snorkeling, swimming pigs , turtles, rose island

Pigs in the sea? This is Nassau’s most playful day out. The four-hour trip from Montagu Beach combines swimming pigs, coral-reef snorkeling, sea turtles, and several island stops in one compact boat excursion. I like the mix of silly and serious: one moment you are laughing at pigs paddling through the shallows, and the next you are watching turtles glide past.

I also like the personal service from Captain Arool and his brother, who adjust the route when weather shifts and help you make the most of your time on the water. The included rum punch, water, sodas, and chips are useful touches, especially on a warm half-day trip. The main consideration is that this is an active outing with several water stops, and it is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Key points at a glance

• Swimming pigs near Rose Island: A playful encounter that gives the tour its most unusual moment.
• Forty-five minutes of reef snorkeling: Time to see coral formations and tropical fish without rushing through the stop.
• Sea turtles at Green Cay: The chance to watch turtles in their natural setting, with no guarantee of a sighting.
• Weather-aware guiding: Captain Arool and his brother can alter the route when conditions change.
• Several island stops: Pearl Island, Green Cay, and Athol Island create a varied day rather than one long boat ride.
• Useful refreshments included: Water, sodas, chips, and rum punch help keep the outing simple.

Starting from Montagu Beach dock

Your day begins at the Montagu Beach dock in New Providence. This is the practical starting point for a trip that spends most of its time on the water, so bring a towel and arrive ready to get wet.

The boat ride connects several places around the islands rather than taking you to one single attraction. That matters because the tour feels like a small coastal expedition: you get time for snorkeling, marine-life viewing, a pig visit, and an island stop.

The exact departure time depends on availability, so check the schedule before booking. The total duration is four hours. That gives the crew enough time to move between locations while still allowing meaningful time in the water.

The tour is conducted in English. The operator also allows you to cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are helpful if your Nassau plans depend on cruise timing or changing weather.

The boat ride to Pearl Island

The first major activity is at Pearl Island, where you spend about 45 minutes snorkeling. The stop is long enough to settle into the water, adjust your mask, and look around instead of being pushed back aboard after a quick swim.

The snorkeling takes place around coral and marine life. Expect the appeal to come from seeing the reef at water level, with fish and coral formations providing the main show. You do not need to be an expert swimmer to appreciate the stop, but you should be comfortable entering the water and using snorkeling equipment.

The crew provides snorkeling gear. Guides accompany the group and point out marine life while helping keep the activity safe. That personal attention is especially useful if you have little snorkeling experience or want help spotting creatures that blend into the reef.

I would treat this as a real water activity, not a sightseeing cruise with a quick photo stop. Bring your towel, expect to spend time in salt water, and avoid packing anything you cannot afford to get wet. The provided water and sodas are welcome after snorkeling, while chips offer a small snack between activities.

Meeting the swimming pigs

The swimming pigs are the tour’s most memorable oddity. The exact timing of the pig visit can shift as the crew manages the route, but the idea is simple: you go ashore or into the shallows near the pigs and interact with them in the water.

These animals are accustomed to being around people, and their swimming habit makes the visit different from a standard farm-animal encounter. You can expect playful moments, wet noses, and plenty of chances for photos. The charm comes from the contrast between the calm island setting and the sight of pigs paddling through the sea.

You should follow the guide’s instructions around the animals. The operator emphasizes environmental care, and that matters here. A responsible visit means giving the pigs space, avoiding rough handling, and following any rules about feeding or contact.

The pig stop is also a good reminder that this is not a polished theme-park show. The animals and sea conditions determine the feel of the encounter. If you want a tightly choreographed attraction, this may seem informal. If you like unusual outdoor experiences, the informality is part of the fun.

Green Cay and the search for sea turtles

Green Cay is scheduled for about 45 minutes of marine-life viewing. This is where you have a chance to see sea turtles moving through their natural surroundings.

A turtle sighting can never be promised, and that is worth keeping in mind when you judge the value of the tour. The experience depends on conditions, location, and the animals’ behavior. Still, the stop gives you time to look carefully rather than simply passing through an area at high speed.

The crew can offer insight into turtle behavior and conservation. That adds substance to the encounter. You are not only chasing a photograph, but also learning why these animals matter and how careful visitors should be in the water.

One standout detail from this trip is the help with GoPro footage. Captain Arool and his brother assisted with capturing video of the turtles, which can make a big difference when you are trying to film while swimming. If you bring your own waterproof camera, have it ready before entering the water, since turtle sightings may be brief.

The turtle stop suits people who enjoy patient wildlife watching. You may need to keep your eyes open and accept that the animals will not perform on command. The reward, if the timing works, is seeing a large marine animal move quietly through clear water.

Athol Island’s slower 45 minutes

Athol Island provides another 45-minute stop and gives the day a change of pace. After snorkeling and marine-life viewing, an island visit lets you step out of the water and take in the coast from a different angle.

The supplied information does not promise a particular landmark or activity on Athol Island, so you should not book this stop expecting a guided cultural tour or a long hike. Think of it as a scenic visit within a boat-based day.

That variety is valuable. Four hours of repeated snorkeling can become tiring, especially for families or anyone not used to being in the sea. The island stop breaks up the water activities and gives you time to dry off, look around, and enjoy the setting.

The route may change with weather. One notable outing took place during difficult conditions, and the crew adjusted the itinerary by reading where the rain was moving and keeping the group in clearer weather when possible. That flexibility is one of the stronger reasons to choose a small operator instead of treating the route as fixed.

Why the guides matter

Captain Arool and his brother receive strong praise for their effort, flexibility, and help in the water. The most useful part of their service is not simply narration. It is their willingness to adjust the day and assist with wildlife viewing and camera footage.

A weather-smart captain can protect the quality of a short excursion. If rain or rough conditions affect one location, moving the route can save valuable time. It does not guarantee calm seas, but it gives the group a better chance of finding workable conditions.

The guides also help make the trip feel personal. The advertised focus is on unique experiences and individual attention, and the reported outing supports that claim. A last-minute booking was accommodated, and the crew worked to make the day function despite challenging weather.

There is also an extra harbor tour at the end of one reported trip, with views of famous waterfront homes associated with figures such as Elon Musk and Shaquille O’Neal. This detail may depend on the day’s route, so I would regard it as a possible bonus rather than a guaranteed part of the advertised schedule.

What the $180 price gets you

At $180 per person, this is not a cheap way to spend a morning. The price makes more sense if you want several separate activities in one outing and prefer a smaller, more personal operation.

You are paying for a four-hour boat trip, snorkeling, a pig visit, a chance to see turtles, island stops, an English-speaking guide, and basic refreshments. Water, sodas, chips, and rum punch are included, which means you do not need to plan a separate snack stop.

The value is strongest for visitors who would otherwise book separate excursions for pigs, snorkeling, and marine life. Combining them saves time and avoids spending a whole day on one attraction. It is also appealing for cruise passengers who want an independent option instead of paying more for a ship-organized excursion.

The price is harder to justify if you mainly want a beach day or a guaranteed turtle sighting. Wildlife remains unpredictable, and the tour’s appeal depends on enjoying the full mix of boat travel, swimming, animals, and island scenery.

The strongest value comes from the crew’s personal effort. Weather changes, route adjustments, and help with turtle footage can turn a standard boat ride into a better-planned day. That human attention is difficult to measure, but it is central to the experience.

Weather, comfort, and what to bring

Bring a towel. That is the one specific item requested, and you will use it after snorkeling, swimming with the pigs, or watching turtles from the water.

You should also expect a wet day, even though no additional packing list is provided. Keep your belongings protected and prepare any camera before the boat reaches the snorkeling area.

Weather can affect the route. The crew has shown that it can change plans when rain moves across the area, but a flexible itinerary cannot remove every effect of wind, rain, or rough water. If you are sensitive to seasickness or dislike changing plans, consider that before booking.

The trip is not suitable for wheelchair users. Since the main activities involve boarding a boat, entering the water, and moving between island stops, anyone with mobility concerns should confirm suitability directly with the operator before reserving.

Who will enjoy this tour most

This outing is a strong match for you if you want variety. Families with older children, couples, cruise passengers, and active visitors can all find something appealing here, especially if swimming pigs are high on the wish list.

It also suits people who prefer a guide-led day. Captain Arool and his brother take an active role in shaping the route, helping with wildlife sightings, and responding to weather. You are not left to manage every part of the trip yourself.

The tour is less suitable if you want a quiet, dry boat ride. You will spend time in the water and should be comfortable with a flexible schedule. It is also not the best choice if accessibility is a major concern, since wheelchair users cannot participate.

Wildlife lovers should book with the right expectations. You might see turtles, but no responsible operator can guarantee where wild animals will appear. The coral reef, pigs, and island stops still give the day value if the turtle encounter is brief.

Practical booking advice

If you are visiting from a cruise, allow enough time between the tour’s return and your required time back aboard ship. The trip returns to Montagu Beach, but weather or route changes can affect timing.

Check availability for the start time and confirm the meeting point at Montagu Beach dock. Since the experience lasts four hours, it can fit into a longer Nassau day, but it is not a quick one-hour shore activity.

The reserve-now, pay-later option is useful if you are still arranging your schedule. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure also reduces the risk of committing too early, though you should read the booking terms carefully before paying.

Should you book the Rose Island adventure?

I would book this tour if you want three memorable themes in one half-day: swimming pigs, reef snorkeling, and a chance to see sea turtles. The strongest reason to choose 700 Islands Adventure Tour is the crew. Captain Arool and his brother bring flexibility, practical help, and a clear effort to make the day work even when weather gets messy.

At $180, it is a premium outing, but the combination of activities and included refreshments gives the price a fair case. Book it if you value personal service and active time on the water. Skip it if you need wheelchair access, want a guaranteed wildlife encounter, or prefer a fixed and very quiet sightseeing schedule.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts four hours.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins and ends at the Montagu Beach dock in New Providence, Bahamas.

What activities are included?

The tour includes snorkeling, visiting swimming pigs, seeing sea turtles, marine-life viewing, and visits to Pearl Island, Green Cay, and Athol Island.

How long is the snorkeling stop?

The snorkeling stop at Pearl Island lasts about 45 minutes.

How long is the marine-life viewing stop?

The marine-life viewing stop at Green Cay lasts about 45 minutes.

Are sea turtle sightings guaranteed?

No. The tour offers a chance to see sea turtles in their natural setting, but wild-animal sightings cannot be guaranteed.

What refreshments are included?

Water, sodas, chips, and rum punch are included.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.