Self Drive Speedboat and Swim with the Pigs

Take the wheel, then meet the pigs. This two-hour Nassau outing combines a self-drive speedboat ride, views around New Providence Island, and time on a private island where you can feed pigs and take photos.

I like the freedom of driving your own boat, and I like the friendly, patient crew. The small group limit of 20 people also keeps this from feeling like a crowded harbor transfer.

The main catch is the boat handling. Wind can make the ride tricky at first, and the pigs may not swim every time, especially after the food runs out. This is a pig encounter with a boat adventure attached, not a guaranteed water performance by the animals.

Key points to know before booking

• You drive the speedboat yourself: No boating license or prior experience is required, but only people age 18 and older may drive.
• The ride begins near Atlantis: Meet at Malcom’s Park by the Atlantis Bridge in Nassau, then follow a guide’s boat around New Providence Island.
• The pig island is private: You get time to feed the pigs, take photos, and interact with them in a clear-water setting.
• Wind affects the driving: Some people find the boat difficult at first, especially in high wind, though the crew stays close and offers help.
• The outing lasts about two hours: That gives you a compact taste of boating and the pig encounter without taking up a full day.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, while cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded.

Starting at Malcom’s Park by the Atlantis Bridge

The meeting point is Malcom’s Park at the Atlantis Bridge in Nassau. This location matters because you are not starting from a distant marina or spending much of your short tour on a bus. The adventure begins at the water, with the Atlantis area close by as a visual marker.

At check-in, the crew gives you specific instructions on operating the speedboat. The briefing is described as quick and easy, but you should still pay attention. You will be responsible for steering your own boat, and the ride can feel less simple once wind and open water enter the picture.

No boating license or previous experience is required. That makes this activity accessible to many first-time boat drivers, but it does not mean the controls feel instantly natural. One person found the boat hard to handle at first before getting more comfortable. Another had trouble with the boat but was safely guided to and from the island.

People age 18 and older may drive. Children from age five may take part, so families can share the ride, though the adult driver needs to feel comfortable taking responsibility for the boat.

Learning the controls before open water

The boat lesson is one of the most important parts of the outing. You are not simply sitting behind a captain while someone else does the work. You get the chance to steer, manage the boat, and follow the guide.

That hands-on setup is the heart of the activity. If you have always wanted to try driving a small speedboat but do not want to commit to a boating course, this is a short and guided way to do it.

The trade-off is that the fun depends partly on your comfort level. You might get the hang of it quickly, or you might spend part of the ride concentrating on steering instead of admiring the view. The crew’s patience is a real asset here. The strongest praise goes to the staff for being hospitable, professional, and calm when people needed extra help.

You should also expect to follow one of the expert guides rather than choose your own route. That is sensible for safety and keeps the group together. It also means this is not a free-form rental where you can wander wherever you wish.

Following the guide around New Providence Island

Once the boats leave the dock, you follow the guide along the coast and around the island. The ride offers views of New Providence Island from the water, with a particularly memorable route near the Atlantis Bridge.

A notable part of the ride takes you close to the bridge and gives you a chance to see the Atlantis area from a different angle. The route may also pass near the hotel itself. These sights add a sense of place that a standard pig transfer would miss.

I like this part because the boat ride is not just transportation to the animals. It is a main attraction. You get the thrill of being in control while the guide points the group toward scenic areas.

Wind can change the feel of the trip. One person found the ride challenging because of high wind but still reached the island and enjoyed the outing. If conditions are breezy, expect more effort at the wheel and less of a smooth, effortless cruise.

The group size is capped at 20 people. That is not a private outing, but it is still fairly limited for a guided water activity. The guide can keep an eye on the boats, and the crew can respond if someone struggles with the controls.

Arriving at the private island with pigs

The main stop is a private island where you can interact with the pigs, feed them, and take pictures. The setting adds plenty of visual appeal, with clear water and a clean island area noted by one participant.

The pigs are described as friendly, which makes the encounter approachable for families and first-time visitors. Feeding them gives you an easy way to interact without needing special knowledge. You can focus on the animals, take photographs, and enjoy the unusual setting.

The title promises swimming with the pigs, but you should keep your expectations flexible. Pigs do not always go into the water. One person found that the animals stayed on land once the food was gone. In other words, you may see pigs in or near the water, but the outing does not guarantee that they will paddle beside you for a photo.

That unpredictability is part of the appeal, but it is also the biggest reason not to book this solely for a perfect swimming picture. The boat ride, island setting, and animal encounter work together. If you need the pigs to perform on cue, you may leave disappointed.

Feeding, photos, and time with the animals

The island stop is designed for simple, direct interaction. You can feed the pigs, take pictures, and watch their behavior at close range. The experience is less about a formal presentation and more about being in the right place with the animals.

You should follow the crew’s instructions around feeding and handling. The supplied information does not specify the type or amount of food, so do not assume you can bring your own snacks for the pigs.

The clear water gives the stop a pleasant look even when the animals stay on land. One person specifically praised the island’s cleanliness and the clarity of the water. That helps the stop feel cared for rather than like a rushed photo platform.

The time at the island is part of a two-hour total outing, so you should not expect an all-day beach visit. The tour has to include the briefing, boat ride in both directions, and animal stop. You get a compact encounter rather than hours of free time.

What the crew does well

The staff receives some of the strongest praise connected with this activity. The crew is described as hospitable, professional, patient, and accommodating.

That matters more here than it would on a simple sightseeing cruise. A first-time driver may need reassurance. Someone dealing with wind or steering trouble needs clear help, not a rushed instruction. The crew’s ability to stay calm can shape the whole day.

The people operating the tour are also described as polite and enthusiastic. The available information does not provide their names, so I cannot identify individual guides, but the consistent picture is of a small team that takes care of its group.

You should still listen closely and ask for help early if the boat feels difficult. Waiting until you are far from the dock will only make the ride more stressful. The guide is there to lead the group, but you remain the person handling your own boat.

Is $130 a fair price?

At $130 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see pigs in the Bahamas. The value comes from combining several activities into one short outing: instruction, self-drive boating, guided views around New Providence, and the private-island pig stop.

If you mainly want to sit on a beach and see pigs for a few minutes, the price may feel high. If you want the boat ride itself, the cost makes more sense. You are paying for a guided activity with equipment, staff support, and a limited group, not just access to an island.

The two-hour length also helps you judge the price. This is a good fit if you have a short window in Nassau, perhaps during a cruise stop or between other plans. You get a distinct Bahamian water activity without giving up most of your day.

I would consider the price reasonable for people who value participation over passive sightseeing. The most worthwhile part is driving the boat. The pigs are the memorable finish, but the boat gives the outing its character.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this for adults, families with children age five and older, couples, and friends who want a lively water activity. It suits people who like trying something new and do not mind a bit of concentration behind the wheel.

It is also a good choice for someone who has already seen Nassau’s main attractions and wants a different view of the island. The route near Atlantis gives you a familiar landmark from the water, while the private island provides a more unusual stop.

You may want to choose another activity if you dislike operating vehicles, feel uneasy in wind, or want a calm boat ride with no responsibility. This is not the best fit for someone who wants guaranteed pig swimming, either.

The age rules are clear. Children age five and older may take part, but drivers must be at least 18. The information does not provide further details about child seating, so families should confirm any specific needs before booking.

Timing, weather, and cancellation rules

The activity lasts about two hours and returns to the same meeting point. That makes planning simple, but you should leave room around the tour rather than schedule another fixed activity immediately afterward.

Weather is especially important because wind affects both comfort and boat handling. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you can receive a different date 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 within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. The cut-off uses local Bahamian time, so check the time carefully if you are booking from another country.

Confirmation arrives at booking, and the activity is available with a mobile ticket. The meeting point is near public transportation, which is useful if you are not arranging a private transfer.

A practical way to prepare

Arrive ready to listen during the boat briefing. The controls may be easy to understand, but high wind can still make the ride demanding.

Wear clothing suitable for a water activity and protect anything you do not want exposed to spray. The supplied details do not list a full equipment checklist, so contact Cruising Adventures if you need firm answers about life jackets, towels, swimwear, or storage.

Keep your camera ready for the route near Atlantis and the pig island, but do not let the photo hunt distract you from steering. The boat ride is one of the best reasons to book this outing.

At the island, enjoy the pigs as they are. Feed them, take pictures, and appreciate the clear water, but do not expect them to swim simply because the tour has that name. Their behavior can change once the food is gone.

Should you book the self-drive pig tour?

Book it if you want an active Nassau outing and like the idea of driving your own speedboat under a guide’s direction. The patient crew, small maximum group size, private island, and views near Atlantis give the $130 price real value for the right person.

Skip it if your main goal is a guaranteed swimming-with-pigs photo or a completely relaxed boat ride. Wind can make driving challenging, and the pigs may stay out of the water.

For families, couples, and first-time boat drivers who want a memorable two-hour adventure, I think this is a strong pick. Just treat the pigs as willing participants rather than trained performers, and the day should deliver plenty of fun.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at Malcom’s Park by the Atlantis Bridge in Nassau, The Bahamas.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately two hours.

Do I need a boating license or previous experience?

No. A boating license or prior boating experience is not required.

Who is allowed to drive the speedboat?

People age 18 and older may drive the boat.

What is the minimum age to take part?

The minimum age is five years old.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.