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

The main draw is simple: you get into shallow Bahamian water with the famous swimming pigs, feed them, and pose for photos before the larger beach portion of the day begins. The setting near Athol Island adds clear water, pale sand, and a proper island feel rather than a quick animal encounter beside the dock.

I like the fast speedboat ride, which gives you views of Nassau Harbor, Paradise Island, Atlantis, Fort Montagu, and waterfront homes along the way. I also like the amount included for $140: lunch, snacks, soft drinks, rum punch, snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddleboards, floats, games, and a free photo and video package.

The main thing to consider is the changing duration, listed from 150 minutes to four hours. The day packs in many activities, but you may have limited time for each one, and the snorkeling stop can vary with weather and sea conditions. Jet skis cost extra, and lunch portions have seemed light to some people.

Key points to know before you book

• Swimming pigs near Athol Island: Feed, pet, and photograph the pigs in shallow, clear water with staff nearby.
• A fast route from Nassau: The boat ride includes views of Atlantis, Paradise Island, Fort Montagu, Sun Cay, Rose Island, and Blue Lagoon Island.
• A full beach setup: Use lounge chairs, hammocks, swings, floats, kayaks, paddleboards, volleyball, cornhole, Frisbee, and other games.
• Snorkeling is included: You receive equipment for a reef stop with tropical fish and marine life.
• Food and drinks are covered: Lunch, snacks, soft drinks, and unlimited rum punch are part of the $140 price.
• Free photos and video: Staff take pictures during the day and send a package after the excursion.

Why the swimming pigs are only part of the appeal

Swimming pigs are the headline, and they deserve it. You enter shallow water, receive food for the pigs, and get time to feed and pet them. The animals are friendly and used to visitors, but they are still pigs, not trained performers. Follow the staff’s instructions, keep your fingers clear when feeding, and expect the occasional muddy footprint or bit of beach housekeeping.

The animal encounter works best because it is paired with a beach day. You are not simply driven out, handed a small cup of feed, and sent back to Nassau. After the pigs, you can sit in a hammock, float in the water, play volleyball, or take out a kayak. That makes the $140 price easier to justify, especially if you would otherwise pay separately for a beach club, snorkeling trip, lunch, and boat ride.

The company describes the beach as a newly opened private island setting. The itinerary also names Athol Island, and some past outings have used the Mansa Bay area. The exact beach setup can change, so think of this as a private beach stop in the Nassau island chain rather than a tour of one fixed public attraction.

The Nassau departure and speedboat views

You meet at Bahamas Jet Boat headquarters at Elizabeth on Bay Marketplace and Marina. The spot is in the beige plaza with brown trim at the corner of Bay Street and Elizabeth Avenue. If you are coming from the cruise port, leave the port and walk left toward Bay Street. One traveler estimated the walk at about eight minutes, but allow extra time to find the plaza.

Do not rely only on Apple Maps. One visitor found that the app displayed the wrong location, while the written directions and help from local people worked better. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so plan your own way to the marina.

Once aboard, the boat provides light snacks and drinks as the guide points out sights around Nassau Harbor. You pass the cruise port, Nassau, Atlantis Bahamas, Paradise Island, Versailles Gardens and French Cloister, Fort Montagu, Sun Cay, Rose Island, Blue Lagoon Island, and parts of New Providence.

This sightseeing is a useful extra, especially if it is your first time in Nassau. The boat gives you a quick look at the expensive waterfront side of Paradise Island and the harbor’s busy traffic. Guides have included Sterling, Captain Johnny, Kenny, and Teisha on different departures, and the crew is known for keeping the ride lively with jokes, music, and short commentary.

The boat moves quickly. That is good news if you do not want to spend hours at sea, and one past booking specifically chose the tour because the speedboat reaches the pig beach quickly. The tradeoff is that a fast boat can feel lively when the water is choppy. Listen to the safety briefing, hold on when asked, and protect phones from spray.

Meeting the pigs in shallow Bahamian water

The pig stop is usually the emotional high point. Staff give you food to offer the pigs, explain how to approach them, and help manage the encounter. You can pet them, feed them, swim beside them, and take pictures while they waddle through the water.

You should expect a social setting rather than private time with one pig. The pigs gather where food is available, so several people may be in the same area. One past outing felt crowded during photos, while other departures reached the beach early and found no other large group there. Departure time and boat traffic can make a real difference.

The staff also keep an eye on practical details. One account described quick cleanup when a pig made a mess, and visitors were warned not to let the animals step on them. That is the right attitude: enjoy the novelty, but remember that this is a working animal encounter with real animals and normal animal behavior.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, reef-safe sunscreen, and a waterproof phone case. The company’s free photo and video package is a real advantage here. You can take your own pictures, but the staff can capture moments when both hands are busy feeding a pig. Photos are sent after the outing, and several people valued getting professional-looking memories without another charge.

Beach time at the private island

After the pig encounter, the pace changes. This is where the tour becomes more than a checklist attraction. You can settle into a lounge chair or hammock, use the swings, or head straight into the water.

The activity list is unusually broad for a short boat tour:

• Kayaks and paddleboards
• Individual and group floats
• Volleyball
• Cornhole
• Frisbee
• Tug of war
• Giant Connect Four
• Hatchet toss
• Swings and hammocks

Families can split up without losing the day’s focus. A teenager may prefer paddleboarding, younger children can use floats and games, and adults can sit with a rum punch. The mixture also helps solo visitors and groups of friends, since you are not required to spend every minute in the water with the pigs.

Jet skis are available, but they are not included. If you want one, budget for an additional charge. The included kayaks and paddleboards give you a way to explore the coastline without paying extra.

The beach itself is the setting you hope for in Nassau: golden sand, turquoise water, and clear shallows. Still, do not confuse a private beach stop with a deserted island. The mood depends on how many boats arrive and how the operator schedules the groups. A smaller boat and an early arrival have helped some departures feel calm, while a busy arrival can make the pig area and photo spots feel tight.

Lunch, snacks, and unlimited rum punch

The tour includes a plated lunch with American favorites, Bahamian dishes, and vegan choices. Snacks and soft drinks are also provided during the day, along with unlimited rum punch.

Food quality has drawn unusually strong praise, with several people describing lunch as better than expected on a boat excursion. Portions are less consistent in the accounts. One person found the meal closer to a snack and advised eating beforehand, while another found the portion generous.

I would treat lunch as a useful included meal, not the sole reason to skip breakfast. Have something to eat before departure, especially if you are bringing hungry teenagers or planning to spend the whole stop swimming. You can then enjoy the Bahamian dishes and snacks without worrying about being caught short.

The rum punch is part of the atmosphere, but pace yourself. You still have a boat ride, water activities, and snorkeling ahead. Soft drinks make the package more practical for children and for anyone who does not want alcohol.

Snorkeling at the reef

After the beach and pig encounter, the boat heads to a reef system for snorkeling. Equipment is included, and the stop is intended for viewing tropical fish and other marine life in clear water.

Snorkeling conditions are the most weather-dependent part of the outing. Some people have found the reef packed with fish, while another described the stop as only average. That difference does not necessarily mean the company changed the experience. Visibility, current, recent weather, and the exact anchorage can all affect what you see.

One outing provided about 25 minutes in the water, which felt sufficient for a short trip. If snorkeling is your main goal, understand that this is not a dedicated reef expedition. It is one part of a multi-activity day that also includes pigs, beach time, lunch, and sightseeing.

The supplied masks and other gear are part of the price. You can also use a kayak or paddleboard in suitable areas, but follow staff instructions about where those are allowed. The safety briefing matters here, particularly if you are not a confident swimmer.

What the $140 price really covers

At $140 per person, this is not the cheapest way to visit a beach in Nassau. It is priced as an all-in-one outing. You are paying for boat transportation, guides, the pig encounter, a private beach setting, lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment, water toys, beach games, and the photo package.

The value is strongest if you plan to use several parts of the package. A family that feeds the pigs, snorkels, eats lunch, uses kayaks, and spends time on the beach gets much more from the price than someone who only wants a quick photo with the animals.

The free photos matter more than they may seem. A paid photographer or photo package can add a surprising cost to a holiday, and here staff take pictures throughout the day and send them afterward. You should still take your own phone, but you do not need to spend the whole pig encounter worrying about framing every shot.

The price is also reasonable for a cruise day if you want a planned excursion close to the port. The meeting point is walkable from the ship area, and the experience can finish early enough for people who do not want to spend the entire day away from Nassau. Check the exact departure and return time carefully, since the listed duration ranges from 150 minutes to four hours.

Who will enjoy this Nassau boat tour

This is a strong choice for families. Children get animals, swimming, games, floats, and food in one outing, while adults have hammocks, drinks, scenery, and a manageable schedule. The 13-year-old who enjoyed paddleboarding and beach activities is a good example of the age range this tour can suit.

It also works well for couples, solo visitors, and groups of friends. A solo visitor who worried about feeling out of place still had access to organized activities, a lively crew, and the photo package. You do not need to arrive with a large group to have things to do.

Book it if you want variety and energy. The crew tends to keep the mood upbeat, with music, jokes, and plenty of movement. Skip it if you want a quiet, empty beach, a long snorkeling session, or a slow cultural tour of Nassau.

This is not a deep historical tour. You get brief harbor commentary and sightseeing past Nassau landmarks, but most of the time goes to water activities and the beach. The tour also involves animals, sun, fast boat travel, and a schedule that can feel packed.

For weather, the crew has adjusted plans when conditions were uncertain and placed safety first. Still, the ocean controls the day. Check the forecast, bring sun protection, and be ready for the snorkeling stop or timing to change.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. English is the tour language.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a lively Nassau outing that combines the swimming pigs with a real beach day. The strongest reasons are the friendly crew, free photos, included lunch and drinks, broad selection of beach equipment, and the efficient speedboat route from downtown Nassau.

I would book it for a family, a first-time Nassau visit, or a cruise stop when you want several classic Bahamian activities in one package. I would choose something else if your priority is an uncrowded beach, serious snorkeling, or a long, quiet afternoon.

At $140, the tour earns its value when you use the whole package. Feed the pigs, try at least one beach activity, snorkel if conditions are good, and take advantage of the included food and photos. That is when this short outing feels like a full day in the Bahamas rather than a quick animal stop.

FAQ

Where does the Nassau swimming pigs tour meet?

Meet at Bahamas Jet Boat headquarters at Elizabeth on Bay Marketplace and Marina, at the corner of Bay Street and Elizabeth Avenue. The location is in a beige plaza with brown trim, near Parliament Square.

Is cruise port pickup included?

Cruise port pickup is included in the activity information. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The meeting point is also within walking distance of the Nassau cruise port.

How long does the tour last?

The listed duration ranges from 150 minutes to four hours. Check the available departure time and exact duration when booking.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide and tour information are in English.

Are the swimming pigs at Athol Island?

The itinerary includes Athol Island, where you have the pig encounter. The experience also describes a private beach setting in the island area near Nassau.

Can I feed the pigs?

Yes. Food for the pigs is included, and you can feed and pet them in the shallow water under staff guidance.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A plated lunch is included, with American favorites, Bahamian dishes, and vegan options. Snacks and soft drinks are also provided.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

Unlimited rum punch is included. Jet skis and other paid extras are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

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

Are kayaks and paddleboards included?

Yes. Kayaks, paddleboards, floats, beach games, hammocks, swings, and a volleyball net are included. Jet skis are available for an additional charge.

Are photos included?

Yes. The tour includes a free photo and video package, with pictures sent after the experience.