Private Boat Swim and Snorkel Adventure to Rose Island

Swimming with turtles in clear Bahamian water is the main draw here, but the real appeal is control. You get a private boat for your own group, then shape the day around Rose Island, coral reefs, beaches, and nearby cays instead of following a fixed sightseeing script.

I like two things right away: the boat gives you room for a group of up to 12, and the captain can adjust the order of stops when weather or sea conditions change. I also like that snorkeling gear, water, soda, snacks, alcohol, and a restroom are included, which keeps a half-day on the water pleasantly simple.

The main drawback is the price. At $1,670 per group, this makes the most sense when you fill the boat. A full group of 12 brings the cost to about $139 per person, but a smaller party pays much more for the same four hours. Lunch, transportation, and swimming with pigs cost extra or are not included.

Key points to know before you book

• Private boat for up to 12: You get the boat and activity time for your own group, rather than sharing the outing with strangers.
• Rose Island is the anchor stop: The day can include beaches, coral reefs, turtles, bars, and nearby islands around New Providence.
• Gee and Higs may captain your outing: The guides have been praised for keeping groups comfortable and adjusting the schedule when rain arrives.
• The itinerary is flexible: You can focus on snorkeling, beach time, a party atmosphere, or a mix of several stops.
• The package is well stocked: Snorkeling equipment, bottled water, soda, snacks, alcohol, and an onboard restroom are included.
• Pigs are not included: Swimming with pigs is listed as an optional activity, so confirm the extra cost before you set your expectations.

Rose Island gives the tour its sense of escape

Rose Island sits just off New Providence, close enough for a practical half-day boat trip but far enough to feel removed from Nassau’s main waterfront. The island is the centerpiece of this outing, and most of the choices are built around its clear water, beaches, and open coastal setting.

You can spend your time swimming from the beach, snorkeling over coral, or simply sitting back on the boat. That flexibility matters. A group with children may want shorter swims and more beach time, while a group of adults may prefer a longer snorkel stop, drinks on board, and a visit to a beach bar.

The surrounding route can also include Athol Island, Green Cay, and the area known as Gilligan’s Island. These names are offered as possible destinations rather than guaranteed stops in a fixed sequence, so you should think of the trip as a private boating day with a menu of options.

That is a better fit for people who want freedom than for anyone seeking a tightly scheduled sightseeing tour. The captain can help decide what works during your four-hour window, but the exact order depends on your group’s choices and conditions on the water.

A 32-foot or 40-foot boat for your own group

The outing uses either a 32-foot or 40-foot private boat. The exact boat assigned to you is not specified in advance, but both sizes are intended for a maximum group of 12. That capacity is useful for a family gathering, birthday, reunion, or small celebration.

With a private booking, you are not sharing the schedule with another party. You can talk through your priorities with the captain and spend more time on the activities your group actually wants. That private setup is the strongest reason to consider this trip instead of a lower-cost shared boat.

The capacity deserves a careful look, especially for families. One group included six adults, six children, and an infant, and the crew allowed the infant to join even though the booking limit was 12. The boat had child and adult life jackets, along with snorkeling gear for the group. Still, you should give the operator an accurate headcount before departure, including babies and children.

The boat has a restroom, which is a practical benefit on a four-hour outing. Alcohol is available on board, along with soda, bottled water, and snacks. You should not count on a full meal, since lunch is not included.

Snorkeling, turtles, and clear water

Snorkeling is one of the most worthwhile ways to use your time. The trip includes snorkeling equipment, so you do not need to rent basic gear separately. The itinerary can take you to coral reefs, and the clear Bahamian water is the setting for seeing marine life.

Swimming with turtles is another featured option. The experience is built around getting into the water rather than looking at the coast from the deck, so bring a swimsuit and plan on spending much of the time wet. If someone in your group prefers not to snorkel, the boat and beach stops provide an easier alternative.

The snorkeling can suit mixed-age groups. A family outing went ahead with children and still found the activity workable after the crew changed the order of stops. That points to a useful strength: the captain is not locked into one sequence if rain or conditions make another plan better.

You should keep your expectations sensible. The experience promises access to coral reefs and turtles, not a guaranteed count of animals or a private marine encounter. Sea conditions, visibility, and the animals themselves can affect what you see. A good captain can improve the timing, but nature keeps the final say.

Optional pigs and other ways to shape the day

Swimming with pigs is available as an option, but it is not part of the included package. This is an important price detail because the headline cost does not cover every possible activity. Ask about the pig encounter before booking if it is the main reason you want to go.

The other choices give the day a different character depending on your group. You can choose a quiet beach stop, a more social beach party, or a visit to a floating bar. You can also visit Footprints Beach Bar on Rose Island, though admission is not included.

I would decide on your priorities before you board. Four hours is enough for a few well-chosen stops, but trying to fit snorkeling, turtles, pigs, a beach, a floating bar, and Footprints Beach Bar into one outing could make every stop feel rushed.

For a relaxed day, pick one main water activity and one beach or bar stop. For a celebration, spend less time moving between sites and make better use of the private boat, music, drinks, and open time. The private format works best when you use the freedom rather than trying to collect every possible stop.

A flexible schedule can save a rainy morning

Weather matters in the Bahamas, and this experience requires good conditions. One outing began in drizzle, but the crew changed the order of activities and kept the group comfortable and safe. That is exactly the kind of adjustment you want from a boat captain.

The schedule is not simply a matter of leaving the dock, visiting one beach, and returning at a set pace. If rain arrives early, a different stop may make more sense first. If the water is better for snorkeling later, the captain may be able to rearrange the day.

You should still plan with weather in mind. The tour can be canceled in poor conditions, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.

The 24-hour rule is firm. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not accepted, and the amount paid is not refunded. Since this is a private boat with a high group price, mark the deadline carefully.

What the crew adds to the experience

The guides identified for this experience include Gee and Higs. Their role is more than steering the boat. They help decide how to use the available hours, manage the equipment, and keep the group informed as the day changes.

A group that arrived at Señor Frogs had no trouble finding the boat and was greeted by the crew there. That gives you a useful meeting-point clue, although you should rely on your booking confirmation for the exact arrival instructions.

The strongest praise has focused on the crew’s attitude and flexibility. In the rainy outing with adults, children, and an infant, the guides kept safety at the center while still making sure the group reached Rose Island and enjoyed snorkeling. Another group described Gee and Higs as especially attentive during an outing they considered a major highlight of their Bahamas visit.

I would still communicate clearly before departure. Tell the crew how many adults, children, and infants are in your party, and explain whether your group cares most about turtles, snorkeling, pigs, beach time, or bars. A private tour gives you more control, but only if you state what you want.

Is $1,670 a fair price?

The price is $1,670 per group of up to 12. That works out to about $139 per person with a full boat. For six people, the effective cost is about $278 per person, so group size has a major effect on value.

The price includes the boat, crew, snorkeling equipment, snacks, soda, bottled water, alcohol, and a restroom. You are paying for privacy and flexibility as much as for the scenery. If your group would otherwise book several separate activities or values having the boat to yourselves, the cost becomes easier to justify.

The value is weaker for a small party that only wants a quick swim and a beach. In that case, a shared excursion may cost less, though it would not offer the same control over stops or schedule.

Transportation to the departure point is not included. Lunch is also not included, and admission to Footprints Beach Bar is extra. Swimming with pigs is not included either, so ask for the full cost of any add-ons before you confirm your plans.

The outing is often booked about 44 days ahead. That is useful planning information for a cruise visit, family holiday, or large celebration. If your dates are fixed, booking early is sensible, especially since a private boat with a 12-person limit is less flexible than a standard shared tour.

Who will enjoy this private Rose Island outing?

This is a strong match for a group that wants a shared day on the water without sharing the boat. Families, couples traveling together, friend groups, and small celebrations can all make good use of the private format.

It is especially suited to groups with mixed interests. Some people can snorkel while others relax on the beach or boat. You can choose an active plan with turtles and coral reefs, or a slower plan built around drinks, swimming, and a beach bar.

The experience also works well for families with children, based on the available child and adult life jackets and the crew’s handling of a group with several children and an infant. You should still confirm your full headcount and any needs before the outing.

I would hesitate if your top priority is a guaranteed pig encounter, a full lunch, or a low per-person cost for a small group. I would also hesitate if you dislike flexible plans. The appeal here is choice, not a rigid sequence of famous stops.

The activity is listed as suitable for most participants, and service animals are allowed. It is near public transportation, but private transportation is not provided. A mobile ticket is available, which makes the booking easy to carry on your phone.

Should you book the Rose Island boat trip?

Book it if you have a group of six to 12 people and want a private half-day with room to change plans. The best reasons are the flexible route, included water activities, onboard supplies, and the chance to combine Rose Island beaches with snorkeling, turtles, and nearby cays.

Before paying, settle three points: your exact headcount, whether swimming with pigs costs extra, and which stops matter most to your group. If you fill the boat and want a personal day on the water, the price can be reasonable. If you have only two or three people, compare the cost with a shared trip first.

This is not a cheap way to reach a beach. It is a private boating experience where the captain helps shape the day around your group. That distinction makes the booking worthwhile for the right party.

FAQ

Where does the experience take place?

The experience takes place around New Providence Island in the Bahamas, with Rose Island as the main destination. Possible areas include Athol Island, Green Cay, and Gilligan’s Island.

How long is the boat outing?

The listed experience lasts about four hours. An eight-hour rental is also offered as a flexible option.

How many people can join?

The private boat accommodates up to 12 people per group.

Is the boat shared with other groups?

No. This is a private activity, so only your group participates.

What is included in the price?

Snacks, soda, bottled water, snorkeling equipment, an onboard restroom, and alcohol are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the price.

Is swimming with pigs included?

No. Swimming with pigs is an optional activity and is not included in the listed package.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is available for use during the outing.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted and are not refunded.