Nassau: 3 Islands Boat w/ Swimming Pigs, Snorkeling & Turtle

The star of this Nassau boat trip is hard to miss: you get into the sea with the famous swimming pigs near Rose Island. The day also folds in a reef stop, turtle watching, music, drinks, and beach time, so you are not paying for a one-animal photo stop. I like the quick mix of activities and the friendly crew, who help with snorkeling and keep the mood light.

I also like that water, soft drinks, snacks, alcohol, and snorkeling gear are included. The main consideration is time: three hours goes quickly, and the turtle stop can be brief. One traveler found the pig swim crowded when another group arrived, so this is best for people who enjoy an upbeat group outing rather than a quiet private cruise.

Key points to know before booking

• Swimming pigs near Rose Island: The main event gives you time to get into the water, feed the pigs, and take photos.
• Pearl Island snorkeling: You snorkel from the boat over water reported at about 10 feet deep, with fish and coral below.
• Green Cay turtle stop: This is mainly boat-based wildlife watching, not a swim with turtles.
• Rose Island beach time: You have about an hour for swimming, kayaking, wildlife watching, drinks, and lunch at your own cost.
• Included refreshments: Water, soft drinks, snacks, alcohol, and rum punch are provided during the trip.
• Fast three-hour format: About an hour is spent moving by speedboat, leaving roughly two hours for the stops.

The real appeal: four Bahamian experiences in three hours

This excursion works because it does not make you choose between snorkeling and the swimming pigs. You get several short experiences in one outing, with the boat ride tying them together. It feels more like a lively sampler of the waters around Nassau than a slow beach day.

The route includes Pearl Island, Green Cay, and Rose Island. Each stop has a different purpose. Pearl Island is for snorkeling, Green Cay is for turtle spotting, and Rose Island brings the pigs, beach, and bar together.

That variety is useful if you have only one free morning in Nassau or a port day with limited time. You can see fish, search for turtles, meet the pigs, and still sit on a beach before returning to town. The tradeoff is that none of these activities lasts all day. If you want an extended reef session or hours on a quiet sandbar, this tour may feel rushed.

The atmosphere is part of the package. The boat carries drinks and music, and one recent outing included rum punch and dancing during the ride. You should expect a social, upbeat trip, not a silent nature cruise.

Getting to the boat from Nassau or Paradise Island

Pickup is by boat, so you do not simply wait beside a tour bus. If you are staying in Nassau or arriving by cruise ship, meet at the pier in front of Señor Frog’s downtown. The Delfincharters boat is marked on both sides, which should help you identify it.

If you are staying on Paradise Island or at Atlantis, meet at the dock in front of Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Paradise Island. The same Delfincharters markings appear on the boat.

Build in enough time to reach the correct dock. The meeting points are different, and the activity information specifically requires you to meet at one of these two locations. Pickup is not described as hotel door-to-door service.

The boat ride itself is part of the fun. The scheduled legs are listed as 15 minutes to Pearl Island, 10 minutes to Green Cay, 10 minutes onward, and 25 minutes back to Nassau. That adds up to about an hour of transport, leaving the rest of the three-hour trip for the stops.

A past outing carried about 24 people. That gives you a useful idea of scale: this may feel like a small group on the water, but it is not necessarily an intimate charter for just your party. The crew uses several guides to provide safety help, instructions, and information at each part of the trip.

English, French, and Spanish support is available, with an English audio guide listed as part of the activity. No individual guide names are provided, so you should not book expecting a particular crew member.

Pearl Island: a short snorkeling session over clear water

Your first stop is Pearl Island, where you snorkel from the boat for about 45 minutes. The water at the reef has been described as roughly 10 feet deep, which gives you a good balance between visibility and comfort for many swimmers.

You can expect to see fish, coral, and other marine life beneath the boat. The clearest benefit of this stop is the water itself. Even when the fish count is modest, the transparent sea and view toward the ocean floor make the session worthwhile.

The crew assists with masks, snorkels, and safety instructions. That matters if you are new to snorkeling or need a little help getting comfortable in open water. The equipment is included, though you should bring your own mask if you have one that fits you especially well.

Forty-five minutes is enough for a proper introduction to the reef, but it is not a long snorkeling expedition. You may spend some of that time entering the water, adjusting your gear, and returning to the boat. If snorkeling is your top priority, keep your expectations realistic. This tour gives you a taste of the reef while saving room for the pigs and beach stop.

Bring sunscreen and a towel. You will be in and out of the water, and the Bahamian sun can make a short boat outing feel much longer. Chewing gum and sharp objects are not allowed, and the activity also prohibits weapons.

Green Cay: turtle watching from the boat

After Pearl Island, the boat heads to Green Cay for about 15 minutes of marine and wildlife watching. This is a short stop, and the key detail is that you observe the turtles from the boat.

You might see gentle sea turtles surfacing or gliding below the water. The moment can be calm and pleasing, especially after the more active snorkeling stop. It is also a good chance to keep your camera ready, since the turtles may not remain at the surface for long.

Do not treat this as a guaranteed close encounter. One account described seeing only a few turtles come up, making this the least exciting part of the route for some people. Wildlife controls the schedule, not the crew. If the turtles stay low, you may spend much of the 15 minutes scanning the water.

Still, the stop adds something important to the day. The pigs are a managed attraction, while the turtles are viewed in their natural setting. That contrast gives the tour a more rounded feel. You get playful animal contact at the pig stop, then a quieter chance to watch wildlife without entering the water.

Rose Island and the famous swimming pigs

The boat then continues to Rose Island, where you spend about an hour. This is the longest stop and the heart of the experience.

The pigs are friendly, accustomed to people, and known for entering the sea. You can swim with them, feed them, and enjoy the comic spectacle of pigs paddling through clear Bahamian water. It is a cheerful, unusual activity, and it works especially well for families and couples who want photos that are different from the usual beach shots.

You should follow the crew’s instructions closely around the animals. Even friendly pigs are large, active creatures, and feeding time can become busy. Keep your hands and food where the crew tells you to place them, and give other people room to enjoy their turn.

Crowding is the main issue here. One outing became chaotic when another group arrived for the pig swim at the same time. That does not mean every departure will be crowded, but it is a useful warning. The experience is more fun when groups are small and spread out, so ask the operator about expected group size and timing if this matters to you.

The Rose Island stop is not only about pigs. You may also swim, use a kayak, watch wildlife, and sit on the beach. The beach bar offers drinks and lunch, but lunch is not included in the tour price. Bring extra cash for food and any purchases at the bar.

The included alcohol and soft drinks mean you can have a drink without buying every refreshment separately. Water and snacks are also provided. If you plan to eat a full meal, however, budget for it separately.

What the $175 price really covers

At $175 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see a beach or ride a boat from Nassau. The price makes more sense when you count what is bundled together: speedboat transport, three island stops, snorkeling equipment, water, soft drinks, snacks, alcohol, crew assistance, and the pig swim.

You are also paying for convenience. Instead of arranging separate transport to a snorkeling site, a turtle-viewing area, a pig attraction, and a beach bar, one crew handles the route in three hours. That is useful during a cruise stop or a short Nassau stay.

The value is strongest if you plan to take part in everything. A person who skips snorkeling, does not drink, and has little interest in the pigs may find the price hard to justify. Someone who wants several classic Bahamas activities in one compact outing can get good value from it.

Lunch remains an extra cost, as does gratuity. Add those to your budget before you book. The tour includes alcohol, but you should still bring money for the Rose Island beach bar.

The booking terms add some flexibility. You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Starting times depend on availability, so check the departure options for your date.

The boat ride, drinks, and group atmosphere

Delfincharters leans into a party-friendly mood. Music, rum punch, snacks, and dancing may be part of the ride, and the crew has been described as friendly and attentive during safety instructions.

That tone suits people who like a social day on the water. You can chat with the group, enjoy a drink, and move from one activity to the next without much downtime. Families have also found the atmosphere welcoming, with children enjoying the range of stops.

It may not suit you if you want a hushed wildlife tour or a private boat with a flexible schedule. The speedboat makes the route efficient, but it also means more movement and less room for a leisurely pace. People with back problems, heart problems, or pregnancy should not book this activity.

The crew’s role is especially important at the snorkeling and pig stops. They provide instructions and safety help, and that can make the open-water portions easier for less experienced swimmers. You still need to be comfortable getting into the sea and following directions.

Who will enjoy this Nassau excursion most

I would point this tour toward families with older children, couples, cruise ship passengers, and first-time visitors who want a broad sample of the Bahamas. You get plenty of photo opportunities without committing to a full-day trip.

It is also a good match for people who like active stops but do not want every minute filled with exercise. You snorkel, watch turtles, swim with pigs, and then have time to sit on Rose Island beach with a drink or lunch.

The tour is less suitable for anyone seeking solitude. The boat can carry a sizable group, and the pig swim may become crowded. It is also a poor choice if you need a slow, gentle ride or have one of the listed medical limitations.

For photographers, the boat, beach, pigs, fish, and turtles provide plenty of subjects. Bring a waterproof phone case if you want pictures in the water, though that item is not listed as included. Keep your towel and sunscreen handy rather than buried in a bag.

Practical details that make the day easier

Wear a swimsuit under your clothes. You will snorkel, swim, and likely get splashed during the boat ride and pig encounter.

Bring:

• A towel
• Sunscreen
• Extra money for lunch, drinks, and gratuity
• A waterproof way to protect your phone

Water, soft drinks, snacks, alcohol, and snorkel equipment are supplied. Lunch is not. You should also expect to spend much of the trip in direct sun, both on the boat and at Rose Island.

Check the meeting point carefully. Nassau and Paradise Island use different docks, and you need to reach Señor Frog’s downtown or Margaritaville Paradise Island, depending on where you are staying.

The tour is offered in English, French, and Spanish. An English audio guide is included. The activity lasts three hours, but the clock includes the boat transfers, so the stops are short and purposeful.

Should you book the three-island boat tour?

Book it if you want the classic Nassau combination of snorkeling, sea turtles, swimming pigs, drinks, and beach time in one efficient outing. The pig swim is the clear highlight, while the crew support, included refreshments, and well-packed route add real value to the $175 price.

Think twice if you want a quiet boat, a long reef session, or a guaranteed close look at turtles. The Green Cay stop is brief, and the pig area can be crowded when groups overlap.

For most active visitors with only a few hours, I think this is a strong choice. Go in expecting a fast, social sampler rather than a private island escape, and you will have a better sense of what the day can deliver.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts three hours, including the speedboat rides between Nassau, Pearl Island, Green Cay, Rose Island, and Nassau.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $175 per person.

Where is pickup in Nassau?

People staying in Nassau or arriving by cruise ship meet at the pier in front of Señor Frog’s downtown. The Delfincharters boat is marked on both sides.

Where is pickup for Paradise Island and Atlantis?

People staying on Paradise Island or at Atlantis meet at the dock in front of Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Paradise Island.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. A snorkel and mask are included.

Are drinks and snacks included?

Yes. The tour includes water, soft drinks, snacks, and alcohol. Lunch is not included.

Is lunch included at Rose Island?

No. You have time to get lunch at the Rose Island beach bar, but you pay for it separately.

Can I swim with the turtles?

No swimming with turtles is listed. At Green Cay, you watch for turtles from the boat.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel and sunscreen. Extra money is also useful for lunch, beach bar purchases, and gratuity.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.