Swimming Pigs, Snorkeling and Beach Tour in Nassau Bahamas

The headline act is simple: you reach a beach on Athol Island, step into warm Bahamian water, and feed pigs that paddle out to meet you. The 42-foot speedboat also turns the ride into part of the outing, with views of Atlantis Resort, waterfront homes, and the cays around Nassau.

I like the strong mix of activities. You get a harbor cruise, a pig encounter, beach time, and a snorkel stop in just two and a half hours. I also like the practical extras: snorkeling gear, bottled water, soft drinks, snacks, rum punch, and WiFi are included.

The main consideration is the pig encounter itself. These are cared-for, managed animals brought to the beach for visitors, not wild pigs appearing by chance. If you want a quiet, undeveloped island visit, the organized beach setting may feel too polished.

Key points at a glance

• Pig time on Athol Island: Feed the friendly pigs with fruit on skewers, then enter the water for photos and a close look.
• Rainbow Reef snorkeling: Spend about 25 minutes looking for fish and coral in clear water with equipment supplied.
• 42-foot speedboat ride: Travel in comfort while taking in Atlantis, cays, and grand waterfront homes.
• Easy cruise-day timing: The full experience lasts about 2 hours and 30 minutes and returns to Elizabeth on Bay.
• Included refreshments: Bottled water, soft drinks, unlimited snacks, rum punch, snorkeling gear, and onboard WiFi are part of the price.
• Small enough for a personal feel: The maximum group size is 35, though the boat may not always be full.

A Nassau excursion built around three quick hits

At $145 per person, this is not a cheap beach transfer. It is priced as a bundled outing, with boat transportation, sightseeing, a guided animal encounter, snorkeling equipment, refreshments, and staff assistance included.

I see the value in the variety. A short Nassau visit often leaves you choosing between a boat trip, a beach, or a water activity. Here, you get a taste of all three. The trade-off is time. Each part moves along, so this is not the right choice if you want a full afternoon at the beach or a long, unhurried snorkel.

The experience begins at Elizabeth on Bay on Bay Street. It ends at the same meeting point, which keeps the plan tidy if you are staying in Nassau or arranging your day around a cruise stop. The tour is listed for ages 3 and up, and most people can take part, but anyone joining the water activities should be comfortable around a boat, beach, and open water.

The tour is commonly booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of about 19 days. I would not wait until the last minute if your Nassau date is fixed.

Leaving Elizabeth on Bay for the harbor cruise

The first 25 minutes are spent on the water around Paradise Island. This is more than a transfer. You get a moving look at Atlantis Resort, expensive homes along the shore, historic waterfront sights, and the small cays scattered around Nassau Harbour.

The ride gives you useful orientation. Atlantis is easy to recognize from the water, and seeing the resort from a boat offers a different view than walking through its huge public areas. The homes and shoreline also make the harbor cruise feel distinctly Nassau, rather than like a generic ride between two beaches.

The boat is described as a luxury 42-foot speedboat. That matters because the ride is a major part of the experience. The crew has been praised for keeping the trip on schedule, explaining the sights, and making the ride feel safe and comfortable. Captain Kenny, Kelly, Josh, and crew members including Nadia and Niquey have been singled out for friendly service on different departures, though the staff lineup can change.

A speedboat is fun, but it can also mean wind, spray, and a bumpier ride than a large ferry. If you are sensitive to motion, sit where the crew suggests and take the usual precautions. The tour requires good weather, so conditions can affect the schedule.

Meeting the pigs on Athol Island

The boat ride to Pigs Beach on Athol Island takes about an hour in the planned schedule, including the route and arrival process. Once there, the focus shifts quickly to the pigs. You receive fruit on skewers to feed them, and the animals are brought out for interaction near the beach.

This is a photo-friendly stop. The pigs are accustomed to people, and the small piglets can be especially appealing. Crew members and the island team help with the encounter and may take pictures, which lets you put your phone away for at least part of the visit. That help is useful when you are trying to feed a pig, stay steady in the water, and keep your sunglasses from becoming an offering.

The setting is part of the appeal. You have pale sand, clear water, and time to relax between the animal interaction and the other activities. Beach chairs and umbrellas have been available on some departures, but they are not listed among the formal inclusions, so I would not count on them unless confirmed before booking.

Here is the important reality check: the pigs are not wild animals roaming freely around an untouched island. They are cared for and brought to the beach for the activity. That can be a positive from a safety and predictability point of view, but it changes the character of the experience. You are joining an organized animal encounter, not discovering a remote population of swimming pigs.

Feed the pigs only as directed. Keep food away from faces and fingers, follow staff instructions, and give the animals room. The tour is designed to be friendly and controlled, but pigs are still strong animals that get excited around food.

The scheduled stop lasts about an hour. That is enough time for feeding, pictures, a swim, and some beach relaxation, but it is not a full beach day. If your top priority is lying under an umbrella for several hours, you will want a different excursion.

Snorkeling Rainbow Reef for 25 minutes

After the pig stop, the boat heads toward Coral Reef Circle for a snorkel at Rainbow Reef. The listed water time is about 25 minutes, with snorkeling equipment supplied.

The short duration is worth noting. You can expect a compact look at the reef, not an extended marine expedition. In clear conditions, you may see schools of fish and coral formations close to the surface. The combination of colorful reef structure and tropical fish gives the tour a good second water activity after the pig swim.

Nadia has been praised for helping a child feel safe before and during snorkeling, and the crew has been described as attentive around less confident swimmers. That kind of support can make a real difference, especially for families introducing a child to snorkeling. Still, the provided details do not promise flotation devices, private instruction, or specific marine species, so ask the crew what is available if you need extra help.

You will need to bring your own towel and sunscreen. Sunscreen is particularly important after time in salt water, but apply it with care around the animals and reef. Reef-safe sunscreen is a sensible choice, even though a particular brand or formula is not specified.

Snorkeling conditions depend on weather and water visibility. The tour requires good weather, and the operator may offer another date or a full refund if poor conditions force a cancellation. That policy protects you from paying for a water activity that cannot run properly.

The 25-minute ride back to Nassau

The return cruise takes about 25 minutes and brings you back to Elizabeth on Bay. This is a useful wind-down period, with snacks, bottled water, soft drinks, and the signature rum punch available onboard.

The word unlimited is used for snacks, but the information does not specify a full meal. Do not book this as a lunch excursion. Some accounts of related outings mention food stops or lunch, but the listed package for this 2.5-hour tour includes snacks and drinks, not a restaurant meal.

The onboard WiFi is a handy extra, though the value will depend on signal strength across the route. It can help you send a quick photo or message before returning to shore. You may also hear music and island commentary, depending on the crew and departure.

What the $145 price really covers

At $145, you are paying for convenience as much as for the pigs. The boat gets you between Nassau and the island stops without arranging separate transportation. Snorkel gear is ready for you, and drinks and snacks reduce the need to carry supplies.

The price makes the most sense if you plan to use every part of the outing. Feed the pigs, get in the water, snorkel, and pay attention during the harbor cruise. If you only want to take pictures with the pigs and skip snorkeling, the value is weaker.

The maximum group size is 35 people. That is not a private tour, but it is more contained than a large excursion vessel. Actual group size can be much smaller. One departure had only five people, which allowed the crew to give close attention and take photographs. You should not assume every trip will be that intimate.

The tour’s high overall rating, 4.8 out of 5 from 40 ratings and a 98 percent recommendation rate, fits the strongest pattern in the feedback: people appreciate the friendly crew, smooth organization, clean boat, and range of activities. Those qualities matter here because the schedule is tight. Good crew coordination keeps the pig stop and snorkel stop from turning into a rushed mess.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this to families, couples, friend groups, and cruise passengers who want several Bahamian activities in one compact outing. The minimum age is 3, and the crew has helped both children and older family members feel comfortable.

It also suits first-time visitors who want an easy introduction to Nassau’s water attractions. You get recognizable sights, a beach, marine life, and a very popular animal encounter without committing to a full-day charter.

This is less suitable for you if:

• You want genuinely wild animal encounters.
• You dislike organized photo opportunities.
• You need a long, quiet snorkel.
• You want lunch included.
• You prefer a secluded beach with no scheduled activities.
• You are looking for jet skiing, since that is not included in this tour.

Some people have added jet skiing or restaurant stops to other outings, but those extras should not be assumed here. The stated package is focused on the boat cruise, pigs, snorkeling, beach time, and refreshments.

Practical details that make the day easier

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and a dry bag for anything you cannot risk getting wet. Wear swimwear under your clothes, and use footwear that is comfortable for a boat and beach. The tour supplies snorkeling equipment, but you may prefer to bring your own mask if you already have one that fits well.

Arrive at Elizabeth on Bay, 3MH6+6QX on Bay Street, with enough time to find the meeting point. The experience returns there at the end. It is near public transportation, but the information provided does not include hotel pickup, so arrange your own way to the starting point.

Keep your schedule flexible after the tour. The planned duration is 2 hours and 30 minutes, but boat trips depend on weather and sea conditions. If you are catching a flight, allow a generous margin. Cruise passengers should also confirm their ship’s all-aboard time and leave room for the return to the port.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted and are not refunded. If poor weather cancels the tour, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Should you book the swimming pigs tour?

Book it if you want a fast, well-organized sampler of Nassau’s water activities. The strongest reasons are the friendly crew, the comfortable speedboat, the included refreshments, and the useful mix of pigs, snorkeling, beach time, and sightseeing.

Go in with the right expectations. This is a managed pig encounter, not a wild-island adventure. The snorkeling is brief, the beach stop is scheduled, and the listed package does not include lunch or jet skiing.

For families and cruise passengers, the compact format is a real advantage. For anyone who wants one memorable afternoon on the water and does not mind sharing the experience with a group, $145 is a fair price for the number of pieces included. If the pigs are your only reason for booking, decide first if a cared-for, visitor-friendly animal encounter is what you want. If it is, this tour gives you a lot more than pigs alone.

FAQ

How long does the swimming pigs tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins at Elizabeth on Bay, 3MH6+6QX, Bay Street, Nassau, and returns to the same meeting point.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes snorkeling equipment, bottled water, soft drinks, unlimited snacks, rum punch, and onboard WiFi.

Are towels and sunscreen provided?

No. You need to bring your own towel and sunscreen.

What age is allowed on the tour?

The minimum age is 3.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 35 people.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

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