Reviewed · ROSE ISLAND TOURS

Private speed boat beach and bar hopping visiting Rose island

★ 5.0 · 15 reviews Operated by Island Time Charters · Bookable on Viator
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The best part of this private charter is the freedom to trade Nassau’s busy waterfront for three island stops, soft beaches, and a floating bar where island music and cold drinks set the pace. You can let children play in the sand while adults stretch out, swim, or order a cocktail.

I like the private format, since only your group of up to eight people takes part. I also like the mix of quiet beach time and casual local stops, including the chance to mingle at a floating bar rather than spend four hours simply riding in circles.

The main drawback is the short four-hour schedule. With several islands, beaches, and bars in the plan, each stop may be brief, and lunch, drinks, and other purchases are not included in the $850 group price.

Key points to know before you book

Private speed boat beach and bar hopping visiting Rose island - Key points to know before you book

  • Three island stops: Cruise from New Providence toward several beach areas, including Rose Island, with time to get off the boat and relax.
  • Private boat for up to eight: The $850 rate covers the group, making the cost more reasonable when shared by a full party.
  • Beach bars and a floating bar: Buy lunch or drinks, listen to island music, and spend time around local boating spots.
  • Family-friendly pacing: Children can play in the sand while adults choose between swimming, sitting on the beach, or visiting a bar.
  • A four-hour outing: The tour offers a pleasant half-day escape, but you will need to keep an eye on the clock.
  • Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund, and cancellations are free up to 24 hours ahead.

Leaving Nassau for Rose Island by speed boat

Private speed boat beach and bar hopping visiting Rose island - Leaving Nassau for Rose Island by speed boat

This outing begins at Colours of The Bahamas, listed at 3MH4+M84 in Nassau. From there, Island Time Charters takes your group out by speed boat for about four hours.

The boat ride is part of the appeal. You are not tied to a large group schedule or a long line of organized stops. Your party has the boat to itself, with room for up to eight people. That makes this a practical choice for a family, a group of friends, or a small celebration where you want to spend the day together.

The speed boat also gives you a different view of New Providence. Instead of staying near Nassau’s main visitor areas, you head toward smaller islands and beach settings. The trip is built around short cruises, beach breaks, and casual stops rather than a single long visit at one attraction.

I would start with a clear idea of your priorities. If you want a full afternoon at one beach, tell the captain early. If your group prefers to see several places, buy drinks, and keep moving, the planned mix should suit you better.

More rose island tours in New Providence Island:

Three islands, three chances to slow down

Private speed boat beach and bar hopping visiting Rose island - Three islands, three chances to slow down

The central promise is a visit to three islands with beautiful beaches. Rose Island is the named highlight, but the exact order and length of each stop can depend on conditions and the day’s pace.

Each island stop gives you a chance to leave the boat and enjoy the sand. Children can play near the shore, while adults can sit back with a beer or cocktail. You might also choose to swim or simply enjoy the water from the beach.

That flexibility is important. A private trip works best when not everyone in your group wants the same thing. One person can relax on the sand, another can spend time in the water, and someone else can look for a beach bar. You are not forced to follow a single activity for the entire stop.

The tradeoff is time. Four hours sounds generous until you divide it among boat travel, three islands, beach breaks, and bar visits. I would not book this expecting long, unhurried stays at every beach. Think of it as a sampler of island beaches, with enough time to enjoy each one without turning the outing into a rushed photo stop.

Rose Island and the pleasure of a quieter beach stop

Rose Island is the part of the trip most likely to appeal to anyone who wants distance from Nassau’s busy areas. The experience focuses on soft sand, open beach time, and a slower rhythm.

You can use this stop as your main rest period. Bring your attention back to the basics: sit on the sand, take a swim, let the children play, and enjoy the fact that no major sightseeing list is waiting for you.

The information provided does not promise a specific beach facility, changing room, or private setup at Rose Island. Plan for a simple beach visit rather than a resort day. If you need particular amenities, ask Island Time Charters before booking.

One earlier outing also included snorkeling and a sighting of swimming pigs. Those are appealing possibilities, but they should not be treated as guaranteed parts of every departure. Ask what can be included on your date, especially if snorkeling or pigs are high on your list.

Beach bars, island music, and the floating bar

Private speed boat beach and bar hopping visiting Rose island - Beach bars, island music, and the floating bar

The bar stops give this trip a more social feel than a simple beach transfer. You can visit local spots along the shore, order a drink, and possibly buy lunch while listening to island music.

The floating bar is especially different from a standard beach stop. You can have a drink on or near the water and mingle with local people and other private-charter groups. It is a relaxed way to experience the boating culture around Nassau without signing up for a crowded party cruise.

Keep your expectations practical. The tour price covers the boat and private charter, but lunch and drinks are purchases made during the day. If your group includes children or people who do not drink, the beach stops still provide a reason to visit the bars without making alcohol the focus.

I would also bring a little patience for the social side of the trip. A floating bar is not the place for a silent, private beach escape. It offers a chance to meet people and hear music, but it may be less peaceful than Rose Island.

A few more New Providence Island trips to weigh up

What the private format means for your group

Private speed boat beach and bar hopping visiting Rose island - What the private format means for your group

The $850 price is charged per group of up to eight people. That is a significant amount for two people, but the value changes quickly when you fill the boat.

For a full group of eight, the base cost works out to about $106.25 per person before drinks, lunch, or other personal purchases. For four people, it is $212.50 each. A couple pays the full group rate unless the operator offers a different arrangement, so this trip makes the most financial sense for families or friends traveling together.

The private setup also has value beyond the arithmetic. You avoid sharing the boat with a large mixed group, and your time is centered on your own party. Families can keep children near familiar adults. Friends can choose whether to focus on the beach, the bars, or the boat ride.

Still, private does not mean every detail is unlimited. The outing lasts about four hours, and the captain must balance three island visits with travel time. If you want a longer charter or a more specialized plan, ask before confirming.

A practical look at the four-hour schedule

Private speed boat beach and bar hopping visiting Rose island - A practical look at the four-hour schedule

The tour begins and ends at the same meeting point in Nassau. The available information does not give exact departure times or a minute-by-minute order, so you should confirm those details when booking.

A typical flow will likely involve:

  • Meeting the crew at Colours of The Bahamas
  • Cruising by speed boat toward the island beaches
  • Stopping at beach areas for swimming, sand play, and relaxation
  • Visiting beach bars or the floating bar
  • Continuing to one or more additional islands
  • Returning to the original meeting point

That outline gives you the right mindset. The boat ride connects the stops, but the beach and bar time is the real purpose of the excursion.

You should arrive ready for an outdoor day. Bring swimwear, sun protection, a towel, and a way to protect your phone from spray and sand. Since the operator does not list meals or drinks as included, plan to pay for those separately.

The tour requires good weather. If conditions make the trip unsafe or unsuitable, Island Time Charters will offer another date or a full refund. That policy is useful in the Bahamas, where a sunny morning does not always guarantee calm conditions all afternoon.

The crew and the feel of the outing

Private speed boat beach and bar hopping visiting Rose island - The crew and the feel of the outing

Island Time Charters operates this experience. Jason Sr and Jason Jr are names connected with at least one snorkeling outing that also included swimming pigs, so you can ask when booking if they will be leading your trip.

That is worth doing if you care about the personality of the crew. On a small private boat, the captain and guide shape the day more than they would on a large cruise. A friendly crew can help your group balance beach time, bar visits, and the practical need to get back to Nassau on schedule.

The format is casual rather than formal. You are not signing up for a long history lecture or a tightly scripted sightseeing program. You are paying for local boat transport, beach access by water, and the freedom to spend time in a few different settings.

That makes the tour a good match for people who would rather be outside than inside. It is also useful for families who want a simple plan but do not want to spend the day in a large excursion group.

Who will get the most value from this charter

Private speed boat beach and bar hopping visiting Rose island - Who will get the most value from this charter

I would consider this trip for:

  • Families with children who need sand and open space
  • Friends who want a private boat and flexible beach time
  • Couples who prefer island scenery and casual drinks over formal sightseeing
  • Small groups willing to share the cost
  • People who want to combine quiet beaches with social bar stops

It may be a weaker fit if you want a long snorkeling session, a guaranteed visit with swimming pigs, or a full-day island expedition. The available plan confirms beach hopping, bars, a floating bar, and Rose Island, but not a guaranteed wildlife encounter or a dedicated snorkeling itinerary.

It is also not the best value for a very small party unless privacy is your top priority. A shared excursion could cost less, though it would not offer the same control over the group or the same private setting.

Booking, cancellation, and access details

You receive confirmation at the time of booking, and the ticket is mobile, so you can keep the booking on your phone. The activity ends where it begins, at the Colours of The Bahamas meeting point.

Service animals are allowed, and the meeting area is near public transportation. The operator states that most people can participate, but the supplied details do not explain boat boarding conditions or specific arrangements for mobility limitations. If anyone in your group has access needs, ask Island Time Charters before paying.

Free cancellation applies when you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded. Because weather can cancel the outing, keep some flexibility in your schedule if possible.

Should you book the Rose Island speed-boat tour?

Book it if you have a group of up to eight and want a private half-day on the water with several beach stops, local bar options, and a floating-bar visit. The strongest value comes when you fill the boat and enjoy the freedom to mix swimming, sand, music, and drinks.

Think twice if you are traveling as only two people and mainly want a single quiet beach. The $850 group price may feel high, and the four-hour schedule may leave too little time for a long, peaceful stay at every island.

My practical advice is to book this as a flexible island outing, not as a guaranteed snorkeling or swimming-pig tour. Confirm the exact route, crew, and planned activities before departure, then let the day revolve around the beaches and the water. For a small group that wants privacy and a break from Nassau’s busy areas, that is where the value lies.

FAQ

How long does the private speed-boat tour last?

The experience lasts approximately four hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $850 per group for up to eight people.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private activity.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The trip visits three islands and includes Rose Island. The exact order of stops is not specified.

Does the tour include food and drinks?

No inclusions for food or drinks are stated. You can purchase lunch, beer, cocktails, and other items at beach bars or the floating bar.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins at Colours of The Bahamas, 3MH4+M84, Nassau, The Bahamas, and ends back at the same meeting point.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.

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