Nassau: Swimming Pigs And Snorkel With Turtles

Swimming with pigs is the headline, but the best surprise is often Green Cay, where you can snorkel in calm, clear water beside sea turtles and watch for stingrays. Then the boat heads to Rose Island for pig feeding, beach time, kayaks, and paddleboards.

I like the short three-hour format, which gives you a full ocean outing without using up an entire Nassau day. I also like the included snacks, soft drinks, water, snorkeling gear, and some alcoholic drinks on board. The main caution is capacity: the boat can carry up to 26 people, and it may feel crowded when sold out.

Key things to know before you book

• Green Cay comes first: Plan on about 75 minutes for snorkeling and turtle watching in shallow, calm water.
• Rose Island is the pig stop: You can feed and pet the swimming pigs, and may have a chance to hold a piglet.
• Kayaks and paddleboards are included: These are available during the Rose Island beach stop.
• The boat ride has a social feel: Music, rum punch, snacks, and friendly crew members are part of the experience.
• The $140 price covers a lot: You get transportation by boat, equipment, refreshments, and two major stops.
• Cruise timing needs care: Pickup is offered from two locations, but you must match the tour time to your ship’s arrival.

Green Cay: a gentle start with turtles

The tour begins with a boat ride through the clear waters around New Providence Island. Your first stop is Green Cay, where the water is shallow and calm enough for beginners, children, and people who are not strong swimmers.

You receive snorkeling equipment and a life jacket, followed by a short safety briefing. The crew looks for sea turtles before directing you into the water. That matters because turtle watching works best when you are patient and let the animals set the pace.

The main attraction is the chance to swim near green sea turtles as they move along the ocean floor. You might also see colorful reef fish, coral, and an occasional stingray. The water is not described as a demanding snorkel site, so this is more about a relaxed wildlife encounter than a serious reef session.

I would keep your expectations in the right place. The snorkeling can be excellent for spotting turtles, but the reef itself may feel modest if you have snorkeled in major reef destinations. The memorable part is seeing the turtles close by, not spending the morning on a large coral wall.

You should never touch or chase the turtles. Stay calm, keep a respectful distance, and let the crew guide you toward the animals. A waterproof camera is worth bringing, but do not let the camera distract you from watching where you swim.

The stop lasts about 1 hour and 15 minutes. That is generous for a family outing, especially if some people want to snorkel while others prefer to stay near the boat. One useful detail is that the crew may make another pass through the area if turtles are hard to spot at first. That gives the wildlife stop a better chance of success than a quick single attempt.

Rose Island: pigs, sand, and time to play

After Green Cay, the boat continues to Rose Island. This is where the tour reaches its most unusual moment: pigs swim out toward the boat and shore for food.

The guide supplies treats, and you can feed and pet the pigs as they paddle through the water. Depending on the animals present, you may even get to hold a piglet. Bring a camera, but keep your hands low and follow the crew’s instructions. The pigs are the star attraction, yet they are still animals, not trained props for every photo.

For children, this is likely the most exciting part of the day. It also works well for adults who want a memorable, slightly silly island experience. The pig stop is not a nature lecture or a quiet beach visit. It is active, social, and built around close contact with animals.

The Rose Island stop lasts about 1 hour and 15 minutes. After the pig encounter, you have time to sit on the beach, enjoy the views, or use the kayaks and paddleboards. Beach volleyball is also available, giving active families something to do while others relax.

A beach bar is fully stocked, but its food and drinks cost extra. Lunch is not included, so plan to bring food or buy lunch at the bar. The tour does include snacks, water, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks on the boat, but those refreshments should not be confused with a full meal.

This split between animals and free time is one of the tour’s strengths. You are not rushed from one photo stop to the next. You get a proper beach break, though the total outing remains short enough for a half-day plan.

What the boat ride feels like

Delfin Charters uses the ride itself as part of the experience. Music plays on board, and the crew serves bottled water, snacks, soft drinks, juices, and alcoholic beverages. Rum punch is one of the drinks mentioned by name in the experience details and customer comments.

The mood is lively rather than quiet. You might find the music and friendly crew a welcome part of a holiday outing, especially if you want something informal. If you prefer a silent nature trip, this may not be your ideal boat tour.

The crew members named in feedback include Captain H, O, M, and CJ. Silvano is also mentioned in connection with pickup arrangements. Names and staffing can change, but the recurring practical point is that the crew handles the safety briefing, helps locate turtles, serves refreshments, and keeps the stops moving.

The boat includes a restroom, which is useful during a three-hour trip with children. It also carries the snorkeling gear and life jackets, so you do not need to rent equipment separately at Green Cay.

One point deserves attention: the boat can hold up to 26 people. Several comments describe the boat as comfortable when it is not full, while others note that a sellout makes it feel packed. That is a fair tradeoff for the price and included equipment, but you should not book this expecting a private charter unless your reservation clearly says it is private.

Is $140 a fair price?

At $140 per person, this is not a cheap beach transfer. It is also more than a basic snorkel trip. The price covers boat pickup from two convenient locations, the Green Cay snorkeling stop, the Rose Island pig encounter, equipment, snacks, water, soft drinks, some alcohol, and access to kayaks and paddleboards.

That package can offer solid value if you want several activities in one outing. Booking separate transportation, snorkeling, a pig visit, and water sports could cost more and would require more planning. The short duration also helps if you are in Nassau for only a day or arriving on a cruise ship.

Lunch is the clear extra cost. You can bring it or buy it at the Rose Island beach bar. You may also spend more on drinks at the bar, since the bar is separate from the refreshments provided on the boat.

I would see the value this way: you are paying for variety and convenience rather than a long, luxurious day at sea. You get turtles, pigs, beach time, water equipment, and refreshments in roughly three hours. Families who want a packed half-day will likely find that useful.

Morning or afternoon: choosing the better fit

You can choose a morning or afternoon departure. The right choice depends on your wider Nassau schedule, since the listed activities are the same.

A morning tour leaves the rest of the day open for downtown Nassau, a beach, or a relaxed meal. It may also suit families who prefer to do active activities before the afternoon heat.

An afternoon tour can work well if you want a slower start or have morning plans. Just allow enough time to reach the pickup point. The boat does not control cruise ship docking delays, and timing mistakes are difficult to fix once the group has departed.

For cruise passengers, check the pickup instructions and meeting time carefully. A seven-minute walk from the ship does not guarantee you can make a departure if your ship docks at the scheduled start time. There were serious complaints from people whose arrival time did not match the tour departure, while other cruise passengers found the meeting point easy to reach.

The company says that if a cruise line changes its itinerary, you can move the tour date or receive a full refund. That protection helps, but it does not replace checking the exact meeting time before you book.

Who will enjoy this Nassau boat tour?

This trip suits families especially well. The turtle stop is beginner-friendly, the pig encounter is easy to understand, and the boat includes snacks and drinks that help keep children content between activities. Children as young as three were included in one successful family outing, though each parent should judge their child’s comfort around boats and water.

It also suits couples and adults who want a light, fun outing rather than a full-day expedition. The music, drinks, beach stop, and unusual animal encounter give it a relaxed holiday mood.

You should consider another option if you want a private boat, a quiet wildlife trip, or advanced reef snorkeling. The snorkeling is mainly about finding turtles in calm water, not covering a large reef system. And a boat with up to 26 people will not feel exclusive when full.

The tour is also weather-dependent. If poor weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. A minimum number of participants is required as well, with the same basic choice of a new date, another experience, or a refund if the operator cancels.

Small details that make the day easier

Bring swimwear, sun protection, a towel, and a waterproof phone case or camera. The tour provides snorkeling gear and life jackets, but personal items for the beach are your responsibility.

Bring lunch if you do not want to buy it on Rose Island. The boat snacks are useful, but they are not a meal. If you plan to use the beach bar, carry whatever payment method you normally use for optional purchases, though the available payment details are not specified.

Keep your valuables to a minimum. You will move between boat, water, beach, and equipment, so a small dry bag is more useful than a large day bag.

Most people can participate, and the tour is near public transportation. Pickup is offered from two locations, and the operator says the setup works for people coming from the cruise port. Still, read your confirmation closely, especially if your ship is involved.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded, except when the operator cancels for weather or because the minimum group size is not met.

Should you book it?

I would book this tour if you want the classic Nassau combination of sea turtles, swimming pigs, and a beach stop without giving up an entire day. The $140 cost makes sense when you use the included gear, drinks, snacks, and water equipment.

I would be cautious if your cruise arrival is tight or if a full boat would bother you. Confirm the pickup time, choose a departure that leaves room for delays, and understand that the experience is a lively shared outing, not a private yacht trip.

For families, first-time visitors, and anyone with swimming pigs on a bucket list, this is a strong choice. The turtle encounter gives the day more substance than a quick animal photo stop, while Rose Island supplies the fun, sandy finish.

FAQ

How long is the Nassau swimming pigs and turtle tour?

The experience lasts approximately three hours. Each main stop, Green Cay and Rose Island, is scheduled for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, with the remaining time used for boat travel and transitions.

What animals can you see?

At Green Cay, you can snorkel near sea turtles and may see reef fish, coral, and stingrays. At Rose Island, you can feed and pet swimming pigs, and you may have a chance to hold a piglet.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are included, along with a short safety briefing before entering the water.

Are kayaks and paddleboards included?

Kayaks and paddleboards are available for use during the Rose Island stop.

Is lunch included?

No. You can bring lunch or purchase it at the Rose Island beach bar. Snacks and drinks are provided on the boat, but they do not replace a full lunch.

What drinks and snacks are provided?

The tour includes bottled water, snacks, soft drinks, and juices such as apple, orange, cranberry, and pineapple. Alcoholic drinks are also available on the boat, including rum punch as noted in the tour details.

How many people can be on the boat?

The tour has a maximum capacity of 26 people. It may feel crowded if the trip sells out.

Can cruise passengers take this tour?

Yes. Pickup is offered from two convenient locations, and the operator says the tour is near the cruise port and arranged to help you return on time. You must still check the meeting time against your ship’s docking schedule.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded. Weather or minimum-participant cancellations offer a different date or a full refund.