Private Tour 45ft Powerboat to Nearby Islands

The best part of this Nassau boat tour is the freedom to string together several very different island stops in one half-day. You can snorkel around Green Cay, stretch out on Rose Island, photograph Sandy Cay, and finish with a beach bar visit and swimming pigs. The 45-foot private boat gives your group room to set the pace instead of following a large party.

I like the mix of water time and simple island fun. Green Cay’s sea turtles add a special touch, while the crew names that come up repeatedly, including Captain Adam, Dia, Canaan, and Captain Rico, suggest a friendly, attentive service style. The main caution is the price and the limited four-hour schedule. At $3,800 for up to 10 people, this makes the most sense for a full group, and several stops may feel short.

Key points to know before you book

• Private 45-foot powerboat: Your group has the boat to itself, with capacity for up to 10 people at the listed rate and up to 22 for an added charge.
• Four island and beach stops: The route includes Green Cay, Rose Island, Sandy Cay, a beach bar and grill, and a second Rose Island stop for the pigs.
• Sea turtles and snorkeling: Green Cay is surrounded by turtles, and snorkeling gear is provided for exploring nearby coral reefs.
• Lunch and pigs package: The included items list lunch and swimming-pig interaction for 10 people, but another part of the tour details says food and drinks at the beach bar are not included, so confirm the exact package.
• Easy meeting point: You meet at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Bahamas Marina on Paradise Island, and Atlantis visitors can use the hotel shuttle to reach the marina.
• Weather matters: The tour requires good weather. A cancellation for poor conditions brings a choice of another date or a full refund.

A private boat day from Paradise Island

This is not a quiet sightseeing cruise where you sit back and watch the shoreline pass. It is an active island-hopping outing, built around short stops, swimming, snorkeling, beach time, food, and a bit of novelty.

You leave from Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Bahamas Marina on Paradise Island. The boat is a 45-foot powerboat, and the tour is private, so only your party takes part. That matters if you are traveling with family or friends who want different things from the day. One person can snorkel, another can sit in the sun, and the group can still move on together.

The advertised rate is $3,800 for up to 10 people. Split evenly, that is $380 per person for a group of 10, before any transportation to the dock. That is a serious price, but it compares differently from a per-person cruise because the cost stays the same for a smaller group only up to the stated limit. For eight people, the per-person figure rises to $475. For a full group, the private setting and flexible feel make the price easier to justify.

The tour lasts about four hours. You should think of it as a fast sampler of the nearby islands, not a slow, all-day beach escape. The route includes plenty of stops, but some are only 30 or 45 minutes. If your ideal day means lingering on one beach for hours, this pace may feel rushed.

Green Cay and its sea turtles

The first stop is Green Cay, a tiny island near Rose Island. The main draw is the water around it, where sea turtles swim near the island. You also have the chance to snorkel over coral reefs filled with colorful fish and other sea life.

Snorkeling gear is provided, which saves you from packing fins, masks, and other equipment. You still need to be comfortable in the water and ready to follow the crew’s directions. The provided details do not specify the exact reef conditions or how deep the water is, so expect a natural snorkeling stop rather than a controlled attraction.

The listed stop lasts about 45 minutes. That is enough time to get your gear, enter the water, look for turtles, and snorkel for a while. It is not enough time for a long, relaxed reef session, especially if your group includes children or anyone who needs extra time getting comfortable.

Green Cay is likely to be one of the most memorable parts of the day because the turtles give the stop a clear sense of place. You are not simply swimming at a generic beach. You are visiting a small cay known for the animals that move around it.

Rose Island for powdery sand and open water

The first Rose Island stop lasts about an hour. The appeal is straightforward: long beaches, white sand, and clear turquoise water. You can walk along the beach, swim, or relax without a long list of activities to complete.

I like this stop as a counterpoint to Green Cay. After snorkeling and watching for turtles, you get time to slow down. Rose Island is the place to bring your own beach-minded priorities. If you want photographs, a short walk, or a simple swim, the hour gives you room to do that.

The schedule still matters. An hour can pass quickly once everyone has arrived, found a place to sit, and entered the water. Since the boat visits several places, you should not expect a private island day with unlimited time on the sand.

No extra admission charge is listed for this stop. Beach chairs, however, are specifically mentioned at the later beach bar stop rather than as a guaranteed Rose Island amenity. Pack light and do not assume every comfort from one stop carries over to the next.

Sandy Cay, the tiny photo stop

Sandy Cay is described as a three-acre island about 15 minutes from Nassau Harbour. It is promoted as one of the most photographed islands in the Caribbean, with pale sand and clear water around it.

The stop lasts about 30 minutes. That makes Sandy Cay a quick look, swim, or snorkel rather than a full beach visit. You might take photographs, walk a little, or get into the water if conditions and timing allow.

The small size is part of its appeal. A three-acre island feels very different from a large resort beach. At the same time, the short visit means you should keep your expectations in check. This is a scenic pause in the route, not the place to settle in for the afternoon.

The schedule also uses the name Sandy Cay, while the general description refers to Gilligan’s Island as one of the Caribbean’s most photographed islands. Those names may reflect the same planned area or different labels used by the operator. If seeing a specific island is important to you, ask the company to confirm the exact route before booking.

Lunch, beach games, and a change of pace

The beach bar and grill stop lasts about one hour and 15 minutes. This is the longest stop in the published schedule, and it shifts the day from nature and swimming to food and casual beach activities.

The property is described as having ocean views, white sand, beach chairs, volleyball, billiards, karaoke, and more. That gives your group options when not everyone wants to swim. A person who has had enough sun can play billiards or relax in a chair, while others take part in a game or spend more time near the water.

Food and drink details need careful attention. The included section says the tour price includes lunch for 10 people, bottled water, soda, beer, and grapefruit Radlers. It also says the lunch and swimming-pigs package covers 10 guests. Yet the stop description says food and beverages at the beach bar are not included in the charter cost.

That is a genuine point to clear up before paying. Ask Aqua Shores exactly what lunch includes, where it is served, which drinks are included, and what you would pay for anything ordered at the bar. The information also says alcohol is served only to people age 21 and over. Younger members of your party receive non-alcoholic drinks.

Dietary needs such as vegetarian and gluten-free meals can be accommodated, according to the provided details. Mention those needs when you book, not when lunch is already being served.

Meeting swimming pigs near Rose Island

The final listed stop returns to Rose Island for a visit to Pig Island. The pig interaction lasts about 30 minutes and is included for 10 people under the package details.

Swimming pigs are a playful, unusual finish to a day that already includes reefs, turtles, beaches, and small islands. For many groups, this will be the stop children remember most. It also gives the tour a clear finale, rather than ending with one more ordinary swim.

Thirty minutes is enough for a short encounter, but it is not a long animal visit. Keep the schedule in mind, especially if everyone needs time to get in and out of the water. The supplied information does not spell out feeding rules or the exact interaction format, so ask the crew what is permitted and how the stop is organized.

There is also a capacity wrinkle. The base package is priced for 10 people, while the boat can accommodate up to 22 with an extra charge for the lunch and pigs package. If your group is larger than 10, get the full added cost in writing. Do not assume the $3,800 rate covers everyone.

The crew and the private-tour advantage

The most praised part of the service is the crew. Names connected with the tour include Captain Adam, Dia, Canaan, and Captain Rico. The strongest comments describe the crew as attentive, good company, and helpful from check-in through the end of the trip.

That matters on a short private outing. The crew is not only driving the boat. They help coordinate stops, snorkeling, food, and the timing of the group. A good crew can make a four-hour route feel organized rather than hurried.

The private format also removes a common boat-tour problem: being tied to strangers with different priorities. You can celebrate a special occasion, keep the day family-focused, or simply choose how much time to spend in the water. The crew still controls safety and navigation, but your group shares the experience privately.

The boat can hold up to 22 people, though the advertised price covers up to 10. A larger party may save money per person if the added fee is reasonable, but the feel will change as the group gets bigger. Ask how many people can sit comfortably and what extra charges apply.

What to budget beyond the charter

Transportation to the marina is not included. The stated cost is about $10 to $40, depending on distance. Atlantis visitors can use the hotel shuttle to reach the meeting point, which may make the start easier if you are staying there.

The meeting point is Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Bahamas at Marina Drive on Paradise Island. The tour ends back at the same location. Plan your day around that return point instead of assuming the boat will drop you at another hotel or beach.

The mobile ticket is convenient, and confirmation is normally received when you book. If you book within two hours of departure, confirmation is sent as soon as possible and depends on availability. That makes a last-minute reservation less certain than one arranged in advance.

The cancellation policy is strict. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons. Poor weather is the exception: if the operator cancels for weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. Since the route depends heavily on water conditions, weather is worth checking before you commit.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would choose this trip for a group that values variety and privacy more than a low price. It suits families, friend groups, and people marking a special occasion. A party of 10 gets the best value from the advertised rate.

You should also like being on the water and moving often. The day includes snorkeling, swimming, beach time, a bar stop, island photographs, and pigs. That variety is the strength, but it means no single stop gets a long visit.

The tour may be less suitable if you want a quiet, slow beach day, a detailed reef excursion, or a tour built around one main attraction. The schedule is tight, and the exact conditions at the reefs and cays can affect what you do at each stop.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The details do not give age restrictions for snorkeling or swimming, so families with very young children should ask the operator about the boat, water conditions, and participation rules before booking.

Should you book this Nassau powerboat tour?

Book it if you have a nearly full group, want a private boat, and like packing several Bahamian highlights into one outing. Green Cay’s turtles, Rose Island’s beaches, Sandy Cay’s tiny-island scenery, a social beach stop, and swimming pigs give you a lot in four hours.

I would be more cautious with a small group because the $3,800 price becomes expensive per person. I would also confirm the lunch and drink arrangements before booking, since the details give two different impressions about what the beach bar costs.

For the right group, this is a lively, well-packed day with a crew-focused service style and plenty of choices. Just know what you are buying: a private sampler of nearby islands, not an unhurried full-day escape.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Bahamas, at Marina Drive on Paradise Island, New Providence Island.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point at Margaritaville Bahamas Marina.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately four hours.

How many people can join at the listed price?

The $3,800 price is for a private group of up to 10 people.

Can larger groups join?

The boat can accommodate up to 22 people. Additional charges apply for the lunch and swimming-pigs package for people beyond the included 10.

Is the boat private?

Yes. This is a private activity, and only your group participates.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided for the tour.

Are lunch and drinks included?

The included details list lunch for 10 people, bottled water, soda, beer, and grapefruit Radlers. The beach stop details also say food and beverages are not included in the charter cost, so confirm the exact inclusions with Aqua Shores before booking.

Are swimming pigs part of the tour?

Yes. The itinerary includes a 30-minute visit to Pig Island, and the swimming-pigs package is listed for 10 people.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If the tour is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. Personal cancellations and amendments are non-refundable.