Powerboat and Snorkel Experience with Swimming Pigs and Turtles

Expect a busy morning on beautiful water. This 3.5-hour Bahamas boat trip packs reef snorkeling, swimming pigs, Green Cay turtles, and a sandy island stop into one outing. I like the mix of wildlife and beach time, and I like that the custom 35-foot Donzi has a restroom, a useful touch on a small boat. The main tradeoff is pace: you cover several places in a short time, and the water-based activities may not suit anyone who is uneasy in the sea.

The tour costs $145 per person, with soft drinks, bottled water, snorkeling equipment, a captain, and a guide included. Lunch is not included, and the boat can carry only about 14 to 15 people, so this feels more personal than a large sightseeing cruise. One practical warning: at the launch area, several boats may be gathered near Margaritaville, so look carefully for Secret Cays.

Five things to know before you book

• Three island stops fit into 3.5 hours: You get snorkeling near Rose Island, swimming pigs, turtles at Green Cay, and time on a sandy beach.
• The 35-foot Donzi is small enough for a friendly outing: The limited group size helps the crew give direct attention, though the ride may feel active in rough water.
• The pigs are the playful headline stop: You can meet, feed, and interact with the famous swimming pigs.
• Green Cay brings the best wildlife viewing: Turtles are seen in their natural habitat at a protected sanctuary area.
• Bring food if you need more than drinks: Water and soft drinks are included, but lunch is not.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can cancel the trip, with a different date or full refund offered.

What this New Providence boat trip is really like

This is not a slow harbor cruise. It is a compact outing built around several distinct experiences, with the boat doing the hard work of moving you between islands and reefs. That makes the tour useful if your Bahamas visit is short and you want more than a single beach stop.

You begin at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal on Paradise Beach Drive. The area can have several operators and boats, so give yourself time to find the Secret Cays meeting point. A particularly useful tip is to look for the company name rather than assuming the largest or most obvious boat is yours. The boat used here is a 35-foot Donzi Marine center console, and the company name may not be displayed prominently from every angle.

The group limit is listed as 14 to 15 people. That is small by excursion standards, though it does not mean you will have a private charter. One booking had the boat entirely to itself, but that is a pleasant possibility, not something to count on. Most departures will give you a chance to ask questions and get help without shouting across a packed deck.

The captain and guide handle the boat, equipment, and stops. Captain J and his partner received warm praise for being friendly and patient, especially during the water activities. Music is also part of the atmosphere on some trips, which adds a casual, holiday feel rather than a formal sightseeing tone.

Rose Island reefs and the first splash

The snorkeling stop near Rose Island is the best part of the tour for anyone who wants to see the underwater side of the Bahamas. The reef areas are described as full of marine life, and the snorkeling equipment is included in the price. You do not need to arrange a separate rental or carry gear from your hotel.

I like this stop because it gives the outing some substance beyond animal encounters. Swimming pigs are fun, and turtles are memorable, but time above a reef lets you see the sea as a living place rather than simply a backdrop for photographs. The water is the star here, with colorful reef areas and fish life providing the main visual reward.

The exact snorkeling conditions depend on weather and sea conditions. The tour requires good weather, and even a suitable day can bring changing water movement. If you are not a confident swimmer, tell the crew early and follow their instructions closely. The supplied information confirms that most people can participate, but it does not promise calm water or a completely passive snorkeling experience.

You should also expect the stop to be time-limited. With three islands and several activities in roughly three and a half hours, this is an introduction to the reef, not an all-day snorkeling expedition. If your only goal is extended underwater time, a dedicated reef trip may suit you better.

Meeting the swimming pigs

The swimming pigs are the tour’s most playful stop. You get to meet, feed, and interact with them, which gives the outing a light, social break after snorkeling. This is the sort of activity that works especially well for families and first-time visitors who want an easy story to take home.

The experience is not presented as a quiet wildlife observation. The pigs are accustomed to attention, and the point is to be close enough for an interaction. You should follow the guide’s directions when feeding them and keep your belongings secure around the water and animals.

This stop can also be the most unpredictable. Animals do not follow a human timetable, and the quality of the encounter depends on their behavior and the conditions that day. You may get a lively interaction, or you may find the visit shorter and calmer than expected. Either way, the stop adds variety that a standard snorkeling trip does not provide.

The crew’s attitude matters here. A friendly guide can make the difference between a rushed photo stop and a comfortable encounter. The repeated praise for the crew’s care and patience is encouraging, especially if someone in your group needs extra help getting settled in the water.

Green Cay and the turtle sanctuary

For many people, Green Cay is the highlight. The stop takes you to a turtle sanctuary area where you can view turtles in their natural habitat. The setting offers a more peaceful wildlife moment than the pig encounter, and it gives you a chance to watch rather than handle or feed an animal.

The turtle sightings have been rewarding, including a turtle with a remora attached. That detail hints at the kind of natural observation you might get: not just a quick glimpse of a turtle, but a look at the other marine life connected to it.

Still, no wildlife stop can guarantee a perfect sighting. The tour describes Green Cay as a turtle viewing area, but it does not promise a certain number of turtles or a particular viewing distance. Keep your expectations sensible, and you will be better prepared to enjoy the stop for what it offers.

I would put this stop high on the list for anyone who prefers calm wildlife encounters to more active water play. It also gives the day a nice balance. Rose Island brings the reef, the pigs bring the fun, and Green Cay brings a slower moment with marine life.

Sandy Cay and the beach break

Sandy Cay provides the beach portion of the outing. You can relax or play on the sand, giving you time to dry off and enjoy the island setting without needing to snorkel or swim every minute.

The cay also carries a small pop-culture connection. It was featured in the trailer for Gilligan’s Island, which may interest fans of classic television and gives the stop a talking point beyond its beach. Do not expect a full historical tour, though. The appeal here is the setting, the sand, and the chance to pause between activities.

This is a short island visit rather than a long beach day. Since the tour also includes Rose Island and Green Cay, you will not have unlimited time to settle into a chair or wander far. If you want several hours on one beach, book a beach excursion instead. If you want a scenic change of pace during a boat tour, Sandy Cay fits the bill.

The Donzi boat and onboard comfort

The custom 35-foot Donzi Marine center console is an important part of the experience. A powerboat like this can cover more ground than a slow boat, which is why the tour can combine reef, pigs, turtles, and a cay in one half-day outing.

The dedicated restroom inside the center console is a genuine advantage. On a three-and-a-half-hour trip, especially one involving drinks and salt water, having a toilet onboard saves you from worrying about finding facilities at each stop. It is a small feature, but it improves comfort.

The same compact design that helps the boat feel friendly may feel less comfortable to people who prefer a large, stable vessel. You are close to the water and close to the other passengers. The reviews describe the smaller boat as a positive because it covers a lot of ground while keeping the group together, but personal comfort depends on how you handle boat movement.

One account also described a banana boat incident in which riders were flipped into the water. That activity is not included in the supplied tour description, so you should not assume it is part of your booking. The account does offer a useful safety lesson: if an optional water activity is offered, ask for a life jacket before getting on, particularly if anyone in your group is not a strong swimmer.

What the $145 price includes

At $145 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a morning in the Bahamas. The value comes from combining several separate-style activities into one boat ride: snorkeling, a pig encounter, turtle viewing, and a beach stop.

Your fee includes:

• Powerboat transportation
• Captain and guide
• Snorkeling equipment
• Bottled water
• Soda or pop

Lunch is not included. Plan around that, especially if you book a morning departure and expect to eat afterward. The included drinks cover basic needs, but they are not a meal replacement.

I think the price makes the most sense if you want variety and convenience. Booking separate transport, snorkeling gear, and wildlife stops could cost more and take more planning. The value is weaker if you mainly want to sit on a beach or spend a long time at one reef.

The small group is another part of the calculation. You are paying for a guided boat experience rather than a large, low-cost ferry ride. If the limit stays near 14 people, the crew can usually keep the outing organized and respond to individual needs more easily.

Timing, weather, and cancellation rules

The tour lasts about three hours and 30 minutes and returns to the same meeting point. That makes it easy to fit into a day on New Providence Island, especially if you have other plans afterward. Still, I would avoid scheduling an important, fixed-time commitment immediately after the boat returns. Sea conditions and loading at several stops can affect the pace.

Good weather is required. If the company cancels because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached, with the option of another date, a different experience, or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted. The cut-off follows local time in the Bahamas, so check the clock carefully if you are booking from another time zone.

The activity is near public transportation, and confirmation arrives at booking. The meeting point is Paradise Island Ferry Terminal, but because the launch area can be crowded with boats near Margaritaville, confirm the exact place and look for Secret Cays when you arrive.

Who will enjoy this excursion most?

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a short, active introduction to several parts of the Bahamas. It suits families, couples, and small groups who like to mix wildlife with water time rather than spend a whole day doing only one activity.

It is also a good fit if you want a smaller boat and a crew that can offer direct help. The positive feedback about the crew’s friendliness and patience matters for first-time snorkelers and anyone who feels unsure in the water.

You may want a different tour if you need a long, quiet beach visit, a serious snorkeling session, or a large boat with lots of room to move around. You should also think carefully if anyone in your group is a weak swimmer. Most people can participate, but the trip is built around getting into the water, and the supplied information does not promise flotation support beyond what the crew provides.

Should you book the Secret Cays tour?

Book it if the appeal of the Bahamas for you is variety: reef fish in the morning, pigs in the water, turtles at Green Cay, and sand at Sandy Cay. At $145, the outing offers fair value for a half-day experience because the boat, guide, gear, and drinks are covered.

I would book with three expectations: lunch is your responsibility, the schedule moves at a brisk pace, and sea conditions can shape the day. Look for Secret Cays at the Paradise Island launch area, ask about safety equipment before any optional water activity, and leave room in your schedule after the return.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal on Paradise Beach Drive in The Bahamas.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately three hours and 30 minutes.

What activities are included?

The tour includes snorkeling near Rose Island, an interaction with swimming pigs, turtle viewing at Green Cay, and time to relax or play on sandy beaches.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water and soda or pop are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the tour price.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The listed maximum is between 14 and 15 travelers. The smaller boat is designed for a limited group.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

How late can I cancel for a full refund?

You must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted or refunded.