Private Rose Island, Swimming Pigs, Snorkeling and Turtles

The best part of this Nassau outing is control. You get a private boat, then shape the day around your group: snorkel longer, skip the pigs, linger on a white-sand beach, or chase sea turtles around Green Cay. Captains including Dillon Ramsey, McKinney, and Lawren are praised for adjusting the route and keeping families comfortable.

I like the small-group freedom and the mix of reef, beach, turtles, and island scenery. I also like that snorkeling gear, water, soft drinks, snacks, and rum punch are included. The main catch is cost: at $925 per group, the value improves sharply when several people share the boat, while swimming pigs and some transfers cost extra.

Key points before you book

• Private boat for about four hours: Your group gets the boat to itself, rather than following a large excursion schedule.
• Rose Island and Green Cay: Expect beach time, snorkeling, and a search for native sea turtles.
• Swimming pigs are optional: They can be added, but a separate per-person fee applies.
• Captains shape the day: Ramsey, McKinney, Lawren, and Dillon are repeatedly praised for flexible routes and family-friendly service.
• Food and gear are included: Bring a picnic if you want a larger meal, since the included snacks are light.
• Check the headcount and transfer price: The booking details differ on maximum capacity, and private dock transfers may add more than $100.

A private Nassau boat day with room to change plans

This is not a fixed sightseeing ride where you are marched from one stop to the next. It is a half-day charter built around a handful of popular Nassau-area water stops. You can combine snorkeling, Rose Island, Green Cay turtles, and swimming pigs, or drop one activity and give the others more time.

That flexibility matters. One family skipped the pigs and used the extra time for snorkeling and the beach. Another group wanted pigs, turtles, and a reef, while a group with young children needed a gentler pace. A private boat lets the captain respond to those needs instead of making everyone follow the same timetable.

The advertised price is $925 per group. The booking information says up to eight people in one place and up to six in the itinerary details, so I would confirm the maximum before paying. The overview also uses a different figure, saying up to ten. That inconsistency is worth clearing up, especially if you are booking for a larger family or two connected groups.

For a full boat, the price can make sense. Split among six people, the base cost is about $154 per person before any optional pig fee or transfer. For only two or three people, a shared excursion may cost less, but it will not give you the same control over timing.

Leaving Nassau for Rose Island

The trip begins at the Nassau cruise terminal area, with pickup offered. The boat ride itself is part of the outing, and the captains often add local commentary about Nassau, New Providence, and the smaller islands along the way.

Rose Island is the relaxed middle of the day. Expect clear water, pale sand, and a quieter setting than a busy Nassau beach. Some groups found themselves with a nearly empty stretch of shore, which is exactly the appeal of traveling by small private boat.

There is also a more weathered side to the scenery. One stop may include an abandoned house in poor repair, and some outings have included peacocks near a ruined property. These details are not polished resort attractions. They give the ride a more informal island character, but you should not expect a developed beach club with changing rooms, loungers, or a full lunch service.

I would use Rose Island as your reset button. Swim, sit in the shallows, let children play in the sand, and do not rush back aboard simply because the next activity is on the schedule. The captain can usually adjust the time, within the limits of the four-hour booking and sea conditions.

Snorkeling over reefs and walls of fish

Snorkeling is included, and the boat carries the basic gear. The exact reef depends on conditions and the captain’s plan, but groups have described clear water, plenty of fish, and at least one spot that felt like a wall of fish.

The private format helps here. A large boat may release dozens of people into one patch of water at once. On this charter, your group can enter when ready and leave when younger swimmers, nervous snorkelers, or less confident swimmers have had enough.

Do not treat the snorkeling as guaranteed aquarium conditions. Wind, rain, visibility, and current can change the experience. One captain moved the group around Nassau when the weather spoiled part of the planned route. That kind of adjustment is useful, but it also means the exact reef and order of stops can shift.

If your group has mixed ability, tell the captain early. Some children may prefer the beach and shallow water while stronger swimmers explore farther out. The boat provides equipment, but you still need to be comfortable in open water and able to follow the captain’s safety instructions.

Looking for sea turtles at Green Cay

The turtle stop at Green Cay is one of the tour’s biggest draws. The captain takes you to an area where native sea turtles are commonly seen, then helps the group watch for them as they surface.

This is a search, not a guaranteed animal encounter. Several groups saw multiple turtles and were able to get close in the water. Others saw only two or three, and at least one outing found none because the wind made conditions difficult. That is normal for wildlife, but it is important to set expectations before you book.

Captains Ramsey, McKinney, and Lawren receive particular praise for patience at this stop. Lawren was described as helping spot turtles and maneuvering the boat so the group could see them surface. That is a real advantage of a private charter: the captain can spend extra time looking instead of moving on because a larger party is waiting.

I would give Green Cay priority if turtles matter most to you. If the water becomes rough or visibility drops, ask about using the time for another snorkeling stop or Rose Island. The route can be adjusted, but the sea gets the final say.

The swimming pigs option requires a closer look

Swimming pigs can be added to the day, but this is not part of the base price. A per-person fee applies, and the amount is not stated in the booking details, so ask before departure.

The nearby pig stop is not the famous Pig Beach in the Exumas. That well-known location is more than 90 miles away across the ocean. This Nassau-area option brings pigs to a closer island so you can see them without spending most of the day traveling.

That shortcut makes sense for a four-hour excursion, but it changes the feel of the experience. The pigs are kept in pens on Athol Island, according to one detailed account, and food for them may cost extra. Some people loved feeding, holding, and photographing the piglets. Others found the stop more commercial than expected and felt surprised by added charges for food and tips.

I would add the pigs if your children are excited about them or if this is a first-time experience. I would skip them if you have already seen swimming pigs, dislike animal attractions with extra fees, or would rather spend more time snorkeling and on Rose Island.

Drinks, snacks, and your own picnic

Water, bottled drinks, soda, ice, snacks, and rum punch are included. That is enough to keep you going through a four-hour morning or afternoon, but it is not a full meal.

You can bring your own picnic if you want something more substantial. This is especially sensible for families with picky eaters, older children, or anyone planning to stay out through a normal lunch hour. Pack food that handles sun and boat motion well, and confirm what you may bring if you want anything elaborate.

The onboard rum punch is a nice touch for adults, while soft drinks and water cover the basics. The relaxed atmosphere has also included a speaker for personal music on some boats. Keep the volume friendly to your own group and the captain, since the boat is a shared working space even when it is private.

Captains make the difference

The strongest part of this experience is the captain. Ramsey, Dillon Ramsey, McKinney, and Lawren are singled out for friendly service, local information, smooth boat handling, and a willingness to adjust the plan.

Captain McKinney has been especially popular with families. He has given children time to get comfortable, changed the route when a child did not want the pigs, and made space for beach and turtle time instead. Captain Lawren has been praised for explaining the islands and taking care with turtle sightings. Captain Dillon has been described as attentive with young children and willing to let the group shape the day.

Names can change depending on the date, so you should not assume a particular captain is guaranteed. Still, the pattern is clear: this works best when you tell the crew what your group actually wants. Say if your priority is turtles, if someone gets motion sick, if you have small children, or if you would rather skip the pigs.

The service is not perfect every time. One group worried when the captain was late and received no advance explanation. Another reported a boat alarm and a boat change, while the operator disputed that account. I would confirm the meeting point and pickup time the day before, then allow a little buffer rather than planning a tight connection after the tour.

Pickup, dock transfers, and extra costs

Pickup is offered, but the transportation details need careful attention. Some groups arranged a private round-trip transfer from a cruise port or Atlantis and paid more than $100. One group paid $135 for two short rides. A taxi may be possible, but the boat dock can be hard to locate, and the private transfer is designed to simplify that part.

The transfer may be operated by the same company that runs the boat. That is not automatically a problem, but you should ask three direct questions:

• Is pickup included in my quoted price?
• Where exactly will the driver collect us?
• What is the full round-trip transfer charge for our group?

If you are arriving by cruise ship, leave enough time to clear the terminal and reach the dock. The boat ride itself is four hours, and a late return can make the day uncomfortable if you have a strict all-aboard time. I would not book this on a cruise day with a narrow margin.

The same practical caution applies to the pig stop. Confirm the per-person charge, food cost, and any expected gratuity before you leave the dock. The base fare is clear, but the add-ons can change the final bill.

Who will get the most from this charter

I would choose this for a family, group of friends, or couple who values privacy more than the lowest possible price. It is particularly good for groups with mixed interests, since one person can snorkel while another prefers the beach, and the captain can adjust the balance.

It also suits cruise passengers who want a more personal day than a large ship excursion. You avoid a crowded boat and can often move between stops without waiting for dozens of people to board or disembark.

The trip is less suited to anyone seeking a formal lunch, guaranteed turtle sightings, a fully developed beach facility, or the original Exumas pig island. It is also not the cheapest choice for a very small group. If your only goal is a short beach visit, you may be paying for more boat time and flexibility than you need.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. Still, you should be comfortable with swimming and snorkeling conditions, and you should tell the operator about mobility or family concerns before booking. The boat, sea state, and beach access can affect how easy each stop feels.

Weather can reshape the day

This experience requires good weather. Wind and rain can change the route, reduce snorkeling visibility, or make turtles harder to find. One outing continued despite rain and still made a good day of it, but that is not something you can count on.

If poor weather forces cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

That policy makes it smart to book early in your Nassau stay when possible. If the forecast looks poor, you have more room to move the outing to another day.

My verdict on the $925 price

At first glance, $925 is a steep half-day price. The calculation looks better when six to eight people share it, since you are paying for a private boat, captain, equipment, drinks, snacks, and a flexible route rather than a seat on a standard group cruise.

The value is not in getting the most stops possible. It is in having the freedom to slow down, leave an activity early, skip the pigs, or stay longer at the beach. That freedom was the reason many groups preferred the charter to a crowded excursion.

The total can rise quickly. Add swimming pigs, a private transfer, food for the pigs, and tips, and the final price may be far above the advertised base fare. I would request the complete cost in writing before committing.

Should you book it?

Book this Nassau boat charter if you have a full group, want a private captain, and care about mixing snorkeling, turtles, beaches, and island scenery in one half-day. It is a strong choice for families because the schedule can bend around children, and for friends who want their own music, snacks, and pace.

I would skip it if you want the cheapest beach day, a guaranteed turtle encounter, or the original Exumas pig island. Before booking, confirm the boat capacity, dock transfer fee, captain assignment if important, and exact pig charges.

For the right group, this is a good use of four hours in Nassau. Just treat the pigs as optional, treat turtles as wildlife rather than a promise, and keep your expectations matched to a private island boat rather than a polished resort excursion.

FAQ

How long is the private boat tour?

The experience lasts approximately four hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $925 per group. The booking information gives different maximum group sizes, so confirm the allowed number of people before booking.

Is the boat private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private boat activity.

What stops are included?

The route includes snorkeling and beach time around Rose Island, plus a sea turtle search at Green Cay. Swimming pigs can be added as an optional stop.

Are swimming pigs included in the price?

No. A separate per-person fee applies for the swimming pigs, and you can skip that activity.

What is included on the boat?

Snorkeling equipment, bottled water, soda, ice, snacks, private transportation by boat, and rum punch are included.

Can I bring food?

Yes. You may bring your own picnic if you want a larger meal than the included snacks.

What happens if the weather is poor?

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