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

The Bahamas look best from the water. This private four-hour trip links Nassau’s harbor sights, reef snorkeling, sea turtles, light-tackle fishing, and Rose Island’s white sand beaches in one flexible outing. I especially like the private boat format, which lets your group decide how to divide time between swimming, fishing, snorkeling, and relaxing. Captain Frenchie and crew member D also receive strong praise for being warm, careful, and good with children.

The main caution is the weather. Wind can make the water rough, limit which beach you reach, and turn clear snorkeling water murky. The swimming-with-pigs stop also costs an extra $35 per person, and lunch or alcohol is not included.

Key points to know before booking

• Private 28-foot boat: Your group of up to eight has the boat to itself, with twin 250-horsepower motors.
• Flexible half-day plan: You can spend more time fishing, snorkeling, swimming, or sitting on the beach, depending on conditions.
• Sea turtles and reef fish: Snorkeling around Green Cay and nearby reefs may bring you close to turtles and many fish.
• Rose Island beach stop: Expect pale sand, open water, and time to relax, with lunch and other activities available to buy.
• Fishing gear included: Rods, bait, tackle, and even an electric reel are available.
• Pig swim costs extra: Seeing the pigs and feeding them are not part of the $850 base price.

A private boat day around Rose Island

Triple D’s Aqua Adventures offers a four-hour private charter from New Providence Island, the main island that includes Nassau. The price is $850 for up to eight people, so the value depends heavily on your group size.

With eight people, the cost works out to $106.25 per person. For four people, it becomes $212.50 each, which is a much bigger spend for a half-day. The private setup makes the price easier to justify if you value privacy, family time, and control over the schedule. A small group that mainly wants a short boat ride may find the cost harder to defend.

The boat is a 28-foot open-haul vessel powered by twin 250-horsepower motors. That gives the outing a proper offshore feel rather than the atmosphere of a crowded sightseeing cruise. You are not simply carried from one fixed stop to another. The crew can adjust the day around your interests and the conditions on the water.

Captain Frenchie is the name most often associated with the trip. Crew members including D and Mario have also been praised for helping families, keeping children involved, and making nervous swimmers feel at ease. One particularly useful detail for parents is that Captain Frenchie made a young child feel special by letting him sit near the captain’s chair for a while.

Passing Paradise Island and Gilligan’s Island

The boat ride begins with views around Paradise Island, one of the best-known pieces of the Nassau area. You may also pass the spot associated with Gilligan’s Island from the 1960s television show. That detail gives the ride a bit of pop-culture fun, especially if someone in your group remembers the show.

You will also see Green Cay, where the snorkeling portion takes place. The route combines sightseeing with the practical purpose of reaching reefs and turtle-filled waters. It is a pleasant way to spend the first part of the trip, since you are not using the whole four hours for a single activity.

The scenery is a major part of the appeal. The water, small islands, reefs, and beaches give you the classic Bahamas setting, while the private boat lets you enjoy it without having to match the pace of a large group. Several people also had the chance to spot dolphins on the ride back, though that is a lucky possibility rather than a promised part of the trip.

Snorkeling around Green Cay and nearby reefs

The snorkeling is one of the strongest reasons to book. Masks and snorkels are provided, and the boat carries you to reef areas where you may see many types of fish and sea turtles. The best moments come when a turtle appears below you and the whole group has something to focus on besides the beach.

I like that snorkeling is not treated as the only purpose of the charter. If one person wants to fish while another wants to swim, the private format can make that possible. Families can also shift activities as energy levels change, which matters on a hot four-hour outing.

Water conditions can change the quality of this stop. In calm weather, the water may be clear enough for excellent fish and turtle sightings. Strong winds can make the sea rough, stir up the bottom, and reduce visibility. One trip had to use a smaller, busier snorkeling area because the wind restricted the route. That is not a flaw unique to this operator, but it is an important reason to keep expectations flexible.

You should also remember that snorkeling is an open-water activity. The crew has been praised for helping children and making people feel safe, but you still need to be comfortable around the sea or tell the crew if you need extra support.

Rose Island’s white sand and open time

Rose Island provides the slower part of the outing. After the reef stop, you are taken to a beach with soft white sand where you can swim, sunbathe, and sit back for a while. This is the part of the trip that feels least scheduled.

The beach is valuable because it breaks up the boat activities. Four hours of snorkeling and fishing could feel busy, especially for children. Rose Island gives you time to dry off, take photos, and simply enjoy the setting without equipment in your hands.

The exact beach conditions depend on wind and sea conditions. One outing could not reach a calm beach, while another had a very enjoyable Rose Island stop with lunch, drinks, swimming, and more snorkeling. If your main goal is a quiet beach, ask about conditions before departure and understand that the captain may need to adjust the plan.

Food is not included as a full meal. The tour provides a small snack, such as granola bars or chips, along with soft drinks and water. You may be able to purchase lunch and drinks on Rose Island, including options connected with a beach bar, but you should budget separately for that.

Fishing with rods, bait, and light tackle

Fishing gives the trip a useful second focus. The crew supplies fishing rods, bait, and tackle for light-tackle fishing around reefs near Rose Island and Paradise Island. An electric reel is also available as an option.

This is a good feature for a mixed group. One person can snorkel while another tries fishing, rather than everyone having to take part in the same activity. Families with children may especially appreciate the chance to end the trip with fishing if the kids are ready for a quieter activity after swimming.

The tour does not present itself as a dedicated big-game fishing charter. Think of this as a relaxed chance to fish around healthy reef areas during a broader boat day. Your results will depend on conditions and luck. The real value is having the gear available without needing to arrange a separate fishing trip.

Crew support also matters here. Several families appreciated the help given to children while they learned what to do. If your group includes first-time fishers, this can make the activity feel approachable rather than frustrating.

Swimming with pigs, and the extra charge

Swimming with pigs is an optional add-on at Rose Island. It costs $35 per person beyond the private charter price. That fee matters because the base price is already substantial, especially for a smaller group.

You may be able to visit the pigs without taking part in the feeding activity, but the arrangements should be clarified before you arrive. There was confusion on one outing when the group reached the island and workers offered food for the pigs. The crew’s position was that the $35 charge for the pig activity had been explained before arrival, while the participant understood the stop differently.

The practical lesson is simple: ask exactly what the $35 includes. Confirm whether it covers entry, food, feeding, and time with the pigs. Also ask whether you can see the pigs without paying for the feeding option. Clear communication beforehand will prevent an awkward ending to an otherwise enjoyable day.

If your group is not interested in pigs, you can use that time for the beach, swimming, snorkeling, lunch, or other island activities. Several people chose not to pay for the pig swim and still had a full day with turtles, fish, beaches, and fishing.

What is included, and what you should bring

The tour includes water, soft drinks, and one small snack. Snorkeling equipment is provided, along with fishing rods, bait, and tackle. That keeps the packing list fairly short.

Alcoholic drinks are not included. Lunch is also not part of the base price, so bring money for food or plan around the snack if you are comfortable with a light meal. The supplied refreshments are useful, but they are not a substitute for lunch on a sunny day.

You should also prepare for a day where the sun and wind are part of the setting. The supplied information does not list a full packing list, so keep your own comfort in mind when deciding what to bring. The most practical approach is to wear suitable swim clothing and plan for time in direct sun. Ask the operator about any restrictions before you go.

A mobile ticket is provided, and confirmation arrives at booking. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting area is near public transportation.

Who will enjoy this charter most

This trip suits families and small groups who want choices. If one child wants fishing, another wants turtles, and the adults want a beach break, the private format gives you a better chance of keeping everyone happy.

It also suits people who dislike crowded boat tours. Only your group participates, so you do not have to share the boat with strangers or follow a rigid group schedule. The crew can focus on your needs, which has been especially helpful for children and nervous swimmers.

The tour may be less suitable if you want a guaranteed calm beach, perfectly clear snorkeling, or a full meal included. Weather can change the route, and the open boat will expose you to wind and spray. You should also think carefully about the price if your group has only two or three people.

The four-hour length is a sensible middle ground. It is long enough to fit several activities but short enough for people who do not want a full day on the water. If you want an all-day island outing, this will feel brief. If you are visiting Nassau during a busy holiday and want one focused half-day, it works well.

Weather, cancellations, and timing

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions cause a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

That policy is worth noting because wind can affect more than comfort. It may change the snorkeling location, make a beach less calm, or limit the route. A weather-related adjustment does not automatically mean the day is ruined, but it can alter the activities you pictured when booking.

I would avoid treating any single stop as guaranteed in exactly the form you imagine. The strongest plan is to view the day as a private water outing with several good options: turtles, fish, fishing, beaches, pigs, or simple swimming.

My take on the $850 value

The price makes sense when the boat is full. At eight people, each person pays a little over $106 for a private boat, equipment, refreshments, a beach stop, reef snorkeling, and fishing access. That is a fairer calculation than looking only at the total.

For four people, the per-person cost rises sharply. You are paying for privacy and flexibility, not just transportation to Rose Island. If those two things matter to you, the premium may be worthwhile. If you only want a beach and a quick swim, a less flexible option could offer better value.

I also like that the tour includes several pieces that often cost extra elsewhere: snorkel gear, rods, bait, tackle, water, soft drinks, and a snack. The pig swim, lunch, and alcohol remain separate expenses, so build those into your budget rather than treating the $850 as the final total.

Should you book Triple D’s Aqua Adventures?

I would book this private charter if your group wants a flexible half-day with several ways to enjoy the Bahamas. The best reasons are the private boat, the chance to see turtles and reef fish, the included fishing equipment, and the crew’s strong record with families. Captain Frenchie is repeatedly praised for being attentive, patient, and willing to shape the day around the group.

I would hesitate only if your budget is tight, you require a calm beach, or the swimming-with-pigs activity is the main reason for booking. In that case, confirm the pig fee and exact arrangements before departure.

For a full group of up to eight, this is a good-value private outing. For a smaller group, it is a more deliberate splurge. Book it for the freedom to mix snorkeling, fishing, swimming, and Rose Island time, not for a guaranteed list of perfect conditions.

FAQ

How long is the Rose Island private boat tour?

The tour lasts approximately four hours.

How much does the private charter cost?

The price is $850 per group of up to eight people.

Is the boat private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private tour or activity.

What equipment is included?

Snorkeling equipment, fishing rods, bait, and tackle are included. An electric reel may also be available as a fishing option.

Are food and drinks included?

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

How much does swimming with the pigs cost?

Swimming with the pigs costs an additional $35 per person.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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

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.