Nassau: Rose Island Swimming Pigs & Turtles Snorkeling Tour

The big draw here is the combination of swimming pigs and wild turtles in one half-day boat trip. You visit Green Cay, Rose Island, and Sandy Cay, with reef snorkeling, beach time, and a stop linked to the original Gilligan’s Island trailer.

I like the small-group feel, with a maximum of 15 people, and the care shown by Captain Jay and crew member Jim. I also like that drinks, snorkeling gear, and a restroom on the 35-foot boat are included. The main caution is the sea: wind, currents, or a recent shark sighting can change the turtle or snorkeling portion, and one recent outing had a rough ride.

Key points to know

• Three island stops: Green Cay, Rose Island, and Sandy Cay give the trip more range than a single beach-and-pig outing.
• Pig time is not rushed: You can feed the pigs, take photos, hold a piglet when available, swim, or simply sit on the beach.
• Turtles are a hopeful sighting: Green Cay is a turtle sanctuary, but sightings depend on conditions and animal activity.
• Small boat, personal service: The custom 35-foot Donzi carries no more than 15 people and has a restroom inside the center console.
• Snorkeling gear and drinks are included: Bring only your swimwear and towel, though lunch is not provided.
• The ride can be lively: Ask the captain to slow down if the water is rough and keep sunglasses secure.

A half-day built around pigs, turtles, and open water

This is not a single-stop pig encounter with a quick photo and a ride home. The 210-minute outing strings together several Bahamian experiences: marine life at Green Cay, reef snorkeling near Rose Island, beach time, swimming pigs, and a look at Sandy Cay, the island featured in a Gilligan’s Island trailer.

That variety is the strongest reason to consider it. At $127 per person, you are paying for a powerboat ride, a captain and guide, snorkeling equipment, drinks, and several stops. Lunch is not included, but the trip is short enough that you can eat before or after.

The boat leaves from the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal, where the Margaritaville Restaurant is located. You check in there and look for a guide in a white Secret Cays shirt. Cruise-port pickup can be arranged on request, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

The company keeps the group to 15 people. That matters here. Pig encounters can feel hectic when too many people crowd the shoreline, while a smaller boat makes it easier to ask questions, get help in the water, or spend extra time on the beach if snorkeling conditions are poor.

Green Cay and the search for turtles

Green Cay is the first major stop, with about 35 minutes set aside for sightseeing and marine life viewing. The point is to look for turtles in a protected setting rather than simply race to the pigs.

You should think of this as a turtle search, not a guaranteed turtle show. Turtles may be visible, but water conditions and animal movements can affect what you see. On one outing, the sea was choppy and only a few turtles appeared. On another, the planned turtle swim had to be skipped after a recent shark sighting.

That uncertainty is part of any wildlife stop, but it is worth knowing before you book. If seeing a turtle up close is your only goal, this tour carries some risk. If you like the chance to see wildlife while also having several other stops, Green Cay fits well.

The crew can adjust the plan when conditions change. One group that missed the turtles still had time for snorkeling and found a conch, which the crew served fresh on the boat. That is not a promised part of the tour, but it shows how the day can shift with the sea.

Rose Island delivers the main water time

The Rose Island portion is split into several activities, with roughly 50 minutes for swimming and snorkeling, followed by beach and sightseeing time. This is where you get the main reef experience and the pig encounter.

Snorkeling equipment is supplied, and you can also use your own gear. The reef is described as full of colorful aquatic life, and several outings found plenty of sea life. Conditions matter. Strong currents have led some people to skip the snorkel and spend more time on the beach instead.

That flexibility is useful. You do not need to force yourself into the water if the current is uncomfortable. You can swim, relax on the sand, or play on the beach while others snorkel. If you do enter the water, listen closely to the crew and keep in mind that this is an open-water setting, not a calm pool.

The boat itself is a custom 35-foot Donzi Marine center console. It has an enclosed restroom inside the center console, which is a welcome feature on a three-and-a-half-hour trip. The ride is open and exposed, so hold onto hats, phones, and sunglasses.

Most of the time, the boat ride is part of the fun. It also can be bumpy. One group reported being thrown against the sides during a fast ride over waves, with lost glasses and bruises afterward. That is a serious reason to speak up if the sea is rough. A comfortable speed matters more than shaving a few minutes from the route.

Meeting the swimming pigs on Rose Island

The pig encounter is the emotional center of the trip. The pigs are fed and encouraged into the water, giving you a chance to interact with them rather than simply watch from the boat.

You may have food to offer the pigs, take photos, and, when available, hold a baby pig. The interaction can be a good fit for families because there is more to do than stand in one place. Children can watch from shore, enter the water with adult help, or stay on the beach.

The pigs have been described as trained and less aggressive than pigs at some other island encounters. Still, these are animals, not props. They may crowd around food, and the beach can become busy. Keep your hands and belongings secure, follow the crew’s instructions, and give the animals room.

The timing is one of the better features. About 35 minutes is set aside for the Rose Island marine life and guided portion, in addition to the main swimming and snorkeling stop. That gives you a reasonable chance to enjoy the pigs without making the entire excursion about one photo.

One outing found the beach crowded, which is useful to keep in mind. The experience may feel more social than secluded, especially at popular times. If you want a completely private beach, this is not the safest choice. If you want a lively island stop with pigs, swimming, and staff help, it makes more sense.

Sandy Cay and the Gilligan’s Island connection

Sandy Cay adds a bit of pop-culture flavor to the route. The island was featured in a trailer for Gilligan’s Island, and the stop gives you a chance to see a small Bahamian island connected to that screen history.

The appeal is simple: walk around, look at the shore, take photos, and enjoy the feeling of being somewhere far removed from Nassau’s main waterfront. Do not expect a museum or a formal film exhibit. The value is in the setting and the story attached to it.

This is also a useful part of the trip for anyone who wants more than a staged animal encounter. You get a series of island views, beaches, and shallow-water stops, with the boat linking them together.

What the crew adds to the day

Captain Jay receives especially strong praise for being kind, attentive, and informative. Crew members have also helped people who needed extra care, including one person recovering from hip replacement surgery. That does not make the outing suitable for every mobility level, but it does suggest a crew that pays attention to individual needs within the limits of a small powerboat.

Captain Jay and Jim have been associated with especially warm outings, and the company’s small size helps keep the service personal. The crew handles snorkeling gear, explains the stops, and keeps drinks available throughout the trip.

You get bottled water, soft drinks, and beer. The information does not specify a full meal or substantial snacks, so eat beforehand and bring anything you need within the operator’s rules. A towel and swimwear are the only listed items to bring, but I would also protect your phone and sunglasses from spray.

English is the tour language. The guide wears a white Secret Cays shirt at the meeting point, which should make the check-in easier at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal.

Is $127 a fair price?

At $127, the price is reasonable if you want several activities in one outing. You are not paying only for a pig photo. The fee covers the powerboat, captain, guide, snorkeling equipment, reef snorkeling, three island areas, the turtle stop, the pig experience, and drinks.

The value is strongest for people who would otherwise book separate boat trips for pigs and snorkeling. You also get the convenience of a single crew and one half-day schedule. The small group adds value, since a 15-person maximum is more manageable than a large party boat.

The price feels less attractive if you mainly want a guaranteed turtle encounter. Green Cay is a natural habitat, and turtles may be difficult to find. It is also less appealing if you expect lunch, hotel transportation, or a quiet private beach. None of those are included.

For a cruise visitor, the 210-minute length is practical. It leaves room for other plans in Nassau, though you should still allow extra time around the ferry terminal and any requested port pickup. Pickup from the cruise port is available by request through the listed phone numbers, 1-242-825-5799 or 1-242-535-8241.

Who should book this Rose Island outing?

I would choose this tour if you want a busy, varied half-day on the water. It suits families with older children, couples who want more than a beach stop, and cruise passengers looking for pigs, snorkeling, and island scenery in one booking.

It is also a good match for people who like small-group outings. The crew can give more direct help than you usually get on a large boat, and the boat’s restroom is a practical bonus.

I would think twice if you are pregnant, have a mobility impairment, use a wheelchair, or are bringing a child under age two. Those groups are listed as unsuitable for the activity. Families with young children should also remember that this is a powerboat and open-water trip, even though one family successfully brought children aged two and five with a helpful crew.

You should also be comfortable with changing plans. Wind may alter the route, currents may affect snorkeling, and turtle viewing may not happen. The operator requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If conditions or numbers force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Nassau schedule is tied to a cruise or uncertain weather.

My take on the full experience

I like this excursion because it gives you several chances for a good day. If the turtles are hiding, you still have pigs. If the current is too strong for snorkeling, you still have the beach and the boat ride. If the beach is crowded, the three-island route gives the day more variety than a single stop.

The main weakness is that the sea controls the schedule. You may not get calm water, close turtle sightings, or a smooth ride. Ask the captain to ease off over rough waves, secure your valuables, and treat the wildlife as a bonus rather than a guarantee.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want pigs, reefs, turtles, and island beaches in one small-group outing and you can accept some weather-related uncertainty. The crew’s personal care, included drinks, supplied gear, and varied route make the $127 price fair for an active half-day.

Skip it if you need guaranteed turtle contact, a quiet private beach, a meal, or a gentle ride. For most families, cruise passengers, and first-time Nassau visitors who want several classic Bahamian experiences at once, Secret Cays offers a well-rounded day on the water.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

You check in at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal, where the Margaritaville Restaurant is located. Look for a guide wearing a white Secret Cays shirt.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts 210 minutes, or three and a half hours. Check the available start times when booking.

What is included in the $127 price?

The price includes the powerboat ride, captain and guide, snorkeling equipment, reef snorkeling, the Green Cay turtle sanctuary, the swimming pig experience, a visit to the Gilligan’s Island location, soft drinks, and bottled water.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, so plan to eat before or after the excursion.

Can I see turtles for certain?

No. Green Cay is visited for turtle viewing, but sightings depend on marine conditions and turtle activity. Snorkeling or turtle viewing can also change because of wind, currents, or safety concerns.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. You may also use your own snorkeling gear, although equipment is provided.

Can children join the tour?

Children under two are not considered suitable for this experience. The tour has hosted children older than two, but all children must be comfortable with a powerboat, swimming, and open-water conditions.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions or because the minimum number of participants is not met, you can receive a full refund or choose another date or experience.