Nassau: Swimming Pigs And Snorkel With Turtles

The pigs are the headline, but the best part of this Nassau excursion may be the combination: calm-water snorkeling with sea turtles at Green Cay, followed by feeding pigs at Rose Island. You get two very different Bahamian experiences in one half-day, without spending all day on a boat.

I like the easy pace and the family appeal. The turtle stop uses shallow water, life jackets, and included snorkel equipment, while the Rose Island stop adds kayaks, paddleboards, beach time, and the famous pigs. I also like that snacks, soft drinks, water, and alcoholic drinks are available during the ride.

The main thing to consider is space. The boat can carry up to 26 people, and it may feel packed when full. Cruise passengers should also pay close attention to the pickup time, since two poorly timed bookings led to missed departures.

Quick takeaways

• Green Cay comes first: Spend about 1 hour and 15 minutes snorkeling in clear, shallow water with sea turtles, reef fish, and possible stingrays.
• Rose Island is more than a pig stop: Feed and pet swimming pigs, then use kayaks or paddleboards and relax on the beach.
• The price includes useful extras: Snorkel gear, bottled water, snacks, juices, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks on the boat are included in the $140 price.
• Small-group wording needs context: The maximum is 26 people, which feels manageable for a boat outing but not truly private.
• The tour suits families: Children and beginners can take part, and guides are described as friendly, funny, and attentive.
• Cruise timing matters: Pickup is available from two locations, including spots near the cruise port, but you need enough time between docking and departure.

Two Bahamian stops in three hours

This is a brisk half-day outing, not a full island day. The boat takes you from New Providence Island to Green Cay and Rose Island, with about 1 hour and 15 minutes planned at each main stop.

That timing works well if you are in Nassau for a short stay or want to leave room for another activity. You get time in the water and on the beach, but you are not paying for a long cruise with hours of open-water travel between stops.

The boat ride itself is part of the fun. Music is played onboard, drinks and snacks are available, and the crew keeps the mood light. Several crew members have been singled out for their humor and courtesy, including CJ and a captain identified as Captain H, along with O and M.

The atmosphere sounds lively rather than quiet. If you want a peaceful sailing trip with little noise, this may not be your best fit. If you like music, conversation, and a social boat ride, the tone should suit you.

Green Cay: calm water and sea turtles

Green Cay is the first major stop and the more nature-focused part of the tour. The water is described as clear and shallow, making this a sensible place for beginners, children, and anyone who feels unsure about snorkeling.

You receive snorkeling equipment and a life jacket, followed by a short safety briefing. The crew helps locate the turtles before you enter the water, which matters because sea turtles do not appear on command. In some cases, the boat may pause or return to the area to look again. That patience has paid off, with turtles spotted on a second pass.

The main attraction is watching green sea turtles move along the ocean floor near the reefs. You may also see reef fish, coral, and an occasional stingray. The water is generally calm enough for a relaxed look below the surface, though conditions and wildlife sightings can change from one outing to the next.

I would keep your expectations sensible. This is an easy wildlife encounter, not a serious reef expedition. One particularly useful observation is that the turtle watching can be more memorable than the actual snorkeling. You might see turtles from the side of the boat before entering the water, while the reef itself may feel modest.

Give the turtles room. Do not touch, chase, or crowd them. Move slowly, listen to the crew, and bring a waterproof camera if you have one. You will get better pictures by waiting quietly than by swimming after an animal that wants to move away.

The 1-hour-and-15-minute stop gives you enough time to get fitted out, enter the water, and enjoy the area without turning the day into a tiring endurance test. If you have never snorkeled before, this is one of the strongest reasons to choose this excursion.

Rose Island and the famous swimming pigs

Rose Island is the playful half of the day. After the boat reaches the island, the guide brings out treats so you can feed and pet the pigs as they swim toward you. Depending on the animals present, you might even hold a baby piglet.

This is a very hands-on stop, but you should still follow the guide’s instructions. Pigs are friendly, yet they are there to eat, and a group of excited animals can be unpredictable. Keep food under control, avoid sudden movements, and wash your hands after contact if facilities allow.

The pig encounter usually becomes the photo highlight. Bring a waterproof camera or a phone case that can handle salt water. You will want both close views of the pigs and wider pictures of the bright water around Rose Island.

The island stop is not limited to the animals. Kayaks and paddleboards are available, giving you a chance to do something active after snorkeling. You can also sit on the sand, enjoy the Caribbean views, or play beach volleyball.

There is a stocked beach bar, but drinks and food purchased there are not included. The boat provides water, snacks, juices, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks, while lunch is your responsibility. You can bring lunch or buy it at the Rose Island beach bar.

That distinction is important. At $140 per person, the tour includes more than transportation and an animal encounter, but you still need to budget for lunch if you do not bring it. If you want the simplest plan, pack something suitable for a beach stop and use the included boat refreshments as snacks rather than a meal.

What $140 buys you

The price is fair if you want several activities bundled into one outing. You are paying for a boat trip, two stops, snorkel equipment, life jackets, crew assistance, snacks, drinks, and access to kayaks and paddleboards at Rose Island.

The value improves for families. Buying separate transportation, snorkeling equipment, a pig excursion, drinks, and beach activities could easily become more complicated and expensive. Here, the day has one meeting arrangement and one crew handling the schedule.

Still, this is not a luxury private charter. The maximum group size is 26, and some outings have felt crowded when close to capacity. The boat is described as safe and roomy by some people, but even a roomy boat feels less spacious when every seat is taken.

Think of it as a social small-group tour, not a private experience. You get more personal attention than on a large sightseeing boat, but you should not expect an empty deck or one-on-one guiding.

The included alcoholic drinks add value for adults, while juices and soft drinks make the package more useful for families. Available choices include apple, orange, cranberry, and pineapple juice. Bottled water and snacks are also provided onboard.

The crew and onboard mood

The crew is one of the strongest parts of the experience. The captain and guides are described as friendly, funny, professional, and helpful with children. Captains and crew members have also made an effort to keep people comfortable during rain.

Music plays during the ride, and rum punch is one of the drinks available. This is not a silent nature cruise. The mood leans toward a cheerful boat party with family appeal, though the wildlife stops remain the reason to book.

A good guide matters at Green Cay. Finding turtles requires timing and patience, and the crew helps guests know when to enter the water. At Rose Island, the guide also manages the pig feeding, which keeps the interaction moving and helps prevent people from crowding the animals.

The crew has also made return passes to Green Cay when the first attempt did not produce a good turtle sighting. That is a useful sign of effort, but it should not be treated as a promise. Wildlife remains wild, and no tour can guarantee turtles or a particular number of pigs.

Cruise passengers need a careful timing plan

Pickup is offered from two locations, and the tour operates near the cruise port. That makes it attractive for a port day, but cruise timing is the area where you need the most caution.

Two recorded complaints involved people arriving too late for the departure because the booking advice did not match the ship’s arrival time. One group expected an 11 a.m. pickup after docking at 9:45 a.m. Another ship arrived at 1 p.m. for a 1:30 p.m. tour, leaving almost no practical margin.

Do not plan this around the scheduled docking time alone. Allow for disembarking, walking, finding the meeting point, and any delay getting off the ship. Check the exact meeting time and pickup instructions before departure.

The operator states that the tour is near cruise-port pickup and aims to get you back in time for your voyage. That is helpful, but the final responsibility for choosing a safe departure time is yours. If your ship arrives late in the day, choose a tour with a generous buffer or skip the risk.

Who should book this outing

I would recommend it to families, first-time snorkelers, couples who want an easy wildlife day, and anyone with swimming pigs on a Bahamas wish list. The calm Green Cay setting and supplied equipment make it approachable for people who are not confident in the water.

It also works well for a short Nassau visit. Three hours gives you a clear taste of the sea without consuming the entire day. The combination of turtles, pigs, beach time, and onboard refreshments feels varied enough that children are less likely to become bored.

You may want another kind of excursion if you want serious snorkeling, a quiet sailing atmosphere, a private boat, or a long beach stay. The snorkeling is pleasant but not the main reason to choose this tour. The group can also feel crowded at capacity, and Rose Island lunch costs extra.

People with limited mobility should ask the operator for current details before booking. The supplied information says most people can participate, but it does not provide specific details about boarding, transfers into the water, or beach access.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants can lead to a new date, another experience, or a full refund. Last-minute changes less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted.

Should you book the Nassau swimming pigs tour?

Book it if you want an efficient, family-friendly half-day with two memorable stops. The pigs are the emotional payoff, while Green Cay adds real wildlife interest and keeps the outing from feeling like a single-photo stop.

At $140, the package makes sense when you use the included snorkeling gear, drinks, snacks, and Rose Island equipment. Just remember that lunch at the beach bar costs extra, the boat can carry up to 26 people, and cruise passengers need a safe time cushion.

For most visitors, this is a good choice for fun rather than serious marine exploration. Pack sun protection, a waterproof camera, patience for the turtles, and enough time to reach the pickup point. If you do that, the day offers a lot in three hours.

FAQ

How long is the Nassau swimming pigs and turtle snorkeling tour?

The tour lasts approximately three hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $140 per person.

Where does the tour take place?

The experience operates around New Providence Island in the Bahamas, with stops at Green Cay and Rose Island.

Can I choose a morning or afternoon departure?

Yes. Morning and afternoon tour times are available.

Are snorkel equipment and life jackets included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are included, along with a brief safety briefing.

What can I see at Green Cay?

You may see green sea turtles, reef fish, coral, and occasional stingrays in clear, shallow water.

Are kayaks and paddleboards included?

Kayaks and paddleboards are available for use on Rose Island.

Is lunch included?

No. You can bring lunch or buy it at the Rose Island beach bar.

Are drinks and snacks included?

Yes. Bottled water, snacks, soft drinks, juices, and alcoholic drinks are available on the boat. Drinks purchased at the Rose Island beach bar are not included.

Can cruise passengers book this tour?

Yes. Pickup is available from locations near the cruise port, but you should allow plenty of time between your ship’s arrival and the tour meeting time.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted. Poor weather or an insufficient number of participants may result in a new date or a full refund.