Swim with the Pigs Safari in Bahamas (2hrs)

The oddest and most memorable part of this Nassau boat trip is also the simplest: you step into shallow water and feed swimming pigs as they paddle around you. I like that the tour packs Atlantis views, pigs, and snorkeling into two hours, and I like that the crew handles the gear and often takes photos. It is a smart fit for a cruise stop or anyone with a tight schedule.

The tradeoff is that two hours moves quickly. Pearl Island gets about an hour, while the Atlantis cruise and pig visit each take about 30 minutes, so you will not have much spare time if the boat runs late or sea conditions slow things down.

Key points

• Three very different stops in two hours: Cruise past Atlantis, visit swimming pigs at Atholl Island, and snorkel at Pearl Island.
• Good for short port calls: Morning and afternoon departures make this easier to fit around a limited Nassau schedule.
• Snorkel gear is supplied: Guides help you put on the equipment and get in and out of the boat.
• Small-group feel is possible: The boat holds no more than 20 people, and some departures have operated with only one or two families.
• Crew service gets strong praise: Captains Tiggy, Lee, Meko, TC, Reggie, and TJ are noted for clear instructions, island information, photos, and friendly care.
• Bring your own basics: Pack sunglasses and a towel, and confirm the meeting point at Colours of The Bahamas before setting out.

Three Bahamian highlights packed into two hours

This is not a slow, all-day island outing. It is a brisk speedboat sampler designed to give you three distinct moments without using up your entire day.

You begin at Colours of The Bahamas in Nassau, then head out by boat. The route combines sightseeing near Paradise Island, time with the pigs, and a coral reef stop. That variety is the main reason the $175 price can make sense. You are not paying for one short photo stop. You are getting transport between several locations, snorkel equipment, water, snacks, and alcoholic beverages.

I would think of the trip as a compact introduction to the water around New Providence Island. You will see a famous resort landmark, spend time on a sandy island with animals, and finish in the sea with a mask and snorkel. None of the individual stops is long, but each feels different.

The maximum group size is 20 people. That still allows for a shared excursion, but the actual feel may be much smaller. Some departures have had only two families or even one family aboard. That depends on the booking date, so I would not reserve this expecting a private charter unless the operator confirms it.

Cruising through Atlantis from the water

The first stop is Atlantis Bahamas, where the boat cruises through tunnels near the resort’s lost city features and saltwater falls. These passages are reachable by boat, which gives you a view that is not available from a normal walk around Paradise Island.

This part is mainly for sightseeing and pictures. You are not getting a full Atlantis resort visit, aquarium tour, or land admission. You remain on the boat, so keep your camera ready as you pass through the water features and look toward the resort buildings and nearby mansions.

The 30-minute timing works well for a quick look. It gives you a change from open-water cruising and adds some local sightseeing before the animal stop. If you hoped to explore Atlantis itself, though, this tour will not replace a separate resort visit.

The boat ride also helps you see how Nassau and Paradise Island connect from the water. The route is more than a simple ferry transfer, with the crew pointing out island sights and sharing information along the way. Captains Tiggy, Lee, Meko, TC, Reggie, and TJ have all been associated with recent trips, although the exact crew can vary.

Meeting the swimming pigs at Atholl Island

The pig visit is the centerpiece for most people. At Atholl Island, identified in the tour description as the famous swimming pig stop, you can enter the water, feed the pigs, and take pictures while they paddle around you.

The crew gives instructions on how to interact with and feed the animals. That matters because pigs are friendly but not delicate little photo props. Listen carefully, keep food under control, and follow the guide’s directions when you are in the water with them.

You can also choose not to get in. Beach chairs and swings are available, so you can relax, sunbathe, or watch the action from shore. That makes the stop more workable for families and for anyone who wants the pictures without standing in the water.

The visit lasts about 30 minutes. That is enough time for the main encounter, but it is not a long beach break. You may need to decide quickly between feeding the pigs, taking photos, sitting on the beach, and using the swings. If the animals are the chief reason you booked, make that your first priority.

The pig stop is also where the tour feels most personal. Guides have helped with feeding, taken photographs, and made sure families had what they needed. Some departures have included children, and the crew has been praised for keeping the mood easy and making the short visit feel full.

One hour at Pearl Island’s coral reef

The final stop is Pearl Island, where the boat pauses near a coral reef for swimming and snorkeling. This is the longest stop, at about one hour, and it gives the trip a welcome change of pace after the quick Atlantis and pig visits.

You do not need to rent a mask, snorkel, or related equipment separately. The guides supply the snorkeling gear and assist you on and off the vessel. That help is useful if you are not comfortable climbing from a boat into the water, though the supplied information does not specify the exact boat design or entry style.

This is your chance to look for underwater marine life and coral. The tour is not presented as a specialist reef expedition, and you should not expect a long instructional snorkeling session. Instead, it is a convenient reef stop that adds real time in the water to a sightseeing trip.

I like the balance here. The pigs provide the playful photo moment, while the reef gives you a quieter chance to swim and look below the surface. If you are deciding how to use your hour, take a few minutes to settle into the mask before swimming farther from the boat. You will get more from the stop if you are not spending most of it adjusting equipment.

What the crew adds to the trip

The crew is an important part of this experience because the schedule is tight. You need clear directions at the pig stop, practical help with snorkeling equipment, and a captain who keeps the route moving without making the trip feel rushed.

Captains Tiggy and Lee have been praised for keeping the mood fun and sharing island information. TJ and Tiggy have also led trips that included the Atlantis cruise, nearby mansions, Atholl Island, and the swimming pigs. Captains Meko and TC have been singled out for taking photos and looking after a small group carefully. Reggie has also been praised for friendly service and local information.

Those names do not guarantee who will be aboard on your date. Still, they give you a sense of the service style to expect: direct instructions, a social approach, and active help rather than a silent boat transfer.

Photos are worth clarifying before you leave the boat. The crew has taken many pictures for guests, and one party initially thought its photos were missing. The operator later explained that photos could be requested through the listed WhatsApp number or social media pages. If getting photos is important to you, ask how to receive them before the tour ends.

Is $175 a fair price?

At $175 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the Nassau area. The value depends on how much you want to fit into a short window.

The price includes the boat trip, the Atlantis cruise, the pig stop, the Pearl Island reef visit, snorkeling equipment, bottled water, snacks, and alcoholic beverages. You are also paying for the convenience of moving between several sites without arranging separate transfers or rentals.

For a two-hour activity, the cost is easier to justify if you are on a cruise ship or have only a morning or afternoon free. A separate pig excursion plus a separate snorkeling outing would take more planning and likely more time. Here, the boat does the connecting work.

The value is weaker if you want a slow beach day. Thirty minutes with the pigs is brief, and the route is built around seeing several places rather than lingering at one. You also should not compare it with a full-day private charter. This is a compact shared excursion, even though some departures feel nearly private because of light bookings.

Morning and afternoon choices help with scheduling. I would choose the departure that leaves a comfortable buffer before any cruise departure, hotel transfer, or other fixed plan. The tour ends back at the same meeting point, so you need to arrange your own way there and back.

Who will enjoy this boat tour most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want variety and do not have a full day. It suits cruise ship passengers, families, couples, and first-time Nassau visitors who want a quick taste of the islands beyond the city.

It is especially good for people who care about photos. Atlantis gives you an unusual boat-level view, the pigs create an obvious picture moment, and the crew may take photos during the trip. Just remember that photo delivery should be confirmed with the crew.

Families can choose how active each person wants to be. One person can feed the pigs, another can use a beach chair, and everyone can meet again for the reef stop. The supplied information says most people can participate, but it does not give detailed mobility guidance, so ask the operator directly if anyone in your group has specific access needs.

I would be more cautious about booking this if you want a long snorkeling session, a quiet private boat, or a full day on the beach. The itinerary is efficient by design. You will be changing activities often, and the boat must keep to its schedule.

What to bring and what to expect

Bring sunglasses and a towel. Sunglasses will help during the open-water ride and the Atlantis sightseeing section, while the towel is useful after swimming with the pigs and snorkeling.

You should also bring a way to protect your phone between stops. The tour includes strong photo opportunities, but water and boat movement make it wise to handle your camera carefully. The supplied details do not confirm dry bags or phone cases, so do not assume they are provided.

A bottle of water is included, along with snacks and alcoholic drinks. That takes care of basic refreshment, but I would still avoid arriving dehydrated, especially if you plan to swim at both water stops.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted, so watch the local cut-off time.

My recommendation: book it for a short Nassau day

Book this tour if your priority is to fit the Bahamas’ most photogenic water activities into one manageable outing. The swimming pigs are the star, but the Atlantis cruise and Pearl Island snorkeling keep the trip from feeling like a single-purpose animal visit.

The strongest reasons to choose it are the efficient route, included snorkeling gear, flexible morning and afternoon departures, and a crew that has shown a real willingness to help with instructions and photos. The small maximum group size is another plus, though your departure may still be shared.

Skip it if you want lots of unhurried time at one beach or reef. At $175, the price makes the most sense when convenience matters and your schedule is short. For a cruise passenger with only a few free hours, this is a practical way to get three different Bahamian experiences without spending the whole day away.

FAQ

How long is the Swim with the Pigs Safari in Bahamas?

The tour lasts approximately two hours. The Atlantis cruise takes about 30 minutes, the swimming pig stop takes about 30 minutes, and the Pearl Island snorkeling stop takes about one hour.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts at Colours of The Bahamas, located at 3MH4+M84, Nassau, The Bahamas. It ends back at the same meeting point.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. The guides provide snorkeling gear and assist you when getting on and off the vessel. No separate equipment rental is needed.

What is included besides the boat trip?

The experience includes a bottle of water, snacks, alcoholic beverages, and admission to the swimming pig and snorkeling stops.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 20 people. Some departures may be much smaller, depending on bookings.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted or refunded. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund.