Nassau: 3 Islands Boat w/ Swimming Pigs, Snorkeling & Turtle

The pigs are the headline, but the real appeal is getting three different slices of the Bahamas in only three hours. You will snorkel from the boat at Pearl Island, watch for turtles at Green Cay, then meet the famous swimming pigs before settling into beach time on Rose Island.

I like the well-planned mix of activities and the easygoing boat atmosphere, with water, soft drinks, snacks, alcohol, and rum punch included. I also like that snorkeling equipment and swimming with the pigs are covered in the price, so you are not adding fees at every stop.

The main drawback is the tight schedule. Turtle spotting can be brief, the pig area may feel crowded when another boat arrives, and lunch at Rose Island is extra. At $175 per person, this is not a bargain outing, but it can be good value if you want several popular Nassau experiences packed into one trip.

Key points at a glance

• Three islands in three hours: Pearl Island, Green Cay, and Rose Island each serve a different purpose.
• Pearl Island snorkeling: Expect a shallow reef, clear water, and plenty of small fish, with about 45 minutes in the water.
• Green Cay turtle stop: You watch from the boat for roughly 15 minutes, so sightings are possible but not guaranteed.
• Swimming pigs at Rose Island: This is the main event, with time to feed, photograph, and swim near the pigs.
• Drinks included: Water, soft drinks, snacks, and alcohol are provided on board, with rum punch part of the party mood.
• Lunch costs extra: Bring spending money for food and drinks at the Rose Island beach bar.

What this Nassau boat trip is really like

This is a short, active outing with a party-friendly tone rather than a quiet nature cruise. The boat moves quickly between stops, and the crew provides safety guidance and instructions before the water activities.

The experience is designed to keep you moving. You snorkel first, look for turtles next, spend the main animal time with the pigs, and then have a little room to relax at Rose Island. That order makes sense: you get the more active water time early, then finish with sand, food, and a drink.

Delfincharters provides the boat, snorkel mask, water, soft drinks, snacks, and alcohol. The crew speaks English, French, and Spanish, with an English audio guide also available. The boat is identified with Delfincharters on both sides, which helps you recognize it at the pickup dock.

The atmosphere can be lively. Music, rum punch, and dancing have been part of the experience, so this suits you if you like a social boat ride. If you prefer a quiet wildlife trip with long pauses for observation, you may find the pace and music less appealing.

Pearl Island: a shallow reef and a good first swim

The first stop is Pearl Island, reached after about 15 minutes by speedboat from Nassau. You get around 45 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, and looking at marine life.

The snorkeling takes place off the boat in water described as about 10 feet deep. That shallow depth is useful if you are new to snorkeling or want to keep your bearings easily. The clear water makes it possible to see fish and the reef without needing advanced swimming skills, although you still need to be comfortable getting into open water.

You may see many small fish around the reef. One outing included sightings of fish, dolphins, stingrays, and other marine life from the boat and during snorkeling, but you should treat those larger-animal sightings as luck rather than part of the promise. The reliable draw here is the clear water and the chance to see fish over a shallow reef.

Forty-five minutes sounds generous, but it passes quickly once masks are fitted and everyone enters the water. If snorkeling is your main interest, use the time well. Bring your own mask only if you strongly prefer it, since a snorkel and mask are included.

The crew assists with snorkeling and gives safety instructions. That matters because the tour may have around 24 people on board, making a little organization necessary. You will not get a private reef session, but the crew support makes the stop more approachable for families and mixed-experience groups.

Green Cay: a short turtle watch from the boat

After Pearl Island, the boat takes about 10 minutes to Green Cay. The turtle stop lasts roughly 15 minutes and is focused on watching from the boat rather than swimming with the animals.

Green Cay is a natural habitat for sea turtles, and the aim is to spot them as they come to the surface or move through the water. You might see only a few turtles, and they may appear briefly. That makes this the least predictable part of the trip.

I would set your expectations correctly: this is a quick wildlife check, not a long turtle encounter. Some people will find it peaceful and special, while others may think the stop feels thin compared with the snorkeling and pig swim.

Keep your camera ready, but do not let the search distract you from simply watching the water. The boat crew can help point out movement, though the available details do not promise a particular turtle count or guaranteed sighting.

The short visit also explains why the tour can fit so much into three hours. You are not lingering at Green Cay. The boat gives you a chance to look, then moves on to the main attraction.

Rose Island and the famous swimming pigs

From Green Cay, it is about another 10 minutes by speedboat to Rose Island. This is where the tour spends its most memorable animal time, and it is also where the schedule gives you about an hour for swimming, kayaking, wildlife viewing, beach time, and lunch.

The pigs are friendly, playful animals accustomed to being around people. You may feed them, swim near them, and take photos as they paddle through the water. This is a funny, unusual experience, but it is still an animal encounter, so follow the crew’s instructions and give the pigs room when asked.

The pig swim can be joyful and chaotic at the same time. One group found the area crowded when another party arrived, and that is worth considering if you want a calm, private-feeling experience. The tour does not promise exclusive access to the pigs.

The main advantage of the schedule is that the pig stop is not squeezed into just a few minutes. You get the central experience, plus time on the beach. The main disadvantage is that the entire trip is short, so the hour at Rose Island includes several possibilities. If you spend a long time with the pigs, you will have less time for kayaking or relaxing at the bar.

Rose Island also has a beach bar where you can buy lunch and additional drinks. Lunch is not included, so bring extra cash or another accepted form of payment. The exact menu and prices are not provided, so do not assume your $175 covers food on the island.

The beach setting gives the trip a useful change of pace. After the boat rides and water activities, you can get your feet in the sand, have a drink, and take in the ocean views. Families may appreciate the break, while couples can use it as a relaxed finish before the ride back to Nassau.

The boat ride, drinks, and group feel

The speedboat is part of the attraction. The trip includes stretches of about 15, 10, 10, and 25 minutes between stops, so you spend meaningful time on the water rather than simply shuttling a few yards offshore.

The return ride from Rose Island to Nassau takes about 25 minutes. With the speed, wind, sun, and open-water movement, you should bring a towel and sunscreen. People with back problems, heart problems, and pregnant women are advised not to take this excursion.

Water and soft drinks are included, along with snacks and alcohol. The onboard drinks help the $175 price make more sense, especially if you would otherwise buy refreshments during a half-day outing. Rum punch and music can create a festive mood, but the atmosphere is not designed around quiet sightseeing.

You should still drink water, use sunscreen, and pace yourself with alcohol. You are combining sun, swimming, boat movement, and a fast schedule. A party atmosphere is fun only if you remain comfortable and alert.

The group size can be around 24 people, based on one outing. That is small enough for crew interaction but large enough that the boat and pig stop will not feel private. If you want a custom pace, personal guiding, or lots of quiet space, look for a smaller charter instead.

Is $175 a fair price?

At $175 per person, this excursion sits in the expensive half-day outing category. Its value comes from the number of elements bundled together: boat transport, three island stops, snorkeling equipment, crew support, swimming with pigs, water, snacks, soft drinks, and alcohol.

You are paying for convenience as much as for the animals. Instead of arranging separate transport to a reef, a turtle area, a pig beach, and Rose Island, you handle it in one booking. For a short Nassau stay or a cruise day, that can be worth a lot.

The price is easier to justify if you plan to use the inclusions. Snorkel, take part in the pig swim, enjoy the drinks, and spend time at the beach bar. If you mainly want to see pigs and do not care about snorkeling or the boat ride, a simpler pig excursion may offer better value.

Lunch is an extra cost, and the Rose Island bar may tempt you to buy more drinks. Budget for that before you go. Also remember that gratuity is not included.

The tour carries a 4.8 rating from 16 ratings, which supports the idea that the overall package works well for many people. Still, the specific cautions matter: the turtle stop can be underwhelming, and the pig encounter can become crowded. The value depends on how much you want variety and how comfortable you are with a lively group outing.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this trip to families with children who want several memorable activities without spending a full day on the water. The mix of fish, turtles, pigs, beach time, drinks, and music gives children and adults different things to look forward to.

It also suits couples and friends who want an upbeat day rather than a formal wildlife tour. The boat ride, rum punch, and music create a social feel, while the beach stop leaves room for a slower hour.

Snorkelers who want a short reef session will be happy, especially if you like shallow water and easy access from the boat. More serious snorkelers may find 45 minutes too brief and the reef too limited for a dedicated underwater outing.

You should think twice if you dislike open-water boat rides, crowded animal stops, or quick transitions. The experience is active and tightly timed. It is also not suitable for pregnant women or people with back or heart problems.

Pickup, what to bring, and small practical details

If you are staying in Nassau or arriving by cruise ship, meet at the pier in front of Senor Frogs downtown. If you are staying on Paradise Island or at Atlantis, meet at the dock in front of Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Paradise Island.

The pickup is by boat, not by road vehicle. Look for the Delfincharters name on both sides of the boat. Confirm the meeting point when you book, especially if you are coming from a cruise ship and have a fixed return time.

Bring a towel and sunscreen. You will swim, snorkel, and spend time on a beach, so leave room in your plans for wet clothing. Weapons, sharp objects, and chewing gum are not allowed.

The activity lasts three hours, but you should allow some flexibility around the meeting process and return. Cruise ship passengers need to make sure the timing works with their all-aboard time. The stated cancellation policy allows a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours ahead, and you can reserve now and pay later.

Should you book this boat trip?

Book it if you want a lively, efficient sampler of Nassau’s nearby islands and you are excited by the pigs as much as the snorkeling and beach stop. The best parts are the shallow Pearl Island reef, the unusual pig swim, the included drinks and equipment, and the chance to fit several attractions into one morning or afternoon.

Skip it if you want a quiet private charter, a long turtle watch, or a serious snorkeling session. The turtle viewing is short, lunch costs extra, and the pig area may be crowded.

For most families, couples, and first-time Nassau visitors who like variety, $175 is defensible. Go in expecting a fast, social boat outing rather than a slow nature expedition, and you will understand what you are paying for.

FAQ

How long does the Nassau swimming pigs tour last?

The activity lasts three hours, including the boat rides, snorkeling, turtle viewing, pig swim, and time at Rose Island.

Where is pickup for the boat tour?

Nassau and cruise ship passengers meet at the pier in front of Senor Frogs downtown. Guests staying on Paradise Island or at Atlantis meet at the dock in front of Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Paradise Island.

What islands does the tour visit?

The trip visits Pearl Island, Green Cay, and Rose Island.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. A snorkel and mask are included, along with water, soft drinks, snacks, alcohol, and swimming with the pigs.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is not included. You can buy lunch at the Rose Island beach bar, so bring extra money.

Can I cancel the booking for a refund?

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

Who should not take this activity?

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems or heart problems.