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

The swimming pigs of Athol Island are the star here, and you get to feed, pet, and photograph them in shallow, clear water. I like that the tour combines this famous Nassau attraction with snorkeling and a proper beach stop, rather than making you choose between wildlife and water time.

I also like the fast boat ride and generous extras: snacks, soft drinks, rum punch, lunch, kayaks, paddleboards, beach games, and a free photo and video package. The main tradeoff is time. A short departure may feel packed, and the snorkeling stop can be brief. Food portions have also varied from light to generous, so you may want to eat beforehand if you have a big appetite.

Key points to know before booking

• Swimming pigs at Athol Island: Feed and pet the pigs in shallow water, with staff on hand to explain how to approach them safely.
• Private beach setup: Use lounge chairs, hammocks, floats, swings, kayaks, paddleboards, and beach games without paying extra.
• Speedboat sightseeing: Pass Nassau Cruise Port, Atlantis, Paradise Island, Versailles Gardens, Fort Montagu, Sun Cay, Rose Island, and Blue Lagoon Island.
• Snorkeling gear included: Visit a reef with tropical fish after the pig encounter, though water time depends on the day’s schedule.
• Good for cruise visitors: The meeting point is about an eight-minute walk from the cruise port, according to one detailed account, though map apps can point to the wrong place.
• Free photos and video: Staff take pictures during the experience and send them after the tour, a useful perk when your hands are busy with pigs and snorkeling.

Swimming with the pigs near Athol Island

The tour begins at Bahamas Jet Boat headquarters at Elizabeth on Bay Marketplace and Marina. It is in the beige plaza with brown trim at the corner of Bay Street and Elizabeth Avenue, near Parliament Square. If you are coming from the cruise port, head left after leaving the port area. One guest estimated the walk at about eight minutes, but allow extra time because Apple Maps has reportedly shown the wrong spot.

Once aboard, you cruise away from Nassau on a speedboat. The ride gives you more than simple transportation. The guides point out Nassau Harbor, Paradise Island, Atlantis, waterfront homes, Versailles Gardens and the French Cloister, Fort Montagu, Sun Cay, Rose Island, and Blue Lagoon Island. These views make the ride feel like a short harbor tour as well as a transfer to the beach.

The boat is a good fit if you do not want a long, slow trip at sea. One useful detail from the experience is that the speedboat reaches the pig beach fairly quickly, and the ride can feel smoother than expected despite the speed. Still, conditions depend on the weather, and this is not a quiet ferry ride. If you are sensitive to motion, sit where the crew suggests and listen to the safety briefing.

At the pig stop, staff explain how to feed the animals. Small cups of food are included, and you can pet the pigs and take pictures in the shallow water. The animals are the clear highlight for many people, especially children, but you should remember that these are large, lively pigs. Follow the staff’s instructions, keep food under control, and expect the ground around the animals to be muddy or untidy at times.

Staff keep an eye on the area and clean up after the pigs. One useful practical point is that the guides explain how to avoid being stepped on. The encounter is fun, but it is not a polished animal show. The pigs wander, splash, and behave like pigs, which is part of the charm.

Pig beach can get crowded when larger boats arrive. The boat’s earlier arrival may give you a quieter first visit, but timing changes from day to day. If getting clear photos matters to you, move promptly when the staff opens the feeding area and use the included photo service as a backup.

A private beach with more than a chair and a view

After the pig encounter, you have time on the private beach. This is where the tour earns much of its value. The beach has golden sand, clear turquoise water, lounge chairs, hammocks, swings, and floats, so you can slow down instead of rushing from one paid activity to another.

You can also choose from a long list of included activities:

• Kayaks and paddleboards
• Individual and group floats
• Volleyball
• Cornhole
• Frisbee
• Tug of war
• Giant Connect Four
• Hatchet toss
• Water toys and a water slide
• Swings and hammocks

That mix makes the stop work for different groups. You can sit under the sun with a rum punch while teenagers play volleyball, or paddle along the shoreline while younger children use the floats. One family particularly liked the beach activities with a 13-year-old, which makes sense: the stop is not limited to swimming and sunbathing.

Jet skis are available, but they cost extra. The tour price does not cover them, so ask about the current rate before committing. This is one of the few obvious add-on costs in an otherwise full package.

The beach atmosphere depends on the group and the music. The crew is known for keeping energy high with jokes, music, and games, but you can also find quieter corners with a hammock or chair. This is not the best pick if you want a silent, secluded beach day. It is better for people who like a social outing with plenty happening around them.

Snorkeling at the reef

After time with the pigs and on the beach, the boat heads to a reef area. Snorkeling equipment is included, and you can see tropical fish and other marine life in clear water. The stop gives the tour a useful second water activity, so you are not paying $140 only for a short pig encounter.

The snorkeling has received mixed descriptions, which is worth taking seriously. Some departures have found many fish and excellent visibility, while one account called the stop only average. Conditions, the exact reef location, weather, and water clarity can all change the experience. I would book this tour for the pigs first and treat the snorkeling as a welcome bonus, not as a dedicated reef expedition.

Water time may be around 25 minutes on some departures. That is enough for a look around, especially if you are new to snorkeling, but serious snorkelers may want a longer specialist trip. Gear is supplied, and staff provide a safety briefing. You can also use kayaks or paddleboards during the beach portion, giving you more ways to enjoy the water if snorkeling is not your thing.

Lunch, drinks, and the real value of the $140 price

At $140 per person, this is not a bargain beach transfer. It becomes better value when you count what is included: the boat ride, guides, port pickup, pig feeding, beach access, snorkeling equipment, lunch, snacks, soft drinks, unlimited rum punch, kayaks, paddleboards, floats, games, and the photo and video package.

Lunch includes American favorites, Bahamian dishes, and vegan choices. Descriptions of portion size have varied. Some people found the meal generous, while another said the serving felt more like a snack. If you tend to eat a large lunch, have something before departure. Snacks and drinks help fill the gaps, but do not assume the plated meal will satisfy everyone equally.

The free photos add real value. Staff take pictures during the pig encounter, beach time, and water activities, then send them for download after the tour. You can enjoy the moment without keeping your phone above the water, and you avoid paying the usual resort-style photo fee.

Unlimited rum punch is included, along with soft drinks and snacks. Drink responsibly, especially in the sun and on a moving boat. The crew’s friendly service is a major part of the outing, with several guides praised by name, including Sterling, Captain Johnny, Kenny, and Teisha. Names and crew assignments can change, but the guiding style is clearly lively and hands-on.

How long the tour really takes

The stated duration ranges from 150 minutes to four hours. That is a wide range, so check the departure you select rather than assuming you are booking a full day. A shorter version can work very well from a cruise ship, especially if you want to return with time to spare.

The shorter format is also the main limitation. The itinerary includes sightseeing from the boat, the pigs, beach time, lunch, games, and snorkeling. You get a lot, but you may not get long at every stop. One person who chose the tour specifically to avoid spending too much time on a boat liked the quick ride to the pigs. Another person wished the fun had lasted five hours.

If your ship is in Nassau for only part of the day, this tour is especially practical. It starts close to the port and packs several popular activities into one booking. Still, leave a generous buffer before your ship’s departure. Boat tours can be affected by weather, loading delays, and late arrivals. One departure reportedly waited for cruise passengers who arrived after the planned start, so arriving early is sensible.

Who will enjoy this Nassau tour most

I would choose this excursion for families, couples who want an active beach day, solo visitors who like social tours, and cruise passengers looking for a short but full outing. The mix of animals, swimming, games, lunch, and sightseeing gives different ages something to do.

It also works well for mixed groups. One person can snorkel while another rests in a hammock, and children can use floats or play games instead of sitting through a long historical tour. Solo visitors are not left entirely on their own because the crew keeps the group involved and takes photos.

I would be more cautious if you want a quiet, nature-focused trip or serious snorkeling. The speedboat is lively, the beach can have a party feel, and the reef stop is not guaranteed to be exceptional. You should also be comfortable around animals in the water and willing to follow staff instructions.

Meeting point, weather, and cancellation details

The meeting point is Bahamas Jet Boat headquarters at Elizabeth on Bay Marketplace and Marina, at Bay Street and Elizabeth Avenue. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, but cruise port pickup is listed as included.

The tour is offered in English with a live guide. Weather can affect the experience, especially the boat ride and snorkeling. One departure with uncertain weather still ran with safety as the priority, but you should expect the operator to adjust activities if conditions require it.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. Check the available start times carefully because the 150-minute to four-hour range can change how well the tour fits your day.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want the famous Nassau pig encounter but also need a full beach day, snorkeling, lunch, drinks, and plenty of included activities. The free photos, quick boat ride, friendly crew, and cruise-port location make the $140 easier to justify.

Skip it if you want a long reef session, a quiet beach with little activity, or a predictable meal size. For most families and cruise visitors, though, it is a strong all-in-one choice. Go for the pigs, enjoy the beach, and regard the snorkeling as a worthwhile extra rather than the main event.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

Meet at Bahamas Jet Boat headquarters at Elizabeth on Bay Marketplace and Marina, at the corner of Bay Street and Elizabeth Avenue. The location is in a beige plaza with brown trim, near Parliament Square.

Is cruise port pickup included?

Cruise port pickup is listed as included. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

How long does the tour last?

The duration ranges from 150 minutes to four hours. Check the available departure time for the specific version you want.

Are the swimming pigs at Athol Island?

Yes. The tour visits the swimming pigs near Athol Island, where you can feed and pet them in shallow water.

Is food included?

Yes. Lunch, snacks, soft drinks, and unlimited rum punch are included. Lunch has American, Bahamian, and vegan options.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and the tour visits a reef area with tropical fish and marine life.

Are kayaks and paddleboards included?

Yes. Kayaks and paddleboards are included during the private beach portion.

Do beach games cost extra?

No. Included activities include volleyball, cornhole, frisbee, tug of war, giant Connect Four, hatchet toss, and other beach games.

Are jet skis included?

No. Jet skis are available to rent for an additional price.

Are photos included?

Yes. A free photo and video package is included, with images sent after the experience.

What language is the tour offered in?

The live tour guide and tour information are provided in English.

Can I cancel the booking?

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