Rose Island: Private Snorkeling, Fishing, and Swimming with Pigs

The best part of this private Rose Island boat tour is the freedom to shape the day. You can spend more time snorkeling with sea turtles, try light-tackle fishing, relax on a beach, or visit the swimming pigs. Captain Frenchie and crew members such as Mario and D have earned praise for being warm, safety-minded, and good with children. I like the personal feel and the mix of sea time, wildlife, fishing, and beach time. I also like that the boat carries fishing gear and snorkel equipment, so you do not need to rent everything separately.

The main drawback is that this is a short four-hour outing, and the sea can change the plan. Strong winds have made some snorkeling stops murky or rough, and the beach or pig stop may not be as calm or uncrowded as expected. Lunch and alcohol are not included, and swimming with the pigs costs an extra $35 per person.

Key points to know before you book

• A private 28-foot boat for up to eight people: Your group does not share the vessel with strangers, giving you more say over the pace and activities.
• Green Cay snorkeling with sea turtles: The route can include reef snorkeling and turtle-filled waters, with gear supplied.
• Rose Island offers more than one activity: You can fish, snorkel, swim, sunbathe, or purchase lunch and other activities.
• The pig experience costs extra: Seeing the pigs is optional, and participating with food costs $35 per person.
• Captain Frenchie is a major part of the experience: His friendly, attentive approach has been especially helpful for families and nervous children.
• Weather matters: Wind can limit the route and make clear water cloudy, so keep your expectations flexible.

A private morning on New Providence Island

This four-hour charter gives you a compact taste of the waters around Nassau and New Providence Island. You travel by a 28-foot open-hull boat with twin 250-horsepower motors, a setup suited to moving between several nearby areas during a half-day outing.

The private format is the biggest practical advantage. Up to eight people can book the whole boat, so you can adjust the balance between fishing, snorkeling, swimming, and sitting on the beach. If one child wants to fish while another wants to snorkel, the crew can work with that preference better than a fixed group cruise usually can.

The price is $850 per group. With eight people, that works out to $106.25 per person. With four people, it becomes $212.50 each, so the value improves sharply when you fill most of the available places. This is best viewed as a private charter rather than a simple boat transfer.

Captain Frenchie is the name that comes up most often in connection with the trip. Mario and D have also helped on outings. The strongest pattern is personal attention: crew members help children with fishing, reassure nervous swimmers, and let families choose how to use their time. One child who felt unsure about the boat was made comfortable near the captain’s chair, which gives you a good sense of the family-friendly approach.

Water, soft drinks, and a simple snack are included. Expect granola bars or chips rather than a full meal. Fishing rods, bait, tackle, and snorkel equipment are also provided. You can use standard fishing poles or an electric reel, depending on what the crew has available for your outing.

Passing Paradise Island and the old Gilligan’s Island setting

The trip begins with views around Paradise Island, one of the most recognizable areas near Nassau. You may also pass the location associated with Gilligan’s Island from the 1960s television show. These sights add a little local color to the ride, though they are passing points rather than long guided visits.

The route also includes Green Cay, where the boat can stop for snorkeling. The appeal here is the chance to see reef fish and sea turtles in clear Bahamian water. Several families have had especially memorable turtle encounters, and the marine life has been a major reason this trip receives strong marks.

Snorkel gear is included, which keeps the preparation simple. You do not need to arrange a separate equipment rental before boarding. If you are not a strong swimmer, tell the crew early so they can help you choose a comfortable way to take part. The tour is open to most people, but you should still be prepared for time in the water from a boat.

Conditions can change the quality of this stop. In calm weather, the water may be clear enough for excellent views of fish and turtles. In strong wind, it can become cloudy, rough, or busy. The captain has acknowledged that wind can restrict which areas are practical. That is not a minor detail in the Bahamas: the same route can feel very different from one day to the next.

Snorkeling with turtles and reef fish

Snorkeling is one of the strongest reasons to book this charter. The tour can reach reef areas around Green Cay, Rose Island, and Paradise Island, where you may see many fish and sea turtles. The equipment is included, and the crew can help you get started and stay involved in the water.

The turtle encounters are not presented as a guaranteed wildlife show, so you should treat them as a possibility rather than a promise. Still, turtle sightings have been a recurring highlight, and some outings have included swimming near several turtles. You might also see dolphins on the ride back, though this is an extra piece of luck rather than a planned stop.

I like the way the private format helps here. A large group boat often has to pull everyone out of the water at the same time. On this charter, your group can ask to spend longer snorkeling or move on when younger swimmers are ready for a break. The four-hour limit still matters, but you are not locked into equal time at every activity.

Bring a swimsuit, sun protection, and a dry change of clothes. The supplied snack is useful between stops, but it will not replace lunch. If you expect to spend the whole morning active in the water, plan accordingly.

Rose Island beaches and time on shore

Rose Island provides the beach portion of the trip. The island is known here for its white sand and attractive shoreline, giving you a chance to leave the boat, swim, sunbathe, and slow the pace.

The shore stop can be the most relaxing part of the day. After fishing or snorkeling, you can simply sit on the sand and enjoy the setting. Some outings have included lunch, drinks, and time for beach games at a local beach bar. Lunch is not part of the tour price, though, so plan to purchase it separately if you want a meal on the island.

The exact feel of the beach depends on the weather and traffic. One outing had difficulty finding a calm beach because of strong winds, while another had a pleasant stop with time for swimming and relaxing. You should not assume that every departure will produce a deserted beach or perfectly smooth water.

That flexibility is worth discussing before you leave the dock. Ask the captain what conditions look like and how the group would most like to spend the available time. If your priority is a calm beach, say so. If fishing or turtles matter more, the crew can place those activities higher on the list.

Fishing around Rose Island and Paradise Island

Fishing is not just a filler activity on this trip. The boat carries rods, bait, tackle, and the option of an electric reel, allowing you to practice light-tackle fishing around the reefs near Rose Island and Paradise Island.

This is a good feature for families with mixed interests. One person can snorkel while another fishes, and children can get help handling the equipment. The crew has worked closely with children who wanted to finish the outing by fishing, offering hands-on assistance rather than leaving them to figure it out alone.

The tour does not promise a particular catch, so approach fishing as an activity rather than a guaranteed meal. The fun is in learning the basic rhythm and trying the reefs from a private boat. If fishing is your main goal, mention it when you book and again at the start of the trip so the crew can plan the time around it.

The boat’s twin 250-horsepower motors help it move between locations during a limited four-hour schedule. That allows the trip to include several types of activity, although the ride can feel fast and exposed in windy conditions. If you prefer a leisurely boat ride with long periods of quiet cruising, this is less suitable than a slower sightseeing cruise.

The swimming pigs option, and its extra cost

Swimming with pigs is an optional addition at Rose Island. The activity costs $35 per person, separate from the $850 private charter price. Make sure everyone in your group understands this before arriving at the pig stop.

You may see the pigs without choosing the full feeding activity, but participation involving food carries the additional fee. The distinction has caused confusion for some people, so ask exactly what the fee covers before stepping ashore. A clear conversation with the captain will help avoid an awkward surprise.

The pig stop can also be busy. If the beach is crowded or the sea is rough, your group may decide that snorkeling or beach time is a better use of the remaining hours. This is another advantage of the private boat: you can make that choice as a group instead of following a fixed schedule.

Families who want the classic pig experience should budget the extra amount for each person who plans to take part. If the pigs are only a side interest, you can skip the fee and put your time toward turtles, fishing, or swimming.

What is included, and what you still need to pay for

The tour price covers the boat, crew, fishing rods, bait and tackle, snorkel gear, water, soft drinks, and a small snack. That makes the $850 price easier to assess because several common add-ons are already handled.

You still need to pay for alcoholic drinks, lunch, and the $35-per-person swimming-with-pigs activity. Alcohol is specifically excluded, and there is no full meal supplied on the boat. Bring your own expectations down to a snack-sized morning, then plan to buy lunch on Rose Island if you want one.

A tip is not listed as included. Several people have considered the crew’s effort worth rewarding, especially when the captain has helped children, adapted the plan, or worked through rough conditions. Budget for a tip if you feel the service deserves one.

The value is strongest for a group of six to eight people. A full boat gives you a private outing, included gear, and several activities without paying individual admission for each one. A smaller group pays much more per person, so compare the total with other private charters before booking.

Weather, comfort, and who should book

This experience requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can receive a full refund or choose another date. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded, and late changes are not accepted.

Wind is the key condition to watch. It can make the ride uncomfortable, reduce visibility underwater, and limit the choice of beaches. The crew has still managed to give groups a good day in windy weather, but a rough sea can change the experience from a calm beach outing into a more active boat trip.

The tour suits families, couples traveling with friends, and small groups that do not all want the same activity. It is particularly useful when one person wants fishing, another wants snorkeling, and someone else mainly wants sun and sand.

Service animals are allowed, and the experience is near public transportation. Most people can participate, but you should consider your own comfort with boarding a boat, swimming from the vessel, and spending time in open water. The supplied equipment helps, but it does not turn the outing into a pool-based activity.

Should you book the Rose Island private charter?

Book this tour if you value choice, privacy, and a mix of activities more than a fixed sightseeing schedule. It is a strong pick for a group of up to eight that wants turtles, reef fish, fishing, beach time, and the option of swimming with pigs in one half-day outing.

I would be more cautious if your top priority is a guaranteed calm beach, a full lunch, or a perfectly clear snorkeling site. Weather can change the route, and the pig activity costs extra. The four-hour schedule also passes quickly when you try to fit in every stop.

For the best value, bring a full group, decide your top two priorities before boarding, and ask about sea conditions at the start. If Captain Frenchie and the crew can match the plan to your group, you get a personal Bahamas day with more freedom than a standard shared excursion.

FAQ

How much does the private Rose Island boat tour cost?

The tour costs $850 per group, with up to eight people included. Lunch, alcohol, and swimming with the pigs are separate expenses.

How long does the tour last?

The outing lasts approximately four hours.

What equipment is provided?

Snorkeling equipment, fishing rods, bait, and tackle are provided. Fishing with a standard rod or an electric reel may be available.

Are food and drinks included?

Water, soft drinks, and a small snack such as granola bars or chips are included. Alcoholic drinks and lunch are not included.

How much does swimming with the pigs cost?

Swimming with the pigs costs $35 per person. The activity is optional.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.