Nassau: 3 Islands Boat w/ Swimming Pigs, Snorkeling & Turtle

Pigs in the sea? Absolutely. This fast-moving Nassau boat trip packs snorkeling at Pearl Island, turtle watching at Green Cay, a swim with pigs, and beach time on Rose Island into three hours. I especially like the easy mix of wildlife and relaxation, plus the friendly crew, onboard drinks, snacks, and safety help in the water. The tradeoff is simple: the schedule is tight, and the turtle stop can feel brief if only a few animals surface.

I also like that you get three very different Bahamian stops without spending a full day on the water. The swimming pigs are the star, but clear water, music, rum punch, and a beach bar keep the trip from feeling like a single gimmick. Lunch costs extra, and the pig area can become crowded when another group arrives.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• The tour visits three islands and cays: Pearl Island for snorkeling, Green Cay for turtle spotting, and Rose Island for pigs and beach time.
• The swimming pig encounter is the main event: You can enter the water, feed the pigs, and watch them paddle around the shoreline.
• The snorkeling stop lasts about 45 minutes: Fish and coral are visible in water around 10 feet deep.
• The boat ride is part of the entertainment: Expect a quick speedboat, music, rum punch, water, soft drinks, snacks, and alcohol.
• Rose Island includes a beach bar: You have about an hour for swimming, kayaking, relaxing, drinks, and lunch at your own cost.
• Meetup locations depend on where you stay: Nassau and cruise ship passengers meet at Senor Frogs downtown, while Paradise Island and Atlantis visitors meet at Margaritaville Paradise Island.

A Fast Nassau Boat Ride With Three Clear Stops

This is not a slow sightseeing cruise. Delfincharters uses a speedboat, and the route keeps moving from one stop to the next. That makes good use of a short three-hour window, but it also means you should arrive ready to get in the water and follow the crew’s timing.

The tour begins with pickup by boat in Nassau. If you are staying in Nassau or arriving by cruise ship, you meet at the pier in front of Senor Frogs downtown. If you are staying on Paradise Island or at Atlantis, you meet at the dock in front of Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Paradise Island. Look for a boat marked Delfincharters on both sides.

The company provides water, soft drinks, snacks, and alcohol. Several people particularly enjoyed the rum punch and music, with dancing on the boat adding a lively touch. I would still bring a towel, sunscreen, and some extra money for lunch and anything you buy at the beach bar.

The boat can hold a fairly large group, with one outing carrying about two dozen people. That is small enough for a guided experience, but not private or quiet. If you want a personal charter, this is not that kind of trip.

Pearl Island: A 45-Minute Snorkeling Stop

After roughly 15 minutes by speedboat, you reach Pearl Island for swimming and snorkeling. You can expect to enter the water directly from the boat, rather than walking out from a long beach. The snorkeling area is about 10 feet deep, which makes it approachable for many people who are comfortable in open water.

The water is clear, and you may see schools of fish, coral, stingrays, dolphins, and other marine life during the trip. The snorkeling stop itself is the best chance to focus on underwater life, while the other sightings can happen during the boat rides or at the islands.

The crew provides masks and snorkels and helps people get settled in the water. That matters if you are nervous about the boat entry or have not snorkeled recently. You should still be a confident enough swimmer to take part, since this is an open-water excursion and not a pool lesson.

I like the length of this stop. Forty-five minutes gives you enough time to look around without turning the entire outing into a snorkeling session. The limitation is that the conditions and animal activity can change. One outing had plenty of fish, while another saw only a modest number, though the clear water remained a highlight.

If you want the best possible snorkeling, keep your expectations sensible. This is a short stop built into a broader animal tour, not a dedicated reef expedition. You get a pleasant introduction to Bahamian sea life, then move on before the water time becomes repetitive.

Green Cay: Turtle Watching From the Boat

A 10-minute boat ride brings you to Green Cay, where the crew looks for sea turtles in their natural habitat. This stop lasts about 15 minutes and is mainly a boat-based wildlife view, not a swim with the turtles.

That distinction is important. You may see turtles gliding below the surface or coming up for air, but sightings can be brief. On some outings, only a few turtles surfaced, making this the quietest and least predictable part of the tour.

Still, Green Cay adds something worthwhile. The turtles are not being brought into a holding area for photos. You are watching for them in the sea, and that gives the stop a calmer, more natural feel than the pig encounter. Bring patience and keep your eyes on the water when the boat slows.

This is also where the tour’s compact schedule shows its limits. Fifteen minutes is enough for a look, but not enough for a long wait if the turtles are shy. Think of it as a chance to spot wildlife, not a guaranteed close encounter.

Rose Island and the Famous Swimming Pigs

From Green Cay, the boat takes about 10 minutes to Rose Island. This is where the trip becomes playful and distinctly Bahamian. You have about an hour for swimming, pig interaction, beach time, and other activities.

The pigs are friendly, curious, and comfortable around the water. You may feed them, stand in the shallows with them, and watch them paddle through the sea. They are the reason many people book this excursion, and the encounter has the right mix of odd, funny, and memorable.

The pig swim can also be chaotic. Another group may arrive at the same time, and the shoreline can feel crowded while everyone tries to take photos and interact with the animals. If you prefer a quiet animal encounter, this may frustrate you. If you can laugh, share space, and follow the crew’s directions, the commotion is part of the fun.

Rose Island gives the tour needed breathing room. After snorkeling and turtle watching, you can feel the sand under your feet, swim in clear water, or simply sit at the beach bar. Kayaking is also listed as an option during the free time, though the available equipment and timing can vary.

The beach bar is useful for more than refreshments. It gives you a place to cool down and buy lunch, but food is not included in the $175 price. Bring extra cash or another accepted payment method, since you will want to budget for a meal and any drinks beyond what is supplied on the boat.

What the Three-Hour Schedule Really Feels Like

The timing is efficient:

• About 15 minutes from Nassau to Pearl Island
• About 45 minutes for swimming and snorkeling
• About 10 minutes to Green Cay
• About 15 minutes for turtle watching
• About 10 minutes to Rose Island
• About one hour for the beach and pig experience
• About 25 minutes back to Nassau

This leaves little wasted time. You are rarely sitting still for long, and the boat rides help connect the stops without adding a separate sightseeing segment.

The schedule also requires cooperation. You need to listen when the crew calls you back to the boat, keep track of your belongings, and be ready to move on. If you want long, unhurried beach time, book a dedicated beach outing instead.

The ride back to Nassau takes about 25 minutes. Depending on the mood onboard, this can be a relaxed finish or another round of music and drinks. The atmosphere is upbeat rather than formal, and the crew helps keep the trip social.

Crew, Safety, and Overall Atmosphere

The staff are one of the strongest parts of the experience. Three guides may be involved across the different sections, providing instructions, safety support, and information about the islands and animals. The crew also helps people during snorkeling, which is valuable for families and first-time participants.

English, French, and Spanish are available as tour languages, with an English audio guide included. The mix makes the trip accessible to a wider range of visitors, though the live atmosphere remains informal and group-oriented.

The tone is lively. Music, rum punch, snacks, and dancing can make the boat ride feel like part excursion and part floating party. That is good news if you want energy and conversation. It is less appealing if you are searching for a quiet nature trip.

You should also remember that alcohol is included, but responsible behavior matters. You still need to get in and out of the boat, move around on a beach, and take part in water activities. Drink lightly if you plan to snorkel or swim.

Is $175 a Fair Price?

At $175 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see pigs near Nassau. The value comes from combining several paid activities into one compact trip: transport by speedboat, snorkeling equipment, guided wildlife stops, swimming with pigs, drinks, snacks, and beach time.

If you booked separate boat rides, snorkeling, and a pig encounter, the total could rise quickly. This tour also saves you from arranging several transfers. For a cruise ship passenger or a short Nassau stay, that convenience matters.

The price feels strongest when you use the whole package. Snorkel at Pearl Island, take part in the pig swim, enjoy the beach, and make use of the included refreshments. If you mainly want to see the pigs and plan to skip snorkeling or beach time, the cost may feel high.

Lunch is not included, and that is the main extra expense to plan for. The beach bar gives you a convenient option, but you should not assume the $175 covers food on Rose Island.

Who Will Enjoy This Most?

I would recommend this tour to families, couples, cruise ship passengers, and anyone who wants several Bahamian experiences in one outing. Children tend to appreciate the pigs, while adults can enjoy the snorkeling, beach, and relaxed boat atmosphere.

It also suits people who like variety. You get underwater viewing, turtles, playful animals, a beach stop, and a fast ride rather than three hours devoted to only one activity.

This is less suitable for pregnant women and people with back or heart problems. The speedboat and water activities may also be a poor fit if you have difficulty climbing into a boat or swimming in open water. The supplied information does not list a specific accessibility arrangement, so contact the operator before booking if you need special assistance.

Practical Tips for a Better Day

Arrive at the correct dock. Nassau and cruise ship passengers use Senor Frogs downtown, while Paradise Island and Atlantis visitors use Margaritaville Paradise Island. The boat is marked Delfincharters on both sides.

Bring a towel and sunscreen. You should also consider a waterproof pouch for valuables, though only the towel and sunscreen are specifically required. Keep personal items organized because you will move between boat, water, and beach.

Wear clothing that dries fairly quickly. You will snorkel, swim with pigs, and may spend time in the shallows at Rose Island. A hat and sunglasses can also help during the boat ride, though secure anything that could blow away.

Do not bring weapons, sharp objects, or chewing gum. These restrictions are easy to follow, but knowing them ahead of time avoids a problem at pickup.

The tour allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available start times before booking, especially if you are visiting from a cruise ship and need to return to the vessel on schedule.

My Verdict: Book It If You Want Variety

Book this tour if you want the swimming pigs but also care about snorkeling, turtles, a beach stop, and a lively boat ride. The crew support, included drinks, and well-packed route make the $175 price reasonable for a three-hour outing.

Skip it if you want a quiet private charter, a long snorkeling session, or a guaranteed close view of sea turtles. The pig area may be crowded, the turtle stop is short, and lunch costs extra.

For most people, the best reason to go is the combination. The pigs provide the funny story, Pearl Island provides the clearest water time, Green Cay adds a chance for a calmer wildlife sighting, and Rose Island lets you finish with sand, food, and a drink in hand. That is a lot of Bahamas in three hours.

FAQ

How long is the Nassau 3-island boat tour?

The experience lasts three hours, including the boat rides between Nassau, Pearl Island, Green Cay, and Rose Island.

Where does pickup take place?

Nassau and cruise ship passengers meet at the pier in front of Senor Frogs downtown. People staying on Paradise Island or at Atlantis meet at the dock in front of Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Paradise Island.

What islands and cays does the tour visit?

The route includes Pearl Island, Green Cay, and Rose Island. Pearl Island is used for snorkeling, Green Cay for turtle watching, and Rose Island for the beach and swimming pigs.

Is swimming with the pigs included?

Yes. Swimming with the pigs is included in the activity price.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but you have time to visit the beach bar on Rose Island and purchase food there.

What refreshments are included?

Water, soft drinks, snacks, and alcohol are included. Rum punch is also served onboard.

What languages are available?

The live tour guide is available in English, French, and Spanish. An English audio guide is included.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel and sunscreen. Do not bring weapons, sharp objects, or chewing gum.

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.