Private Eleuthera Island: Swim With Pigs, Turtles & Stingrays

The best day here happens offshore. Delfin Charters takes your private group from Nassau toward Eleuthera for a full day of swimming pigs, sea turtles, stingrays, snorkeling, and the famous Pink Sands Beach. I like the freedom of having the boat to your own group, and I like the mix of playful animal encounters and calm beach time. You are not simply parked at one attraction all day.

The two biggest strengths are the personal service and the range of stops. The crew has been praised for being kind, entertaining, and willing to shape the day around the group. The boat carries snacks, soft drinks, bottled water, alcoholic drinks for adults, snorkeling gear, and a restroom, which matters on an eight-hour outing.

The main consideration is cost. At $8,500 per group of up to 15 people, this is a serious purchase for a small party. The boat ride also takes about an hour each way, so you should be comfortable spending much of the day on the water before booking.

Key Points at a Glance

• Private boat for up to 15 people: Your group does not share the activity with strangers, which gives the crew more room to adjust the pace.
• Swimming pigs near Eleuthera: The pigs are free to approach the water and are known for their friendly, comic behavior.
• Turtles and stingrays in clear water: The Spanish Wells portion adds marine life and snorkeling to the animal encounters.
• Two hours at Pink Sands Beach: A golf cart ride through Harbour Island leads to one of the Bahamas’ most unusual beaches.
• A full day with food and drinks included: Snacks, bottled water, soda, snorkeling equipment, and onboard alcoholic drinks are provided.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can cancel the trip, with a new date or full refund offered.

Leaving Nassau for Eleuthera by Boat

The day begins with a roughly one-hour boat trip from Nassau to Eleuthera. That crossing is not just transportation. It is your first chance to settle into the day, watch Nassau fade behind you, and enjoy the clear Bahamian water from the deck.

The boat used for at least some outings has been described as a 32-foot Grady-White with twin engines. That gives you a sense of the type of private setup involved, though the exact boat may vary. You should expect a proper day on the water rather than a short harbor cruise.

An hour each way is worth considering before you pay. The ride gives you access to several separate stops, but it also means the total day includes a fair amount of moving between islands. I would bring sun protection and wear a swimsuit under light clothing. The tour includes bottled water and snacks, but you should still think about what makes you comfortable on a long boat outing.

The crew is a major part of the experience. The available feedback describes a captain and crew who are friendly and entertaining, with one group giving the service a full 10 out of 10. No captain’s name is supplied, so I would not expect a specific guide by name when booking.

Swimming With Eleuthera’s Famous Pigs

The pig stop is the most playful part of the day. These pigs live freely near a secluded beach and have become one of the Bahamas’ best-known attractions. They are accustomed to people approaching the water, and the appeal is easy to understand: you may find yourself standing in shallow water while well-fed pigs paddle over for attention or food.

The experience is less polished than a zoo visit, which is part of its charm. You are seeing animals in an open island setting rather than walking through a formal exhibit. At the same time, animals are unpredictable. A pig may be curious and gentle, or it may be more interested in snacks than posing for your phone.

One outing included a stop at Rose Island where the group fed the pigs and enjoyed a few beers. Another account mentioned swimming with the pigs before stopping at Footprints for food and karaoke. These details suggest that the exact route can vary with the captain, sea conditions, and the group’s preferences. The main pig encounter is clear, but you should confirm the day’s precise stops if a particular island or restaurant matters to you.

For families, this can be a highlight because it is easy to understand and fun to photograph. Still, parents should keep a close eye on young children around animals in the water. The tour is private, so your group can usually give the encounter the time and space it needs rather than being hurried along with a large crowd.

Snorkeling With Turtles and Stingrays Near Spanish Wells

The Spanish Wells portion shifts the mood from comic to calm. This area is known for sea turtles, including green turtles, loggerheads, and hawksbills. The trip also includes snorkeling with stingrays and exploring coral reef areas in clear water.

Snorkeling gear is provided, which removes one expense and makes the stop simple for first-time snorkelers. You can expect the crew to get the equipment ready and guide you toward the water, but the supplied information does not promise a dedicated marine biologist or formal snorkeling lesson. If you are new to snorkeling, tell the crew early so they can help you get comfortable.

The turtle encounter is valuable because it gives you a chance to see marine life in its natural setting. There is no guarantee of how many animals you will see or how close they will come. That uncertainty is normal, and it is better to treat the stop as time in a living reef area than as a staged animal show.

Stingrays add another element, but you should follow the crew’s instructions carefully. Avoid grabbing, chasing, or crowding any animal. The clearest water does not remove the need for good judgment, especially if children or nervous swimmers are in your party.

This is one place where a private charter can be worth more than a standard group excursion. If some people want to snorkel longer while others prefer to stay aboard, the group has more flexibility. You should not assume the boat will wait indefinitely, but a private outing generally gives the crew a better sense of your needs.

Harbour Island and Two Hours at Pink Sands Beach

After docking at a marina, you transfer to a golf cart and ride through the streets of Harbour Island. That change from boat to small island vehicle is part of the appeal. You get a quick look at the local setting instead of moving directly from one beach to another.

Pink Sands Beach is the visual centerpiece of the tour. Its sand has a soft pink tone, created by tiny marine organisms mixed with the beach sand. The color can look more or less noticeable depending on light, weather, and where you stand, so do not expect every photograph to show the same shade.

You receive about two hours here, the longest single stop on the schedule. That gives you time to walk, sit by the water, swim, and take photographs without treating the beach as a rushed photo stop. The beach is also a useful pause after the more active pig and snorkeling portions.

The golf cart ride is included in the beach visit, but specific pickup details are not provided. Listen carefully for meeting instructions and return times. On a private day, it is tempting to wander off and forget the clock, yet the boat still has several hours of travel ahead.

I like this section because it provides contrast. The pigs and marine animals are the headline attractions, while Pink Sands Beach gives you a slower, more scenic stretch of the day. If you want only swimming and snorkeling, two hours on a beach may feel long. If you value photographs and quiet time, it may be exactly the right balance.

The Royal Island Sandbar and Wooden Swings

The final island stop listed for the outward journey is a sandbar near Royal Island. Here, clear water meets pale sand, and wooden swings provide a simple place to sit or take pictures.

Sandbars are highly dependent on tides and conditions. The supplied details do not give a tide schedule or promise a specific water depth, so you should view this as a scenic stop rather than a guaranteed swimming setup. The wooden swings add a playful touch, especially for families and groups looking for a memorable photograph.

One hour is allocated here. That is enough for a walk, a swim if conditions suit, and a few photographs, but not enough for a long stay. The stop also helps break up the day before the return crossing to Nassau.

The itinerary names both Royal Island and Rose Island in connection with different outings. That suggests the captain may adjust the route. If you have your heart set on the Royal Island sandbar, ask Delfin Charters to confirm it before departure.

What Is Included on the Boat

The included provisions make the price easier to assess. You receive:

• Snacks
• Bottled water
• Soda and other soft drinks
• Alcoholic drinks for adults
• Snorkeling equipment
• An onboard restroom

The restroom is a small but important feature on an eight-hour trip. It means you are not dependent on finding facilities at every island stop. Snacks and drinks also reduce the need to arrange your own supplies, though the information does not specify the menu or quantity.

Alcohol is available onboard, but it is not served to minors. Keep in mind that drinking in the sun while moving between islands calls for restraint. Water and sun protection should remain priorities.

Food options may vary. One outing included a stop at Footprints for a meal and karaoke, but that does not appear to be a guaranteed part of every tour. If lunch is essential to your plans, ask whether a restaurant stop is included on your chosen route or bring that question to the charter company before booking.

Is $8,500 a Fair Price for a Private Charter?

The price is $8,500 for the entire group, with up to 15 people allowed. That works out to about $567 per person for 15 people, before any extra spending. For 10 people, the effective cost is $850 each. For a couple or a small family, the price becomes much harder to justify.

The value comes from privacy, not from a low-cost sightseeing package. You are paying for the boat, crew, fuel, a full day of island access, animal encounters, snorkeling, beach time, drinks, and the ability to share the experience only with your own group.

For a large family reunion, wedding party, or group of close friends, the numbers can make more sense. You also avoid the social compromise of a crowded excursion where some people want to snorkel and others want to sit quietly. The private format gives you a more personal day.

For two people, I would compare this carefully with smaller shared excursions. The price may still be worthwhile if privacy is your main goal, but the pigs, turtles, stingrays, and Pink Sands Beach are not enough by themselves to make any price reasonable.

Who Will Enjoy This Day Most?

I would recommend this outing to a group that wants several Bahamian highlights in one day and values having its own boat. Families with older children, couples traveling with friends, and groups celebrating a special occasion are the strongest match.

You should be comfortable with swimming, snorkeling, and a long day outside. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The information also notes that the tour is near public transportation, though exact pickup arrangements are not given.

This is not the right choice if you dislike open-water travel, want a quiet beach day with no schedule, or are traveling on a tight budget. The day has several transfers and activities, and the boat ride alone takes about two hours round trip.

Weather, Cancellation, and Practical Advice

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions cause a cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.

Within 24 hours, the amount paid is not refunded, and changes are not accepted. The cutoff uses local time, so check the exact start time before making plans around the excursion.

I would pack reef-safe sun protection, a hat, a dry change of clothes, and a waterproof phone pouch. Those items are not listed as included, so you should bring them yourself. Since the day combines water time, beach time, and boat travel, simple clothing and secure footwear will serve you better than anything elaborate.

Should You Book the Delfin Charters Experience?

Book this private Eleuthera tour if you have a large group, want the boat to yourselves, and like the idea of combining pigs, turtles, stingrays, snorkeling, a pink sand beach, and a sandbar in one long day.

I would be more cautious if you are a couple or small family. The $8,500 group price is difficult to defend unless privacy and personal service matter more to you than saving money. Before paying, confirm the exact boat, the day’s island route, the lunch plan, and whether Royal Island or Rose Island is included.

For the right group, Delfin Charters offers a cheerful, active day with strong service and plenty to do. The private format, friendly crew, onboard supplies, and range of stops are the best reasons to choose it.

FAQ

How much does the private Eleuthera tour cost?

The tour costs $8,500 per group, with up to 15 people included.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours. The boat ride from Nassau to Eleuthera takes about one hour, and the return trip also takes about one hour.

Are snorkeling materials included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided as part of the experience.

Are food and drinks included?

Snacks, bottled water, soda, and alcoholic beverages are included. Alcohol is not served to minors.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can receive a different date or a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time to receive a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.