Private Eleuthera Island: Swim With Pigs, Turtles & Stingrays

The headline attraction is a full day of swimming with pigs, turtles, and stingrays across Eleuthera and nearby islands. You leave Nassau by boat, visit Pig Beach, explore Spanish Wells, ride a golf cart around Harbour Island, spend time at Pink Sands Beach, and finish at a Royal Island sandbar.

I like the private format, since your group sets the pace instead of sharing a crowded boat with strangers. I also like the mix of animals, beach time, and open-water cruising. The main drawback is the $8,500 group price, which is hard to justify for a small party but more sensible when split among 10 to 15 people.

Key points at a glance

• A full eight-hour private charter: Your group of up to 15 has the boat to itself for the day.
• Several different stops: The route includes Pig Beach, Spanish Wells, Pink Sands Beach, Royal Island, and the return to Nassau.
• A famous animal encounter: You can swim near free-roaming pigs and look for turtles and stingrays in the water.
• Harbour Island by golf cart: The Pink Sands Beach stop includes a golf-cart ride through the island streets.
• Food and drinks onboard: Snacks, bottled water, soda, and alcoholic drinks for adults are included.
• Weather matters: The trip depends on good conditions, with a different date or full refund offered if weather cancels it.

Leaving Nassau for Eleuthera by private boat

The day begins with an hour-long boat ride from Nassau toward Eleuthera. That crossing is not just transport. It gives you open views of the Bahamian water and a calm start before the busier parts of the day.

A private boat makes the crossing more comfortable for a group that wants time together. You can talk, take in the scenery, and settle into the pace of the trip without following a large excursion crowd. Snacks, bottled water, soda, and alcoholic drinks are available onboard, and there is a restroom, which matters on an eight-hour outing.

The ride can also be the least predictable part of the day. The trip requires good weather, and a boat crossing depends on conditions more than a land-based tour does. Bring sun protection and expect a day spent outdoors. You should also think carefully about how your group handles a long boat ride before committing to the full charter.

The experience is listed for up to 15 people, so the value depends heavily on your party size. At the full $8,500 price, the cost works out to about $567 per person for 15 people. For six people, it is about $1,417 each. That makes this a premium private outing, not a casual budget excursion.

Pig Beach and the playful first stop

Pig Beach is one of the most unusual stops on the route. The pigs live freely on a secluded beach and are known for coming into the water. You get time here to watch them, feed them, and enter the water near them.

The charm is simple. The pigs are curious, well fed, and entertaining, so this stop has an easy appeal for families and groups of friends. It also gives you photographs and a story that is quite different from an ordinary beach day.

Keep your expectations sensible. This is an animal encounter in a natural setting, not a staged show with a guaranteed routine. The pigs may be active, curious, or more interested in food than swimming at any given moment. You should follow the crew’s directions around the animals and avoid treating the stop like a petting zoo.

The hour scheduled here is useful. It gives you time to see the pigs without making the entire day about one attraction. If you want a quiet beach stop, this may feel lively and a little messy. If your group enjoys unusual encounters and plenty of laughter, it is likely to be one of the most memorable parts.

Spanish Wells and time in the water

The Spanish Wells stop lasts about an hour and a half. This part of the outing focuses on sea life, especially turtles, with snorkeling gear provided as part of the charter.

Eleuthera is home to green sea turtles, loggerhead turtles, and hawksbill turtles. Seeing them in their own surroundings gives the stop more appeal than a quick photo opportunity. You can look through clear water and watch for turtles moving through the area, while the itinerary also includes the chance to see stingrays.

The exact animal activity cannot be guaranteed. Sea life moves freely, and conditions affect visibility. Still, the combination of turtles, stingrays, and snorkeling gives this stop real substance. You are not simply riding from one beach to another. You have time to spend in the water and observe marine life.

Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from bringing your own mask and fins. You should still pack anything you need for comfort after snorkeling, such as a towel and a dry change of clothes, since those items are not listed among the inclusions.

The crew’s role matters here. The supplied information does not name the captain or crew, but the charter is described as having a friendly and entertaining team. That is useful on a private boat, since the crew shapes the mood, helps with equipment, and guides the day from one stop to the next.

Pink Sands Beach and Harbour Island by golf cart

Pink Sands Beach receives about two hours, making it the longest stop on land. After docking at the marina, you take a golf cart through Harbour Island’s streets to reach the beach area.

The golf cart adds a pleasant change of pace after the boat and water stops. Instead of stepping off the boat directly onto a beach and turning around, you get a short look at the island streets along the way. It also makes the beach visit feel like a small island tour rather than a single photo stop.

The sand is the main attraction here. Pink Sands Beach is known for its unusual color and broad Caribbean setting, giving you time to relax, take photographs, and enjoy the shore after the morning’s animal encounters.

Two hours is enough to slow down. You can swim, sit in the sun, or simply recover from the active snorkeling portions. If your group has young children or anyone who prefers calm scenery to water activities, this is the stop that gives them breathing room.

The tradeoff is that the beach portion may feel short if you want a full day of lounging. The route covers several places, so this is a varied island circuit rather than a resort-style beach day. You are paying for the range of experiences, not for hours on one stretch of sand.

Royal Island’s sandbar and wooden swings

Royal Island provides another change of scenery. The stop centers on a sandbar where clear water meets soft sand, with wooden swings set in the shallow area.

This is a good place to pause after the more active stops. The swings offer a simple photo moment, while the sandbar gives you space to wade, relax, and enjoy the water. It is the kind of stop that works well for a group because people can spread out and choose their own pace.

The visit lasts about an hour, so you should see it as a scenic break rather than a full beach stay. Sandbars also depend on water and weather conditions, and the experience may feel different with changing tides. The important appeal is the combination of shallow water, open views, and a quieter final stop before the ride back.

Some trip details describe stops around Eleuthera and Harbour Island, while past outings have also included Rose Island and a stop for food and karaoke. Do not assume those extras are part of every departure. The core route provided here names Royal Island, and the listed inclusions cover snacks and drinks rather than a restaurant meal.

Why the private format changes the day

The private setup is the strongest reason to choose this charter over a standard group excursion. Only your group participates, with a maximum of 15 people. That gives you more control over how long you spend taking photographs, swimming, or relaxing.

A private trip also suits mixed groups. One person can enjoy the pigs, another can focus on snorkeling, and someone else can make better use of the beach time. You do not have to match the interests of a large boatload of strangers.

The format is especially useful for families, couples traveling with friends, and birthday or reunion groups. You can share drinks onboard, keep the mood informal, and make the day feel like a private island outing rather than a packaged transfer.

There is a limit to that flexibility. The experience still follows a long route with planned stops, and the full group must be ready to move on. A private boat does not mean every part of the schedule is entirely open ended. It means you have more personal space and a more tailored feel within the day’s route.

What is included, and what you should bring

The charter includes snorkeling equipment, snacks, bottled water, soda, alcoholic beverages for adults, and an onboard restroom. Alcohol is not served to minors.

Those inclusions improve the value of a long day on the water. You do not need to arrange drinks for the boat, and the restroom is a practical comfort during the crossing between Nassau and Eleuthera. The included snorkel equipment also keeps the planning simple.

You should bring the personal items that are not listed:

• Sun protection
• Swimwear
• A towel
• Dry clothes for the ride home
• Any personal medication you need
• A phone or camera with suitable protection from water

Confirmation is provided at booking, and mobile tickets are supported. Service animals are allowed, and the activity is described as suitable for most participants. It is also near public transportation, though the supplied details do not specify a particular meeting point or transfer service.

Who gets the best value from $8,500

This tour makes the most financial sense for a large group. At 15 people, the cost spreads across the party and buys a full private day with transportation, drinks, equipment, crew, and several major stops. At two or four people, the per-person figure becomes much harder to defend unless privacy and convenience are your top priorities.

The price also reflects the distance and variety. You are not booking one short boat ride to one beach. The day includes the crossing from Nassau, animal encounters, snorkeling, Harbour Island, Pink Sands Beach, and Royal Island.

I would choose this for a group that wants one major Bahamian outing without coordinating several separate bookings. It is also a good fit if your group values privacy and wants the freedom to enjoy the day together.

I would hesitate if your main goal is simply a quiet beach and a low price. A less expensive shared trip or a shorter local boat outing may suit you better, though it would not offer the same private route or combination of stops.

Practical limits to consider before booking

The weather policy deserves attention. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. If you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time, you receive a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

That rule is reasonable for a boat-based day, but it means you should avoid booking this as the one fixed activity that cannot move. Leave room in your schedule if possible, especially when your trip depends on a particular weather window.

The activity lasts about eight hours, so you should be comfortable with a full day that combines open-water travel, swimming, beach time, and several transfers. Most people can participate, but the supplied details do not give specific information about boat access, boarding steps, or assistance for mobility limitations. Ask the provider directly if anyone in your group needs those details.

Should you book Delfincharters?

Book it if you have a large group and want a full private day built around unusual animal encounters, snorkeling, and famous beaches. The best features are the broad route, the private boat, the included refreshments, and the chance to mix active water time with slower stops at Pink Sands Beach and Royal Island.

Think twice if your party is small or if you mainly want inexpensive beach time. At $8,500 per group, the price needs to be shared widely to feel like a strong value.

For the right group, this is a memorable way to see several Bahamian settings in one day. Go in ready for weather changes, a long boat ride, and naturally unpredictable animals. That mindset will help you enjoy the pigs, turtles, stingrays, sandbar, and pink beach without expecting a perfectly staged show.

FAQ

How long is the private Eleuthera tour?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours, including the boat rides between Nassau and the island stops.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private charter is available for your group of up to 15 people.

Where does the tour begin?

The experience is based on New Providence Island, and the boat travels from Nassau to Eleuthera.

Is swimming with pigs included?

Yes. Pig Beach is one of the scheduled stops, with time to see and swim near the free-roaming pigs.

Can you snorkel with turtles and stingrays?

Yes. The route includes time in the water around Spanish Wells, where you may see turtles and stingrays in their natural surroundings.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included.

Is Pink Sands Beach part of the tour?

Yes. The itinerary includes about two hours at Pink Sands Beach, reached after docking and taking a golf cart through Harbour Island.

Are food and drinks included?

Snacks, bottled water, soda, and alcoholic beverages are included. Alcohol is not served to minors.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

Yes. An onboard restroom is included.

What happens if the weather cancels the tour?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if poor weather causes the experience to be canceled.