Swimming Pigs, Turtles & Reef Snorkel in Nassau-Champion Tours

The main draw here is simple: four islands in four hours, with reef snorkeling, turtles, fish, and the option to swim with pigs at Athol Island. It is a fast-moving Nassau day on the water, not a slow beach retreat. Your group has a chartered speedboat, so you can decide how long to stay at each stop.

I like the private format and the crew’s focus on safety, with lifeguards and medical personnel on board. I also like that snorkeling gear, bottled water, snacks, rum punch, and WiFi are included. The main catch is the price: $205 per person, before lunch and the optional $45 Pig Island fee.

Key points to know

• Four island stops in about four hours: Rose Island, Pearl Island, Green Cay, and Athol Island are linked in one compact boat outing.
• Turtle and reef time: Green Cay brings the chance to see and feed turtles, while reef stops offer snorkeling with fish and other marine life.
• Pig Island costs extra: The Athol Island stop is optional and adds a $45 attraction fee per person.
• Private boat, flexible timing: Only your group participates, and you can choose when to leave each stop.
• Safety equipment and staff: Lifeguards and medical personnel are said to remain on board, along with a certified captain.
• Lunch is separate: Plan for an extra charge at the local restaurant or Antiki floating bar stop.

What this Nassau speedboat trip is really like

Champion Cruising Tours gives you a compact sampler of the waters around New Providence Island. In roughly four hours, you visit several islands, stop for marine life, snorkel over reefs, and decide if you want to pay extra for the famous pigs.

That schedule is ambitious. You will not have a full morning at every island. Instead, the appeal is variety. If your ideal boat day includes several different sights rather than one long beach stop, this format makes good use of limited time.

You meet at the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Development on East Bay Street in Nassau. The listed hours run from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., every day, though your booking will have a specific departure slot. Pickup is offered, but private transportation is not included, so confirm the exact meeting arrangement before setting out.

The boat is a private charter for your group. That matters more than it may sound. You are not tied to a large excursion group’s fixed rhythm, and the tour description says you can decide when to leave each stop. Ask the captain early how much flexibility the day’s conditions and schedule allow.

Rose Island, Pearl Island, and Green Cay by boat

The first part of the outing takes you toward Rose Island, Pearl Island, and Green Cay. These stops provide the broad sightseeing portion of the trip, with clear water, island views, and time to get comfortable on the boat.

Rose Island and Pearl Island are presented mainly as scenic stops. The pleasure here is the ride itself and the change of setting from Nassau’s marina. You can expect open-water views and a chance to see the islands from the deck rather than from a crowded shore road.

Green Cay is the most specific wildlife stop in this part of the route. You have an opportunity to see and feed turtles. That can be a highlight for families, especially children who want a close look at marine life without committing to a long snorkel session.

Keep your expectations practical. The experience does not state how long you spend at each island or guarantee a particular number of turtles. Wildlife is never fully scheduled, and the boat’s four-hour limit means the captain may need to keep the day moving.

Reef snorkeling with fish and marine life

Snorkeling is included, and the operator supplies the equipment. You can swim over reefs and look for fish and other wildlife in the clear Bahamian water.

This is a strong value point for anyone who wants a water activity without renting gear separately. Still, bring your own sunscreen and towel. You should also pack any personal items you need for several hours outside, since those are not supplied.

The tour is suitable for most people, but snorkeling is an active water stop. If you are nervous in open water, tell the crew before you enter. The presence of lifeguards and medical personnel on board offers useful reassurance, particularly for families, though it does not remove the need to judge your own comfort and swimming ability.

The speedboat can make the ride exciting, but it can also feel lively on open water. If you prefer a quiet, slow cruise, this is not the best match. If you like the feeling of covering ground and moving from one island to another, the boat is part of the fun.

Athol Island and the optional Pig Island stop

Athol Island is also called Pig Island, and this is the most recognizable photo stop on the tour. You can swim with, feed, and photograph the pigs there.

The stop is optional, which is helpful because not everyone wants the same sort of outing. If you are booking mainly for snorkeling and turtles, you can skip it and avoid the extra charge. If the pigs are the reason you are considering this experience, budget another $45 per person for the attraction site fee.

That fee is not hidden, but it is easy to overlook when comparing the headline price with other Nassau boat trips. At $205 per person, adding Pig Island brings the activity cost to $250 per person before lunch and any transportation.

Pig Island is likely to be the liveliest part of the day. You should expect a photo-focused stop with interaction involving the animals, rather than a quiet wildlife viewing session. Listen closely to the crew’s instructions and keep your belongings secure around the water.

Lunch at Antiki floating bar

The schedule includes a lunch stop on the water at the famous Antiki floating bar, with a local restaurant also described as the lunch option. Lunch is not included in the $205 price, so bring a payment method and allow for an additional meal cost.

This arrangement gives you some choice, but it makes the final price less predictable. A couple traveling together could easily spend $410 for the tour before food, the Pig Island fee, or transport. A family of four would pay $820 for the base tour alone.

The lunch stop is useful because four hours on a boat can feel long without food. Bottled water, snacks, and rum punch are included, which helps, but those items do not replace a meal. If you have dietary needs, ask ahead about the restaurant stop rather than assuming a particular menu will be available.

What the $205 price buys you

The price is high compared with a basic shared boat ride, but this is a private activity. Your group has its own chartered speedboat, a captain, snorkeling equipment, bottled water, snacks, rum punch, and WiFi. You also get several distinct stops instead of one destination.

The flexibility has real value. On a large group excursion, you usually leave when the operator says to leave. Here, the tour says you are in charge of your tour and can choose when to move on. That can make the experience easier for a family with children or a group with mixed interests.

The price also includes trained captains and a fully licensed and insured vessel. Medical personnel and lifeguards are described as being on board at all times. Those details matter on an active water trip, particularly if you are booking for children or relatives who want extra support.

Still, read the inclusions carefully. Lunch, private transportation, and Pig Island are separate costs. Jetski use is also an add-on. A photographer can be requested, with drone footage included in that special photography option, but the price for that service is not provided.

I would judge the tour by group size and priorities. For a private family or small group that values control over the schedule, $205 can make sense. For a solo visitor or couple focused only on snorkeling, a less expensive shared excursion may offer better value.

Family appeal and safety details

The available family feedback highlights a crew that was professional, helpful, and patient with children. That is important here because the trip combines a moving boat, open water, snorkeling, turtles, and animals at Pig Island.

You can expect the crew to answer questions and provide information about the places you visit. The operator also emphasizes educated guides and certified captains. No individual guide names are provided, so do not book expecting a particular person.

The private setup helps families manage the day. You can decide when to leave a stop, and you are not sharing the boat with an unrelated group. Children may enjoy the change of pace from turtles to fish to pigs, although parents should be ready for a full schedule rather than a restful beach day.

Service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation. Most people can participate, but the provided information does not give a minimum age, boat capacity, or specific accessibility details. Ask the operator before booking if those points affect your plans.

Add-ons that change the day

A jetski can be added for an extra fee. The amount is not listed, so request the current price before you commit. This option suits people who want more active time on the water, but it is not necessary to enjoy the main tour.

You can also request a special photographer with drone footage. That may appeal to couples, families celebrating a milestone, or anyone who wants polished images of the boat day. Since the cost is not provided, treat it as an optional upgrade rather than part of the advertised value.

These extras can push the total well above the base rate. I would choose one only if it fits your main reason for booking. The core outing already includes a lot: four islands, snorkeling, turtles, snacks, drinks, and an optional pig encounter.

Weather, cancellation, and what to pack

The trip depends on good weather. If poor conditions cancel the outing, you are offered another date or a full refund. For a full refund when you cancel, you must do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

Pack sunscreen, a towel, and personal items. Sunscreen is especially important on a speedboat, where sun exposure can feel stronger than it does on shore. Bring a dry bag if you have one for phones or other valuables, though the tour data does not state that one is supplied.

Wear clothing that can handle water and spray. The exact boat layout and storage arrangements are not specified, so avoid bringing more than you need. Bottled water, snacks, rum punch, WiFi, and snorkeling gear are included.

Who should book this private Nassau tour

I would recommend it most strongly to families and small private groups that want several activities in one outing. The combination of turtles, reef snorkeling, islands, and pigs gives children and adults different things to look forward to.

It also suits visitors with limited time in Nassau. Four hours is long enough to see several locations without giving up the whole day. Cruise passengers should still check their ship schedule carefully and allow plenty of time to return to the pier, since the tour ends back at the meeting point and private transportation is not included.

This is less suitable for someone seeking a slow, quiet cruise or a long stretch of snorkeling. The route covers a lot of water and the schedule is active. The optional Pig Island fee and separate lunch cost also make it less attractive for strict-budget visitors.

The strong recommendation rate and five-star score from 15 reviews point to a consistently well-received experience, with special praise for the crew’s patience and care with children. That is encouraging, but the review count is still small, so I would focus your decision on the clear practical details: private boat, active itinerary, extra fees, and weather dependence.

Should you book Swimming Pigs, Turtles & Reef Snorkel?

Book this tour if you want a private, flexible boat day and like the idea of packing four islands, turtles, reef snorkeling, and optional pigs into one outing. It is a good fit for families, small groups, and anyone who values safety staff and control over the pace.

Skip it if your main goal is a cheap snorkel trip, a long beach stay, or a simple all-inclusive price. Before paying, add the possible $45 Pig Island fee, lunch, transportation, and any extras to your budget. If that total still feels fair for a private speedboat and a varied Nassau route, Champion Cruising Tours offers a practical way to see more than one corner of the island’s waters.

FAQ

How long is the Swimming Pigs, Turtles & Reef Snorkel tour?

The tour lasts approximately four hours.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Development at 3MFH+VW6, East Bay Street, Nassau, Bahamas. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

What islands does the boat visit?

The route includes Rose Island, Pearl Island, Green Cay, and Athol Island, also known as Pig Island.

Is Pig Island included in the price?

No. Pig Island is optional and has an attraction site fee of $45 per person.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is at your own expense during a stop at a local restaurant or the Antiki floating bar.

What is included in the tour price?

Bottled water, rum punch, snacks, WiFi, and snorkeling equipment are included.

Do I need to bring snorkeling equipment?

No. Snorkeling equipment is provided. You are required to bring your own sunscreen, towel, and other personal items.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted. If poor weather cancels the activity, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.