Powerboat and Snorkel Experience with Swimming Pigs and Turtles

The swimming pigs get the headlines, but this three-island boat trip gives you a fuller taste of the Bahamas: reef snorkeling at Rose Island, turtles at Green Cay, and time on sandy shores. I like the efficient route and the small 35-foot Donzi, which can cover a lot of water in three and a half hours without feeling like a giant cruise outing.

I also like the friendly crew and simple extras, including snorkeling gear, soft drinks, bottled water, and a restroom built into the center console. The main drawback is that the schedule depends on weather and minimum numbers, and some water activities may feel less comfortable for weak swimmers. One rider was frightened after being flipped from a banana boat, so ask for a life jacket before any towable activity.

Key points to know before you book

• Three island stops: Rose Island for reef snorkeling, Sandy Cay for beach time, and Green Cay for turtle viewing.
• Small powerboat: The custom 35-foot Donzi carries no more than 14 or 15 people, depending on the stated capacity.
• Swimming pig encounter: You can meet, feed, and interact with the pigs rather than simply view them from a distance.
• Turtle sanctuary: Green Cay offers a chance to see turtles in their natural setting, including the possibility of spotting one with a remora attached.
• Useful onboard comforts: Snorkeling equipment, soda, water, a captain, guide, and a dedicated restroom are included.
• Bring your own meal: Lunch is not included, so plan ahead for a three-and-a-half-hour outing.

A fast, varied morning on the water

Secret Cays packs several classic New Providence Island experiences into one short trip. You leave from the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal and return to that same meeting point, making this easy to fit into a cruise day, hotel stay, or wider Bahamas schedule.

The appeal is variety. You are not spending the whole outing at one crowded beach or one snorkeling site. Instead, the boat links reef, wildlife, and sand in a compact route. That matters if you have limited time and want more than a single swim stop.

The boat is a custom 35-foot Donzi Marine center console. It is small enough to feel personal, yet large enough to carry a group of up to 14 or 15 people. The published information gives both numbers, so expect a small-group outing rather than an intimate private charter unless your party happens to be the only booking.

One particularly useful feature is the restroom inside the center console. That sounds minor until you are several miles from shore. It makes the trip more practical for families and anyone who would rather not depend on a quick return to land.

Starting at Paradise Island Ferry Terminal

The meeting point is the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal on Paradise Beach Drive. The boat operates near the Margaritaville restaurant area, where several companies and boats may be gathered.

Give yourself time to identify the right operator. One helpful tip is to look specifically for Secret Cays, since the boat may have limited branding and the name may not be obvious at first glance. This is the sort of small detail that can prevent a rushed start, especially during the morning departure.

A mobile ticket is accepted, and booking confirmation arrives at the time of booking. The tour ends back where it begins, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride from another island or marina.

The trip lasts about three hours and 30 minutes. That is long enough for several stops, but not so long that you lose an entire day. I would choose a morning departure if possible, particularly if you want to keep the afternoon open for Nassau or Paradise Island.

Rose Island reef snorkeling

The first major stop is around Rose Island, where you snorkel over reef filled with aquatic life. The exact reef conditions can vary with weather and water clarity, but this is the part of the trip for people who want an active swim rather than only a scenic boat ride.

Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from renting a mask and fins separately. You should still bring the personal items that make time in the water easier, such as a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and a dry change of clothes. Those items are not listed as included, so plan as if you need to supply them yourself.

The reef stop adds real value to the tour. The pigs and turtles are memorable, but snorkeling lets you see the underwater setting that makes the islands special. You may spot colorful fish and other sea life, though no wildlife encounter can be guaranteed.

If you are not a confident swimmer, be direct with the crew before entering the water. The tour is described as suitable for most people, but it still involves swimming in open water. The boat has a captain and guide, and the crew has been praised for patience and care, yet you should judge your own comfort honestly.

Meeting the famous swimming pigs

The pig stop is the most playful part of the outing. At Rose Island, you can meet, feed, and interact with the swimming pigs. This is not a quiet wildlife observation. It is a hands-on encounter built around getting close to the animals in the water.

Families will likely enjoy this stop most, especially children who want an unusual story to take home. The pigs also give the excursion a light, social feel. After snorkeling, the mood shifts from watching fish below the surface to laughing at animals paddling nearby.

Keep your expectations sensible. The pigs are the focus, but the encounter is still part of a shared boat trip, not a private animal session. Your time with them depends on the day’s route, conditions, and how many people are aboard.

I also recommend keeping your belongings secure during this stop. You may be moving between the boat, shallow water, and beach, so a small waterproof pouch for essentials is more useful than a large beach bag.

Sandy Cay and the Gilligan’s Island connection

Sandy Cay provides a change of pace. After time in the water, you can relax or play on the sandy beach. The cay was featured in the trailer for Gilligan’s Island, which gives the stop a small bit of screen history without requiring a long cultural explanation.

The attraction here is simple: sand, sea, and a chance to slow down. If snorkeling and swimming pigs feel busy, this is the place to stretch out and enjoy the setting. If you have children in the group, beach time gives them room to move around rather than sit on the boat between water activities.

Do not expect a full beach facility with lunch service or a long list of amenities. Lunch is not included, and this is a short island outing rather than a resort beach day. The stop works best when you see it as a scenic pause in a packed route.

Green Cay turtle viewing

Green Cay is home to a turtle sanctuary, and turtle viewing is the quiet highlight for many people. You may see turtles in their natural habitat, which gives this stop a different character from the more staged pig encounter.

The guides can help point out wildlife that is easy to miss from the boat or shoreline. One reported sighting included several turtles and one with a remora attached. That sort of detail shows why it pays to watch carefully instead of treating the stop as a quick photo break.

Wild animals set the schedule here. You may see several turtles, or the conditions may make them harder to spot. The tour promises a visit to the sanctuary and a chance to view turtles, not a guaranteed count or close approach.

This stop suits you if you enjoy calmer nature viewing. It also balances the trip well. Rose Island supplies movement and reef life, the pigs bring comic energy, Sandy Cay offers beach time, and Green Cay gives you a slower look at local marine life.

What the small Donzi changes

The boat itself shapes the day. A 35-foot center-console powerboat can move between islands efficiently and reach places that may take longer on a larger vessel. Its smaller size also makes the group feel more connected to the captain and guide.

The trade-off is that you have less room than on a large catamaran. You should expect a boating outing, not a floating resort with wide indoor areas, multiple decks, or extensive shade. The center console does provide a dedicated restroom, which is a strong practical advantage.

A small group can also make instructions easier to hear. The crew has been praised for being welcoming, kind, and patient, and music is sometimes played during the ride. That combination should suit you if you want a lively outing with a personal feel.

The boat’s size does not remove the effect of sea conditions. A rough day may feel more noticeable on a powerboat than on a much larger vessel. Since the trip requires good weather, the operator may reschedule or cancel when conditions are poor.

Crew service and the feel of the outing

Captain J and his partner are identified in the feedback as friendly and attentive. The crew has also been praised for taking good care of the group, giving patient help, and creating a relaxed atmosphere with music on the boat.

That matters on a water trip with several activities. You need clear guidance when getting in and out of the water, handling snorkeling gear, and approaching wildlife. A crew that stays engaged can make the difference between feeling confident and feeling hurried.

Still, you should speak up about safety needs. A concern was raised after a banana boat flip, when one rider felt unsafe because a wife was not a strong swimmer. The practical lesson is clear: request a life jacket before any banana boat or similar activity, even if it is not offered automatically.

The main excursion description centers on snorkeling, pigs, turtles, beaches, and the powerboat ride. Any extra water activity should be treated as an optional add-on or possible part of the day, not the core reason to book.

Is $145 a fair price?

At $145 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water in Nassau. But price alone misses what is bundled into the outing. You receive a powerboat ride, captain, guide, snorkeling equipment, soda, bottled water, and several stops across three islands.

The value is strongest if you want variety. Booking separate outings for reef snorkeling, swimming pigs, turtle viewing, and beach time could take more planning and more transportation. Here, those pieces are joined into one half-day experience.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a long, quiet beach day or a serious snorkeling session. The three-and-a-half-hour schedule must share time among several stops, so no single activity receives a full day’s attention.

Food is the main extra cost to consider. Lunch is not included, and the provided drinks are limited to soda and bottled water. Eat before departure or arrange your own suitable plan, while remembering that the tour does not list meal service.

The overall rating is 4.6 out of 5, with 90 percent recommending it. That points to a strong experience overall, while the safety concern around the banana boat is worth taking seriously.

Who should book this Bahamas excursion?

I would recommend it to you if you want a compact wildlife-and-water outing rather than a slow resort day. It works well for families, couples, small groups, and first-time visitors who want to see several sides of the Bahamas in one morning.

The tour is also a good match if you enjoy switching activities. You can snorkel, meet pigs, watch turtles, walk or play on a beach, and ride a fast boat without committing your whole day to one stop.

You may want another option if you dislike small boats, feel uneasy in open water, or need a highly structured accessibility plan. The provided information says most people can participate, but it does not give detailed accessibility information for boarding, swimming, or beach access.

This outing is weather-dependent. If poor weather cancels it, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not met.

Booking, cancellation, and practical planning

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund, and cut-off times use local Bahamas time.

Because the tour is often booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of about 19 days, reserve early if your schedule is fixed. That is especially sensible for cruise passengers or anyone with only one open morning.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and any personal snacks you need. Water and soda are included, but lunch is not. Keep valuables to a minimum and use waterproof protection for a phone or camera.

Should you book Secret Cays?

Book this trip if you want several signature Bahamas moments in one efficient package: reef snorkeling, swimming pigs, turtles, and a sandy cay. The small Donzi, onboard restroom, included gear, and warm crew service make the $145 price easier to justify.

I would book with two cautions. First, confirm where to find the Secret Cays boat near the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal. Second, tell the crew about swimming ability and ask for a life jacket before any optional towable activity.

If you accept the weather risk and prefer variety over depth, this is a strong choice for a half-day on the water. If your priority is a long beach stay, a private charter, or intensive snorkeling, spend your money elsewhere.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal on Paradise Beach Drive in The Bahamas.

Where does the tour end?

The experience ends back at the same meeting point, the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours and 30 minutes.

What islands does the tour visit?

The experience includes stops around Rose Island, Sandy Cay, and Green Cay.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the price.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water and soda are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. A different date, different experience, or full refund is also offered if the minimum number of participants is not met.