Swim with Famous Pigs at Rose Island

Pigs, pink sand, and clear water make this Nassau outing far more than a quick photo stop. You cruise from New Providence to Rose Island for a relaxed half-day with nine resident swimming pigs, snorkeling, kayaking, and time at the beach.

I like the private group setup, which lets up to six people share the boat and keep the day more personal. I also like the mix of activities: the pigs are the headline act, but the welcome drink, hammocks, snorkeling, and island views give you reasons to stay. The main drawback is the price. At $1,050 per group, it makes the best financial sense when six people split the cost, and the local bar and grill adds a $10 cover charge per person.

Key Points to Know Before You Book

• Nine resident pigs on Rose Island: The animal encounter is the center of the visit, including time to swim with and feed the pigs.
• Private boat for up to six people: Your group participates on its own, a useful advantage for families and friends.
• Several water activities in one stop: Snorkeling gear, safety equipment, kayaking, and turtle snorkeling are part of the Rose Island visit.
• About four hours from Nassau: The outing includes a short cruise-port sightseeing segment and roughly three hours on Rose Island.
• $1,050 per group: A full group of six pays about $175 per person before the $10 local bar and grill cover charge.
• Popular enough to plan ahead: This experience is booked about 47 days in advance on average.

Leaving Nassau With Cruise Ships in View

The trip begins at Nassau Cruise Port, one of the Caribbean’s best-known arrival points. The first part of the boat ride includes about 15 minutes of sightseeing around Prince George Wharf, where large cruise ships tower over the waterfront.

That short cruise-port segment gives you a useful change of scene. Instead of seeing Nassau only from the streets or a ship deck, you get a water-level view of the port, the docked vessels, the updated waterfront, local shops, and modern Bahamian buildings. If a cruise ship is in port, its size becomes especially striking from the boat.

I would not treat this as a full Nassau harbor tour. Fifteen minutes passes quickly, and the main destination is Rose Island. Still, it is a pleasant opening, particularly if you enjoy boats, harbor views, and seeing how Nassau connects its city center to the sea.

Pickup is offered, and the tour provides a mobile ticket. The supplied details do not specify the pickup area or exact meeting instructions, so check those carefully when booking. The activity is also near public transportation, which may help if you are arranging your own way to the starting point.

Three Hours on Rose Island

Rose Island is the reason to book this experience. The island is presented as a quiet setting with crystal-clear water and pink sand, giving the day a clear island flavor rather than the feel of a standard city excursion.

You have about three hours at the island. That is enough time to spread the visit across several activities, though you will want to decide early how much time you want with the pigs, in the water, or relaxing on shore.

A welcome drink starts the island portion. From there, you can use a hammock, visit the beach bar, spend time on the sand, and take part in the water activities. The pace appears designed for a small private group, not for a tightly scheduled parade from one photo opportunity to another.

The $10 cover charge for the local bar and grill is not included. That cost is easy to overlook when you see the headline price, so include it in your budget if you plan to use that part of the stop. Food and bar purchases beyond the cover charge are not specified, so do not assume they are part of the tour price.

The Swimming Pigs Are the Main Event

The pigs are not a brief roadside-style stop. The Rose Island visit gives you time to swim alongside the nine resident animals and feed them. That makes the encounter more active than simply watching pigs from a beach.

The most enthusiastic praise for the experience centers on this moment. Samuel described the swim as a once-in-a-lifetime experience and singled out the combination of swimming with the pigs, snorkeling, and seeing Gilligan’s Island. Joyce also enjoyed the unusual nature of feeding and swimming with the pigs, along with the friendly boat staff.

That enthusiasm makes sense, but you should set sensible expectations. These are animals, not performers. Their behavior can change, and the experience will depend partly on how comfortable you are getting close to them in the water.

Bring a waterproof phone case if you want photos, though waterproof equipment is not listed as included. Also remember that you are combining an animal encounter with swimming, so listen to the crew’s instructions and use the provided safety equipment as directed.

Snorkeling, Turtles, and Time on the Water

The tour includes snorkeling gear and safety equipment, so you do not need to arrange those basics separately. Snorkeling is part of the Rose Island stop, and the description specifically includes the chance to snorkel with turtles.

That gives the outing more substance than a single novelty attraction. If the pig swim lasts less time than you expected, you still have another reason to get in the water. You may also kayak in the sea, adding a quieter way to enjoy the coast between the more social parts of the visit.

The snorkeling portion is not described with a specific reef location, water depth, or guaranteed turtle sighting. Keep that in mind when judging the tour. Turtles are included as an opportunity, not a promise that you will see a certain number of them.

I like this blend of activities because it lets your group set its own rhythm. Some people can focus on swimming with the pigs, while others may prefer snorkeling, kayaking, or a hammock. On a private outing, that flexibility is more useful than a long list of scheduled stops.

Why the Private Group Format Matters

This is a private activity for your group only, with space for up to six people. That feature may be the strongest practical reason to choose it over a cheaper shared excursion.

A private boat can make the day easier for families and close friends. You do not have to match the pace of a large mixed group, and you can share the pig encounter with the people you invited. The two published comments both praised the personal feel of going with your own group, and Joyce specifically enjoyed the family outing and friendly boat staff.

The private format does not mean every detail is customizable. The listed route still includes Nassau Cruise Port and Rose Island, and the total duration remains about four hours. But it should give you a more contained experience, with fewer concerns about coordinating with strangers.

The group limit also makes the price easier to understand. At six people, $1,050 works out to $175 per person, before the $10 bar and grill cover charge. For four people, it is $262.50 each. For two, it becomes $525 each. The value improves sharply as your group gets closer to the six-person limit.

Is $1,050 a Fair Price?

This is not a budget beach trip. The price covers a private experience for up to six people, boat transportation, swimming pigs, snorkeling, sightseeing, a cooler with ice and water, snorkeling gear, and safety equipment.

The question is not simply how much the tour costs. It is how many people will share it and how much you value privacy. A full group gets a private boat, a rare animal encounter, and several water activities at a per-person price that can be reasonable for a special Nassau day.

A smaller group pays much more for the same four-hour outing. If you have only two or three people, compare that total with other private boat options before committing. You may still decide that the pigs make it worthwhile, but the price should be a deliberate choice rather than an afterthought.

The cooler of ice and water is a useful inclusion in the Bahamian heat. Snorkeling gear and safety equipment also reduce the number of extras you need to arrange. The local bar and grill cover charge remains separate, and the supplied details do not list meals or drinks beyond the welcome drink and included water.

What the Boat Ride Adds to the Day

The boat is not just transport between Nassau and Rose Island. The cruise-port sightseeing gives you a look at the waterfront from a different angle, and the sea crossing creates a clear break from the city.

The trip is long enough to feel like an outing, but short enough to fit into a half-day plan. With a total duration of about four hours, you may still have part of the day available for Nassau activities. Since exact departure and return times are not provided, leave room around the tour if you have a flight, cruise departure, or another timed booking.

The boat also makes the private format more important. You are not only sharing a beach stop. You are sharing the ride, the views, the cooler, and the time on the water with your chosen group.

Who Will Get the Most From This Experience?

I would recommend this tour most strongly to:

• Families who want one memorable activity that works across several interests
• Friends willing to split a private boat cost
• Couples who place a high value on privacy and do not mind paying more
• People who enjoy unusual animal encounters and being in the water
• Cruise visitors with about four hours available for a Nassau excursion
• First-time Bahamas visitors looking for a distinctly local vacation story

It may be less suitable if you want a low-cost beach day, a long snorkeling session, or a detailed guided tour of Nassau. The experience is built around the pigs and a relaxed Rose Island stop, not museums, architecture, or an extended reef expedition.

Most people can participate, according to the supplied activity information, but no detailed accessibility information is provided. If you have specific mobility or equipment needs, ask J.Co Charters before booking.

Booking Ahead and Cancellation Rules

This experience is booked about 47 days in advance on average, so I would not leave it until the last day of a Nassau stay if swimming with the pigs is a priority. Confirmation arrives at booking, and the ticket is available on your mobile device.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. That cutoff matters if your plans depend on cruise schedules, weather, or other island activities.

J.Co Charters provides the experience. The supplied information names Jason in the response to Samuel’s outing, along with the crew, and describes friendly staff during the private trip. That personal connection is part of the appeal, though the exact crew for your date is not guaranteed in the information provided.

Should You Book the Rose Island Pig Swim?

Book it if you have a group of up to six, want a private boat, and consider the pig encounter the kind of unusual memory worth paying for. The strongest case is a full group that will use the whole Rose Island stop, including snorkeling, kayaking, beach time, and the pig swim.

Think twice if you are traveling alone or as a pair and mainly want inexpensive time on the beach. The per-person cost rises quickly with a smaller group, and the bar and grill cover charge is extra.

For the right group, this is a cheerful, easy-to-understand Nassau outing: cruise past the port, spend three hours on Rose Island, swim with nine famous pigs, and add snorkeling or kayaking when you need a change of pace. It is a special-occasion tour, not a bargain excursion, but it offers enough variety to justify the price when shared well.

FAQ

Where does the swim with pigs tour depart from?

The experience departs from Nassau, on New Providence Island, with Nassau Cruise Port included as the first sightseeing stop. Pickup is offered, and the activity is near public transportation.

How long does the Rose Island pig tour last?

The total duration is about four hours. The Nassau Cruise Port sightseeing portion lasts about 15 minutes, and the Rose Island visit lasts about three hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private activity allows up to six people per group. Only your group participates in the tour.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes the swimming pigs experience, snorkeling, sightseeing, a cooler with ice and water, snorkeling gear, and safety equipment.

Is food or the local beach bar included?

The local bar and grill has a $10 cover charge per person, which is not included. The tour does include a welcome drink, but other food and drink details are not specified.

Can I snorkel with turtles?

The Rose Island visit includes the opportunity to snorkel with turtles. Turtle sightings are not guaranteed in the supplied tour details.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.