Nassau: Swimming Pigs, Snorkeling, Lunch, & Beach Boat Tour

The pigs are the headline, but this Nassau outing gives you much more than a quick animal visit. You speed across clear Bahamian water, feed friendly pigs in the shallows, then settle into a private beach day with lunch, rum punch, kayaks, paddleboards, and beach games. The free photo and video package is a useful touch, since you can enjoy the moment instead of guarding your phone.

I especially like the short, action-packed format and the mix of ages it suits. The boat ride includes views of Atlantis, Paradise Island, Fort Montagu, and Nassau Harbor, while guides such as Sterling, Kenny, Teisha, and Captain Johnny have earned praise for keeping the mood upbeat and safety in view. The main consideration is pace: 150 minutes to four hours is enough for several activities, but not enough for long, lazy time at every stop.

Key points to know before booking

• Swimming pigs near Athol Island: Feed, pet, and photograph the famous pigs in shallow, clear water, with staff guiding the encounter.
• A private beach with plenty to do: Hammocks, lounge chairs, swings, floats, volleyball, cornhole, Frisbee, tug of war, giant Connect Four, and hatchet toss are included.
• Snorkeling is part of the main experience: The boat stops at a reef area where you can use provided equipment to see tropical fish and marine life.
• Food and drinks are covered: Lunch, snacks, soft drinks, and unlimited rum punch are included, though meal portions may feel modest to some people.
• Fast access from the cruise port: The meeting point is in Elizabeth on Bay Marketplace and Marina, about an eight-minute walk from the port according to one practical account.
• Extra-cost water thrills: Jet skis are available to rent, but they are not included in the $140 price.

From Nassau Harbor to the private beach

You meet the boat at Bahamas Jet Boat headquarters in the beige plaza with brown trim at Elizabeth on Bay Marketplace and Marina. The entrance is at Bay Street and Elizabeth Avenue, the second corner on your left after Parliament Square when heading east on Bay Street. Mapping apps have sent some people to the wrong spot, so use the written directions and allow time to find the boat.

The ride begins with snacks, soft drinks, and views around Nassau Harbor. Your guide points out sights as you pass the cruise port, Nassau, Paradise Island, Atlantis, Versailles Gardens and the French Cloister, Fort Montagu, Sun Cay, Rose Island, and Blue Lagoon Island. Some stops are scenic views from the boat rather than visits on land, but the route gives you a pleasant introduction to Nassau’s waterfront.

The boat is a major part of the fun. It moves quickly across New Providence’s turquoise water, and the speed helps make the private beach and pig encounter practical in a half-day format. If you prefer a slow, quiet cruise, this is not that kind of outing. If you like wind, spray, island views, and a lively crew, the ride adds real value.

The crew’s personality is one reason this trip has made such a strong impression. Sterling, Kenny, Teisha, and Captain Johnny are among the staff praised by name for being funny, friendly, attentive, and safety-minded. The experience has a social feel, but solo visitors and mixed-age families can still find plenty to do.

Meeting the famous pigs in shallow water

The pig encounter takes place near Athol Island, at the private beach destination used for the upgraded experience. Staff provide food so you can feed the pigs, and you get time to pet them and take pictures while they paddle through the shallow water.

The setting matters. This is not simply a fenced animal display. You are standing in warm, clear sea water with the pigs moving around you, which makes the scene memorable and visually distinctive. The animals are the natural star, and children tend to get especially excited when the pigs come close.

Your guides also explain how to behave around them. Keep your hands clear of their feet and mouths, follow instructions, and expect a little natural mess. Pigs do what pigs do, but staff clean up quickly and keep the area under control. The encounter can become crowded, especially when several groups arrive at once, so your best photos may come early or during a quieter pause.

The small boat format can help. Some outings have reached the beach before larger boats, giving the first group more room around the pigs. Timing is not guaranteed, but an early arrival may make it easier to enjoy the encounter without feeling rushed.

This is also where the included photography earns its keep. Staff take individual and group photos, and the free photo and video package is sent after the outing. You can still take your own pictures, but you do not have to spend the whole pig visit holding a phone above the water.

A private beach day with more than a chair

After the pigs, you have time to use the beach facilities. Lounge chairs, hammocks, swings, and floats make it easy to slow down, while the activity area gives energetic children and adults a reason to keep moving.

Included beach activities include:

• Kayaks and paddleboards
• Volleyball
• Cornhole
• Frisbee
• Tug of war
• Giant Connect Four
• Hatchet toss
• Individual and group floats
• Water toys and floaties

The range is useful because not everyone in a group wants the same sort of day. One person can relax in a hammock, another can paddle along the coastline, and children can play games near the beach. A water slide and other floating play equipment have also been available during some outings.

The beach is described as golden sand with clear turquoise water, and the private setting gives the middle of the tour a different mood from the energetic boat ride. The catch is time. With the pigs, lunch, snorkeling, and the return boat ride all included, you should treat this as a lively beach stop rather than a full resort day.

Jet skis are available for an additional fee. They are the one major activity not covered by the $140 price. Ask about the current cost before riding, especially if you are comparing this outing with a tour where motorized water sports are already included.

Lunch, rum punch, and the value of $140

At $140 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a few hours in Nassau. It is also not just a boat transfer to Pig Beach. The price includes the boat tour, cruise-port pickup, guides, pig food, lunch, snacks, soft drinks, unlimited rum punch, snorkeling equipment, floats, kayaks, paddleboards, beach games, and free photos and video.

That package can be good value if you plan to use several parts of it. A family that feeds the pigs, snorkels, eats lunch, plays on the beach, and uses the included water equipment gets much more from the price than someone who only wants a short pig photo.

Lunch includes American favorites, Bahamian classics, and vegan choices. Portions have varied in how they are perceived. Some people found the meal generous, while one person felt it was closer to a snack. If you have a large appetite, eat something before departure or bring realistic expectations. Snacks are included, but this is still an active day in the sun.

Unlimited rum punch is part of the package, along with soft drinks. Drink sensibly, especially before snorkeling or during the speedboat ride. The crew also provides snacks on the boat, which helps during the transfers.

The free professional photos make the value stronger. Similar outings often leave you choosing between paying for photos and staying present, while this package includes images taken by the staff. Delivery is handled after the trip, so make sure your booking contact information is correct.

Snorkeling at the reef

After the beach and pig encounter, the boat heads to a reef area for snorkeling. Equipment is provided, and you can explore the water with the group or use a kayak where conditions allow. The stop is designed to show you tropical fish and marine life in clear Bahamian water.

Snorkeling quality can depend on weather, sea conditions, and the exact stopping point. Many people found the fish and water impressive, while at least one person considered the reef only average. That is a fair warning: you are booking a boat-and-beach outing with snorkeling, not a specialist reef expedition.

The snorkeling stop has often lasted around 25 minutes in practice, which is enough for a look around but not enough for a long underwater session. You get the equipment and the chance to see fish without paying a separate snorkeling fee, so it works well as one part of a varied tour.

If snorkeling is your top priority, ask about water conditions on the day and consider a longer reef trip instead. If you want pigs, a beach, lunch, and a short reef stop in one package, this arrangement is more efficient.

Timing, groups, and cruise-ship practicality

The advertised duration ranges from 150 minutes to four hours, depending on the departure and conditions. That makes this useful for cruise passengers who want a substantial outing without giving up the whole day. The meeting point is close to Nassau Cruise Port, and one account placed the walk at about eight minutes from the port entrance.

Build in extra time before departure. The boat cannot leave until the group is assembled, and a delayed cruise passenger has caused a wait in the past. Arriving 30 minutes early is sensible, particularly if you need to locate the plaza or are walking from a ship.

The experience can feel compact and busy. You move from harbor sightseeing to the pigs, beach activities, lunch, snorkeling, and the return ride. That variety is the main attraction, but it also means you may wish for more time at the beach or in the water.

Group size can affect the pig photographs and how much space you have in the shallows. The smaller boat has sometimes reached the pig beach before larger vessels, though no operator can promise an empty beach. If you want total quiet and long stretches of solitude, choose a dedicated private charter instead.

Who will enjoy this tour most

This is a strong fit for families, couples, groups of friends, and solo visitors who want several Bahamian activities in one booking. The games, floats, pigs, and short snorkeling stop give children plenty to occupy them, while adults can choose rum punch, hammocks, kayaking, or the beach.

It also suits mixed groups. Someone who does not snorkel can relax on shore, and someone who wants more action can paddle, play volleyball, or pay extra for a jet ski. The crew’s lively style works best if you enjoy music, jokes, and a social atmosphere.

I would be cautious about booking it for anyone who dislikes speedboats, has very limited time at sea, or wants a quiet luxury beach day. I would also choose another tour if snorkeling is your only goal or if you want a full day at the beach.

The tour is conducted in English, and the guides give safety instructions before water activities. Weather can affect the experience, but the crew has shown a willingness to put safety first when conditions turn uncertain.

Practical details that make the day easier

Wear a swimsuit and bring sun protection, a towel, and a dry bag for anything you do not want splashed. The boat ride is fast, and water activities mean you will likely get wet.

Use the provided equipment rather than packing bulky snorkeling gear unless you have a personal mask you strongly prefer. The tour includes snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddleboards, floats, and beach games.

Keep your phone protected during the pig encounter. The free professional photos mean you can leave your phone secured for much of the activity. Follow the staff’s instructions around the pigs, particularly when feeding them.

The cancellation policy allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours in advance. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Nassau schedule is still shifting.

Should you book the Nassau swimming pigs tour?

Book it if you want a lively half-day that combines the famous pigs with snorkeling, a private beach, lunch, drinks, games, and a fast scenic boat ride. The inclusion of photos, water equipment, snacks, and rum punch makes the $140 easier to justify, especially for families who will use several activities.

Think twice if you want a slow beach escape, a long reef session, or a completely private outing. The schedule is full, some stops can feel brief, and the beach meal may not satisfy a very hungry adult on its own.

For most people with limited time in Nassau, this is a sensible all-round choice. You get the bucket-list pig encounter, but you are not finished after five minutes of photos. The boat ride, beach facilities, friendly crew, and snorkeling give the day enough variety to feel like a proper Bahamas outing.

FAQ

How much does the swimming pigs boat tour cost?

The listed price is $140 per person. It includes the boat tour, guides, lunch, snacks, soft drinks, unlimited rum punch, snorkeling equipment, floats, beach games, kayaks, paddleboards, and free photos and video.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at Bahamas Jet Boat headquarters at Elizabeth on Bay Marketplace and Marina. Heading east on Bay Street, look for the beige plaza with brown trim at the corner of Bay Street and Elizabeth Avenue, the second corner on the left after Parliament Square.

Is the tour suitable for cruise passengers?

Yes. The meeting point is near Nassau Cruise Port, and the outing is designed as a short experience lasting from about 150 minutes to four hours. Allow extra time to find the meeting point and return to your ship.

Are jet skis included?

No. Jet skis are available to rent for an additional charge. Kayaks, paddleboards, floats, and snorkeling equipment are included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is provided, with American favorites, Bahamian dishes, and vegan options. Snacks, soft drinks, and unlimited rum punch are also included.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The tour also offers a reserve-now, pay-later option, and the live tour is conducted in English.