Private Tour 45ft Powerboat to Nearby Islands

The best part of this private 45-foot powerboat tour is the freedom to string several classic Bahamian stops into four hours: coral reefs, turtle-filled Green Cay, white sand on Rose Island, tiny Sandy Cay, a beach bar, and swimming pigs. It feels less like checking off one attraction and more like building your own island day.

I like the small private group, capped at 10 in the listed price, and I like the crew-focused service. Captain Adam, Dia, Canaan, Captain Rico, and Ron are all named in the tour feedback, with communication and care repeatedly praised. The main drawback is the price: $3,800 is a serious outlay unless you can fill the boat.

Key points at a glance

• Green Cay offers snorkeling and turtle sightings near Rose Island, with gear provided.
• Rose Island gives you a full hour of beach time, useful for swimming, strolling, or simply slowing down.
• Sandy Cay is a tiny three-acre stop known as one of the Caribbean’s most photographed islands.
• The beach bar adds lunch and activities, including volleyball, billiards, karaoke, and beach chairs.
• Swimming pigs are part of the listed package for 10 people, but confirm exactly what is included before departure.
• The $3,800 group rate can work well for a full party, while a smaller group pays much more per person.

A private island day from Paradise Island

You meet at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Bahamas Marina on Marina Drive, Paradise Island. From there, the boat heads toward the small islands around New Providence, where the water changes from harbor traffic to the clear turquoise shallows that make this part of the Bahamas so popular.

The private setup matters. You are not sharing the boat with a large crowd, and the crew can help shape the four-hour outing around swimming, snorkeling, beach time, lunch, and the pig encounter. It is a good match for a family group, a birthday party, or friends who want control over the pace.

The boat is priced at $3,800 for up to 10 people. That works out to $380 per person if the boat is full, which is still a lot, but easier to justify when compared with several separate excursions. The operator can accommodate up to 22 people for an additional charge, with extra costs connected to lunch and the pigs package.

If your party has only four or five people, the value becomes harder to defend. You are paying for privacy, a larger powerboat, and a dedicated crew rather than a low-cost shared outing. I would gather your group first, then compare the per-person cost.

Green Cay: turtles and a short reef stop

The first listed stop is Green Turtle Cay, described as a very small island near Rose Island and surrounded by sea turtles. The planned stop lasts about 45 minutes, and snorkeling equipment is provided.

This is likely to be one of the most memorable parts of the outing because it combines two simple pleasures: looking below the surface at coral and fish, then watching turtles move through the water around the island. You should expect a compact stop rather than a long reef expedition. Forty-five minutes goes quickly once you collect gear, enter the water, and get comfortable.

Bring a swimsuit under your clothes and use the provided bottled water between activities. The tour includes snorkeling equipment, but the supplied details do not specify the type or sizes available, so anyone who needs a particular fit should check before booking.

Green Cay is also a useful early stop. You get an active water activity before the beach lounging begins, and the crew can help you understand how the rest of the day will flow. If a turtle sighting is important to you, remember that wildlife is never fully predictable, even around an island known for turtles.

Rose Island gives you room to slow down

Rose Island receives two separate mentions in the schedule. The first visit lasts about an hour and focuses on its long beaches, powdery white sand, and clear water. The second is connected with the pig visit and lasts about 30 minutes.

An hour on Rose Island is a sensible amount of time. You can walk along the beach, swim, sit in the water, or take photographs without feeling pushed through the stop. I like this part of the plan because it adds a quiet break between the more active snorkeling and the busier beach bar portion.

Do not expect a developed resort beach. The appeal is the open sand and clear water, not a long list of facilities. If you prefer shade, a chair, or easy access to food, the later beach bar stop is likely to suit you better.

The repeated Rose Island visit may also make the schedule feel less varied than the headline list suggests. The two stops serve different purposes, but you are returning to the same general island area rather than visiting five entirely separate destinations.

Sandy Cay is tiny, photogenic, and easy to appreciate

Sandy Cay is listed as a three-acre island about 15 minutes from Nassau Harbour. The stop lasts around 30 minutes and is aimed at relaxing, exploring, or snorkeling along the aqua-colored shoreline.

This is the quick postcard stop. Sandy Cay is known as one of the most photographed islands in the Caribbean, and its small size is part of the charm. You can get ashore, walk around, look at the water, and take in the setting without needing a complicated plan.

Thirty minutes is enough for photographs and a short swim, but not enough for a long beach session. If you want extended time on the sand, Rose Island is the better stop. If you want a striking backdrop and a change of scene, Sandy Cay earns its place.

The schedule also calls this island Gilligan’s Island in the tour description. The names appear to refer to the same photogenic stop, so I would confirm the exact destination with Aqua Shores before departure if that distinction matters to you.

The beach bar is the practical lunch break

The beach bar and grill stop lasts about one hour and 15 minutes. Here you can eat while looking across the water and use facilities and activities that include beach chairs, volleyball, billiards, karaoke, and more.

This is a useful contrast to the unbuilt island stops. You can rinse off, sit down, eat a hot meal, and enjoy a little entertainment without needing to carry every part of the day in a dry bag. For a mixed group, the range of activities helps. One person can play volleyball while another sits in a chair or orders a drink.

The information supplied about lunch needs careful checking. One section says food and beverages are not included in the charter cost. Another says lunch for 10 and the swimming pigs interaction for 10 are included. The package description also says the tour price includes lunch and the pigs package for 10. Those statements do not line up perfectly, so ask Aqua Shores to confirm the current package in writing before you pay.

Dietary needs such as vegetarian and gluten-free meals can be accommodated, according to the tour information. Mention those needs while arranging the outing, not when lunch is already being served.

Alcoholic drinks listed include beer and grapefruit Raddlers. Alcohol is served only to people aged 21 and over. Younger people receive non-alcoholic drinks. Soda and bottled water are also included.

Swimming pigs finish the island-hopping route

The final listed stop is another 30 minutes at Rose Island for the swimming pig interaction. This is the most novelty-driven part of the day, and it will appeal strongly to some people while feeling less important to others.

The package includes interaction for 10 people according to the supplied details. If your group exceeds 10, extra charges apply, and the operator says the boat can hold up to 22 people with additional lunch and pig-package costs.

Thirty minutes is a short window. You should expect a focused encounter rather than a long beach stay. Keep your phone protected from spray, follow the crew’s instructions, and allow time for everyone in your group to take part.

The pig stop also makes this tour a good choice for a group with mixed interests. The snorkelers get Green Cay, beach lovers get Rose Island, social types get the bar and grill, and people seeking a memorable photograph get Sandy Cay and the pigs.

What the crew adds to the day

The tour information names several crew members in connection with past outings: Captain Adam, Dia, Canaan, Captain Rico, and Ron. The strongest praise centers on the crew’s care, communication, and company during the trip.

That matters more on a private boat than it does on a simple transfer. You are spending several hours with the captain and crew, moving between shallow water, beaches, and docks. A crew that keeps the day organized without rushing you can make the difference between a pleasant outing and a tiring one.

Aqua Shores is also described as responsive during planning. I would use that contact before booking to settle the important questions: which crew is scheduled, what lunch includes, what the pig package covers, and whether the day’s route can be adjusted.

The boat’s listed capacity is generous, but the best comfort level will depend on the size of your party and the amount of room you want for movement and gear. The advertised price is for 10 people, while larger groups require an additional charge.

What is included, and what you still need to arrange

The package includes bottled water, soda, snorkeling equipment, and selected alcoholic drinks for people aged 21 and over. It also lists lunch and swimming pig interaction for 10 people, though the separate beach bar note says food and beverages are not included in the charter cost.

Transportation to the dock is not included. The stated cost is about $10 to $40 depending on distance. Atlantis visitors can use the hotel shuttle to reach the marina, which is a helpful detail if you are staying there.

The meeting point is Margaritaville’s Bahamas marina on Paradise Island, and the activity ends back at that same location. Build in time to reach the dock, especially if you are coming from elsewhere on New Providence.

Service animals are allowed, the marina is near public transportation, and most people can participate. The tour is private, so only your group takes part. Confirmation is normally sent at booking, but bookings made within two hours of departure are confirmed as soon as possible and remain subject to availability.

Weather and cancellation matter here

This is a boat trip, not a museum visit, so weather can affect the entire plan. The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Your own cancellation terms are much stricter. The booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. I would not reserve this tour until your group is settled and your schedule is firm.

The four-hour duration is also approximate. Water conditions, docking, and the order of stops can affect the rhythm of the day. Ask whether the captain may change the sequence if conditions are better at one island than another.

Who will get the best value

I would recommend this tour to a group of friends or family members who can fill most of the 10 available places and want several Bahamian activities in one private outing. It is especially useful when your group cannot agree on one single attraction.

You will get the most from it if you enjoy moving between stops rather than spending all day on one beach. The plan includes snorkeling, wildlife, photographs, swimming, lunch, drinks, and casual games, so there is plenty of variety.

I would think twice if your main goal is a long, quiet beach day. Rose Island provides a full hour, but the other stops are short, and the boat keeps moving. I would also think twice if you have only a few people and are watching your budget closely.

Should you book this powerboat tour?

Book it if privacy, flexibility, and a full mix of island activities matter more to you than the lowest price. A full group of 10 can spread the $3,800 cost, while the named crew and private format add a level of personal attention that a shared boat may not provide.

Before booking, confirm the lunch and pigs-package wording, the final per-person cost for groups over 10, the scheduled crew, and the weather plan. If those details suit your party, this is a strong choice for a compact Nassau day that covers turtles, reefs, white sand, a photogenic cay, a beach bar, and swimming pigs without sending you from one separate booking to another.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Bahamas Marina, 2 Marina Drive, Paradise Island, New Providence, Bahamas.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours.

How many people are included in the price?

The $3,800 price is for a group of up to 10 people.

Can larger groups join?

Yes. The boat can accommodate up to 22 people, but additional charges apply, including extra costs for lunch and the pigs package.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included.

Is lunch included?

The supplied package details list lunch for 10 people as included, but another section says food and beverages at the beach bar are not included in the charter cost. Confirm the current lunch arrangement with Aqua Shores before booking.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

Beer and grapefruit Raddlers are listed, along with soda and bottled water. Alcohol is served only to people aged 21 and older. Minors receive non-alcoholic drinks.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. The experience itself is otherwise non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason.