Exotic half day private charters to Rose Island, Pigs and Turtles

The best part of this half-day charter is the freedom to combine several classic Bahamian treats in one small-group outing: swimming pigs, sea turtles, and a quiet beach. Your captain takes your group from Nassau through the harbor and out toward Rose Island, with time for snorkeling and a beachside meal.

I like the private format, since your group does not have to share the boat with strangers. I also like the easygoing mix of activities, from seeing celebrity homes and hotels along the harbor to spending time on a remote beach. The main catch is the extra $40 charge for the pigs, plus lunch is not included.

Key points to know before you book

• Private boat for your group: The charter costs $1,020 for up to nine people, though the boat is described as seating eight comfortably.
• Three popular Bahamian stops in one trip: You can snorkel, see sea turtles, visit swimming pigs, and relax on Rose Island.
• Four hours on the water: The time is enough for a compact outing, but you will not have unlimited time at every stop.
• Food and drinks are partly covered: Bottled water, snacks, and unlimited Bahama Mamas are included. Lunch costs extra.
• The pig visit has an extra fee: Swimming with the pigs costs $40 at the location.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure.

A private start from Nassau’s waterfront

The experience begins in Nassau, with the meeting information pointing to Elizabeth on Bay at Bay Street. The tour description also names Bayshore Marina, 64 East Bay Street, as the starting marina, so I would confirm the exact boarding point before you set out.

That small detail matters in Nassau. The waterfront has several marinas and pickup areas, and a clear meeting point saves you from wandering around with beach bags and snorkel gear. Confirmation arrives when you book, so use that information to verify where you should meet the crew.

Once you reach the boat, you settle into a private charter rather than a large tour vessel. Your own group takes part, with the captain guiding the route and timing. Antoine and Chris are named as hosts and guides, so you may have one of them leading the outing.

The boat is described as having comfortable seating for eight, while the booking capacity is listed as up to nine people. For a full group of nine, ask how seating will work. A couple, family, or group of six to eight should have the most comfortable fit.

Harbor views before the open water

The first part of the ride gives you a look at Nassau from the water. You pass through the harbor, with views of luxury homes associated with celebrities, five-star hotels, and a picturesque oceanside golf course.

This is not just filler before the main stops. A boat ride gives you a different sense of New Providence Island than a car or walking tour can. You see how the developed Nassau waterfront gives way to open Bahamian water, and the ride itself becomes part of the outing.

I would treat this stretch as a chance to get comfortable on the boat and ask your captain about the plan. Since the charter is private, you can speak up if your group wants more time to snorkel, relax, or see the pigs, though the actual flexibility is not specified. The schedule still has to fit into roughly four hours.

That duration is a useful middle ground. It is long enough to leave Nassau, visit Rose Island, and fit in several water activities without taking up a full day. It is also short enough to pair with other plans in Nassau. The tradeoff is clear: if your group wants a slow beach day, an extended snorkeling session, and a leisurely lunch, four hours may feel tight.

Rose Island and the appeal of a quieter beach

Rose Island is the main setting for the charter. Away from the center of Nassau, it offers a change of pace, with time for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing on the sand.

The strongest appeal here is privacy. The outing is built around getting away from crowded public areas, and one account of the experience describes a private island beach that felt wonderfully empty. You should not assume the beach will always be completely deserted, but the charter gives your group a better chance at peace than a large shared excursion.

You can use the beach in different ways. Families may want to swim and let children enjoy the shoreline. Couples may prefer a quiet stretch of sand. Others may simply sit with a drink and watch the water. There is no requirement to turn every minute into an activity.

The beach is also where the trip can feel most relaxed. The pig visit and snorkeling are the headline attractions, but a calm beach stop often becomes the part you remember most. You are not being hurried from one crowded platform to another. You have a small boat, a private group, and a remote setting.

Still, keep your expectations practical. The information does not promise a long beach stay, reserved chairs, changing facilities, or a private island owned by the tour company. Ask the crew how much time you will have on shore if beach time is your priority.

Snorkeling with equipment already provided

Snorkeling equipment is included, which makes the outing easier to plan. You do not need to arrange a separate rental before boarding, and bottled water and snacks are also supplied.

The snorkeling is one of the more useful inclusions because it lets you see the Bahamian water rather than only riding across it. The water is presented as clear and inviting, and the trip is designed around contact with the sea. You might see fish and underwater scenery, but no particular reef, species list, or guaranteed marine life is provided.

The crew’s role matters here. A private captain can help your group choose how to use the available time, but the details of instruction, safety briefings, flotation gear, and exact snorkeling site are not stated. If anyone in your party is a beginner, ask what support is available before you enter the water.

I like that snorkeling is included rather than treated as a separate upgrade. It gives the charter more substance than a simple scenic boat ride. At the same time, you should not book this expecting a dedicated, expert-led reef course. The focus is a broad mix of activities.

Sea turtles in their natural setting

Seeing sea turtles adds a quieter moment to the day. Unlike the lively pig stop, a turtle encounter is built around watching and waiting. The description presents the turtles as a calming part of the experience, and that contrast helps give the trip a varied rhythm.

Your captain will guide the group toward an area where turtles may be seen, but the information does not promise a guaranteed sighting or close contact. That is worth keeping in mind when setting expectations. Wildlife does its own thing, and a turtle encounter can be brief.

If your group cares most about wildlife, ask how the turtle portion is handled. You will want to know if the plan is to observe from the boat, swim nearby, or do both. The supplied details do not spell this out.

Even without a long encounter, the turtle stop can be valuable. It slows the pace after the harbor ride and before or after the more playful pig visit. For children, it can turn a beach outing into a chance to notice animals in their own setting. For adults, it offers a calmer counterpoint to the drinks, snacks, and busy sightseeing.

The swimming pigs cost extra

The pigs are a major reason many people will consider this charter. You can visit a secluded island, interact with the pigs, and take the kind of photos that are difficult to get from a regular Nassau beach day.

There is one important price detail: swimming with the pigs costs an additional $40 at the location. That fee is not part of the $1,020 charter price, so include it in your budget before booking. The supplied information does not state whether the $40 is per person, per group, or tied to another pricing method. Confirm that point directly.

This stop may be the most energetic part of the outing. Pigs are entertaining, but your group should also be ready for an informal animal encounter rather than a polished attraction. Follow the captain’s directions and any rules at the site.

The extra charge makes the value question more personal. If everyone in your group wants the pig experience, the fee may feel worthwhile. If only one or two people care about it, you may prefer to spend the time snorkeling or on the beach while keeping the added cost in mind.

I would not book this charter solely for the pigs unless you confirm the exact pig experience and fee first. The real value is the combination of pigs, turtles, snorkeling, harbor views, and a private beach outing.

Snacks, water, and Bahama Mamas

Bottled water and snacks are included, which is useful on a four-hour boat trip. You will have something to drink and nibble on without needing to bring a full cooler.

Unlimited Bahama Mamas are also included. That can add a festive touch for adults, especially while cruising or relaxing at the beach. The inclusion is generous, but it is not a substitute for lunch. Lunch is specifically excluded, so plan to eat before the trip, after it, or at the beachside restaurant if time and arrangements allow.

The itinerary notes a culinary stop at a beachside restaurant, but it does not say that a meal is reserved or included. You should ask whether you will have time to eat there and how payment works. If your group includes children or anyone who does not drink alcohol, bring or arrange suitable food and nonalcoholic options beyond the supplied water and snacks.

Is $1,020 good value for a private charter?

At first glance, $1,020 is a large price. The useful way to judge it is by dividing it among your group. With eight people, the base price works out to about $127.50 per person. With nine, it is about $113.33 per person, before the pig fee and lunch.

That is a different proposition from paying $1,020 for two people. For a family or group of friends, a private boat can make financial sense because the price covers the group rather than charging each person a separate full fare.

You are paying for privacy, a captain, boat time, snorkeling equipment, water, snacks, and drinks. You are also paying for the ability to combine several activities without joining a large shared excursion. If your group values personal space and wants a flexible day on the water, those benefits carry real weight.

The value drops if several people do not want to swim, snorkel, see turtles, or visit the pigs. A private boat is best when everyone enjoys being on the water. It may not suit a group that wants a structured cultural tour, a long restaurant meal, or a full-day island stay.

Remember the additional costs. The pigs are $40 at the location, lunch is not included, and the seating description favors eight people even though nine can book. Those details do not ruin the value, but they belong in the final calculation.

Who will enjoy this Nassau boat trip most?

I would recommend this outing for families, couples traveling with friends, and small groups that want several Bahamian activities in a single morning or afternoon. It works especially well when different people want different things, since one person can focus on snorkeling while another prefers turtles or the beach.

It is also a good fit for people who dislike large group excursions. Your group is the only group taking part, so the mood should feel more personal than a packed boat with a fixed script. You can ask questions directly and enjoy the company you came with.

The experience may be less suitable for anyone who wants a long, unhurried beach day. Four hours passes quickly once you include the harbor tour, travel time, snorkeling, wildlife stops, and any meal. People who do not enjoy boats or who want a guaranteed animal sighting should also think carefully before paying the private-charter price.

The activity is described as suitable for most people, and service animals are allowed. It is near public transportation, but the exact boarding point should still be confirmed because both Elizabeth on Bay and Bayshore Marina appear in the meeting details.

Weather, timing, and the small details that matter

This is a water-based trip, so weather can change the plan. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

I would avoid scheduling an important evening flight or a tight connection immediately after the charter. The stated duration is about four hours, and weather or harbor conditions can affect timing. The tour ends back at the meeting point, which makes it easier to plan a return to Nassau, but you should still leave breathing room.

Book about two to three weeks ahead if your schedule is fixed. The average booking lead time is 17 days, which suggests that popular dates may fill before the last minute. A private boat for up to nine people is not the kind of outing I would leave until the day before.

Bring the usual beach basics, though the supplied information only confirms snorkeling equipment, water, and snacks. Confirm what personal items you should bring and how wet belongings are handled. Also ask about the exact meeting location, the pig fee, the restaurant stop, and seating if your group has nine people.

Should you book this Rose Island charter?

Book it if you want a private half-day on Bahamian water and your group likes variety. The strongest parts are the private boat, the chance to visit Rose Island, included snorkeling gear, sea turtles, and the option to add the swimming pigs. A perfect 5 out of 5 rating from 20 ratings also points to a consistently well-received outing, with Antoine and Chris earning special praise for making the day relaxing and fun.

Skip it if you want a cheap beach transfer, a full-day island stay, or a meal-centered excursion. The price makes the most sense for a full group, and the extra pig charge and excluded lunch should not surprise you.

Before paying, confirm the pickup point, the nine-person seating question, the exact $40 pig charge, and how much time is reserved for the restaurant and beach. If those details fit your plans, this is a strong choice for a compact Nassau outing that brings together the sea, wildlife, and a little island quiet.

FAQ

How long is the Rose Island private charter?

The experience lasts approximately four hours.

How much does the private charter cost?

The listed price is $1,020 per group for up to nine people.

How many people can join the boat?

The booking allows up to nine people, while the boat is described as having comfortable seating for eight. Confirm the seating arrangement if you plan to bring nine people.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

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

Are swimming pigs included in the price?

No. Swimming with the pigs costs an additional $40 at the location. The supplied information does not specify whether that fee is charged per person or per group, so confirm before booking.

Are food and drinks included?

Bottled water, snacks, and unlimited Bahama Mamas are included. Lunch is not included.

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.