Half-Day Luxury Private Rose Island Pigs and Turtles Excursion

The most appealing part of this Nassau outing is the mix of private boat time and flexible beach fun. You cruise past Nassau Harbour and Paradise Island, then spend time around Rose Island snorkeling, swimming, sunbathing, and possibly visiting the pigs.

I like the comfortable boat setup for a family or small group, and I like that Captain Brax, his first mate, and his father can make the day feel personal rather than scripted. The main catch is cost: $1,250 per group is a serious spend, and swimming with the pigs adds another $40 per person.

Key points at a glance

• A private boat for up to eight: Your group does not share the activity with strangers, which makes the four-hour outing easier to shape around your interests.
• Rose Island in one compact trip: You get harbor sightseeing, snorkeling, beach time, and the option to see pigs without committing to a full-day cruise.
• Captain Brax and family-led service: Brax, his first mate, and his father have earned praise for punctuality, communication, jokes, and a flexible approach.
• Snorkeling gear is included: You can use the supplied equipment at Rose Island, with reported sightings of turtles, colorful fish, and a large manta ray.
• Pig swimming costs extra: The activity is not included in the $1,250 price. Plan on $40 per person at the location.
• Useful boat comforts: Seating for eight, storage for food and drinks, private facilities, and a fresh-water shower make the boat better suited to families and groups.

A private way to see Nassau from the water

This is less a formal sightseeing tour than a private half-day on the water. The route begins at Bayshore Marina, at The Waterfront, 64 E Bay Street in Nassau, and ends at the same place after about four hours.

I like the opening cruise because it gives you a quick look at Nassau from a useful angle. As the boat moves through Nassau Harbour, you can see major hotels along the shore, old forts, the water tower, the former Coral World site, and celebrity homes around Paradise Island. These sights are not the main event, but they give the ride some local context before the beach portion begins.

The private format matters here. If one person in your group wants to snorkel, another wants to sit in the sun, and someone else wants to look for turtles, you are not locked into the rhythm of a large excursion boat. The crew can be flexible, though the exact amount of time at each activity will depend on conditions and your group’s choices.

The boat is set up for eight people, with comfortable seating and storage for food and drinks. It also has private facilities and a fresh-water shower. Those details may sound small when you are booking, but they matter after saltwater swimming, especially with children or older family members.

Rose Island brings the beach time

Rose Island is where the excursion shifts from sightseeing to a classic Bahamas water day. The available activities include snorkeling, swimming, beach time, sunbathing, and eating at beachside restaurants.

I would think of Rose Island as the tour’s main stage rather than a stop with one fixed attraction. You can use the time in the way your group prefers. A family may spend the first part in the water, then dry off on the beach. A group of friends may want more snorkeling and less sitting around. If you prefer a slower pace, the boat and beach give you room to avoid the feel of a packed schedule.

The beach restaurants are useful because lunch is not included. You can buy food there if you want a meal, but you should budget for it separately. You can also bring food and drinks, since the boat has storage for them. That gives you some control over spending, although the exact restaurant choices and prices are not provided.

The tradeoff is that four hours goes quickly. The cruise, sightseeing, snorkeling, beach time, and possible pig visit all compete for the same block of time. I would decide before departure which activity matters most to your group. If snorkeling is the priority, say so early. If the pigs are the reason for booking, allow time for that separate visit and fee.

Snorkeling for turtles, fish, and reef views

Snorkeling equipment is included, which removes one common extra cost. The water time may be the strongest reason to choose this trip if your group wants more than a beach ride.

One outing included snorkeling near Rainbow Reef, where the group saw large, colorful fish, sea turtles, and a very large manta ray. Those sightings are not guaranteed, and marine life is never a fixed part of a schedule, but they show the kind of experience the water can offer. You might find that the reef is the most memorable part of the day, especially if the pigs are less important to your group.

The activity information calls for moderate physical fitness. You should be comfortable getting into the water and using snorkeling equipment. The supplied details do not describe accessibility arrangements, flotation support, or a swimming lesson, so anyone with concerns should ask the operator before booking.

I also like that the boat includes a fresh-water shower. After snorkeling, a quick rinse is welcome, and it helps if you are continuing on to another Nassau activity later in the day. The private facilities are another practical touch for a four-hour trip.

The pig visit comes with a separate charge

Swimming with the pigs is advertised as an option at Rose Island, but it is not part of the base price. The added charge is $40 per person, paid at the location, and admission to that part of the experience is not included.

This is important when comparing the cost with other Nassau excursions. For a group of eight, the pig fee could add $320 to the $1,250 boat price, before lunch or other purchases. A smaller group pays less in pig fees, but the private boat price remains the same.

I would not book this trip solely for the pigs unless everyone in your group wants that activity. The boat ride, snorkeling, beach, and harbor sightseeing are separate reasons to go. If only one or two people care about swimming with pigs, the rest of the group can still enjoy the island, but the added cost may feel harder to justify.

The information does not spell out how long the pig encounter lasts or exactly how the visit is organized. Ask about timing when you arrive, especially if you also want a full snorkeling session and meal stop within the four-hour window.

Captain Brax gives the outing a personal feel

The crew is a big part of the appeal. Captain Brax, also referred to as Braxton, leads the outing, with a first mate and his father sometimes joining as an informal guide and source of jokes.

That family touch can change the mood of a private boat day. The service is not presented as a lecture-heavy tour. Instead, you can expect local conversation, harbor sights, and help shaping the day around your group. Brax and his crew have also been praised for being on time, communicating clearly, and staying flexible.

I especially like the mention of Brax’s father. A local who knows the area and keeps the talk light can make the ride feel less like transport between stops. One family also found the setup worked well for children aged 10 and 13, which suggests the trip can suit families with school-age kids who are comfortable around water.

Still, the trip is only as good as the day’s weather and sea conditions. It requires good weather, and a cancellation for poor weather leads to a different date or a full refund. That is reassuring, but it also means you should avoid building a tight chain of same-day plans around this boat ride.

What $1,250 buys your group

The price is $1,250 per group of up to eight, not $1,250 per person. That changes the value calculation. At full capacity, the base cost works out to about $156 per person, before lunch and the pig fee. A group of four would effectively pay $312.50 per person, while a couple would carry the full private-boat cost between two people.

For eight people, I think the price can make sense if you value privacy, a comfortable boat, and control over the day. A large shared excursion may cost less, but it will usually have a fixed schedule and less room to adjust the balance between snorkeling, beach time, and sightseeing.

For a small group, the value is harder to defend. You are paying for exclusivity and boat access, not just for admission to Rose Island. If your main goal is simply to sit on a beach, a less expensive beach transfer may suit you better. If you want the combination of a private crew, snorkeling, harbor views, and a flexible stop, the price becomes more reasonable.

Remember to add:

• $40 per person for swimming with the pigs
• Lunch, if you eat at a beachside restaurant
• Any other food or drinks you choose to bring or buy

The boat’s storage makes bringing refreshments practical, but no food or drinks are listed as included.

Who will get the most from this trip

This excursion is best for a family, group of friends, or celebration party that can fill most of the eight seats. The private format is especially useful when people in the same group want different things from a beach day.

You are likely to appreciate it if you want:

• A boat reserved for your own group
• A shorter outing rather than a full-day cruise
• Snorkeling gear supplied
• A chance to see turtles and reef fish
• Beach time with the option of a restaurant meal
• Local conversation from Captain Brax and his crew
• Boat comforts such as a shower, private facilities, and storage

It may be a poor fit if your budget is tight, only one person wants to snorkel, or nobody wants to pay extra for the pigs. It is also not ideal for someone seeking a detailed historical tour of Nassau. The forts and other landmarks appear as part of the harbor cruise, not as long, guided visits on land.

The moderate fitness requirement matters too. You should be ready for a water-based outing rather than a purely scenic cruise.

Timing, meeting point, and cancellation details

Plan to meet at Bayshore Marina, The Waterfront, 64 E Bay Street, Nassau. The tour returns there after the outing, and the location is near public transportation.

Confirmation is provided when you book. The activity is private, so only your group takes part. It is typically booked about 25 days ahead, which is a useful signal if your Nassau dates are fixed and you need a particular time.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund. Cutoff times use local Bahamas time, so check the clock carefully if you are arranging the trip from another time zone.

Bad weather is handled differently. If the operator cancels because conditions are poor, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

My take: book it for the private boat, not just the pigs

I would book this Rose Island trip for a group of six to eight that wants a comfortable, flexible half-day on the water. Captain Brax and his family-led crew add a personal touch, while the snorkeling, harbor views, beach time, and boat facilities give you several ways to enjoy the four hours.

I would pause if you are booking for only two people or if the $1,250 base price already strains your budget. I would also confirm how much time will be available for snorkeling and the pig visit before you set your expectations.

For the right group, this is a well-rounded Nassau outing: private enough to feel relaxed, active enough to keep the water lovers happy, and short enough to fit into a busy island schedule.

FAQ

How long is the Rose Island excursion?

The experience lasts approximately four hours.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins and ends at Bayshore Marina, The Waterfront, 64 E Bay Street, Nassau, The Bahamas.

How many people can join the private boat?

The boat accommodates a private group of up to eight people.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the activity.

Does the price include swimming with the pigs?

No. Swimming with the pigs costs an additional $40 per person at the location.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You will be offered another date or a full refund if the activity is canceled because of poor weather.