Rose Island: Private Snorkeling, Fishing, and Swimming with Pigs

This private boat trip gives you a little of everything people come to the Bahamas for: clear water, sea turtles, reef fish, white sand, and open-air time on a boat. You can snorkel near Green Cay, fish around the reefs, relax on Rose Island, or pay extra to swim with pigs.

I like two things right away. First, the private format lets your group choose how to use the four hours. Second, Captain Frenchie and crew members such as D and Mario focus on helping families, including children who may feel unsure in the water. The main consideration is weather: wind can make the sea rough, limit beach choices, and turn clear snorkeling water cloudy.

Key points at a glance

• Private 28-foot boat for up to eight: You avoid a crowded group excursion and have more say over the pace.
• Green Cay snorkeling stop: Look for reef fish and sea turtles in the waters around the cay.
• Rose Island beach time: Expect soft white sand and time to swim, sunbathe, or buy lunch.
• Fishing gear and bait included: You can try light-tackle fishing or use an electric reel.
• Pig swimming costs extra: The activity is optional and costs $35 per person.
• Four hours on the water: This works well as a half-day outing, but the schedule can feel tight if you want to do everything.

A private half-day on the Nassau water

The best reason to choose this tour is flexibility. You are not locked into a long list of fixed stops with dozens of other people. Your party has a private boat, and the crew can adjust the day around snorkeling, fishing, swimming, beach time, and the pig experience.

The boat is a 28-foot open-hull vessel powered by twin 250-horsepower motors. That setup suits a short island-hopping trip, and the open design gives you broad views as you pass Paradise Island and the surrounding waters. It also means you should prepare for sun, spray, and wind. There is little separation from the elements.

The advertised rate is $850 per group of up to eight. For a full group, that works out to about $106 per person before any extra costs. For two people, the per-person price is much higher, but the private boat and custom pace may still make sense if you value privacy and control.

The price includes water, soft drinks, and a small snack such as granola bars or chips. Snorkels and other snorkeling equipment are provided, along with fishing rods, bait, tackle, and the option to use an electric reel. Alcohol is not included, so plan around the supplied drinks and any food you purchase during the island stop.

Passing Paradise Island and Gilligan’s Island

The trip begins with sightseeing from the boat. You pass Paradise Island, known for its large resorts and private homes, and the area identified with Gilligan’s Island from the 1960s television show. The route also offers views of expensive waterfront properties sometimes called Billionaires Row.

These early views add context to the boat ride. You are not simply being carried from one water activity to another. The route gives you a look at the contrast between developed Paradise Island and the quieter islands and cays farther out.

The exact order and length of each activity can vary. That matters because four hours goes quickly. If your group wants long snorkeling time, a proper fishing session, a beach visit, lunch, and the pigs, you will need to decide which parts matter most before or during the trip.

Green Cay and the sea turtle stop

The main water activity takes place around Green Cay, where you can snorkel over reef areas and look for fish and sea turtles. The clear Bahamian water is the star here, though visibility depends heavily on wind and sea conditions.

Sea turtles are one of the strongest reasons to book this particular outing. The turtle encounter is not presented as a guaranteed wildlife show, but the area is described as turtle-filled, and several outings have included the chance to swim near them. You may also see many types of reef fish.

Bring realistic expectations. A calm day can produce clear water and an excellent view of fish below you. On a windy day, the water may become murky, and the captain may need to move to a less exposed location. One outing had rough seas and a crowded, cloudy snorkeling site because the wind restricted the available choices.

That is not necessarily a fault with the crew. It is a reminder that a private boat gives you more control, not control over the weather. If snorkeling is your top priority, ask about sea conditions before departure and be ready to spend more time fishing or on the beach if visibility is poor.

Families may find this stop especially useful because the crew can help children with the equipment and encourage them at their own pace. One child who was nervous around the water was given extra attention and a special place near the captain’s chair. That kind of personal care is difficult to provide on a large shared boat.

Rose Island’s white sand and slower pace

After the water activities, the boat heads to Rose Island. The beach offers a change of pace from the open water. You can walk on white sand, swim, sunbathe, or simply sit with a drink and enjoy the quiet.

Rose Island is the part of the tour that gives the day breathing room. Snorkeling and fishing ask you to stay active. The beach lets you slow down. If your group includes people who do not want to spend the whole trip in the water, this stop helps make the outing work for everyone.

Lunch and drinks may be available for purchase on the island, but they are not included in the tour price. The supplied snack is light, not a replacement for a meal. If you expect to be hungry after snorkeling and fishing, budget for food at the beach stop.

The island experience can also depend on conditions and timing. Wind may limit access to a calm beach, and popular pig stops can become busy. If you want quiet beach time, tell the captain early. Since the tour is private, your preferences have more weight than they would on a standard group excursion.

Swimming with pigs, and the extra $35 cost

Swimming with pigs is an optional add-on priced at $35 per person. You can visit the pigs without taking part in the feeding activity, but the paid option may involve food provided by staff on the island.

This is one part of the day where you should confirm exactly what you want before arriving. The extra charge is not included in the $850 boat price. Make sure every person in your group understands the cost and what the fee covers.

The pig stop can be fun for children and for anyone who wants a classic Bahamas photo. It can also feel less peaceful than the beach, especially when several groups arrive at once. One outing skipped the stop because it was busy and the conditions were not ideal.

I would treat the pigs as an optional bonus, not the main reason to book. The snorkeling, turtles, beach, and private boat are the stronger foundation for the day. If the pigs are your top goal, ask about the expected stop, the feeding rules, and the additional fee before you leave the dock.

Fishing around Rose Island and Paradise Island

Fishing is included, and the captain can take you around the reefs near Rose Island and Paradise Island for light-tackle fishing. Rods, bait, and tackle are supplied, and the experience may also include an electric reel.

This is a useful feature for mixed groups. One person can fish while another swims or relaxes. Children can also take part with help from the crew, which makes the activity more than a quick demonstration.

Do not book this as a dedicated deep-sea fishing charter. The description points to light tackle around healthy reefs during a four-hour island trip. You might catch something, but the value is in trying the activity amid the island scenery rather than expecting a large catch.

Fishing can also be a smart backup if rough water affects snorkeling. The crew can adapt the day, and the private setting means your group does not have to follow the interests of strangers. If fishing matters to you, mention it when booking so the captain understands how to divide the available time.

Captain Frenchie and the crew

Captain Frenchie is the central personality attached to this experience. He is described as warm, attentive, and careful about safety, with a clear interest in making the day personal. Crew members named D and Mario have also helped with snorkeling, fishing, and family needs.

The strongest pattern is hands-on service. The crew helps with equipment, assists children, and lets the group decide how long to spend on different activities. That is especially valuable on a private charter, since the service should feel more personal than a basic boat transfer.

The crew also appears willing to work around difficult weather. On a windy day, Captain Frenchie still made an effort to keep the group comfortable and involved. At the same time, no captain can make rough water calm or guarantee perfect visibility.

A tip is not included, and you should budget for one if the crew provides the attentive service described here. The overall price is already substantial, but a private captain and crew who spend the day helping your family are worth recognizing when they deliver that level of care.

What the four-hour schedule means

Four hours sounds generous until you divide it among the route, snorkeling, fishing, beach time, and pigs. The boat ride itself uses part of the window, and every stop requires time to get in and out of the water.

Here is the practical way I would approach the schedule:

• Give snorkeling priority if turtles and reef fish are your main goal.
• Choose fishing as a focused activity rather than something you do for five minutes.
• Save enough time at Rose Island to enjoy the beach instead of rushing ashore.
• Treat the pig visit as optional, especially if your group also wants lunch.
• Tell the captain which two or three activities matter most.

The private format makes this possible. You are not promised unlimited time at every stop, but you can shape the outing around your group. Families with different interests may get more value from this than couples who want one long, quiet beach stay.

Who will get the most value

This tour suits families, small friend groups, and couples who want a private boat rather than a shared excursion. It is also a good fit if your group cannot agree on one activity. Swimmers can snorkel, anglers can fish, and non-swimmers can enjoy the boat and beach.

Children appear to be well supported, especially when they need help with equipment or confidence in the water. Most travelers can participate, and service animals are allowed. The tour is near public transportation, though the supplied details do not specify a hotel pickup service or exact meeting point, so confirm those details when booking.

You should think twice if you need a guaranteed calm beach, perfect snorkeling visibility, or a long uninterrupted fishing session. The boat is open, the schedule is short, and weather can change the plan. This is an active water outing, not a fully sheltered cruise.

Weather, comfort, and what to plan for

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Inside that window, changes and cancellations are not accepted and the payment is not refunded.

Wind is the most important practical concern. It can make the ride rough, reduce snorkeling visibility, and limit which beaches or cays are comfortable. If you are prone to seasickness, the open boat and twin powerful motors are worth considering before you book.

Wear swim clothing, bring sun protection, and keep your belongings secure around spray and water. The supplied snack is modest, and alcohol is not provided. If you want a full meal, plan to buy lunch on Rose Island rather than assuming food is included.

Is the $850 private charter worth it?

The value depends on group size and how much you care about privacy. Eight people splitting the boat price receive a fairly strong deal for a half-day private charter with snorkeling gear, fishing equipment, bait, drinks, snacks, and a flexible route.

For a smaller party, the cost per person rises quickly. You are paying for the boat, captain, crew, and private use of the outing, not simply for admission to a beach or snorkeling site. That can still be worthwhile if you want family time without strangers and appreciate being able to change the pace.

The extra $35 per person for swimming with pigs should be added to your calculation if that activity is important. Lunch, paid drinks, and any tip for the crew are also outside the listed rate.

I see the best value for a group of six to eight people who want several activities in one outing. The price is harder to justify for two people seeking only a quiet beach visit, especially if wind or sea conditions reduce the number of stops.

Should you book Rose Island with Triple D’s?

Book it if you want a private, flexible Bahamas boat day with snorkeling, turtles, fishing, and Rose Island beach time in one package. Captain Frenchie and the crew appear to be the main strength, particularly for families and groups that want help rather than a hands-off boat ride.

Book with a clear plan. Ask about wind, the expected snorkeling area, the meeting point, and the pig fee. Decide whether your priority is turtles, fishing, beach time, or pigs, because four hours is not long enough to linger everywhere.

I would choose this tour for a family or full group that values personal service and a mix of activities. I would skip it if your only goal is a guaranteed calm beach or a dedicated fishing charter. With fair weather and sensible expectations, it offers a lively half-day on the water and a good chance to see the Bahamas beyond the resort shoreline.

FAQ

How long is the Rose Island private boat tour?

The experience lasts approximately four hours and is designed as a half-day outing.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers one private group of up to eight people. Only your group participates in the activity.

What equipment and refreshments are included?

Snorkeling equipment, fishing rods, bait, and tackle are included. The crew also provides water, soft drinks, and a small snack such as granola bars or chips.

Does swimming with the pigs cost extra?

Yes. Swimming with the pigs costs $35 per person and is not included in the boat tour price.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded or accepted.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes the experience to be canceled, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.