REVIEW · PRIVATE SNORKELING CHARTERS

Nassau Swimming Pigs: Snorkeling, Lunch & Private Beach Club

★ 4.5 · 783 reviews From $140 Operated by Bahamas Jet Boat Ltd. · Bookable on Viator
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The main event is exactly what you came for: feeding and swimming with real pigs on a private beach near Atholl Island. You can pose with the pigs, offer them feed, and, when conditions allow, hold a baby pig. The boat ride adds views of Paradise Island, Atlantis, Fort Montagu, and Ocean Club before the beach time begins.

I like the private beach setting, which feels calmer than a crowded Nassau shore, and the fact that lunch, drinks, water toys, snorkeling gear, and a photo package are included. The main thing to watch is time. Some departures allow a generous island stay, while others can feel rushed, especially when rough water affects the schedule.

Key things to know before you book

Nassau Swimming Pigs: Snorkeling, Lunch & Private Beach Club - Key things to know before you book

  • Pig time is the centerpiece: Feed the pigs, pose for photos, and possibly hold a baby pig under crew supervision.
  • The $140 price covers a lot: Lunch, unlimited rum punch, snacks, soft drinks, beach chairs, games, water toys, snorkeling equipment, photos, and video are included.
  • The boat ride is part of the sightseeing: You pass Fort Montagu, Paradise Island, Atlantis Marina, Ocean Club, Rose Island, Sun Cay, and Blue Lagoon Island.
  • Snorkeling may be brief: Some departures spend only 10 to 15 minutes in the water, though the fish and clear water can make that short stop worthwhile.
  • There is no bathroom on the island: The only facility is on the boat, so plan ahead before leaving Nassau.
  • The meeting point is Elizabeth on Bay: It is easy to reach from some cruise-area locations, but you may need a taxi from resorts farther west.

Nassau’s swimming pigs, without the crowded beach scene

This outing pairs a popular Bahamas animal encounter with a private beach day. That combination matters. Instead of going straight to a busy public beach, you ride out from Nassau, pass some of the city’s best-known sights, and spend your main stop at a private beach where chairs, games, and water equipment are waiting.

The pigs are friendly and accustomed to visitors. You receive feed, and the crew explains how to interact with them. You can expect plenty of photo opportunities, including close poses in the shallow water and pictures with the baby pig when available.

I like that the pig encounter is not the whole program. Afterward, you can sit in a hammock, use a swing, play volleyball or cornhole, or head into the water with a kayak, paddleboard, float, or other inflatable. A water trampoline is also included. If you want a jet ski, that costs extra.

The setting is attractive from several angles. Rose Island is visible in the distance, while Sun Cay and Blue Lagoon Island provide a tropical backdrop across the water. The beach is not simply a holding area for the animals. It functions as a small activity base where you can choose how active you want to be.

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Meeting at Elizabeth on Bay

Nassau Swimming Pigs: Snorkeling, Lunch & Private Beach Club - Meeting at Elizabeth on Bay

The tour begins at Elizabeth on Bay on Bay Street, at the listed location near 3MH6+6QX. The activity ends back there, so you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer from the beach.

Give yourself extra time to find the office. The meeting point is walkable from parts of the cruise area, and one family made the trip in about 10 minutes. From Margaritaville Resort, it can be closer to a 20-minute walk and requires going through town beyond the Straw Market. A short taxi ride may be easier if you are carrying beach gear, traveling with children, or arriving from a resort.

The meeting point can be less obvious than you expect. Typing Bahamas Jetboat into Google Maps or Apple Maps is useful, and a clearly marked sign at the port would make things easier. This is a small detail, but missing the boat is a poor way to begin a beach day.

The boat carries up to 60 people. That is not an intimate private charter, but the group size is manageable for a structured beach outing. The crew handles check-in, the boat ride, the pig interaction, the meal, and the included photos, so you can focus on the day rather than organizing each piece yourself.

The harbor ride past Nassau’s best-known sights

Nassau Swimming Pigs: Snorkeling, Lunch & Private Beach Club - The harbor ride past Nassau’s best-known sights

The ride begins in Nassau Harbour. As you pass Paradise Island, you get views of Atlantis, with its pink towers, water slides, and marine areas. You also pass Atlantis Marina, where the crew provides facts about the resort and the island.

Fort Montagu appears along the route. It is the oldest surviving fort in Nassau and sits above the water, giving the boat ride a useful touch of local context. The tour is not a dedicated Nassau history cruise, but these brief views help place the beach trip within the city’s setting.

You also glide past Ocean Club, known for its polished buildings and broad beach. The views are one reason to sit where you can see out rather than immediately settle into a shaded seat. The boat trip is relatively short, but it gives you a pleasant introduction to the waters around Nassau.

The exact duration varies from about two and a half to four hours. That wide range is worth noting. Weather, water conditions, boat operations, and the chosen schedule can affect how long you spend at the beach and how much time goes to snorkeling or other activities.

Meeting the pigs at the private beach

Nassau Swimming Pigs: Snorkeling, Lunch & Private Beach Club - Meeting the pigs at the private beach

The beach stop at Atholl Island is scheduled for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, though the total beach time can vary. Once you arrive, the crew organizes the pig interaction and supplies the feed.

The pigs are the star attraction, but the experience is more orderly than simply wandering among animals. Crew members explain how to approach and feed them, and they stay close during the interaction. The pigs are described as healthy, friendly, and vaccinated by the crew. As with any animal encounter, expect some mess. Pigs do what pigs do, but staff work quickly to clean the area.

You can take your own pictures, but the included photographer is a major plus. The crew takes photos and video throughout the encounter, then sends the package after the tour. You do not have to hand over money for a basic photo package, though a tip for the photographer would be a kind gesture if you are pleased with the work.

Holding the baby pig is a favorite moment for many people, especially children. It is not something I would promise for every departure, since animal availability and conditions can change, but it has been part of the experience described by the operator and visitors. Follow the crew’s instructions and let the pigs set the pace.

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Lunch, rum punch, and the practical value of the package

Nassau Swimming Pigs: Snorkeling, Lunch & Private Beach Club - Lunch, rum punch, and the practical value of the package

Lunch is plated and includes American, Bahamian, or vegetarian choices. Specific meals described include burgers, fish sandwiches, chicken fingers, wings, salads, fries, and hot dogs. The exact menu may vary, but you should have enough choice for a family group with different tastes.

Snacks, soda, and unlimited rum punch are included. That changes the value of the $140 price. You are not paying only for a boat ride and a brief animal encounter. You are also covering a beach chair, food, drinks, equipment, games, photos, and the return ride.

I would still compare this cost with your alternative plans. If you only want to see pigs for a few minutes, the price may feel high. If you want a full half-day with lunch, drinks, water equipment, and a photo package, it becomes easier to justify. A separate beach day could involve taxis, chairs, food, rentals, and paid photographs, which can quickly add up.

The rum punch is available throughout the beach portion, but use good judgment if you plan to snorkel, paddle, or swim. Nonalcoholic drinks are included, too.

Water toys, games, and snorkeling

Nassau Swimming Pigs: Snorkeling, Lunch & Private Beach Club - Water toys, games, and snorkeling

Once the pig feeding is finished, you choose how to spend the remaining beach time. Included activities include:

  • Kayaks and paddleboards
  • Floaties and inflatables
  • Snorkeling equipment
  • A water trampoline
  • Volleyball
  • Cornhole
  • Frisbees
  • Tug-of-war
  • Giant Connect Four
  • Hammocks and swings
  • Hatchet toss

This is particularly useful for families and mixed groups. One person can relax in a chair while another plays volleyball, and children can use the water toys when conditions are calm. The beach has enough variety that you are not forced to spend the entire stop waiting for the next organized activity.

Snorkeling is part of the package, but do not book this primarily as a snorkeling tour. The stop can be short, sometimes only 10 to 15 minutes, and rough water may reduce the time or make the activity uncomfortable. When conditions cooperate, you can see small colorful fish in clear water, and several people considered the reef stop a strong addition to the day.

The schedule can feel compressed if the sea is rough. A departure may need to move quickly between the pigs, lunch, beach activities, and snorkeling. The operator has introduced an extended version at no additional cost for people who prefer more time on the island before optional activities. Ask which version is running when you book or check in.

What can affect your day

Nassau Swimming Pigs: Snorkeling, Lunch & Private Beach Club - What can affect your day

Weather is the biggest variable. Wind and rough water can make the ride less comfortable, prevent some water toys from operating, shorten the snorkeling stop, or change the order of activities. The company can cancel for poor weather and offers another date or a full refund in that case.

Mechanical delays are another possibility. One departure experienced a significant delay after the boat developed a problem before boarding. The crew worked to help, but the delay created stress for people with a cruise departure to catch.

For that reason, I would not schedule this outing too close to your ship’s all-aboard time. The meeting point may be near the cruise area, but the tour itself depends on boats, sea conditions, and a return trip. Give yourself a generous buffer.

The lack of an island bathroom is the other clear practical drawback. The boat has the only facility, so use it before leaving Nassau and before the beach stop. Bring a towel, since one is not listed among the included items.

Who will enjoy this Nassau excursion most

Nassau Swimming Pigs: Snorkeling, Lunch & Private Beach Club - Who will enjoy this Nassau excursion most

This outing fits families, couples, groups of friends, and solo visitors who want several activities bundled together. Children who are focused on pigs will get the headline moment, while adults can appreciate the lunch, rum punch, beach chairs, and scenic boat ride.

It also works well for a birthday or special day. The staff are described as friendly, funny, attentive, and helpful, and the included photos give you something more lasting than phone snapshots.

You should think twice if your priority is a long, quiet beach stay. The schedule may give you less time on the sand than you want, particularly when the water is rough or the snorkeling stop takes priority. Likewise, serious snorkelers may find the reef stop too brief.

The group limit of 60 means this is a shared outing, not a private island escape. Still, the private beach helps keep the setting more controlled than a major public beach, and the activity list gives you room to spread out.

Cancellation and booking details

You receive confirmation at booking, and the tour is available with a mobile ticket. Most people can participate, and the meeting point is near public transportation.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Cancellations or changes inside 24 hours are not refunded. The operator may also cancel if the minimum number of participants is not reached, in which case you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.

Should you book this pig beach tour?

I would book it if you want a well-rounded Nassau boat day rather than a single-purpose pig encounter. The strongest value comes from the combination of pigs, lunch, drinks, water toys, beach games, snorkeling gear, and the photo package. The staff presence and included photos make the day easier for families, and the private setting is a real advantage.

I would be cautious if you have a tight cruise schedule, dislike boat delays, need a restroom close by, or want a long snorkeling session. If you book, arrive early, bring a towel, use the boat bathroom before landing, and leave a wide margin before your ship departs.

For most people, the $140 cost is fair because so many extras are included. Just set the right expectation: this is a lively, organized beach outing with pigs and optional water activities, not a quiet full-day island retreat or a serious snorkeling expedition.

FAQ

How much does the Nassau swimming pigs tour cost?

The tour costs $140 per person.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately two and a half to four hours. The schedule can vary with weather, sea conditions, and the activities included that day.

Where does the tour meet?

You meet at Elizabeth on Bay on Bay Street in Nassau, at the location listed near 3MH6+6QX. The activity returns to the same meeting point.

What is included in the price?

The price includes unlimited rum punch, soda, snacks, lunch, beach chairs, games, hammocks, swings, snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, kayaks, volleyball, floaties, inflatables, a water trampoline, and a complimentary photo and video package.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is plated, with American, Bahamian, and vegetarian options available. Examples include burgers, fish sandwiches, chicken fingers, wings, salads, fries, and hot dogs.

Can I take photos with the pigs?

Yes. You can take your own photos, and a complimentary photo and video package is included. The crew photographs the pig interaction and sends the images after the tour.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included. The snorkeling portion can be brief, sometimes around 10 to 15 minutes, and rough water may affect the activity.

Is there a bathroom at the private beach?

No. The only bathroom facility is on the boat, so plan to use it before reaching the beach.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If the company cancels because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

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