Powerboat and Snorkel Experience with Swimming Pigs and Turtles

The swimming pigs get the headlines, but the best part of this three-island boat trip is the variety packed into three and a half hours. You snorkel at Rose Island, look for turtles near Green Cay, visit Sandy Cay, and still have time for a beach break.

I like the small 35-foot Donzi and the useful onboard restroom. I also like that the price includes snorkeling gear, water, soda, a captain, and a guide. The main drawback is that this is a weather-dependent outing, and a small, fast boat can feel lively on rough water.

I also like the personal feel reported by several people who took the trip. Captain J and his partner are specifically praised for being friendly and patient, while the crew also plays music during the ride. Just know that any water activity requires care: one person was frightened after being flipped from a banana boat, so ask for a life jacket before taking part in any optional towable activity.

Key points to know before booking

• Three separate island settings: Snorkel around Rose Island, meet pigs, look for turtles near Green Cay, and spend time on Sandy Cay.
• A quick, lively boat ride: The custom 35-foot Donzi covers a lot of ground in a short time and has a restroom inside the center console.
• Small-group format: The advertised maximum is listed as 14 to 15 people, much smaller than a large party boat.
• Good value at $145: Gear, soft drinks, bottled water, captain, guide, and the powerboat ride are included. Lunch is not.
• Strong crew feedback: Captain J and his partner are noted for friendly, patient care, and the crew is known to play music.
• Find the right boat: The meeting point is at Paradise Island Ferry Terminal near Margaritaville, where several boats and operators may be gathered.

A fast start from Paradise Island

The tour begins at Paradise Island Ferry Terminal on Paradise Beach Drive. This is close to the Margaritaville area, where several boats and companies operate. Give yourself enough time to find the Secret Cays boat, since the name may not be large or obvious from a distance.

That small bit of planning matters. A useful tip is to look specifically for Secret Cays rather than assuming the first boat at the terminal is yours. The boat is smaller than many of the craft gathered in the area, and its name may be easy to miss.

Once aboard, you ride in a custom 35-foot Donzi Marine center-console boat. It is built for moving between several nearby cays rather than for a long, slow sightseeing cruise. You get a dedicated restroom inside the center console, a welcome feature on a half-day outing.

The group limit is given as 14 to 15 people. That is a little unusual in the published details, so I would confirm the exact number when booking. Either way, this is intended to be a small-group trip, not a packed excursion vessel.

Rose Island snorkeling and open-water scenery

The first major part of the day takes you toward Rose Island for snorkeling. The reef is described as full of aquatic life, making this the most active stop on the trip.

You receive snorkeling equipment as part of the price, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins unless you prefer your personal gear. The exact reef conditions can change with weather and water clarity, but the appeal is clear: you get a chance to see marine life in its natural setting rather than only looking at the Bahamas from the boat.

I would treat this as a real snorkeling stop, not a guaranteed wildlife show. Fish and visibility depend on conditions. The tour requires good weather, and that rule protects the quality and safety of time spent in the water.

The boat ride between stops is part of the fun. A center-console powerboat gives you a closer-to-the-water feel and lets the group cover several locations during a short outing. The tradeoff is comfort. If conditions turn choppy, a fast open boat can feel bouncy, especially for anyone prone to seasickness.

Bring a swimsuit, sun protection, and a secure way to protect your phone. The tour includes water and soda, but not lunch, so eat beforehand or pack food if the operator allows it. No lunch is included in the $145 price.

Meeting the swimming pigs

The swimming pigs are the most playful stop and likely the biggest draw for families. You get to meet, feed, and interact with the pigs in the water.

This is more than a photo stop from the boat. The appeal is the close contact, though you should still follow the crew’s instructions about feeding and approaching the animals. Pigs are friendly-looking but energetic, and a calm approach makes for a better time for everyone.

The pig visit also gives the excursion a different rhythm from snorkeling. Instead of quietly watching reef life below the surface, you are taking part in a social encounter that is easy to understand and fun to photograph. People who want a classic Bahamas animal encounter will find this stop especially appealing.

There is one practical point to keep in mind. The pigs are popular, and the experience can feel more organized than remote. This tour’s advantage is that the boat is small, which may make the stop feel less crowded than a large-group outing, but conditions and other boats in the area can vary.

Green Cay and the turtle sanctuary

The turtle stop near Green Cay is the quieter wildlife moment of the day. You visit a turtle sanctuary area and look for turtles in their natural habitat.

This is a good counterpoint to the pigs. Turtles move at their own pace, so the experience depends on patience, clear water, and luck. One turtle was noted with a remora attached, a small detail that shows how much there can be to notice if you take your time.

I like this stop because it gives the trip a genuine wildlife focus. You are not simply checking off a beach and a photo opportunity. You are looking into the water for animals that live there, with the guide helping you spot them.

Do not book this expecting a guaranteed close-up encounter every time. The tour promises the opportunity to view turtles, but wild animals do not follow a schedule. That uncertainty is part of the value, provided you are comfortable with nature being less predictable than an aquarium.

Sandy Cay and the beach break

Sandy Cay provides the change of pace. It was featured in the trailer for Gilligan’s Island, which gives the stop a bit of screen history without turning it into a formal film tour.

Here you can relax or play on the sandy beach. After snorkeling and animal encounters, this pause matters. You can dry off, stretch your legs, take photographs, or simply enjoy the setting without having to perform another activity.

The beach stop also makes this a better fit for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can focus on the reef and turtle viewing, while someone who prefers a slower hour can enjoy the shore. Families with different energy levels may find this balance useful.

The time at Sandy Cay will be limited because the full outing lasts about three and a half hours. You are getting several short experiences, not a full beach day. If your main goal is to spend hours lounging on sand, a dedicated beach excursion would suit you better.

What the $145 price really covers

At $145 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water in Nassau. But the price includes several items that can add up separately: the powerboat ride, captain, guide, snorkeling equipment, bottled water, and soda.

The strongest value comes from the range of stops. In one half-day, you get reef snorkeling, pigs, turtles, a beach, and a boat ride between islands. That saves you from arranging separate transport or choosing just one activity.

The small-group setup also matters. A maximum of about 14 to 15 people allows for more direct contact with the crew than a large sightseeing boat. The available feedback places strong emphasis on the crew’s friendliness and patience, with Captain J and his partner receiving particular praise.

Still, the price does not include lunch. You should budget for that separately or eat before departure. You are paying for access to several locations and the boat operation, not a full-day package with meals.

The value is best for someone who wants variety. If you only want to snorkel, a snorkeling-only trip could cost less. If you want pigs, turtles, a beach, and reef time in one booking, $145 is easier to justify.

The crew and the feel onboard

The crew appears to be one of the strongest parts of the outing. Captain J and his partner are described as friendly, welcoming, and patient. That matters on a boat where the day includes several activities and some passengers may need extra help with snorkeling equipment or getting comfortable in the water.

Music is also played onboard, adding a casual, festive feel between stops. This is not a quiet nature cruise. You should expect a social boat ride with conversation, music, and changing scenery.

The smaller boat creates a more personal setting, but it also means less room than you would find on a large catamaran. If you want space to spread out, a bigger vessel may feel easier. If you prefer a group where the crew can notice individual needs, the compact format is a plus.

Be clear about water safety before joining any optional activity. One person described being flipped from a banana boat and feeling frightened because a companion was not a strong swimmer. The practical lesson is simple: ask for a life jacket before any towable ride, and tell the crew if you are nervous or not a confident swimmer.

Who should book this Bahamas excursion

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a busy half-day with several different stops. It suits couples, families, and small groups who would rather sample reef, wildlife, and beaches than spend the whole day in one place.

It is also a good match for visitors who value a smaller boat and direct crew attention. The included equipment and drinks make packing easier, while the restroom solves a common problem on short boat trips.

You may want to skip it if you dislike fast boat rides, get seasick easily, or need a long, unhurried beach visit. The schedule covers a lot in about three and a half hours, so each stop has a defined window.

Swimming ability matters, but you do not need to be an expert snorkeler to enjoy the outing. Most people can participate, yet you should be honest with the crew about your comfort in the water. Ask questions before entering, and use a life jacket when appropriate.

The tour is also weather dependent. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not met. For your own plans, avoid placing this activity on the last possible day of a short visit if seeing the pigs and turtles is essential.

Booking, meeting point, and cancellation details

The activity begins and ends at Paradise Island Ferry Terminal on Paradise Beach Drive. It is near public transportation, and the mobile ticket makes the booking easy to keep on your phone.

Confirmation is provided at booking. Because several operators gather near the terminal, arrive with the Secret Cays name in mind and check the boat before boarding.

You can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. Cutoff times follow local Bahamas time.

Should you book the Secret Cays trip?

Book it if you want the most variety possible from a short Nassau boat outing. The combination of Rose Island snorkeling, swimming pigs, Green Cay turtles, Sandy Cay, included drinks, and a small powerboat is a strong package for $145.

I would be especially comfortable recommending it to families and couples who want an active day but do not want to spend six or eight hours on the water. Just plan for no lunch, confirm the exact group size, find the Secret Cays boat carefully at the terminal, and take water safety seriously.

Skip it if your priority is a long beach stay, a quiet sailing trip, or a guaranteed wildlife encounter. For everyone else, this is a lively and well-rounded way to see several sides of the Bahamas in one morning or afternoon.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts at Paradise Island Ferry Terminal on Paradise Beach Drive in The Bahamas. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the activity last?

The experience lasts approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes.

What activities are included?

You snorkel near Rose Island, meet and interact with swimming pigs, view turtles near Green Cay, and spend time at Sandy Cay. The trip also includes the powerboat ride between stops.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the price.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water and soda are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The published details give a maximum of 14 to 15 people. Confirm the exact capacity when booking because both numbers are provided.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

How late can I cancel for a full refund?

You must cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time to receive a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.