Nassau: Swimming Pigs, Snorkeling, Lunch, & Beach Boat Tour

The swimming pigs are the headline, and they deliver the kind of silly, memorable encounter that makes a Bahamas day feel different from a standard beach stop. You ride a speedboat from central Nassau, feed pigs in shallow water, then spend time on a private beach before snorkeling at a nearby reef.

I like the small, fast boat, which gets you across the harbor and out toward the islands without turning the ride into an all-day chore. I also like the large bundle of inclusions: lunch, snacks, soft drinks, rum punch, snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddleboards, beach games, and a free photo and video package.

The main thing to consider is timing. This is a packed outing, and the total length can range from 150 minutes to four hours depending on the departure and conditions. The beach and pig encounter may feel too crowded at busy times, and jet skis cost extra.

Key things to know before booking

• The swimming pigs are included: You can feed, pet, and photograph the pigs in shallow, clear water, with food provided.
• The boat ride is part of the fun: The speedboat passes Nassau Harbor, Atlantis, Paradise Island, Fort Montagu, and other island sights.
• You get a proper beach base: Lounge chairs, hammocks, swings, floats, kayaks, paddleboards, and games are included.
• Snorkeling follows the pig visit: The reef stop offers a chance to see tropical fish and marine life using supplied equipment.
• Food and drinks are covered: Lunch includes American, Bahamian, and vegan choices, with snacks, soft drinks, and unlimited rum punch.
• Cruise passengers can use it easily: The meeting point is close to the cruise port, but you must make your own way there.

A fast boat ride out of Nassau

The tour starts at Bahamas Jet Boat headquarters at Elizabeth on Bay Marketplace and Marina. If you are walking from the cruise port, head left after leaving the port area. The meeting point is in the beige plaza with brown trim at Bay Street and Elizabeth Avenue, the second corner on the left after Parliament Square when heading east.

This location detail matters. One visitor reported that Apple Maps pointed to the wrong place, while the written directions led to the correct plaza. Give yourself a little extra time and look inside the marketplace rather than searching only along the street.

Once aboard, the speedboat heads through Nassau Harbor and toward the islands east of New Providence. The ride includes views of the cruise port, Nassau, Paradise Island, Atlantis, the Versailles Gardens and French Cloister, Fort Montagu, Sun Cay, Rose Island, and Blue Lagoon Island.

You are not stopping at each of these places. They are sightseeing points along the route, often paired with brief commentary and photo opportunities. The Atlantis pass-by is particularly useful if you want to see the famous resort from the water without paying for a full resort visit.

The boat ride is quick and scenic, but it is not a quiet harbor cruise. The speedboat is built to cover ground, and the fast run is one of the attractions. If you prefer a slow, silent ride, this may not be your ideal outing. If you want to reach the beach quickly, the boat works well.

The crew also shares information about Nassau Harbor and points out notable homes and island sights. Guides named in past outings include Sterling, Captain Johnny, Kenny, and Teisha. Your crew will vary, but the tour is conducted in English and includes a live guide.

Meeting the swimming pigs near Athol Island

The boat reaches the private beach area around Athol Island, where the main animal encounter takes place. The pigs are brought into the shallow water, and you can feed them with cups of food or fruit supplied as part of the experience.

This is not a quick photo stop where you remain on the boat. You can get into the water, pet the pigs, feed them, and take pictures while staff supervise the encounter. Some past outings also included time with piglets, though you should not assume piglets will be present on every departure.

The water is generally shallow and clear, which makes the interaction easy to watch. The pigs are eager around food, so listen closely to the safety instructions. They can push forward, step on feet, and crowd around people. That is part of the charm, but it also means you should keep food held as directed and give yourself room.

There is also the practical matter of animals in the water. The staff clean up after them quickly, but this is still a pig beach, not a sterile swimming pool. If you are uncomfortable with animals close to your legs or with the less polished side of a farm-style encounter, you may prefer to watch from the edge.

The pig stop is often the emotional high point for families and first-time visitors. It is especially well suited to children who enjoy animals, though adults tend to get just as involved. The crew helps manage the photo moments, and the included photographer takes pictures during the experience.

A private beach with more to do than sunbathing

After the pig encounter, you have time to settle into the beach area. Lounge chairs, hammocks, swings, and floats give you several ways to slow down. The beach has golden sand and turquoise water, with enough activities to keep an energetic group busy.

Included beach options include:

• Kayaks and paddleboards
• Individual and group floats
• Volleyball
• Cornhole
• Frisbee
• Tug of war
• Giant Connect Four
• Hatchet toss
• Water toys and floaties

The mix is useful because not everyone in a family or group wants the same kind of day. One person can use a hammock while another takes a paddleboard out. Children can play games, and adults can stay near the water with a drink.

The beach is presented as a private-island setting, but private does not always mean empty. A past outing arrived before a larger boat, which made the pig visit feel calm and open. At busier times, groups may overlap, especially around the pigs and shared water activities.

That crowd factor is worth keeping in mind if your priority is a quiet beach day. One past participant found the pig area too crowded for easy photographs. Arriving on time and following the crew’s instructions can help, but the operator cannot control every boat schedule or the number of people on a popular day.

Lunch, rum punch, and the value of the package

The $140 price looks more reasonable once you count what is included. You are paying for boat transportation, guides, the pig encounter, lunch, snacks, soft drinks, rum punch, snorkeling equipment, beach equipment, and the photo package.

Lunch includes American favorites, Bahamian dishes, and vegan choices. The food has received strong praise, with specific approval for the chef and several reports describing the meal as better than expected for a boat excursion.

Portion impressions have varied. Some people found lunch generous, while one person described the serving as closer to a snack and advised eating beforehand. I would not arrive starving, especially if you have a long morning or plan to stay active in the water. Snacks are available, but the included meal should be treated as convenient tour food rather than a restaurant lunch.

Unlimited rum punch and soft drinks are served during the beach portion, with light refreshments and snacks also available during the boat ride. The rum punch is a major part of the relaxed island mood, but remember that you will still be using boats, stairs, and water equipment. Pace yourself.

The free professional photos and video add real value. You do not have to choose between holding food for a pig and trying to take a picture. Staff photograph the encounter and beach activities, then send the images after the outing. This is especially useful for solo visitors and parents who want to be in the pictures rather than behind the camera.

Snorkeling at a colorful reef

After the beach stop, the boat heads to a reef system near the islands. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, and the crew gives a safety briefing before you enter the water.

The snorkeling experience can be a strong second act. Clear water and tropical fish make the stop more than a token swim, and some outings have seen a large number of fish close to the boat. One past participant had about 25 minutes in the water, which was enough for a satisfying look around without making the trip feel like a dedicated snorkeling charter.

Conditions can change. One person found the snorkeling only average at their particular stop, while others described it as spectacular. That difference is normal for a short reef excursion. Visibility, sea conditions, weather, and the exact site all matter.

You do not need to be an expert swimmer to appreciate the stop, but you should be comfortable following the crew’s instructions and using the provided equipment. Kayaks and paddleboards are also included, giving non-snorkelers another way to enjoy the water.

The reef stop is valuable because it balances the animal encounter. The pigs offer a playful, close-up activity, while snorkeling gives you a look at the natural marine setting around New Providence. You get two very different water experiences in one outing.

What the timing means for your day

The stated duration ranges from 150 minutes to four hours. Check the departure option carefully, since the available schedule determines how long you have for the boat ride, pigs, beach, lunch, and reef.

This flexible length makes the tour useful for cruise passengers. Several outings have worked well for people who wanted a full activity but did not want to spend the whole day away from the ship. The meeting point is close enough to the cruise port to make the excursion practical, though you must allow time to walk there and check in.

Do not cut the return too close if you are sailing that day. Boat tours depend on weather, water conditions, and group timing. The operator offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Nassau plans are still shifting.

The crew generally keeps the program moving, but one past outing began late because people were delayed getting off a ship. That is a reminder to arrive early and not assume every departure will leave exactly on the advertised minute.

Safety, weather, and the extra-cost activities

Safety is taken seriously. The crew gives instructions before the pig encounter and snorkeling, and an outing with uncertain weather continued only after the staff made safety the priority.

Weather matters in the Bahamas. Wind or rough water can affect the speedboat ride, the reef stop, and the comfort of the beach portion. You may have a less polished day if skies turn gray, but the crew can adjust activities when conditions require it.

Jet skis are available to rent for an additional fee. They are not part of the $140 package, so ask about the current price before committing. The included activities already provide plenty to do, and you do not need to pay extra to have a full day.

The tour also lists water toys and floaties, kayaks, paddleboards, volleyball, and games. These are useful inclusions for groups with different energy levels, but equipment is shared and availability may vary when several parties arrive together.

Who will enjoy this Nassau excursion?

I would recommend this tour most strongly to families, first-time Nassau visitors, cruise passengers, and groups who want several activities without arranging separate bookings.

It works particularly well for:

• Families with children and teenagers
• Couples who want animals, water, and a beach in one outing
• Solo visitors who value staff-taken photos
• Groups with mixed interests
• People who want a shorter trip rather than a full-day charter
• Anyone who enjoys a lively guide and music-filled boat atmosphere

The tour may be less suitable if you want a remote, quiet beach with no organized games or other groups. It is also not the best choice if you dislike speedboats, close animal encounters, or a tightly scheduled day.

The crew’s energy is part of the experience. Guides use jokes, music, and encouragement to keep the mood high. That can make the outing more fun for families and groups, but travelers seeking a subdued nature trip may find it a little loud.

Is $140 a fair price?

At $140 per person, this is not a cheap beach transfer. It is a bundled activity day, and the value depends on how much you use.

The price is easier to justify if you plan to feed the pigs, snorkel, eat lunch, use the kayaks or paddleboards, and enjoy the included drinks. The free photos also save you from paying separately for souvenir images. A separate pig visit, snorkeling trip, beach day, meals, and transportation could quickly cost more.

The value is weaker if you only want to sit on the sand. You may spend part of the price supporting activities you do not use, and jet skis require another payment.

I also like that cruise passengers do not need hotel transportation. You make your own way to the marina, then the tour handles the boat route, beach access, gear, food, and return trip. That keeps the day simple.

Should you book the swimming pigs and snorkeling tour?

Book it if you want an active, social Nassau outing with plenty packed into a few hours. The pigs are fun, the beach is attractive, snorkeling adds a genuine nature component, and the package includes enough food, drinks, gear, and photographs to make the price reasonable.

I would choose an earlier departure if available, especially if you care about less crowded pig encounters and cleaner photos. Arrive early at the Elizabeth on Bay meeting point, bring swimwear and sun protection, and keep some food in your stomach before departure.

Skip it if your ideal Bahamas day is silent, private, and unstructured. For everyone else, this is a well-rounded way to turn a Nassau stop into a proper island outing without spending the entire day at sea.

FAQ

Where does the Nassau swimming pigs tour meet?

Meet at Bahamas Jet Boat headquarters inside Elizabeth on Bay Marketplace and Marina. The plaza is at Bay Street and Elizabeth Avenue, the second corner on the left after Parliament Square when heading east on Bay Street.

Is cruise port pickup included?

Cruise port pickup is included in the activity details, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not. The meeting point is close to Nassau Cruise Port, and you should make your own way to the marina.

How long does the tour last?

The listed duration ranges from 150 minutes to four hours. Check the available departure options for the exact timing of your chosen trip.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide service is in English.

Can I feed and pet the swimming pigs?

Yes. The pig encounter includes feeding, petting, swimming, and photo opportunities in shallow water. Food for the pigs is provided.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, with American favorites, Bahamian dishes, and vegan options listed. Snacks are also provided.

Are drinks included?

Unlimited rum punch, soft drinks, and snacks are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and the tour visits a reef area with tropical fish and marine life.

Are kayaks and paddleboards included?

Yes. Kayaks and paddleboards are included, along with floats, beach games, volleyball, hammocks, swings, and other listed water equipment.

Are jet skis included in the price?

No. Jet skis are available to rent for an additional price.

Are photos included?

Yes. The tour includes a free photo and video package taken during the experience.