Nassau: 3 Islands Boat w/ Swimming Pigs, Snorkeling & Turtle

The swimming pigs of Rose Island are the headline act, and they deliver the kind of cheerful, slightly odd Bahamas memory you cannot get from a standard beach day. This three-hour speedboat trip also adds snorkeling, turtle spotting, drinks, music, and free time at a beach bar.

I like the efficient route and the easygoing crew. You get three islands in a short outing, with snorkel gear, water, soft drinks, snacks, and alcohol included. I also like that the boat ride itself is part of the fun, with music and rum punch helping set a holiday mood.

The main drawback is the clock. Three hours passes quickly, and the turtle stop can be brief or quiet. The pig swim may also feel crowded when another group arrives at the same time, so this suits you best if you want a lively group outing rather than a private, slow-paced boat day.

The essential points

• Pearl Island snorkeling: Spend about 45 minutes in clear water above a reef roughly 10 feet deep, with fish and other marine life.
• Green Cay turtle stop: Watch for sea turtles from the boat during a short wildlife visit.
• Rose Island pig swim: Feed and swim with the famous pigs, then use the beach, bar, and available activities.
• Three-hour speedboat route: The boat ride connects three islands without taking up a full day.
• Drinks included, lunch extra: Water, soft drinks, snacks, and alcohol are provided, but bring money for food at the beach bar.
• Two pickup points: Meet at the pier by Senor Frogs downtown or at the dock in front of Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville on Paradise Island.

Why the pig swim is only part of the appeal

Swimming pigs can sound like a tourist stunt, and there is certainly a photo-friendly side to it. But the fun comes from the animals themselves. They are friendly, active, and comfortable around the water, and the chance to feed them while standing in the sea makes this feel more personal than simply watching animals from a boat.

The pigs are kept on Rose Island, a short boat ride from Nassau. You may spend time on the sand before or after the animal encounter, depending on how the crew arranges the visit. Bring a towel and expect to get wet. This is not a polished animal show with a formal stage. It is a casual beach stop built around feeding, swimming, and taking pictures.

I would not book this solely for a quiet animal encounter. The tour has a social, upbeat tone, and one recent outing had about 24 people aboard. That size is manageable, but it means the pig area can feel busy when another group arrives. The tradeoff is a livelier atmosphere and a boat with enough people to make the music, drinks, and group energy work.

Meeting the boat in Nassau or Paradise Island

Your pickup point depends on where you are staying. If you are in Nassau or arriving by cruise ship, meet at the pier in front of Senor Frogs downtown. If you are staying on Paradise Island or at Atlantis, meet at the dock in front of Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Paradise Island.

Look for a boat marked Delfincharters on both sides. The boat pickup matters here because you are not being collected by a road vehicle and taken to a separate marina. You meet directly beside the water and start the island route from there.

Plan to arrive with your towel and sunscreen already packed. The information provided for the tour does not list a hotel-room pickup service, so you should make your own way to one of the two meeting spots. Cruise ship passengers should pay close attention to the return timing, since the advertised experience lasts three hours but your full shore-day schedule also needs to include the walk or ride back to the ship.

A fast ride out to Pearl Island

The first boat leg takes about 15 minutes. It is short enough that you will not lose much time to transport, yet long enough to give you views of the water and a taste of the speedboat ride.

Pearl Island is the first active stop, with about 45 minutes set aside for swimming and snorkeling. You enter the water from the boat and use the provided mask and snorkel. The reef is described as roughly 10 feet deep, which makes it suitable for looking down at fish and coral without needing a long swim.

This is a good opening stop because it gets you into the water before the pig encounter. You can expect colorful fish and clear water, though the quantity of marine life may vary. One outing produced plenty of fish and a picturesque reef, while another found only a few fish despite excellent visibility. That is normal for a short snorkel stop, and it is best to think of it as a pleasant sample of Bahamian sea life rather than a major reef expedition.

The guides provide safety help and instruction during the snorkeling segment. That matters if you are rusty with the equipment or not fully confident in open water. Still, this is not a formal beginner swimming class. You should be comfortable getting into the sea, following directions, and sharing the water with the rest of the group.

Green Cay and the quiet turtle watch

The speedboat ride from Pearl Island to Green Cay takes about 10 minutes. The turtle stop itself is scheduled for about 15 minutes, so this is a quick wildlife viewing pause rather than a long nature visit.

The crew looks for sea turtles in their natural setting, and you watch from the boat as they rise or glide through the water. You might see several turtles, or only a few brief appearances. One account described this part as less exciting than the pigs because only a few turtles came to the surface. That is useful to know: wildlife follows its own schedule, and the turtle stop is not guaranteed to provide a close or lengthy sighting.

I still like the stop because it changes the pace. After snorkeling and before the more playful pig visit, Green Cay offers a calm moment to scan the water. You may also spot other marine life during the boat ride, including dolphins and stingrays, though those sightings are incidental rather than a promised part of the program.

Keep your expectations sensible here. If your main goal is sea turtles, you may prefer a dedicated turtle excursion with more time in the area. On this trip, Green Cay works as one piece of a varied three-hour route.

Rose Island, pigs, beach time, and the bar

From Green Cay, the boat travels about 10 minutes to Rose Island. This is where the tour’s main attraction takes place, along with the longest stop. The schedule allows about an hour for visiting, swimming, kayaking, wildlife viewing, and relaxing at the beach.

The pig interaction is the most distinctive part of the day. You may feed the pigs, stand or swim in the shallow water with them, and watch their playful behavior from close range. The experience is cheerful and a little chaotic in the best sense. If you want clean, posed photographs, move quickly when the animals are nearby. If you want to enjoy the moment, put the camera down now and then and watch how naturally the pigs move between the beach and water.

Rose Island also gives you time to slow down. The beach bar is available for lunch and drinks, with ocean views and a chance to sit in the sand. Lunch is not included, so bring extra cash or another accepted payment method. The tour includes water, soft drinks, snacks, and alcohol on the boat, but that does not cover food purchased at the beach bar.

Kayaking is listed among the possible activities at Rose Island, but the information does not specify equipment availability or how much time you will have for it. Treat it as an option rather than the main reason to book. The hour needs to cover the pig experience, beach time, and any food or drink stop, so you may need to choose what matters most.

Crowding is the biggest variable here. One outing had another group arrive for the pig swim, making the encounter feel crowded and chaotic. If you want the best chance of a calmer visit, ask about the day’s timing when you check in, though the crew cannot control every other boat on the water.

The boat atmosphere and what is included

Delfincharters puts real emphasis on the ride between islands. Guides provide safety instructions and information at each stage, and the mood can be lively, with music, dancing, and rum punch. Alcohol, soft drinks, water, and snacks are included, which adds useful value to a short excursion.

The included drinks matter more than they might seem. A three-hour boat trip has several transitions, and having water and refreshments on board keeps you from needing to buy something at every stop. Rum punch is part of the party atmosphere, but pace yourself, especially under the Bahamian sun and during the snorkeling portion.

The crew speaks English, French, and Spanish, and an English audio guide is included. This broad language support is helpful for mixed groups. The guides also assist with snorkeling and give safety instructions, which several parts of the trip require because you are moving between a fast boat, open water, and an animal encounter.

The boat can carry a fairly large group. A recent outing had about 24 people, mostly couples ranging from their mid-20s to their 60s. That makes the tour a good fit for social adults and families who enjoy a shared experience. It is less suited to anyone seeking silence, personal space, or a private guide.

Is $175 a fair price?

At $175 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the Nassau area by boat. The value comes from combining several separate activities into a compact route: transport by speedboat, snorkeling, marine life viewing, turtle spotting, the pig swim, beach time, and onboard refreshments.

You are also paying for convenience. The boat takes you directly between the islands, the snorkel mask is provided, and the crew handles the timing and safety instructions. If you tried to arrange a boat ride, snorkel rental, animal encounter, and beach stop separately, the price difference might narrow quickly.

Still, I would calculate the extras before booking. Lunch is not included, and you may want money for food and drinks at Rose Island. Gratuity is also not included. If you do not care about pigs, the price becomes harder to justify because the turtle stop is short and the snorkeling segment is limited to about 45 minutes.

The strongest value comes for a first-time Nassau visitor with only part of a day available. You get a broad taste of the islands without committing to a full-day charter. Families may also find the price worthwhile because the itinerary keeps changing, giving children several different things to anticipate.

Who should book this trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want a high-energy island sampler with plenty of variety. It works especially well for couples, families, cruise ship passengers with a suitable port window, and anyone who wants the famous pig swim without spending an entire day on the water.

The tour is also a good match if you like guided activities. You do not need to plan the route, find snorkeling equipment, or work out how to reach Rose Island. The crew provides direction and keeps the group moving.

I would think twice if you have back or heart problems, are pregnant, or dislike fast boat rides and open-water activities. Those conditions are specifically listed as reasons the activity may not be suitable. The tour also involves getting wet, climbing in and out of the water, and spending time in the sun.

It may not suit you if your ideal Bahamas day means a quiet beach, a long lunch, and no schedule. The three-hour format is efficient but brisk. You will see a lot, but you will not linger long at any one island.

Practical ways to enjoy the three hours

• Wear swimwear from the start. The first active stop is snorkeling, and the pig swim follows soon after.
• Pack a towel and sunscreen. Both are listed as items to bring, and shade is not guaranteed during the boat and beach portions.
• Bring money for lunch. The beach bar at Rose Island is where you can buy food, and lunch is not included.
• Use the included water. Alcohol is available, but sun, salt water, and a speedboat make hydration important.
• Do not bring chewing gum or sharp objects. Weapons and sharp items are not allowed.
• Allow for a group setting. The boat may hold around two dozen people, and the pig stop can become crowded if another group arrives.
• Keep the camera ready for wildlife, but stay flexible. Turtles may surface only briefly, while dolphins, stingrays, and fish are possible sightings rather than guaranteed stops.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want.

FAQ

Where does the tour leave from?

Guests staying in Nassau or arriving by cruise ship meet at the pier in front of Senor Frogs downtown. Guests staying on Paradise Island or at Atlantis meet at the dock in front of Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Paradise Island.

How long does the experience last?

The advertised duration is three hours. The route includes speedboat transfers, snorkeling at Pearl Island, turtle viewing at Green Cay, and time at Rose Island.

Is swimming with the pigs included?

Yes. Swimming with the pigs is included in the activity.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but you can buy food at the beach bar on Rose Island.

What refreshments are included?

The tour includes water, soft drinks, snacks, and alcohol. Food purchased at Rose Island is separate.

What languages are available?

Live guides are available in English, French, and Spanish. An English audio guide is also included.

Should you book the Delfincharters island tour?

Book it if you want the pigs, snorkeling, turtles, and beach bar in one compact outing. The best parts are the friendly crew, the easy island-to-island route, the included drinks, and the sheer variety packed into three hours.

Skip it if you want a private charter, a long snorkel session, or a guaranteed close turtle encounter. The pig swim can be crowded, Green Cay may be quiet, and lunch costs extra. For a lively first taste of the waters around Nassau, though, $175 is a reasonable price for a well-filled half day, especially when the famous pigs are high on your list.