Rose Island: Pig Beach, Snorkeling, Sea Turtles, Beach

The best part of this Rose Island outing is the mix of fast boat travel and easy island time. In four hours, you can leave Nassau, snorkel a coral reef, look for sea turtles near Green Cay, visit Gilligan’s Island, and finish on a soft beach with clear water.

I like the private-group setup, especially for families or friends who want their own pace. I also like the practical comforts: a clean 38-foot Jupiter with a restroom, Wi-Fi, music, rum punch, local beer, soft drinks, water, and light snacks. The boat’s size gives you room to move without feeling packed in.

The main consideration is price. At $1,800 for up to 15 people, it can be good value for a full group, but it is costly for a small party. Lunch, hotel transfers, gratuity, and any pig encounter are extra, and the snorkeling and turtle stops depend on sea and weather conditions.

Key points to know before you book

• Private 38-foot Jupiter: You get a dedicated boat, captain, skipper, restroom, Wi-Fi, music, drinks, and light snacks.
• Four stops in one half-day: The outing combines coral-reef snorkeling, Green Cay turtle viewing, Gilligan’s Island, and Rose Island beach time.
• Best value for a large group: The flat $1,800 rate works out to about $120 per person with 15 people, before extras.
• Pigs are not part of the price: You can ask to pet and feed them, but that activity is paid separately.
• Simple meeting point: Meet at Montague Dock near the fish and conch stalls. Turn left at the light to park.
• Not suited to everyone: Children under 3, pregnant women, wheelchair users, and people with several medical or mobility concerns should not book this outing.

Leaving Nassau from Montague Dock

Your day starts at Montague Dock, near the fish and conch stalls. Turn left at the light to park. This is a working waterfront meeting point, so allow enough time to find the correct dock and get settled before departure.

The boat is a 38-foot Jupiter, a useful size for this kind of outing. You have more room than on a small open skiff, while still getting the quick ride that makes Rose Island practical from Nassau. A restroom matters here, especially for families and anyone who does not want to cut the day short because of a basic need.

The onboard setup is unusually useful for a four-hour charter. You have Wi-Fi, music, bottled water, sodas, local beer, rum punch, and light snacks. These are not a substitute for lunch, but they keep the boat ride comfortable between stops.

An English-speaking captain leads the outing and shares facts about Nassau Harbour’s past and local Bahamian culture along the way. Specific captain names are not provided, so do not book this expecting a named guide. The focus is on a private boat outing with commentary rather than a formal history tour.

Before you leave, everyone must sign a waiver. Bring beachwear, a towel, and sunscreen. You will want to put on sunscreen before boarding, then reapply after swimming.

The speedboat ride is part of the fun

The ride out to Rose Island gives the outing its sense of range. You are not simply being dropped at a beach. You are moving between several points by boat, with music, drinks, and open-water views along the way.

I like this format because it uses the boat as both transport and part of the experience. You can sit back between activities instead of spending the entire morning in one place. At the same time, a speedboat ride can feel lively, so anyone prone to discomfort should consider the motion before booking.

The boat’s clean, comfortable setup received especially strong praise from Heidy of the United States, who gave the experience five stars after a July 2025 visit. She singled out the captain and skipper, the boat’s condition, its size, and how comfortable it was for her children. That is useful guidance for families. The boat appears better suited to a family outing than a bare-bones transfer.

Still, comfort does not remove the need for sensible planning. Keep your towel and sunscreen easy to reach. Protect phones and other valuables from splashes, and listen carefully to the crew before getting in or out of the water.

Coral-reef snorkeling near Rose Island

The snorkeling stop is designed to show you a coral reef with a variety of fish. The tour provides snorkel equipment, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins unless you prefer familiar gear.

This stop adds more than another swim. Beach time gives you shallow-water relaxation, while snorkeling lets you see the marine life below the surface. If you enjoy looking for fish and coral rather than spending every minute on sand, this makes the four-hour plan feel well balanced.

The exact reef location and water conditions are not specified. That matters because visibility, current, and comfort in the water can change the quality of a snorkeling stop. Treat it as a planned opportunity, not a guarantee of a particular species or perfect conditions.

You should already be comfortable in the water. The tour does not list special support for people with limited mobility or respiratory problems, and it is not suitable for wheelchair users. Recent surgery, heart problems, back problems, and pregnancy are also listed as reasons not to take this trip.

The crew provides the equipment, but you should bring your own towel and beachwear. Sunscreen is essential, though apply it with care around the water and follow any instructions from the crew about reef-friendly products.

Green Cay and the sea turtles

The boat stops at Green Cay to look for sea turtles and learn about their habitat and the animals around them. This is a quieter wildlife moment than the reef stop, with the excitement coming from spotting animals in their natural setting.

Keep your expectations sensible. The description says you will stop to see the turtles, but it does not promise a guaranteed sighting or a set viewing distance. Turtles are wildlife, not performers, so patience matters. You may need to watch carefully rather than expect an immediate close encounter.

I like this stop because it adds a local nature element to what could otherwise be just a beach charter. It also gives the captain a chance to explain the area and its animals. The educational part is likely brief, but it helps connect the scenery with the life in the water.

Do not plan to feed or touch the turtles. No such activity is included or described. Bring a hat and water, even though bottled water is provided, since a sunny boat stop can feel intense.

Gilligan’s Island and Rose Island beach time

Gilligan’s Island is another stop on the route. The supplied details do not explain whether the stop is mainly for a walk, a photo opportunity, or a swim, so ask the captain how much time will be available there on your departure day.

Rose Island is where the outing slows down. You can swim in clear turquoise water, play games on the sand, collect seashells, and sit in the sun. This is the flexible part of the schedule, and it suits people who do not want every minute directed by a guide.

The soft beach and calm-looking water are a good match for a half-day escape from Nassau. Families can split up naturally, with some people swimming and others staying on shore. Couples or friends can simply enjoy the island without adding another paid activity.

There is one important catch: beach time does not include lunch. Bring your own plan for food or budget for lunch at your expense. Light snacks are provided on the boat, but they are meant to bridge the gaps, not replace a meal.

If you want to see or feed pigs, tell the operator in advance. The pig experience is not included in the $1,800 rate, and both the activity and any related cost are at your expense. This is easy to overlook if the title is what first catches your eye.

What the $1,800 price really means

The cost is $1,800 per private group of up to 15 people. At the maximum group size, that is about $120 per person. For a family reunion, wedding group, cruise-party group, or large set of friends, the math is fairly reasonable for a private four-hour charter.

For two people, the same price becomes $900 each. For four people, it is $450 each. That makes this a poor match for a small party unless privacy, a custom boat day, and the included drinks and equipment matter more to you than keeping costs low.

The price includes the speedboat, captain, snorkel gear, drinks, light snacks, beach time, Gilligan’s Island, and a Rose Island stop. It does not include lunch, the pig experience, hotel pickup or drop-off, or gratuity.

I would compare the total cost, not just the advertised rate. Add lunch, transport to Montague Dock, the optional pig activity, and a tip if you plan to give one. The private format is the main value. If you only want a quick beach visit, a cheaper shared excursion may suit you better.

Who will enjoy this private charter most

This outing fits families with children aged 3 and older, assuming everyone can handle a boat ride and basic water activities. Heidy’s experience points to the boat being clean, comfortable, and a good size for children, which is one of the strongest details available about the experience.

It also suits friends who want several activities without committing to a full-day charter. You get snorkeling, wildlife viewing, island stops, and beach time in four hours. That is a useful choice if your Nassau schedule is tight.

The private setup is valuable for people who prefer control over the mood. You can listen to music, swim, sit on the sand, and move between stops with your own group rather than a large mixed party.

I would not choose it for someone seeking a long guided nature program, a guaranteed pig encounter, or a fully catered day. It is also not appropriate for children under 3, babies under 1, pregnant women, wheelchair users, or people with back, heart, respiratory, mobility, or recent-surgery concerns.

Timing, weather, and practical planning

The outing lasts four hours, but starting times vary. Check the available departure time before paying, especially if you are coordinating it with a cruise schedule or another Nassau activity.

Weather can change the plan. If the operator cancels because of weather or another unforeseen problem, you can receive a refund or reschedule. If you cancel less than 24 hours before departure, there is no refund. Cancellations made at least 24 hours ahead qualify for a full refund.

The boat provides water, beer, rum punch, sodas, and snacks. You still need sunscreen, a towel, and beachwear. Lunch is not included, so settle that question before you leave the dock.

Gratuity is discretionary. It is not part of the listed price, so include it in your personal budget if you feel the captain and skipper provided good service.

Should you book the Rose Island outing?

Book this charter if you have a group large enough to share the $1,800 cost and want a private mix of snorkeling, turtles, beach time, and boat travel. The clean 38-foot Jupiter, restroom, onboard drinks, and family-friendly comfort add real value, and the private format lets you enjoy the stops without a large crowd.

Think twice if you have only one or two people, need hotel transport, want lunch included, or are mainly interested in the pigs. Those extras cost more, and the pig experience is not automatically part of the day.

My practical call: this is a strong choice for a private group that values comfort and variety, but a questionable bargain for a small party. Confirm the departure time, ask about the day’s planned snorkeling and turtle conditions, and price the optional extras before you commit.

FAQ

How long is the Rose Island boat trip?

The experience lasts four hours.

How much does the private boat trip cost?

The price is $1,800 per private group of up to 15 people.

Where do I meet the boat?

Meet at Montague Dock near the fish and conch stalls. Turn left at the light to park.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is available at your own expense.

Are pigs included in the price?

No. If you want to pet and feed the pigs, tell the operator, but that activity is at your expense.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkel equipment is included.

What drinks and food are provided?

The boat provides rum punch, bottled water, local beer, sodas, and light snacks.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear.

What happens if the weather cancels the trip?

If the trip is cancelled because of weather or another unforeseen circumstance, you can receive a refund or reschedule.