned stop, with about two hours listed. This is where the tour shifts from open-water searching to a more organized island visit. You can feed and photograph the pigs, relax on the sand, use kayaks and paddleboards, or sit in a beach chair.

The pigs are generally the main attraction. You may see large adults and young piglets, and staff explain how to feed them safely. The larger pigs can move quickly when food appears, so keep your hands low and follow the instructions. The animals may not always swim, especially in cooler conditions, and the encounter may focus more on feeding and photographs than swimming.

This stop can also be busy. Other boats may bring people to the same beach, leaving less quiet space than the phrase private island suggests. If you are not interested in getting close to the pigs, the kayaks, paddleboards, beach chairs, and shore time give you alternatives.

Lunch is included and has been described as burgers, wings, cracked chicken, fries, and similar casual choices. Food quality is a matter of taste. Some people find it quite good, while others consider it average or wish there were better options.

Drinks on the boat can include water, sodas, rum punch, and pina coladas. Be careful not to assume every drink at every stop is included. Drinks purchased at a floating bar or lunch location may cost extra, and credit cards are accepted there according to the available information.

The crew is a major part of the value

The boats are led by different crew combinations, so your experience will depend partly on who is working that day. TJ and Lee receive repeated praise for friendly service, clear communication, and keeping the mood relaxed. Miko, Teggie, Terek, Rio, Nico, and other captains and guides are also described as helpful and attentive.

The strongest pattern is not fancy narration. It is practical care. Guides help with photos, explain how to approach the pigs, look for turtles when the first search comes up empty, and make adjustments when weather changes the plan.

That matters on a water trip. A good captain can make a delayed start less frustrating, find a better snorkel site, or help you feel comfortable in open water. Several outings have been described as safe and smooth, with crews willing to make an extra effort when the schedule became tight.

The maximum group size is 29 people. That is not a private charter, but it is smaller than a large ferry-style excursion. Some departures may have only a handful of people, while others will feel more social and crowded.

Timing, weather, and the fine print

The biggest weakness is schedule clarity. The main description says about four hours, but some outings have lasted closer to three. The Rose Island stop is listed as two hours, yet at least one group found it shorter. Another booking appears to have involved a six-hour option that did not match expectations about added activities and lunch.

I would confirm the exact departure length when booking, especially if your plans depend on returning at a fixed time. Give yourself a buffer before an evening dinner, flight, or cruise departure.

Weather is equally important. Poor conditions can lead to a different date, a refund, a shortened route, or a changed snorkeling location. The crew may avoid a reef if the water is too muddy to see fish and coral. That is disappointing if you paid mainly for reef snorkeling, but it is better than entering unsafe or murky water.

The tour requires good weather. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded, and the cutoff uses local Bahamas time.

The meeting point is near public transportation, and confirmation is provided when you book. Most people can participate, but you should be comfortable with a boat-based day, water entry, swimming, and moving between several activities.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would choose this tour if you want variety more than a single specialized activity. It is a good fit for couples, groups of friends, and families who want turtles, snorkeling, pigs, lunch, and beach time in one outing.

It also works well for first-time visitors who have limited time on New Providence. Instead of arranging separate boat trips, you get several well-known island activities together. The guides can make the day feel informal and social rather than like a rigid sightseeing circuit.

Families should think carefully about the pig stop. Children who enjoy animals may love the piglets, but the larger pigs can be fast and pushy around food. The crew provides instructions and supervision, yet younger children should be watched closely.

This is less suitable for someone seeking a quiet, private beach day. Rose Island can be busy, the pigs attract crowds, and the route covers a lot in a short period. It is also not ideal if your one goal is guaranteed turtle viewing or extended reef snorkeling.

Is $175 a fair price?

The value is strongest when you use most of what is included. Snorkel equipment, life jackets, lunch, boat transport, several water stops, and beach activities add up. Drinks on the boat also improve the package, especially during a warm day in the sun.

The value drops if the outing is shortened, visibility cancels the reef stop, or you are mainly interested in one activity. The tour is best understood as a sampler of the Bahamas, not a private wildlife expedition.

I also recommend bringing money for tips and any drinks or food purchased outside the included lunch. A waterproof phone pouch would be useful for the turtle and pig stops, though that item is not provided as part of the tour.

Should you book the 3 Islands Tour?

Book it if you want an active, social half-day with several memorable stops and you can tolerate a flexible schedule. The combination of Atlantis, reef fish, sea turtles, pigs, beach time, and lunch is hard to match in one compact outing.

I would skip it if precise timing is essential, if you dislike crowded animal encounters, or if you need a guaranteed turtle sighting. Before paying, confirm the expected duration and ask how weather changes affect the reef and Rose Island stops.

For most people, the strongest reason to book is the crew. TJ, Lee, Miko, Teggie, Rio, and the other guides appear to bring the patience and practical help that can turn changing sea conditions into a good day. Just treat the itinerary as a flexible plan, not a promise of four perfectly measured hours.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour is advertised as approximately four hours. Actual outings can be shorter or longer depending on weather, sea conditions, turtle sightings, and the day’s schedule.

How many stops are included?

The route described includes four stops: Atlantis Bahamas, Pearl Island, Green Turtle Cay, and Rose Island. The experience is marketed as a three-island tour.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included during the Rose Island portion of the experience. Food options mentioned include burgers, wings, cracked chicken, and fries.

Are drinks included?

Water, sodas, rum punch, and pina coladas may be provided during the boat trip. Drinks purchased at a floating bar or lunch location may cost extra.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling masks and life jackets are provided for the water activities.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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 experience are not refunded.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can receive a different date or a full refund.

How many people can join the boat?

The maximum group size is 29 people. The actual number on your departure may be smaller.