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

Four hours, several Bahamian stops. This private speedboat trip links Nassau with Green Cay, Rose Island, a pig island, and Gilligan’s Island, with time for snorkeling, swimming, beach stops, and sightseeing. I like the private boat for groups of up to eight and the chance to combine turtles, reefs, beaches, and pigs in one outing. The main catch is that the swimming pigs cost an extra $25 per person, and four hours can feel short if you want long beach time at every stop.

I also like the flexible feel of this trip. Captains such as Chris, Paul, Eddy, and Bodie have been praised for making families feel at ease, finding good snorkeling spots, and adding local touches such as Bodie’s rum punch. You should keep expectations realistic, though: sea conditions affect the route, animal sightings are never guaranteed, and the schedule includes several short stops rather than one leisurely beach day.

Key points to know before you book

• Green Cay offers the best wildlife moment: Turtles swim around boats near the cay, and you may have the chance to enter the water near them.
• Rose Island gives you a proper beach break: You can snorkel, swim, relax, take part in beach activities, or visit a restaurant.
• The pigs are optional and cost extra: Swimming with them requires a separate $25 payment per person on the island.
• A private boat changes the pace: Your group controls the mood more than on a large shared excursion, which helps families and small groups.
• The trip covers a lot in four hours: Expect quick transitions between Nassau, the cays, the beach, and the animal stops.
• Bring your own beach basics: Pack towels, sunscreen, and sunglasses, even though water, life vests, and snorkeling equipment are supplied.

A private speedboat from Nassau

The tour begins at Elizabeth on Bay, at Bay Street in Nassau, and returns to the same meeting point. This central start makes the trip practical if you are staying nearby or arriving in Nassau for the day, and the location is near public transportation.

The boat ride is part of the attraction. You are not simply being delivered to one beach and left there. You spend the day moving between small islands and cays, with open-water views and changing scenery along the way. The speedboat also makes it possible to fit several stops into roughly four hours.

That schedule is useful, but it comes with a tradeoff. After allowing time for the ride between locations, you get about one hour at Green Cay, one hour at Rose Island, and roughly 45 minutes at each of the final two stops. If you prefer to settle into one beach chair for half a day, this is not the right format. If you want variety, it makes good use of a short Nassau visit.

The private setup is especially helpful for families. You can talk directly with your captain, ask for help with snorkeling, and keep your own group together rather than adapting to a boatload of strangers. Families with children have praised Capt. Chris for creating a relaxed setting, while Capt. Eddy has been singled out for knowing where children could snorkel comfortably.

Green Cay and the search for turtles

Green Cay is the wildlife highlight. Turtles swim around boats that stop near the cay, and you may be able to see them from the boat or enter the water for a closer look. The area also has colorful reefs suited to snorkeling.

The key phrase is may have the opportunity. Turtles are wild animals, not scheduled performers. The crew can take you to an area where they are often seen, but no captain can promise that one will surface beside your mask. That uncertainty is part of what makes a wild turtle encounter special, but it is worth understanding before you book.

You receive snorkeling equipment and life vests, so you do not need to bring your own gear. Still, bring a towel, sunscreen, and sunglasses. The supplied details do not mention wetsuits, changing facilities, or prescription masks, so you should not assume those are available.

For a first-time snorkeler, Green Cay may be the most memorable water stop because it combines marine life with reef scenery. You can ask the crew for practical help before entering the water. The reviews of Capt. Chris and Capt. Eddy suggest that the guides are particularly good at helping families feel comfortable, but the crew assigned to your date may vary.

Rose Island gives the tour breathing room

After the turtle and reef stop, Rose Island provides a change of pace. You can snorkel again, swim, spend time on the beach, take part in beach activities, or visit a restaurant. This is the most flexible stop on the route and the one where you can choose your own level of activity.

I like this part of the trip because it gives you a chance to slow down after the boat ride and snorkeling. If you are with a mixed group, active people can swim or snorkel while others stay on the sand or look for food. It is also a useful break for children who need a dry-land pause.

The limitation is time. One hour is enough to sample Rose Island, but not enough to treat it as a full beach resort visit. You may need to choose between a meal, more swimming, and simply enjoying the shore. If you want to eat at a restaurant, ask the captain how much time remains before ordering.

Rose Island is included in the trip, so there is no extra admission charge listed for this stop. That helps the overall value, especially when you are already paying a group rate for the boat.

The swimming pigs are optional, not included

The pig stop is the most recognizable part of the outing, but it is also the clearest extra cost. Swimming with the pigs costs $25 per person, charged by the island. You can skip the interaction and still enjoy the rest of the route.

The experience may involve feeding the pigs and taking photographs, not just swimming beside them. One outing included seeing pigs in the water before going onto the island, followed by feeding and pictures. That detail matters because the animal stop may be more about a short, hands-on visit than a long swim.

You should also expect the setting to be rustic. Pigs in the water are not a polished aquarium show, and animal behavior can be messy. One visitor described seeing pigs relieve themselves in the water before getting onto the island. That is a useful warning for anyone expecting a spotless, controlled encounter.

For children and anyone who has always wanted a pig photograph, the extra $25 may be worthwhile. If you are less interested in animal interactions, save the money and use the time for the beach, snorkeling, or photographs. The optional fee lets you make that decision rather than forcing every person in your group to pay.

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, taking photographs, and enjoying the setting.

This is a lighter stop than Green Cay or Rose Island. You should not expect a major attraction with a long list of activities. Its appeal is the simple setting: sand, sea, and a memorable name that gives your photographs a bit of story.

Depending on the day’s route, other nearby cays may be included, such as Athol or Pearl Island. The exact mix can depend on conditions and the captain’s plan, so ask at the start which stops are expected. That small conversation can help you decide where to spend your limited time.

What the $799 group price really means

The price is $799 for a private group of up to eight people. For a full group, that works out to about $100 per person before the optional pig fee. For four people, the cost is about $200 each, and for two people it is about $399.50 each.

That makes the tour a stronger value for a larger family or group of friends. You are paying for a private speedboat, crew, safety equipment, snorkeling gear, bottled water, turtle stops, sightseeing, and several island visits. A small group of eight gets far more favorable per-person value than a couple booking alone.

The private format also has practical value beyond the arithmetic. You do not have to match the pace of a large group, and you can enjoy the boat with people you already know. Parents may appreciate being able to keep children close and ask the captain for help without worrying about a crowded vessel.

The $25 pig fee is separate, so include it in your budget if everyone wants to participate. Food at Rose Island is also not listed as included. Bottled water is supplied, but you should not assume that meals, snacks, or alcoholic drinks are part of the base price. Bodie’s rum punch has been part of at least one outing, but I would treat that as a guide-specific extra, not a promised feature.

The crew can make or break the day

The strongest praise centers on the captains and crew. Capt. Paul has been associated with a relaxed ride around the Bahamian waters, including pigs, snorkeling, and a wild turtle sighting. Capt. Chris has been praised for helping first-time visitors feel at home and for taking families to good places for snorkeling and swimming.

Capt. Eddy has received credit for timing the stops well and helping children snorkel in suitable spots. Bodie has been remembered for his rum punch and a useful food recommendation. These details suggest that the human side of the trip matters as much as the islands themselves.

Your captain may be different, so you should not book based on one specific person alone. Still, the repeated praise for friendly guides is encouraging. On a private trip, a helpful crew member can show you how to use the equipment, explain what you are seeing, and adjust the outing to your group’s comfort level.

Who should book this Nassau excursion?

I would recommend it to a family or group of friends that wants several Bahamian experiences in one half-day. It suits you if you want turtles, snorkeling, a beach, island views, a speedboat ride, and optional pigs without organizing several separate outings.

It is also a good match for cruise passengers with a limited day in Nassau. The meeting point is central, and the activity returns to the same place. Still, you should allow extra time around the tour if you have a ship departure or another fixed appointment. The tour itself lasts about four hours, but the supplied details do not promise a precise return time down to the minute.

Children under age two are not recommended for this activity. Most other participants can take part, but anyone in your group should be comfortable with a boat ride, water activities, and moving between several stops. Life vests are provided, which is useful for safety, but the trip remains an active outing rather than a passive sightseeing cruise.

The experience carries a five-star rating from 23 ratings and a 100 percent recommendation figure, which fits the strongest pattern in the available feedback: people value the private boat, kind crew, turtle sightings, and freedom to mix activities.

Practical details before you go

Bring towels, sunscreen, and sunglasses. Wear clothing that can handle water and sun, and keep your phone protected if you plan to photograph the pigs, turtles, and beaches.

The tour includes bottled water, snorkeling equipment, life vests, turtle sightings as a planned feature, the speedboat ride, and sightseeing. It does not include the $25 pig interaction fee, and food is not listed as included.

You receive confirmation when you book. The activity is private, so only your group participates. It requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not met, the operator can also offer another date or experience, or issue a full refund.

Cancellation is flexible if you act early. Cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Inside that 24-hour window, you will not receive a refund, and changes are not accepted.

Should you book this private island-hopping tour?

Book it if your ideal Nassau day includes movement and variety: turtles at Green Cay, reef snorkeling, a Rose Island beach stop, optional pigs, and photographs at a sandy cay. The private boat is the main reason to choose it, especially if you have six to eight people sharing the cost.

Skip it if you want a quiet, single-beach day or if your budget is based on a low per-person price for just two people. Also think twice if the pig encounter is your only goal, since it costs extra and may be brief.

For most families and small groups, I see this as a good-value way to sample several sides of the Bahamas in four hours. Bring the basics, confirm the planned route with your captain, and treat the turtles and sea conditions as natural bonuses rather than guarantees.

FAQ

How long is the Nassau private boat tour?

The tour lasts approximately four hours and returns to the meeting point at Elizabeth on Bay in Nassau.

What islands and cays does the tour visit?

The planned stops include Green Cay, Rose Island, a pig island, and Gilligan’s Island. Depending on the route, other nearby cays may include Athol or Pearl Island.

Is swimming with the pigs included in the price?

No. Swimming with the pigs is optional and costs $25 per person, paid to the island.

Are snorkeling equipment and life vests provided?

Yes. The tour includes snorkeling equipment and life vests, along with bottled water.

Is this a private activity?

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

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also receive a full refund by canceling at least 24 hours before the start time.