Exotic half day private charters to Rose Island, Pigs and Turtles

A private boat carries you from Nassau to Rose Island, where the day can mix snorkeling, sea turtles, swimming pigs, and a quiet beach stop. You get your own captain, rather than sharing a boat with strangers, and the route can feel more relaxed and personal.

I like the easy group value and the range of stops. At $1,020 for up to nine people, the cost works best for a family or friend group. I also like that Antoine and Chris are named as guides, with snorkeling gear, water, snacks, and unlimited Bahama Mamas included.

The main catch is time. Four hours goes quickly once you allow for the boat ride and several activities. Lunch costs extra, the pig encounter adds $40 at the location, and the boat has comfortable seating for eight even though the booking allows up to nine.

Key points to know before you book

• Rose Island gives you a quieter setting: The trip leaves Nassau’s harbor for a remote beach setting away from the city.
• Pigs and turtles are both part of the plan: You can visit swimming pigs for an added $40 and look for sea turtles in the water.
• Your group gets a private captain: Only your party takes part, with Antoine or Chris serving as hosts and guides.
• The $1,020 price is per group: Up to nine people can book together, making the cost easier to justify for larger groups.
• Drinks and gear are included: Snorkeling equipment, bottled water, snacks, and unlimited Bahama Mamas come with the charter.
• The weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours ahead.

Leaving Nassau for Rose Island

Your outing begins near Nassau at Bayshore Marina, The Waterfront, at 64 East Bay Street. The supplied meeting information also names Elizabeth on Bay, so I would confirm the exact meeting spot and dock before departure. That small check can save you an unnecessary dash around Bay Street.

Once aboard, you pass through Nassau Harbour and get a moving view of the island from the water. The route includes sights such as celebrity homes, five-star hotels, and an oceanside golf course. This part is not the main event, but it gives the half-day a pleasant start and helps you shift from city time to island time.

The boat is private for your party. That matters more than it may sound. You can spend longer at a favorite stop, keep the mood calm for children, or simply sit with your own group instead of adjusting to a boatload of strangers. The captain guides the outing, but the day does not have the feel of a fixed bus tour.

The boat offers comfortable seating for eight. The booking size is listed as up to nine people, so a full group should ask how the seating works before paying. For six to eight people, the arrangement sounds more comfortable. For nine, you should expect a tighter fit.

What four hours really allows

Four hours is enough for a taste of several Bahamian pleasures, but it is not a full-day island cruise. The boat must travel from Nassau, and time is also needed to get in and out of the water. If you want long, unhurried beach time plus snorkeling, turtles, pigs, and lunch, the clock may feel tight.

That short schedule can also be a strength. You get a full sea outing without giving up an entire day. This works well if you have limited time in Nassau, are visiting on a cruise schedule, or want to pair the charter with another afternoon plan.

Your captain has room to shape the outing around the conditions and your group’s interests. The experience description presents several possible activities, including snorkeling, swimming with pigs, beach time, and a beachside restaurant. Since the duration is fixed, ask at the start how the captain expects to divide the time.

Snorkeling around Rose Island

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins. That makes the tour easier for families and occasional swimmers who do not want to buy or pack gear for one short outing.

The water around the islands is the reason to book a boat charter in the first place. You get a chance to see what lies below the surface rather than only looking at the shoreline. Sea turtles may be part of the experience, and the combination of clear water, swimming, and a private boat gives the day its strongest sense of escape.

Still, sea life cannot be scheduled like a museum visit. The presence of turtles depends on conditions and luck. You should treat a turtle sighting as a welcome possibility, not a promise. The same applies to the quality of snorkeling on a particular day.

The private format helps here. If your group includes strong swimmers and beginners, you can discuss comfort levels with the captain. If someone would rather remain on the boat or swim near shore, the outing does not require every person to take part in every activity.

The swimming pigs and the extra $40

Swimming pigs are the most unusual part of the outing. The visit gives you a chance to see and feed pigs on an island setting, which can be a memorable family experience and a fun change from ordinary snorkeling stops.

The pig activity is not included in the $1,020 charter price. It costs an additional $40 at the location. Factor that into your group budget before leaving, especially if several people want to take part. The supplied details do not state whether that fee is per person or covers the group, so ask the operator for the current charging method.

This extra charge is one of the clearest value questions. If pigs are the main reason you are booking, confirm the cost and availability before departure. If your priority is quiet beach time and snorkeling, you can decide if the added stop is worth the time and money.

The pigs also give the day a playful focus, particularly for families. But the experience is not only about animals. One of the strongest accounts of the outing included pigs, snorkeling, sea turtles, and a private beach, which suggests the real appeal is the mix rather than a single stop.

A beach that can feel like your own

Rose Island offers the chance to get away from Nassau’s urban waterfront and spend time on a remote beach. The most appealing version of this stop is simple: sit on the sand, swim in turquoise water, and let the captain handle the transport.

A private beach stop can be valuable for families with different energy levels. Some people can relax by the water while others snorkel or take photographs. You are not tied to a large group’s schedule, though the four-hour limit still applies.

The beach is also where this charter makes its best case against a standard shared excursion. You are paying for space, privacy, and flexibility. A family celebrating a special day may find that worth more than a lower-cost boat with a set crowd and fixed pace.

Do not expect a full resort day. Lunch is not included, and the details do not promise beach chairs, umbrellas, changing rooms, or other facilities. A beachside restaurant is part of the available plan, but you pay for lunch separately. Bring only what you need and confirm how much time is planned for eating.

What is included, and what is not

The inclusions are practical rather than fancy. You receive snorkeling equipment, bottled water, snacks, and unlimited Bahama Mamas. Those drinks can add real value for adults who would otherwise buy beverages separately, but they may matter less to a family with children.

Lunch is not included. If you want a meal at the beachside restaurant, set aside extra money and ask how the restaurant stop fits into the four-hour route. The pig encounter also costs extra, at $40 at the location.

The price is $1,020 per group, not per person, for up to nine people. Split nine ways, that is about $113 per person. Split among eight, it is about $128 each. For four people, it becomes $255 each, before lunch and any pig fee.

That makes group size the key value test. A larger family or group of friends gets a much better deal than a couple. The private boat, captain, drinks, gear, and several possible stops help justify the price for a full group. A small party should compare it with shared boat trips before booking.

The charter also saves you from piecing together separate boat transport, snorkeling rental, and beach access. You are paying for a single outing with a captain and a private setting. If privacy is not important to you, the price may feel high.

The captains and the feel of a private outing

Antoine and Chris are named as hosts and guides. That personal detail is useful because the captain is a major part of a private charter. You are not simply being transported from one fixed point to another. The guide helps shape the pace and explains what is happening around you.

A private captain is especially helpful when your group has mixed interests. You can ask about time in the water, beach relaxation, pigs, turtles, or the restaurant. You should still be clear about your priorities at the beginning, since four hours leaves little room for hesitation.

The outing has earned a 5 out of 5 rating from 20 ratings, with 100 percent recommending it. The strongest praise focuses on the combination of activities, the private beach, and the friendly hosting by Antoine and Chris. That pattern points to the experience’s real strength: it feels like a relaxed family day on the water, not just a quick animal stop.

No tour is perfect for every group. If you want a detailed cultural tour of Nassau, this is not it. If you dislike alcohol-focused inclusions, the unlimited Bahama Mamas may not add much value. The experience is built around water, wildlife, beaches, and personal space.

Who will get the most from this charter

I would look first at this tour if you are traveling with family or friends and can fill most of the boat. Children who enjoy animals and swimming should find plenty to hold their attention, while adults can use the beach stop and private setting for a slower break.

It also suits people who want several signature Bahamian activities in a short window. You can combine snorkeling, turtles, pigs, and a beach without booking separate excursions. That variety is useful when you have only a half day available.

The outing may be less suitable if you want a long snorkeling session, a guaranteed turtle encounter, or a formal lunch experience. The details do not promise a specific snorkeling site, a guaranteed animal sighting, or a set amount of time at each stop.

Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. The activity is near public transportation. Since the experience depends on the sea, good weather is required. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Booking, cancellation, and practical checks

Confirmation is provided when you book. Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If you cancel or change the booking within 24 hours, the amount paid is not refunded and changes are not accepted.

The weather rule is important in the Bahamas. The company can cancel for poor conditions and offer another date or a full refund. Cut-off times use local time, so keep that in mind if you are arranging the charter from another time zone.

Before you go, I would confirm four things:

• The exact meeting location, since both Bayshore Marina and Elizabeth on Bay appear in the supplied meeting details.
• How the boat seating works for a party of nine.
• Whether the $40 pig fee is charged per person or per group.
• How much time is expected for snorkeling, pigs, beach time, and lunch.

These questions do not spoil the fun. They help you know what you are paying for and prevent a short half-day from feeling rushed.

Should you book this Rose Island charter?

Book it if you have a group of six to eight people, want a private boat, and like the idea of combining a quiet beach with snorkeling, turtles, and pigs. The strongest value comes from sharing the $1,020 price among several people, while the included gear, snacks, water, and Bahama Mamas keep extra costs under control.

Think twice if you are a couple, want a low-cost outing, or need a guaranteed animal encounter. You will also want to skip it if a long beach stay or full restaurant meal matters more than variety.

For the right group, this is a nicely balanced Nassau escape. You get open water, a personal captain, room to set the mood, and several distinctly Bahamian experiences in four hours. Just budget for lunch and the pig fee, confirm the dock, and be realistic about how fast the clock moves.

FAQ

How long is the Rose Island private charter?

The activity lasts approximately four hours.

Where does the tour start?

The details identify Bayshore Marina The Waterfront at 64 East Bay Street in Nassau as the starting location. They also list Elizabeth on Bay as the meeting point, so confirm the exact dock before departure.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How many people can join the private charter?

The booking allows up to nine people per group. The boat is described as having comfortable seating for eight, so a group of nine should confirm the seating arrangement.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included with the charter.

Are food and drinks included?

Bottled water, snacks, and unlimited Bahama Mamas are included. Lunch is not included.

Does swimming with the pigs cost extra?

Yes. Swimming pigs require an additional $40 at the location. The supplied details do not specify whether that amount is per person or per group.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.