Private Rose Island, Swimming Pigs, Snorkeling and Turtles

A private boat carries you from Nassau to Rose Island, Green Cay, and nearby snorkeling spots, with room to shape the day around your group. You can swim with sea turtles, relax on a quiet beach, and add a stop with swimming pigs. The whole idea is simple: fewer strangers, less waiting, and more say over the route.

I like the flexible captains, especially Dillon Ramsey, McKinney, and Lawren, who are repeatedly praised for adjusting the trip for children, weather, and changing interests. I also like the practical extras: snorkeling equipment, water, soda, snacks, and rum punch are included.

The main caution is price clarity. The advertised fare is $925 per group, but the details also describe pricing for up to six people, while some pages refer to larger groups. Pig admission and private hotel or cruise-port transfers cost extra, so confirm the final total before you go.

Key points to know before booking

• Rose Island brings the best beach time: Expect soft white sand, clear water, and the chance to have a quiet stretch of shore to yourself.
• Green Cay is the turtle stop: Sea turtles are often found here, but wind, weather, and animal behavior can affect what you see.
• The pig visit costs extra: Swimming pigs can be added, but admission is not included in the boat price.
• Private means genuinely flexible: You can skip the pigs and spend more time snorkeling or on the beach.
• Captain quality matters: Dillon Ramsey, McKinney, Lawren, and other named captains receive strong praise for friendly service and local knowledge.
• Transfers need careful checking: Private round-trip transportation is available, but it can add more than $100 to the bill.

A private Nassau boat day with room to change plans

This four-hour charter is designed for families, couples, and small groups who would rather set their own pace than follow a fixed boat excursion. You leave from Nassau and head toward the islands and reefs east of the city, where the day may include snorkeling, turtles, Rose Island, and swimming pigs.

That flexibility is the heart of the experience. If your children lose interest in pigs, you can move on. If the reef is good, you can stay in the water longer. If clouds or wind affect one stop, your captain can adjust the plan.

That is a useful difference from a large group outing. You are not waiting for dozens of people to climb aboard, finish lunch, or gather their gear. A private boat also makes it easier to keep a family together, play your own music, and take breaks when you need them.

The listing information is not perfectly consistent about group size. The tour summary says up to eight, the overview says up to ten, and the itinerary says the price is for up to six. I would ask the operator to confirm the maximum party size and the exact price before booking.

Rose Island: the quiet beach reward

Rose Island is likely to be the most relaxing stop. It is known here for bright, clear water, white sand, and a sense of space that is hard to find near Nassau’s busier shorelines.

You might spend your time swimming, walking along the beach, or simply sitting in the shallows. Several accounts describe a nearly empty beach, and one family found the sand especially soft and clean. If your idea of a good boat trip includes an unhurried hour near calm water, this stop gives the charter its strongest value.

Rose Island is not presented as a developed sightseeing destination. Expect beauty rather than a long list of attractions. One account describes an abandoned house in disrepair and mentions peacocks near a ruined property, but you should think of those as brief curiosities, not a formal historic site.

Bring sun protection and a dry place for phones. The beach portion is also where you will appreciate the private format most. A large group can turn a small beach into a crowded one, while your own boat lets you arrive, swim, and leave on your group’s schedule.

Green Cay and the search for sea turtles

The turtle stop at Green Cay is one of the most praised parts of the trip. Captains know the area and may maneuver the boat to help you spot turtles coming up for air. Families with children especially value the chance to get into the water and see these animals at close range.

Still, this is wildlife, not a guaranteed show. Some outings find several turtles, while others see only two or three. Strong wind has also prevented some groups from seeing turtles at all. You should book this stop as a worthwhile attempt, not a promise.

The water conditions matter. If the sea turns rough, your captain may spend more time on sheltered snorkeling or beach stops. One outing shifted toward a scenic boat ride and other activities when rain and wind interfered. That kind of adjustment is one reason a private charter works better than a rigid group schedule.

For families, ask your captain to explain the water conditions before everyone jumps in. The tour is open to most participants, but you still need to be comfortable in the sea and able to use the equipment safely.

Snorkeling over reefs filled with fish

Snorkeling is included, along with the necessary equipment, so you do not need to pack a full set of gear. The quality of the stop depends on sea conditions and the captain’s choice of reef, but several trips describe clear water and heavy fish activity, including one spot called a wall of fish.

This may be the best activity for people who want more than a beach visit. You can see fish over the reef, then return to the boat for a drink before moving to the next stop. A private boat also reduces the usual problem of a crowded snorkeling site, where you are kicking around other swimmers and waiting your turn at the ladder.

Not everyone in your group needs to snorkel. Some families skipped the pigs and used the extra time for more snorkeling. Others decided against snorkeling and enjoyed the beach or boat ride instead. Tell the captain early what each person wants to do, since four hours passes quickly once you account for boat travel and getting in and out of the water.

The equipment is included, but bring any personal items you prefer, such as a prescription mask or flotation aid. The provided information does not specify wetsuits or specialized children’s gear, so ask if those matter for your group.

Swimming pigs, with an important footnote

The swimming pig stop is optional and carries a separate per-person admission fee. It can be a funny, memorable addition, especially for children who want to feed, hold, and photograph the pigs. Baby pigs are part of the appeal, and some families found the stop particularly enjoyable.

You should know what kind of experience this is. The nearby pig stop is not the famous pig island in the Exumas. That destination is much farther away, while this tour uses a closer island so you can fit pigs, turtles, snorkeling, and a beach into a four-hour outing.

The closer stop may feel more commercial than the name suggests. Pigs are kept in pens, and the food and tip expectations can add a noticeable charge. One party was surprised by a $30-per-person food fee and additional tipping requests. That criticism is important if you are expecting a completely wild or unstructured animal encounter.

Ask three questions before departure: Is the pig stop included in your schedule, what is the exact per-person fee, and what food or tip costs should you expect? You can also skip it. Several families did so and received more beach or snorkeling time instead.

Captains who shape the day

The captain can make or break a private charter. The strongest names connected with this experience are Dillon Ramsey, McKinney, and Lawren. They are praised for being friendly with children, explaining the islands, helping locate turtles, and changing the plan without making the group feel rushed.

Captain Dillon Ramsey is repeatedly singled out for smooth boat handling, good local information, and a relaxed manner with young children. Captain McKinney receives similar praise for working with families and making the day comfortable. Captain Lawren is noted for taking groups to fish-filled snorkeling water, a quiet beach, turtles, pigs, and even peacocks.

Those details matter more than a polished sales description. A four-hour boat trip involves sun, spray, ladders, gear, and several transitions. A captain who listens can turn a mixed-interest family group into a good day instead of forcing everyone through the same checklist.

Service has not been perfect every time. One group was worried because the captain arrived late and had not communicated the delay. Another described a boat alarm and a boat change, although the operator disputed that account. I would confirm the pickup time and contact procedure in advance, then allow a little breathing room if you are traveling on a cruise schedule.

What is included, and what can raise the bill

The listed price is $925 per group. For a private boat, that can be good value when six people share the cost, especially if your group would otherwise pay separate excursion fees. A group of six pays about $154 per person before optional extras. A smaller party pays more per person, but gains privacy and control.

Included items are:

• Private transportation by boat
• Snorkeling equipment
• Bottled water
• Soda
• Ice
• Snacks
• Rum punch and other alcoholic beverages

The biggest extras are pig admission and land transportation to the dock. Private round-trip hotel or cruise-port transfers are available, but accounts describe fees above $100, including one quote of $135. A taxi may be another option, although the operator says the private transfer is optional.

If you are staying at Atlantis or arriving by cruise ship, do not assume the boat leaves directly from your hotel or the cruise terminal. Confirm the exact dock, how you will reach it, and whether the quoted price includes the transfer. One group paid for a private transfer without realizing how close the dock was, while another preferred the operator-arranged ride because several cruise ships were in port.

The boat includes a speaker, so you may be able to play your own music. Snacks and drinks are supplied, but do not expect a full meal. You can bring your own picnic if you want something more substantial.

Who will get the most from this charter

I would choose this tour for a group that values privacy more than the lowest possible price. It is especially suited to families with children, groups of friends, and cruise passengers who want several island activities in one half-day.

It also works well for a group with mixed priorities. One person can snorkel while another prefers the beach. Children can enjoy pigs or shallow water, while adults take in the boat ride and scenery. The captain can remove a stop that does not interest everyone.

This is less suitable if you want a guaranteed turtle sighting, a large meal, or the famous Exumas pig island. It may also disappoint if you picture pigs roaming a completely untouched beach. The nearby pig visit is a convenient add-on, not the full Exumas experience.

Most participants can take part, and service animals are allowed. The tour requires good weather. If conditions force cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. Cancellations made at least 24 hours before the start time receive a full refund, while late changes are not accepted.

Practical tips for a smoother four hours

Confirm the group-size limit, dock location, transfer cost, and pig fee in writing. These four details have the greatest effect on the final price and your expectations.

Tell the captain your top two priorities before leaving. If turtles and snorkeling matter most, say so. If the beach is the main goal, protect enough time for Rose Island rather than trying to fit every optional stop into the schedule.

Use the early morning departure if you can choose one. An early start may help you reach the pig stop before larger groups arrive. One group reached the pigs about 25 minutes before a much larger party, which made the visit feel far less crowded.

Bring reef-safe sun protection, a towel, swimwear, and a waterproof phone case. You will receive drinks and snacks, but bring a picnic if four hours on the water will leave your group hungry.

Keep the weather in mind. Rain does not always ruin the day, but wind can affect turtles, snorkeling, and beach comfort. A private boat gives the captain more room to adjust, but it cannot control the sea.

Should you book it?

Book this charter if you want a private, flexible day with several classic Nassau activities in one outing. The strongest combination is snorkeling, a quiet Rose Island beach, and a turtle search, with pigs added only if your group is happy with the extra fee and more commercial setting.

At $925, the value improves quickly when six people share the boat. For two or three people, compare the cost with a smaller group trip unless privacy and control are worth the premium. Ask for a full price breakdown before paying, especially if you need a transfer.

I would book it for a family or friend group that wants a captain-led day rather than a fixed excursion. I would not book it solely for the pigs or turtles. Choose it for the freedom to shape the outing, then treat the wildlife stops as welcome possibilities rather than guarantees.

FAQ

How long does the private boat tour last?

The experience lasts approximately four hours and includes boating, snorkeling, beach time, and a turtle stop. Swimming pigs can be added as an optional activity.

How many people can join the tour?

The supplied details are inconsistent. The tour summary says up to eight, the overview says up to ten, and the itinerary says pricing is for up to six people. Confirm the maximum group size and price before booking.

Are snorkeling equipment and drinks included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, bottled water, soda, ice, snacks, and rum punch are included. You may also bring your own picnic.

Is swimming with pigs included in the price?

No. The pig stop is optional, and a separate per-person fee applies. You can skip the stop and use the time for snorkeling, swimming, or the beach.

Can the tour pick me up from my hotel or cruise port?

Pickup is offered, but private round-trip transfers to the boat dock cost extra. Confirm the exact transfer price and meeting point before the tour.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

This experience requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time to receive a full refund for your own cancellation.