Nassau, Private Swimming Pig, Island Hopping, Snorkeling, Turtles

The most memorable part of this Nassau boat trip is the chance to meet wild sea turtles at Green Cay, then continue by speedboat to Rose Island, sandy cays, and an optional swimming-pig stop. It packs several Bahamian sights into one private outing without putting your group on a crowded excursion boat.

I like the private boat for up to eight people, which gives you room to set the pace, and I like the mix of snorkeling, beaches, wildlife, and sightseeing. The main drawback is time: four hours goes quickly, and the optional pig visit costs another $25 per person.

Key points at a glance

• Green Cay turtle stop: Swim and snorkel near an area where turtles often gather around boats.
• Rose Island beach time: Enjoy roughly an hour for swimming, snorkeling, beach activities, or a restaurant visit.
• Private speedboat: Your group of up to eight has its own boat and crew.
• Optional pig encounter: Add the swimming-pig visit for $25 per person, paid on the island.
• Several captains praised by name: Chris, Paul, Eddy, and Bodie are among the crew members associated with this experience.
• Simple four-hour plan: Meet at Elizabeth on Bay and return to the same point with water, safety gear, and snorkeling equipment provided.

Why this private Nassau boat trip works

Nassau has no shortage of boat excursions, but many ask you to choose between a beach day, snorkeling, wildlife, or the swimming pigs. This trip tries to fit several of those into one compact outing. You may visit Green Cay, Rose Island, Gilligan’s Island, and a pig island, with other nearby cays such as Athol or Pearl Island possible depending on the route.

I see the greatest value in the private format. The price is $799 per group, with up to eight people included. At full capacity, that works out to about $100 per person before any optional extras. For a family or group of friends, that can compare well with buying separate seats on several shared excursions. For only two people, the price feels much steeper, so the group size matters.

The crew handles the driving, navigation, and equipment. You get bottled water, life vests, snorkeling gear, and a speedboat ride. You still need to bring the basics: a towel, sunscreen, and sunglasses. One visitor also singled out a rum punch from Bodie, though drinks beyond the supplied bottled water should not be treated as guaranteed.

The trip is best for people who want a busy half-day on the water rather than a long, quiet beach stay. You will see several places, but you will not have hours at any single one.

Meeting at Elizabeth on Bay

The tour begins at Elizabeth on Bay, at Bay Street in Nassau, and returns there at the end. The location is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying in Nassau or arriving from another part of New Providence Island.

You receive confirmation when you book, and the ticket is mobile. That keeps the start simple, but I would still arrive with the meeting point saved on your phone and enough time to find the exact departure spot. A private boat cannot wait indefinitely if your group is late.

The boat ride itself is part of the appeal. You move between Nassau and the nearby cays by speedboat, with sightseeing along the way. The ride should feel more like an active island outing than a simple transfer from one dock to another.

The supplied equipment is useful, especially for families who do not want to pack or rent masks and life vests separately. Still, check the fit of your snorkel gear before leaving the dock. A mask that leaks can spoil a short stop when every minute in the water counts.

Green Cay and the chance to swim with turtles

Green Cay is the wildlife highlight. Turtles swim around boats that stop here, so you may get a chance to see them in the water and possibly swim nearby. The area also has colorful reefs suited to snorkeling.

That combination gives the stop real variety. You can watch for turtles, look down at fish and reef color, or simply enjoy the surrounding water if you prefer not to snorkel. The stop lasts about an hour, which is enough for a focused water session but not enough for a slow, all-day snorkeling experience.

The turtle sightings are not a controlled animal encounter. The wording is important: you may see them, but no wildlife sighting can be promised. That uncertainty is part of the appeal, but it is also the main reason not to book this solely for a guaranteed turtle swim.

Safety equipment and life vests are included. Most people can take part, but you should be comfortable around open water and follow the crew’s directions. Anyone who does not want to swim can treat the stop as a sightseeing break from the boat.

The snorkeling here seems to be one of the strongest reasons to choose this tour. Several crew members have been praised for taking families to good snorkeling places and making children feel comfortable in the water. If your group includes a nervous swimmer, tell the captain early. A private boat gives the crew more room to adjust the stop to your comfort level.

Rose Island for beach time and a slower hour

Rose Island changes the pace. After the speedboat ride and water activity, you get about an hour for snorkeling, swimming, beach activities, or a restaurant visit. It is the most flexible stop of the day.

I like this part because not everyone in a group wants the same thing. One person can swim, another can walk the beach, and someone else can sit with a drink or visit a restaurant. That freedom is harder to manage on a large group excursion with a fixed schedule.

The tradeoff is that one hour disappears fast. If you want a long beach day, this is not the right product. Think of Rose Island as a pleasant pause between active stops, not the main event.

The beach is also a useful option for anyone who does not want to snorkel. Families can split up for a short time, though you should follow the crew’s instructions about where to go and when to return to the boat. Since the stop is part of a larger circuit, the captain needs to keep the group moving.

The optional swimming pigs and the extra $25

The swimming pigs are optional, and the island charges $25 per person for the interaction. That fee is not included in the $799 private tour price, so calculate it before booking if your group is eager to get in the water with the pigs.

The stop lasts about 45 minutes. You may feed the pigs, take pictures, and, if you pay the extra fee, swim with them. The experience is playful and unusual, but it is also less polished than a tidy beach attraction. Pigs are animals, and animal encounters can be messy. You should expect water, mud, food, and normal animal behavior rather than a carefully staged photo session.

One useful point is that you do not have to swim with them. You can visit the island, see the pigs, feed them, and take photos without paying for the in-water option. Some people may prefer that choice, especially after seeing the animals in the water.

If swimming pigs are your top goal, ask the operator how the day’s route is arranged when you book. The general plan includes the stop, but the order can vary. The supplied information also lists other nearby cays as possible stops, so the exact sequence is not fixed in every detail.

Gilligan’s Island and the final photo stop

Gilligan’s Island is described as a sandy cay associated with the famous television show. The stop lasts about 45 minutes and is mainly for exploring, relaxing, and taking photos.

This is a lighter stop than Green Cay. You are not coming here for a major snorkeling session or a long beach stay. Instead, it gives you a simple place to stretch your legs, take pictures, and enjoy the scenery before returning to Nassau.

The name creates a fun pop-culture angle, but expectations should stay reasonable. The value is the sandy cay and the setting, not a formal television exhibit. If your group likes unusual photo locations, this stop adds character to the day. If you prefer every minute to be spent snorkeling or swimming, you might find it less essential.

The route may include Gilligan’s Island, Athol, Pearl Island, or another nearby cay depending on the plan. That flexibility is useful, but it also means you should not treat every named island as an absolute guarantee.

Captains, service, and the private-group advantage

The crew is a major part of this experience. Captains Chris, Paul, Eddy, and Bodie are among the names connected with the trip. Chris has been praised for making families feel at home, helping children find good snorkeling spots, and working well with a group that wanted a private boat because a ten-year-old was uneasy around crowds.

Paul has been associated with a relaxed day of boating, snorkeling, pigs, and a turtle sighting. Eddy has been praised for knowing where to go and when to go there, especially for children who wanted good snorkeling. Bodie has been noted for adding a rum punch and a food recommendation.

These details matter because a private tour succeeds or fails on the crew’s judgment. The captain chooses the route, keeps an eye on conditions, and helps the group use its limited time well. You are not simply buying transport. You are paying for someone to connect several stops into a workable four-hour plan.

The private format also helps with different energy levels. You can tell the captain if your group wants more time in the water, a gentler stop, or fewer activities. The route cannot ignore weather, safety, or timing, but it has more flexibility than a large shared boat.

What the $799 price really includes

The $799 price covers one private group of up to eight people. Included are bottled water, snorkeling equipment, life vests, turtle sightings as an intended part of the experience, the speedboat ride, and sightseeing.

The biggest value is not the bottled water or gear. It is the private boat. If eight people share the cost, the per-person price becomes much easier to justify. You are also combining several separate types of outing: a turtle stop, reef snorkeling, a beach visit, a sandy cay, and optional pigs.

There are extra costs to remember. The swimming-pig interaction is $25 per person, charged by the island. Restaurants, food, and any purchases at the islands are not listed as included. Bring a payment method and ask the crew what is accepted before you arrive at the pig stop.

For a couple, the same price may feel high unless privacy and flexibility are especially important. For a family or group of friends, it can be a practical way to turn one morning or afternoon into a full water day without paying separate admission for several attractions.

Timing, weather, and who should book

The activity lasts about four hours. The listed stops add up to roughly three hours and 30 minutes, leaving the rest for boat travel, boarding, and moving between cays. That is a useful way to picture the day. You will spend a good portion of the time underway.

Most people can participate, but the tour is not recommended for children under two. Anyone in your party who has trouble with boats, snorkeling, or open water should consider that before paying the group price. Life vests are provided, but they do not replace basic comfort and caution on the water.

Weather can cancel the trip. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes inside 24 hours are not refunded or accepted, so keep an eye on the forecast.

The activity also requires a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels because that minimum is not met, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Should you book this Nassau excursion?

Book it if you want a private, active sampler of Nassau’s nearby islands and your group can share the $799 cost. It is especially well suited to families, small groups, and people who want snorkeling and turtles but also want a beach, a photo stop, and the option of swimming with pigs.

I would not choose it for a slow beach holiday, a guaranteed turtle encounter, or a full day at Rose Island. The schedule moves quickly, and the pig interaction costs extra. But if you value having your own captain, covering several highlights in one morning or afternoon, and avoiding a crowded boat, this is a strong use of four hours.

Bring your towel, sunscreen, and sunglasses. Decide in advance if you want to pay the pig fee. Then let the crew shape the day around the water, the weather, and your group’s comfort.

FAQ

How long does the private Nassau boat tour last?

The activity lasts approximately four hours.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins at Elizabeth on Bay, 3MH6+6QX, Bay Street, Nassau, Bahamas, and ends back at the same meeting point.

How many people can join the private tour?

The price covers a private group of up to eight people.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life vests are provided.

Is the swimming-pig interaction included in the price?

No. The swimming-pig interaction is optional and costs $25 per person, charged by the island.

Can I see turtles on the tour?

Green Cay is a turtle-sighting stop, and you may have the opportunity to swim near turtles. Sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Is the tour suitable for young children?

Most people can participate, but the activity is not recommended for children under two years old.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund.