Nassau: Swimming Pigs, Snorkeling, Lunch, & Beach Boat Tour

Swimming with the pigs is the headline, but this Nassau trip gives you a full half-day of water time. You’ll speed across clear Bahamian seas, feed pigs in shallow water, then settle onto a private beach with kayaks, paddleboards, games, lunch, and drinks. The free photo and video package is a real help when your hands are busy with pigs and snorkeling gear.

I like the mix of short boat ride and many activities, especially for families or cruise passengers who do not want to spend all day at sea. I also like the lively crew, who keep the ride moving with jokes, music, sightseeing, and safety guidance. The main catch is that the schedule can feel packed, and snorkeling time may be brief on some departures. Food portions have also varied from snack-sized to generous, so a light meal before you go is sensible.

Key points to know before booking

• Swimming pigs near Athol Island: Feed, pet, and photograph the pigs in shallow, clear water with staff nearby.
• Boat sightseeing included: The route passes Nassau Harbor, Atlantis, Paradise Island, Fort Montagu, and nearby islands.
• Private beach base: Use loungers, hammocks, swings, floaties, kayaks, paddleboards, and beach games at no extra charge.
• Snorkeling gear included: Stop at a reef area with tropical fish and marine life, although water time can be limited.
• Food and drinks covered: Lunch, snacks, soft drinks, and unlimited rum punch are included. Jet skis cost extra.
• Good cruise-port fit: The meeting point is about an eight-minute walk from the cruise port, according to one detailed account.

A fast start from Nassau Harbor

You meet at Bahamas Jet Boat headquarters inside Elizabeth on Bay Marketplace and Marina, at the corner of Bay Street and Elizabeth Avenue. From the direction of Parliament Square, continue east on Bay Street and look for the beige plaza with brown trim. The boat is at the second corner on the left.

That location matters if you arrive by cruise ship. It is close enough to walk from Nassau Cruise Port, but map apps have occasionally placed the meeting point incorrectly. I would follow the written directions and allow extra time to find the marina rather than rely only on Apple Maps.

Once aboard, the boat heads through Nassau Harbor and toward New Providence’s eastern islands. The sightseeing portion is more than empty transit. You may pass Fort Montagu, see Paradise Island and Atlantis from the water, and get views of the large homes and shoreline around Nassau.

The boat ride is one of the pleasures of this outing. It is a speedboat rather than a slow party boat, so you reach the beach area relatively quickly. That suits you if you want more time in the water and less time sitting on a boat. It also means you should expect wind, spray, and a lively ride rather than a quiet harbor cruise.

The crew serves light snacks and soft drinks during the journey, with rum punch available as well. Guides have included Sterling, Captain Johnny, Kenny, and Teisha on different departures. Names and crew assignments can change, but the operation is clearly built around an active guide presence, not a silent transfer.

Meeting the pigs near Athol Island

The pig encounter is the tour’s main draw, and it is handled in shallow water near the beach. Staff provide food so you can feed the pigs, and you have time to pet them and take pictures. Young piglets have also been present on some departures, adding an extra dose of charm.

You should listen closely to the safety briefing. Pigs are friendly-looking, but they are still strong animals that can jostle you when food is involved. The guides explain how to hold the food and where to position yourself, which makes the experience more comfortable for children and first-time visitors.

The water is clear enough for excellent photographs, and staff help organize the encounter. This is where the free photo and video package earns its keep. You can concentrate on the animals instead of trying to balance a phone in the water. The images are sent after the trip, so check that the operator has the correct contact details.

The beach can become busy when several groups arrive together. One departure had a larger group than expected, making it harder to get a clean picture at the best moments. The smaller speedboat and earlier arrival can help, but crowd levels depend on the day and the boats using the same area.

A minor practical point: pigs do what pigs do. There can be waste in the water or on the sand, though staff have been quick to clean it up. If you want a polished animal encounter with no mud, splashes, or unexpected pig behavior, this may not be your ideal outing. If you enjoy a close, hands-on experience, it is part of the deal.

The private beach has more to do than sunbathe

After the pigs, you get time at the newly opened private beach area. The setup is designed to spread people out between water activities, games, and quiet places to sit. Lounge chairs, hammocks, swings, and individual and group floats are included.

You can use kayaks and paddleboards to explore along the coast. There are also beach games such as volleyball, cornhole, frisbee, tug of war, giant Connect Four, and hatchet toss. Water toys and floaties add more options, including a water slide or trampoline-style equipment on some setups described by visitors.

This variety is one of the strongest parts of the package. A parent can relax while older children play volleyball or use the paddleboards. Adults can settle under a hammock with a drink, while a group of friends turns the stop into a casual beach party. Solo visitors also have enough organized activity to avoid feeling stranded on a beach.

The beach is the relaxed middle section of the day, but do not expect a completely quiet private-island retreat. Music, games, and the crew’s upbeat style give the place energy. The tour works best if you like a social beach day. It is less suitable if your main goal is solitude.

Jet skis are available for an additional fee. They are not included in the $140 price, so ask about the current cost before committing. The included kayaks and paddleboards already provide a good way to get on the water without adding another charge.

Lunch, rum punch, and the value of the package

Lunch is served on the beach and includes American favorites, Bahamian dishes, and vegan choices. The food has received especially strong praise, though portions have not been identical on every outing. Some people have found the meal generous, while one person described the serving as closer to a snack.

That difference is worth noting because expectations matter. I would treat lunch as a useful included meal, not the reason to book the tour. If you are arriving hungry after a morning of travel, eat something beforehand or bring your appetite down to a reasonable level with a snack before departure.

The package also includes light snacks, soft drinks, and unlimited rum punch. This adds meaningful value to a $140 excursion, particularly if you plan to spend several hours at the beach. You are not paying separately for snorkeling gear, beach games, kayaks, paddleboards, or standard floats.

The price makes the most sense for someone who will use several parts of the package. If you only want to see pigs and take a quick picture, a simpler pig excursion could cost less. If you want animals, a beach, food, drinks, snorkeling, boat sightseeing, and water equipment in one booking, the bundle is more attractive.

Snorkeling at the coral reef

After the beach stop, the boat heads to a reef area where you can use the supplied snorkeling equipment. The water is clear, and you may see tropical fish and other marine life around the coral.

Snorkeling quality depends on the exact stop and sea conditions. Some outings have had excellent fish viewing, while another found the reef less impressive. That is normal for a sea-based activity. The operator cannot control visibility, current, weather, or how active the fish are that day.

Time in the water can also be limited. One account described about 25 minutes, which is enough for a good look but not a full reef session. If snorkeling is your top priority, ask about the expected water time before booking. If the pigs and beach are your main interests, the reef stop works well as an extra activity.

The equipment is included and has been described as clean. Guides provide instruction and help keep the stop organized. You can also use a kayak in some water areas, though snorkeling is the better choice if your goal is to see fish below the surface.

The return route past Nassau’s landmarks

The ride back follows New Providence and nearby islands such as Rose Island and Blue Lagoon Island. Depending on the route and timing, the crew may point out Atlantis again or offer views of Paradise Island and Nassau’s waterfront.

This sightseeing is a nice bonus rather than a formal city tour. You will pass landmarks from the water, but you should not expect long stops at Fort Montagu, Versailles Gardens and French Cloister, or Atlantis. These places are included as scenic pass-bys and photo views, not as land visits.

The return trip gives you another chance to enjoy the speedboat ride and talk with the crew. Several guides have been praised for remembering names, keeping children involved, and maintaining a friendly tone. Safety remains the priority if the weather turns poor. One outing continued with a cautious approach when conditions became uncertain.

The published duration ranges from 150 minutes to four hours, so check the departure details carefully. A shorter trip may focus on the pigs and snorkeling, while a longer departure can allow more beach time. The experience is best planned with some flexibility rather than a tight appointment immediately after the boat returns.

Who will enjoy this tour most

This is a strong pick for families with children and teenagers. The pigs provide an easy highlight, while volleyball, water toys, paddleboards, and group games keep the day from becoming a single short photo stop. Grandparents traveling with school-age children can also find a good balance between active time and places to sit.

Cruise passengers are another good match. The marina is close to the port, and the tour is designed to return to Nassau rather than consume an entire day. Still, you should leave a buffer before your ship’s departure. Boat schedules and sea conditions can change, and the listed duration is not always the same.

It also suits groups of friends and solo visitors who enjoy a social atmosphere. The crew’s humor, music, rum punch, and games create more of a lively beach outing than a quiet nature trip.

You may want another option if you dislike fast boats, crowds, organized games, or animal encounters in shallow water. You should also think twice if you want a long, serious snorkeling session. This outing gives you a taste of reef life, not a dedicated snorkeling day.

Practical details that affect your day

The tour is conducted in English, with live guides. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to reach the Elizabeth on Bay meeting point yourself. Cruise-port pickup is included in the sense that the departure point is near the port, but confirm the exact arrangement when booking.

Wear swim clothes under something easy to remove, and bring sun protection. A waterproof phone pouch is useful, even with the included photos and videos. You should also bring a towel if the operator does not provide one, since towels are not listed among the included items.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That flexibility is helpful when your Nassau plans depend on a cruise itinerary, but you still need to check the available start time and the exact duration selected.

The overall rating is 4.5 from 421 ratings, with especially strong praise for the crew, pig encounter, clean boat, food, and free professional photos. The less positive details are practical rather than serious: occasional waiting for late arrivals, crowded moments, variable snorkeling time, and inconsistent lunch portions.

Should you book this Nassau pig and snorkeling tour?

Book it if you want a busy, friendly half-day that combines the Bahamas’ famous pigs with a beach and reef stop. At $140, the package offers solid value when you use the lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment, kayaks, games, and free photo package.

I would choose it over a basic pig visit if you are traveling with children, joining friends, or arriving by cruise ship. I would skip it only if you want a quiet beach, a long reef session, or a strictly small-group animal encounter. For most people, the pigs are the memory-maker, but the good value comes from everything packed around them.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet in Nassau?

Meet at Bahamas Jet Boat headquarters at Elizabeth on Bay Marketplace and Marina, near the corner of Bay Street and Elizabeth Avenue. From Parliament Square, head east on Bay Street and look for the beige plaza with brown trim.

Is the tour close to Nassau Cruise Port?

Yes. The meeting point is within walking distance of the cruise port. One detailed direction estimate puts the walk at about eight minutes, though you should allow extra time to locate the marina.

How long does the tour last?

The listed duration ranges from 150 minutes to four hours. Check the available departure and duration when booking because the exact schedule can vary.

Are lunch and drinks included?

Yes. The tour includes lunch, snacks, soft drinks, and unlimited rum punch. Lunch options include American favorites, Bahamian dishes, and vegan choices.

Are snorkeling equipment and beach activities included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, floats, kayaks, paddleboards, beach games, hammocks, swings, and a volleyball net are included.

Can I ride a jet ski?

Jet skis are available to rent, but they are not included in the tour price.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to make your own way to the Bahamas Jet Boat meeting point.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.