Full-Day Luxury Private Rose Island Pigs and Turtles Excursion

Swimming with pigs gets the headline, but the real appeal is the mix of Rose Island beaches, reef snorkeling, and sea turtles in one private boat day. You’ll leave Nassau Harbour, pass islands and famous shorelines, and spend your time on the water rather than sitting in a crowded group tour.

I like the roomy boat for up to eight people, with comfortable seating, a freshwater shower, private facilities, and storage for your own food and drinks. I also like the crew’s personal touch. Captain Morgan and Scotty receive especially warm praise, while Rico is also named in connection with a memorable day.

The main drawback is the price: $1,950 per group, before lunch. It can be good value for eight people, but it is a serious outlay for a smaller party. The route also depends on weather, and the detailed schedule suggests about five hours while the tour is advertised as roughly six, so confirm the timing before you book.

Key points to know before you book

• Private boat for up to eight: Your group does not share the activity with strangers, which matters for families and friends who want control over the day.
• Rose Island is the main outdoor stop: Plan on beach time, swimming, sun, restaurants, and the famous swimming pigs.
• Green Cay is the turtle stop: Turtle sightings are part of the route, with snorkeling possible when conditions allow.
• Pearl Island offers reef snorkeling: The water and weather decide whether snorkeling goes ahead.
• Lunch costs extra: You can bring food and drinks aboard, or dine at a beachside restaurant.
• Weather can change the plan: Poor conditions may lead to a new date or a full refund.

From Bayshore Marina into Nassau Harbour

Your day begins at Bayshore Marina, The Waterfront, 64 E Bay Street in Nassau. The boat returns to this same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate pickup at the end.

The opening cruise gives you a look at Nassau Harbour and the shoreline around Paradise Island. You may pass major hotels, old forts, the water tower, the former Coral World area, and celebrity homes. This part is more sightseeing than beach time, but it helps set the scene before the boat reaches the outer islands.

I like this start because it gives the crew room to explain what you are seeing while everyone settles in. It is also a useful reminder that this is not only a pig-swimming trip. The day combines harbor views, island hopping, wildlife, and time in the water.

The boat is arranged for a group of eight, with seating designed for comfort during a full day outside. You also get storage space for food and drinks, plus a freshwater shower and private facilities. Those details matter more than they may sound. Six hours on a small boat can feel long if you have nowhere to rinse off salt, store a bag, or take a private break.

Blue Lagoon, Athol Island, and Pearl Island

The route continues through neighboring islands, including Blue Lagoon and Athol Island, before reaching Pearl Island. At Pearl Island, you may snorkel over reef areas where many fish species can be seen.

The key phrase is once weather permits. Snorkeling is not guaranteed, and the captain has to make the call based on sea conditions. That is sensible. Reef snorkeling is most enjoyable when the water is calm and visibility is safe, but it means you should treat this part as a possible highlight rather than a promise.

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not have to pack your own mask and fins. Still, bring the basics that make a water day easier: a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and any food or drinks you want. The boat has storage, but the supplied information does not list specific snacks, beverages, or beach equipment.

For strong swimmers, this can be one of the most rewarding parts of the day because you are seeing the Bahamas below the surface, not only from the boat. If you are less comfortable in the water, ask the crew what conditions look like before entering. The tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness, and you should be ready for boarding, moving around the boat, and getting in and out of the water.

Gilligan’s Island and the route between stops

One stop is a sightseeing pass by the Gilligan’s Island landmark. This is a quick visual piece of the route rather than a long shore visit, so do not plan on a separate extended activity there.

The value is in the cruise itself. You get a private boat moving through a chain of islands instead of traveling directly from Nassau to one beach. That gives the day more variety, though it also means the exact amount of time at each location may shift with weather, sea conditions, and the captain’s judgment.

A private tour gives you more breathing room than a shared excursion. Your group can talk with the crew, keep your own supplies aboard, and enjoy the boat without adjusting to a large group. The tradeoff is that the high price is fixed for the boat, not per seat. With eight people, the cost works out to about $244 per person. With four people, it is about $488 each, before lunch and any other personal spending.

Green Cay and the search for sea turtles

Green Cay is the wildlife stop, with a chance to see sea turtles. This is the part that can make the day feel special, but wildlife sightings can never be treated as a firm guarantee. The schedule identifies the cay for turtle viewing, and one account of the trip describes the sea turtles as the most memorable part of the day.

You may also snorkel near Green Cay or along the reef route if conditions are suitable. The combination of turtle watching and clear-water swimming gives this stop a different feel from Rose Island. Rose Island is about sand, sun, pigs, and beach time. Green Cay is about slowing down and watching the water carefully.

Bring patience. Sea turtles do not follow a timetable, and the boat may need to pause while the crew looks for them. That is a good reason not to pack the day too tightly or arrange an important appointment soon after the tour.

Rose Island, pigs, sand, and lunch

Rose Island is the main destination and the place where the day’s activities come together. You can swim with pigs, spend time on the beach, get some sun, and swim in the sea. Beachside restaurants are also part of the options here.

Lunch is not included in the tour price. You can use the boat’s storage for your own food and drinks, or plan to buy lunch at a beachside restaurant if one is open and fits the timing of your visit. Since the details do not specify a restaurant reservation or meal package, ask the operator how lunch works on your date.

The pig encounter is likely to be the most playful part of the day, but keep your expectations practical. The tour places you in a natural island setting, not a controlled animal show. The fun comes from being on the beach and in the water with the pigs, alongside the rest of the Rose Island visit.

Rose Island also provides welcome time away from the boat. Six hours can pass quickly when the route has several stops, but you will still want a stretch of sand where you can relax. If you prefer a quiet beach day, ask how long the group normally spends on shore. If you want to fit in pigs, lunch, swimming, and snorkeling, the schedule may feel full.

What the private boat adds to the day

The private format is the strongest reason to choose this trip over a lower-priced shared excursion. Only your group participates, so the experience suits a family, a group of friends, or a small celebration. You can keep your own food and drinks aboard, use the private facilities, and avoid coordinating with a boatload of strangers.

The boat is built for up to eight people. That is a comfortable number for the listed capacity, but the experience will feel different with eight adults than with a smaller family group. If everyone wants room to stretch out, the boat may feel more relaxed with fewer people. The supplied details do not give the boat’s exact dimensions, so I would ask about seating if comfort is a major concern.

The freshwater shower is a practical feature after snorkeling or swimming with the pigs. Saltwater, sand, and sunscreen build up fast during a full day outside. Storage is also useful, especially because lunch is not included and you may want to bring supplies.

The guides are another important part of the experience. Captain Morgan and Scotty are praised for making the day fun and memorable, and Rico is also named in connection with a particularly strong outing. The available information does not promise a particular crew member, so treat those names as examples rather than a guarantee. Still, the personal service appears to be central to what makes this private trip work.

Price, timing, and the real value

At $1,950 for up to eight people, this is priced as a private charter rather than a standard Nassau excursion. For a full group, the cost is roughly $244 per person. That buys privacy, a dedicated boat, snorkeling equipment, the multi-stop route, and a crew focused only on your party.

The value is harder to justify for two or three people. At that point, you are paying for the boat’s exclusivity without filling the available places. If you are comparing options, calculate the cost per person before you get attached to the idea.

The advertised duration is about six hours. One detailed route description lists five hours, so there is a small timing mismatch. That may reflect travel time, seasonal scheduling, or a shortened description, but you should confirm the expected start and return time when booking. The stated operating hours are 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM daily for the listed period, and the activity returns to Bayshore Marina.

The tour is often reserved well ahead of time, with an average booking lead time of 66 days. That suggests you should not wait until the last minute if your cruise or hotel dates are fixed, especially if you need space for eight people.

Weather, fitness, and what to pack

This is a weather-dependent boat trip. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you can move to another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. The tour includes a boat ride, possible snorkeling, swimming, and movement between the boat and shore. The supplied information does not give details about accessibility, ladders, or assistance, so ask those questions before booking if anyone in your group has mobility concerns.

Pack lightly but thoughtfully:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sun protection
• Food and drinks, if you do not plan to buy lunch
• A secure bag for personal items
• Any medication or personal supplies you need for six hours

Snorkeling equipment is provided. The tour does not list hotel transport, so plan to reach Bayshore Marina on your own. The meeting point is near public transportation.

Who should book this Rose Island trip?

I would choose this for a group that values privacy and wants several Bahamian experiences in one outing. Families with older children, couples traveling with friends, and small groups who enjoy being on the water are the best fit.

It also suits people who want a flexible outdoor day rather than a rigid sightseeing program. You can move from harbor views to reefs, turtles, pigs, and beach time without packing and unpacking for each activity.

I would think twice if you are on a tight budget, dislike boat travel, or need guaranteed snorkeling and wildlife sightings. I would also look elsewhere if your main goal is simply a quiet beach with no stops. This outing covers a lot of ground, and the weather can change the plan.

FAQ

Where does the Rose Island excursion start and end?

It starts and ends at Bayshore Marina, The Waterfront, 64 E Bay Street, Nassau, The Bahamas.

How long does the tour last?

The activity is advertised as approximately six hours. A detailed route description lists five hours, so confirm the expected duration with the provider before booking.

How many people can join the private boat?

The boat accommodates a private group of up to eight people.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You may bring food and drinks for the boat, or dine at a beachside restaurant on Rose Island.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, although snorkeling depends on suitable weather and water conditions.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if the activity is canceled because of poor weather. You may also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this Rose Island excursion if you can fill most of the eight seats and want a private day that combines pigs, turtles, reef snorkeling, harbor sightseeing, and beach time. The strongest case is the crew-led personal service, the comfortable boat setup, and the freedom to keep the day within your own group.

Skip it if the $1,950 price is too high for your party size, or if you need a guaranteed wildlife sighting or fixed snorkeling schedule. Before paying, confirm the actual duration, the likely crew, lunch arrangements, and how the route changes with weather. With those details clear, this is a strong choice for a full water day around Nassau.