Nassau: Pigs, Snorkel, Turtles, Lunch, Private Beach Club

Swimming pigs are the headline act here, but the real appeal is the full package: a fast powerboat ride, reef snorkeling, turtles, lunch, and two hours at a private beach club. For a four-hour Nassau excursion, that is a lot of island time packed into one outing.

I especially like the well-paced mix of activities and the secluded setting at Oasis Ocean 7. The crew, including captains Andy and Kareem and guides such as Andrew, MJ, Shervin, and Servil, gets high marks for safety, photos, and keeping the mood light. The main drawback is that the reef can be underwhelming in choppy water, and the beach club involves stairs and uneven ground.

Four things to know before booking

• The pigs are at the private beach club: You will feed and photograph them in shallow water, but they may not remain outside for your entire two-hour stay.
• Snorkeling conditions can change: Some outings find colorful fish and coral, while others see little marine life because of wind or rough water.
• Lunch is simple: Expect grilled hot dogs, hamburgers, veggie burgers, chips, and granola bars rather than a full Bahamian meal.
• The boat ride is part of the fun: You travel by powerboat past Paradise Island, Athol Island, Blue Lagoon Island, Pearl Island, and Rose Island.
• This works well for cruise schedules: The trip lasts four hours and returns to Margaritaville on Paradise Island. Pickup near the cruise port can be arranged for groups of eight or more.
• Bring your own beach basics: Towels, sunscreen, insect repellent, and comfortable shoes are not supplied.

A fast start from Paradise Island

The meeting point is Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Bahamas on Paradise Island, not the Margaritaville hotel. That distinction matters, especially if you are staying elsewhere or stepping off a cruise ship and trying to reach the boat on time.

Once aboard, you head out by powerboat with views of Paradise Island, Athol Island, and Blue Lagoon Island. The ride takes you toward the outer islands and gives the excursion an energetic start. You are not sitting in a van for an hour before reaching the water. The boat itself is one of the main attractions.

The crew usually combines safety instructions with commentary and music. Captains Andy and Kareem are frequently singled out by name, while Andrew, MJ, Shervin, Servil, and other deck crew help with boarding, snorkeling, photos, and the pig encounter. The tone is playful, but safety remains part of the routine.

You should expect spray, sun, wind, and movement. This is a small powerboat outing, not a calm harbor cruise. If you are prone to seasickness, the ride may be a serious consideration. The activity also advises against booking if you have back, heart, respiratory, mobility, or other pre-existing medical problems.

Snorkeling near Pearl and Rose islands

The first water stop is a reef between Pearl Island and Rose Island, with about 45 minutes set aside for snorkeling. Mask, snorkel, and other basic gear are provided, so you do not need to pack your own equipment.

At its best, this stop gives you clear Bahamian water, coral, tropical fish, and a proper look below the surface rather than a quick swim from the beach. Several outings have found plenty of fish and colorful underwater life. The crew also provides guidance for beginners and keeps an eye on swimmers.

The honest catch is that reef conditions are not fixed. Wind and chop can reduce visibility, and some people have found the coral and fish disappointing. One departure saw only a few fish, while another had a very good snorkeling stop. Morning water can also feel cool, even in the Bahamas, so a light cover-up is useful when you climb back aboard.

Think of this as an enjoyable part of a varied day, not a dedicated marine-life expedition. If snorkeling is your only reason for booking, a specialist reef trip may suit you better. If you want snorkeling alongside turtles, pigs, a beach, and a boat ride, this stop adds good variety.

Green Cay and the turtle encounter

The next stop is Green Cay, where the boat looks for turtles in their natural habitat. The stop lasts around 20 minutes, making it more of a wildlife watch than a long swim.

The turtles are a lovely contrast to the noisy speedboat ride. You slow down, scan the water, and hope to spot them surfacing or moving below the boat. Some outings have seen several turtles, while others have found only one. At times, rough water makes them harder to locate.

Do not expect a guaranteed close-up swim with turtles. The purpose here is observation, and conditions determine how much you see. The crew may work to find them, but wildlife does not follow a timetable. That uncertainty is part of the experience, though it can disappoint anyone expecting an aquarium-style encounter.

The brief stop also helps the day feel properly varied. You begin with speed, shift to snorkeling, pause for wildlife, then finish at the beach club. For families, that change of pace is useful. Younger children may enjoy the turtle watch even if they do not want to spend long in the water.

Rose Island’s Oasis Ocean 7 Beach Club

The longest stop is at Oasis Ocean 7, a private beach club on the far eastern side of Rose Island. The setting is the strongest part of the outing for many people. Expect pale sand, turquoise water, lounge chairs, hammocks, palms, sea grapes, Kamalame trees, and a quieter feel than a large public beach operation.

You get about two hours here for lunch, swimming, kayaking, floating, photos, and the pig encounter. The beach club is not open to the general public, and the staff are there to serve the tour group. That does not mean you have a private island to yourself, but it does limit the crowd and gives the stop a more relaxed rhythm.

The facilities include restrooms, lounge chairs, hammocks, floats, kayaks, fresh water showers, and the Da Nest observation deck. There is also a bird aviary. The observation deck is built around a bird nest theme and gives you a higher view over the water and foliage. It is one of the more unusual photo spots on the property.

The beach club is not completely effortless for everyone. One important practical detail is the climb from the boat toward the beach area, which can involve more than 50 steps. The activity is not suited to people with mobility impairments, and even fit visitors should wear secure shoes rather than loose flip-flops.

Feeding the pigs in shallow water

The pig encounter is the emotional centerpiece for many families. The animals come to the beach area, and staff guide you through feeding and photographing them. The pigs are accustomed to people, but the crew explains how to interact with them safely.

You may wade into shallow turquoise water for pictures, though the pigs do not necessarily stay out for the entire beach-club visit. On windy days, they may not swim at all. That is worth knowing before you promise children a long swim with pigs.

The staff help organize the encounter so everyone gets a chance to participate. Shervin has been praised for helping with photos and videos, while other crew members keep watch around the water. If you want good pictures, ask the crew for help rather than trying to manage food, a phone, children, and a pig at the same time.

The setting makes the moment more memorable than a quick animal photo stop. You have palms, beach, clear water, and the wider Rose Island view behind you. The pigs are fun, but the surrounding beach is what gives the encounter its sense of place.

Lunch, drinks, and time to slow down

Lunch is served at the beach club and includes grilled hot dogs, hamburgers, veggie burgers, chips, and granola bars. It is practical food for a day in the sun. Several people have found the burgers good and filling, while others describe lunch as merely adequate.

I would set your expectations correctly: this is a light cookout, not a restaurant meal. Eat breakfast before departure, as the tour specifically advises. That is especially wise if you are taking an early boat and plan to spend much of the morning in the water.

Bottled water and soft drinks are included. Alcoholic drinks are not part of the stated package, and the beach club may have a cash bar or separate drink service. Some accounts describe rum punch being available, but you should not assume alcoholic drinks are included in the $139 price. Bring cash for extras and tips.

The beach club gives you time to do nothing, which is important in a schedule filled with stops. Stretch out in a hammock, swim, use a kayak, take photos from Da Nest, or sit beneath the palms. Families can split up easily, with active people in the water and others relaxing near the chairs.

Is $139 a fair price?

At $139 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend four hours in Nassau. It is also more than a simple beach transfer or short snorkeling trip. The value comes from combining several paid-style activities into one outing: powerboat transport, snorkeling gear, a reef stop, turtle viewing, a private beach club, lunch, nonalcoholic drinks, kayaks, floats, hammocks, restrooms, and the pig encounter.

For a cruise passenger, the price becomes easier to justify because you can see several island highlights without arranging separate transport. You also avoid spending the day moving between vendors. The four-hour duration leaves room in your schedule for returning to the ship or continuing around Nassau.

The value is strongest if you want variety and a lively group atmosphere. It is weaker if you want gourmet food, long snorkeling time, a quiet luxury beach day, or a guaranteed close encounter with multiple turtles.

The trip is also a good fit for a family with older children and teenagers. Younger children can enjoy the pigs and beach, but the speedboat, stairs, sun, and water activity require close attention. The crew has helped older relatives board and move around the beach club, but the physical demands should still be taken seriously.

Timing, weather, and practical details

The standard meeting point is Margaritaville on Paradise Island. Customized pickup can be arranged from Señor Frogs beside Nassau Cruise Port for groups of eight or more. Ground transportation is not included, so you need to plan your own way to the meeting point unless a special pickup has been arranged.

Bring a towel, sunscreen, insect repellent, comfortable shoes, and a swimsuit. Large bags, coolers, oversize luggage, strollers, and electric wheelchairs are not allowed. Towels and sunscreen are not provided.

Weather can change the route or force a postponement. Wind affects the boat ride, snorkeling visibility, and pig encounter. The operator can also postpone a departure if too few people book, so keep that in mind if your Nassau schedule has no spare time.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. The live guiding is in English.

The activity is not suitable for pregnant people or anyone with serious mobility, back, heart, respiratory, epilepsy, visual, or other medical concerns. Motion sickness is also listed as a concern. A powerboat crossing and 45-minute snorkeling stop are not a good match for every body.

Should you book this Nassau excursion?

I would book this if you want a high-energy half-day that covers several popular Bahamas experiences without complicated planning. The combination of a fast boat, reef snorkeling, turtles, swimming pigs, a private beach club, and lunch gives you plenty for the money, especially during a cruise stop.

Book it with realistic expectations. The reef may be excellent or modest, turtle sightings vary, pigs may appear for only part of the beach visit, and lunch is basic. The boat and beach club can also be loud and sunny rather than calm and polished.

For families, first-time visitors, and anyone who values friendly crew service, this is a strong choice. If you mainly want a quiet beach, serious reef snorkeling, or a refined meal, choose something more focused. For everyone else, Oasis Ocean 7 offers an entertaining, well-packed taste of the islands in four hours.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

The standard meeting point is Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Bahamas on Paradise Island, not the Margaritaville hotel.

Can cruise passengers book this tour?

Yes. The four-hour schedule is designed to work for cruise passengers. Customized pickup from Señor Frogs beside Nassau Cruise Port can be arranged for groups of eight or more.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch includes grilled hot dogs, hamburgers, veggie burgers, chips, and granola bars. Bottled water and soft drinks are included. Alcoholic beverages are not included in the stated price.

Do I need to bring snorkeling equipment?

No. Snorkel gear is provided. You should bring a towel, sunscreen, insect repellent, and comfortable shoes.

Are the pigs available for the entire beach-club stop?

No guarantee is given that the pigs will remain outside for the full two hours. Windy conditions can also prevent them from swimming.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The activity may be changed or postponed because of inclement weather. Departures may also be postponed if booking numbers are too low.