Nassau, Private Swimming Pig, Island Hopping, Snorkeling, Turtles

The big draw here is fitting turtles, snorkeling, Rose Island, sandy cays, and swimming pigs into one private four-hour boat trip. I like the freedom of having your own captain and the chance to adjust the pace, especially for families or groups that do not want to share a boat with strangers.

I also like that water, life vests, and snorkel gear are included, and that the boat reaches several nearby islands without wasting the day in transit. The main consideration is time: four hours goes quickly, and the optional pig visit costs another $25 per person if you want to enter the pig area and interact with the animals.

Key points at a glance

• Green Cay turtle stop: Turtles swim around boats here, with a chance to get in the water near them.
• Rose Island beach time: Plan on snorkeling, swimming, beach activities, or a restaurant stop during about one hour.
• Private speedboat: Your group of up to eight has the boat to itself.
• Optional pig encounter: Swimming with the pigs costs $25 per person, paid separately on the island.
• Flexible island mix: The trip may include Athol, Gilligan’s Island, nearby Pearl Island, or other nearby cays.
• Strong captain service: Captain Chris, Captain Paul, Captain Eddy, and Bodie are among the crew members named by past guests, though captain assignment can vary.

A private boat day from Nassau

This tour is built for people who want several Bahamian stops without committing to a full-day charter. You meet at Elizabeth on Bay on Bay Street in Nassau, then set out by speedboat with only your own group aboard.

The boat can carry up to eight people for $799. Split evenly, that works out to about $100 per person for a full boat of eight, before the optional pig fee. For a couple or small family, the per-person price is higher, but you are paying for privacy, a dedicated captain, and the ability to see several spots in one short outing.

I see the private format as the heart of the experience. If someone in your group wants more beach time, another person wants to snorkel, and the children are eager to see pigs, your captain can help balance those interests better than a large shared excursion can.

The advertised duration is about four hours. That is enough time for a strong sampler of the Nassau area, but not enough for long, relaxed stays at every stop. You should think of this as a fast-moving island circuit with time to swim and take photos, not a slow beach day at one resort.

Green Cay and the search for turtles

Green Cay is the marine-life stop. Turtles swim around boats that pause here, giving you a chance to see them in the wild and, conditions allowing, swim near them.

That is a much more appealing setup than a staged animal encounter. You are looking into open Bahamian water, so sightings are not guaranteed, and the experience depends on weather, water conditions, and where the turtles are that day. Still, this stop gives the tour its most memorable natural moment.

The area also has colorful reefs suitable for snorkeling. The tour supplies snorkel equipment and life vests, so you do not need to pack your own unless you prefer your personal mask or fins. I would still bring a towel, sunscreen, and sunglasses. Those three items were specifically useful to past guests, and you will want them for every beach and boat stop.

If you have children, check their comfort level before booking. The tour is not recommended for children under two, and swimming around a boat in open water requires close attention from adults. The private format helps, since your group is not trying to keep up with a large crowd, but the captain remains in charge of safe conditions.

Rose Island gives the trip breathing room

After Green Cay, the boat heads to Rose Island for about an hour. This is the most flexible part of the outing, with time for snorkeling, swimming, beach activities, restaurant options, and taking in the scenery.

I like the contrast. Green Cay is about spotting turtles and viewing reefs. Rose Island lets you get out, stretch your legs, and enjoy a more traditional island stop. If you prefer not to snorkel, this is where you can focus on the sand and sea instead.

An hour is useful but limited. You may have time for one main activity, perhaps a swim followed by a walk, or snorkeling followed by a quick meal. You probably will not have time to sample every option listed at the island. Ask your captain early how the timing will work, especially if a restaurant stop matters to your group.

Rose Island also helps make the tour suitable for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can use the water, while others can stay on the beach. Past guests with children praised the chance to snorkel in good spots, and Captain Eddy was singled out for knowing where to take them. Captain assignment is not guaranteed, but the private setup should still make it easier to explain your group’s comfort level and interests.

The swimming pigs are optional, not essential

The pig stop is a separate choice, and that is worth understanding before you book. Swimming with the pigs costs $25 per person, charged by the island and not included in the $799 tour price.

You can visit the pig area without treating it as the main event, or skip the interaction altogether. One past guest chose not to swim with the pigs after seeing them in the water, but still fed them and took photos. That captures the practical appeal of the stop: you can decide how close you want to get.

The animals are not a polished theme-park attraction. You may see ordinary animal behavior, including mud, mess, and pigs in the water. If you are expecting a neat, carefully staged photo session, adjust your expectations. If you enjoy unusual travel moments and do not mind a little disorder, the stop can be fun.

I would treat the pigs as an optional add-on rather than the reason to book the whole tour. The strongest value comes from combining the turtles, reef snorkeling, Rose Island, and the other cays. The pig visit works best as a bonus for people who specifically want that experience.

Gilligan’s Island and the extra sandy cays

The itinerary also includes Gilligan’s Island, described as a sandy cay associated with the famous television show. The stop lasts about 45 minutes and is mainly for exploring, relaxing, and taking photos.

This is a good chance to slow down briefly after the water activities. You can walk on the sand, frame a few island photos, and enjoy the feeling of being away from Nassau without needing a full resort day. The appeal is simple rather than historic or elaborate.

The tour may also visit Athol, Green Cay, nearby Pearl Island, or another nearby cay depending on the day and route. That gives the captain some room to shape the outing, but it also means you should not assume every named island will receive the same amount of time.

If one particular stop matters most, tell the captain at the beginning. A private boat should make that conversation easier. Just remember that weather, sea conditions, and the four-hour limit can affect the final order and length of each stop.

What the private format is really worth

The price looks high beside a shared Nassau excursion, but the comparison is not quite even. This is $799 for up to eight people, a private speedboat, a captain, snorkeling equipment, life vests, bottled water, turtle sightings as part of the plan, and sightseeing across several locations.

At full capacity, the cost is about $100 per person. For eight friends or a larger family, that can be fair for a half-day private charter. For two people, the total is harder to justify unless privacy, a personal route, or a special occasion matters to you.

The boat also saves you from booking separate activities for snorkeling, Rose Island, and the pigs. You pay the pig island directly only if you choose that interaction. Food and restaurant purchases are not listed as included, so budget separately if you plan to eat during the Rose Island stop.

The crew is a major part of the value. Captain Chris has been praised for making first-time visitors feel at home and for helping families who prefer a private boat. Captain Paul has taken groups out for pigs, snorkeling, and a turtle sighting. Captain Eddy has been praised for choosing good snorkeling spots, and Bodie has been remembered for rum punch and a helpful food recommendation.

Those names suggest a friendly, personal style, but your assigned captain may be different. I would not book on the assumption that you will receive one specific crew member unless the company confirms it directly.

Who will enjoy this Nassau excursion most

I would choose this tour for a group that wants variety and privacy in a short window. It fits families, couples traveling with friends, cruise passengers with limited port time, and anyone who would rather control the day than join a fixed group.

It is especially useful for families with different energy levels. One person can snorkel, another can swim, and someone else can enjoy the beach. The private boat also suits a child who gets nervous around crowds, a point that matters more than it may sound on paper.

You should be comfortable with a fast boat outing and several water-based stops. The trip is not designed around a long, quiet lunch or hours on one beach. People who dislike boats, open-water swimming, or quick changes of scene may prefer a land-based Nassau activity.

The tour is not recommended for children under two. The information provided says most people can participate and that the meeting point is near public transportation, but it does not provide detailed accessibility information. If mobility access is important for your group, ask JNC Tours before booking.

Practical details for a smoother day

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and sunglasses. Bottled water is supplied, along with snorkel equipment and life vests, but the supplied information does not say that towels, meals, or sunscreen are provided.

Wear something suitable for swimming and moving between a boat, beach, and shallow-water stops. Keep your belongings limited, since you will be changing locations several times in a short period.

The meeting point is Elizabeth on Bay, 3MH6+6QX, Bay Street, Nassau. The tour returns to that same meeting point. Confirmation is provided when you book, and the activity is offered as a private experience for your group alone.

The trip requires good weather. If poor weather cancels it, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted and are not refunded.

How to plan the four hours

Because each stop is short, I would decide your priorities before boarding. If turtles are your main goal, be ready to snorkel at Green Cay. If you care most about relaxing on sand, protect your Rose Island time. If the pigs are a must, set aside the extra $25 per person and confirm how that stop fits into the route.

The order of stops may affect your energy. A pig visit first can make the rest of the day feel like a reward, while a turtle stop early can put the best wildlife chance at the start. Your captain may know the day’s conditions and can help with that choice.

Do not expect four hours of uninterrupted snorkeling. The tour combines wildlife, reefs, beaches, sightseeing, and sandy cays. Its strength is variety, not depth at one location.

Should you book this private island tour?

Book it if you want a private boat, several Nassau-area stops, and a mix of turtles, snorkeling, beach time, and optional pigs. At full capacity, the price is reasonable for a private half-day, especially when your group values privacy and flexible attention from the captain.

Think twice if you are traveling as only one or two people and mainly want a single beach or a guaranteed pig encounter. The cost per person rises quickly, and the pig interaction is extra.

For families and groups of friends, this is one of the better ways to pack a lot of island scenery into four hours. Bring sun protection, accept that the route may change with conditions, and treat the pigs as an optional extra rather than the entire point of the day.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately four hours.

How much does the private tour cost?

The price is $799 per group for up to eight people.

Is the boat private?

Yes. Only your group participates in this private activity.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Elizabeth on Bay, 3MH6+6QX, Bay Street, Nassau, The Bahamas.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Are swimming pigs included?

No. Swimming with the pigs costs an additional $25 per person, charged by the island.

Are snorkeling equipment and life vests provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life vests are included.

Is bottled water included?

Yes. Bottled water is included on the tour.

Can I see turtles?

Turtle sightings are included as part of the experience, and Green Cay is a stop where turtles swim around the boats. Seeing and swimming near them depends on conditions and turtle activity.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered another date or a full refund if poor weather causes the tour to be canceled.