Sandy Toes The Original Rose Island and Swimming Pigs Tour

The main draw here is simple: you get a boat ride to Rose Island, a lovely beach day, and time with rescued swimming pigs in one neatly planned outing. The pigs are friendly, clean, vet-checked, and brought out regularly for interaction, but the day is also about snorkeling, hammocks, lunch, and warm Bahamian water.

I like the easy mix of activities and the way the tour keeps safety in view, especially during the guided snorkeling session. I also like that the full Bahamian lunch, standard drinks, snorkel gear, and round-trip boat ride are included. The main caution is the price, $258 per person, and the fact that the day depends heavily on warm weather and your interest in beach time.

Key points to know

• Rescued pigs come out regularly: The pigs are brought out about every 30 minutes, giving you several chances to see and swim with them.
• Rose Island is the real setting: This is not only a quick animal photo stop. You also get a private beach, hammocks, snorkeling, and free time.
• Lunch and standard drinks are included: Expect barbecue chicken, hot dogs, salads, pasta salad, lemonade, and an open bar.
• The boat ride is short and scenic: The crossing from Paradise Island takes roughly 20 to 30 minutes, depending on conditions.
• Check-in is strict: Arrive at 9:15 a.m. at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal. Check-in closes at 9:45 a.m.
• The tour suits families well: Children, adults, and older family members can choose different levels of activity, though there are stairs around the island.

Rose Island, pigs, and a proper beach day

Sandy Toes works best if you think of it as a full private-island outing with pigs added to the schedule, not as a short animal encounter. You leave Nassau by boat, spend about six hours around Rose Island, and return to the same ferry terminal in the afternoon.

That difference matters. If you want two hours of swimming with pigs and little else, this may feel long. If you want a relaxed island day with several choices, the length gives you room to set your own pace.

The island setting is the heart of the experience. You can sit under palms, stretch out in a hammock, swim from the beach, join a snorkel group, or visit the animal area. The schedule has enough variety for a family where one person wants the water and another would rather read, eat, and enjoy the view.

Getting to the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal

You must make your own way to the departure point. The meeting place is the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal on Paradise Beach Drive, between the two bridges on Paradise Island.

The check-in rule deserves attention. Sandy Toes asks you to arrive at 9:15 a.m. for a 9:30 departure, and check-in closes at 9:45. Anyone who has not checked in by 9:50 forfeits the seat and faces the full cancellation charge. Build in extra time for crossing Paradise Island, finding the terminal, and sorting out the correct boat.

Bring the same photo ID that matches the payment method used for the booking. You should also bring a towel and a Visa or Mastercard for optional purchases. Cash or other cards may not work for those extras.

The ferry terminal can have several operators and pickup groups in the same area. Go straight to the Sandy Toes check-in point and confirm the name before boarding. That small step can save confusion at the start of the morning.

The short boat ride to Rose Island

Once aboard, you can watch Nassau recede as the boat heads toward Rose Island. The ride generally takes around 20 to 30 minutes, so you are not sacrificing half the day to transportation.

The crossing is part of the pleasure of the outing. You get open water, changing views, and a clear sense that you are leaving the built-up part of Nassau behind. Conditions can affect the ride, so anyone prone to seasickness should choose a steady seat and keep the weather in mind.

The mood on board varies with the crew and the day. Captain Steve is noted for playing classic rock during the crossing, rather than loud or vulgar music. Standard alcoholic drinks are included, along with the open-bar service at the island. Premium liquor, imported beer, and frozen cocktails cost extra, with a premium upgrade listed at $29.

Free time on Rose Island

Rose Island gives the tour its breathing room. After arrival, you are not pushed from one timed activity to the next. You can choose the beach, water, wildlife area, snorkeling, or a hammock.

The white-sand beach is the strongest part of the setting. You can swim in clear water, sunbathe, and spend a quiet stretch under the palms. The private setting also makes this feel different from a beach stop in central Nassau, where you may be sharing the shore with many unrelated day visitors.

There are hammocks and a palm-shaded deck, but shade is not unlimited. If you need a covered place for much of the afternoon, arrive early to claim a comfortable spot or plan to move between the deck and the beach. One important practical detail is that there are a lot of stairs around the property, though they are described as manageable.

This is also where the tour can feel slow for someone who does not swim, snorkel, drink, or enjoy sitting by the sea. One four-star? No, one particularly critical two-star assessment found four hours of free time tiring, with limited shade and uncomfortable beach chairs. That is a fair warning. The tour offers choices, but it does not fill every minute with organized entertainment.

Meeting the pigs and other rescued animals

The animal sanctuary includes royal peacocks, curly tail lizards, and farm-rescued pigs. The pigs are the headline attraction, and you can enter the water with them when conditions and timing allow.

The pigs are domesticated and trained, not wild animals wandering freely across an untouched island. They are brought out at regular intervals, often about every half hour, for interaction. That makes the experience more predictable, and it gives you another chance if the first visit is crowded or the water feels too cool.

The pigs are described as clean, well cared for, and vet-checked. The crew also manages the interaction, which matters when children are involved. You should still follow staff instructions, give the animals room, and expect the encounter to be structured rather than completely spontaneous.

If you are hoping for a private, quiet animal meeting, the regular group schedule may feel a little staged. If you want an unusual family activity with clear supervision, the setup works well. Children tend to get the most out of this part, while adults often appreciate the chance to take photos and watch the pigs swim.

The sanctuary adds value because it gives you something to see when you are not in the water. Peacocks and curly tail lizards are a small part of the visit, but they make the island more than a beach and bar stop.

Snorkeling in clear water

Snorkeling is included as an option, and the tour provides mask, fins, and a vest with a refundable $10 deposit per person. You can join a group snorkel session rather than figuring out the water alone.

That guided approach helps people who are nervous in the sea. Safety precautions are used during the group snorkeling activity, and one family account found the session suitable even for someone who was afraid of the water. You may see tropical fish, and some outings have included sea turtles and colorful fish.

Conditions can change. The water may be too cool in December for some people, even though other days in the same season can feel comfortable. This is one reason not to book the tour only for snorkeling. Treat it as one part of a larger beach day, with the pigs, food, boat ride, and scenery still available if you do not stay in the water long.

Bring your own towel. The tour provides the snorkel equipment, but the $10 deposit needs to be paid and reclaimed according to the operator’s procedure. Kayaks and floats are not included, so do not assume you can use those without an extra charge.

Bahamian lunch with lemonade and drinks

Lunch is served buffet-style in a pavilion overlooking the harbor. The listed meal includes barbecue chicken, hot dogs, mixed green salad, and vegetable pasta salad, with complimentary lemonade during lunch.

The menu is practical rather than fancy. That is a good fit for a beach day because you can choose a filling plate and return to the water or shade without a long restaurant stop. The chicken receives especially warm praise, while the salads give you lighter options.

The open bar includes standard alcoholic drinks. Premium liquor, imported beers, and frozen cocktails are not part of the basic price. Drink quality can depend on what you choose and who is serving, so I would treat the bar as a useful inclusion rather than the main reason to book.

The pavilion view makes lunch feel like part of the island setting instead of a meal in a generic excursion room. After eating, you can return to the beach, sit on the deck, or settle into a hammock beneath a palm tree.

Is $258 a fair price?

At $258 per person, this is not a bargain beach transfer. You are paying for a boat ride, a six-hour Rose Island visit, the animal sanctuary, pig interaction, snorkeling equipment, lunch, lemonade, standard alcoholic drinks, a guide, and the convenience of having those pieces arranged together.

The value improves if you plan to use several parts of the day. A family that snorkels, swims with the pigs, eats lunch, and spends time on the beach is getting a full outing rather than a single attraction. The price also covers the structure and supervision that can make a day easier in an unfamiliar place.

The value is weaker if you only want a short pig encounter or if you dislike long periods of unplanned beach time. Someone who does not drink, cannot use the water, and prefers active sightseeing may feel the cost is high for a beach day with a few scheduled moments.

For comparison, think about what you would need to arrange separately: transportation to the island, a private beach, food, drinks, snorkeling gear, animal access, and a boat back to Nassau. Sandy Toes puts those pieces in one package, but the package only pays off when you actually use them.

Timing, weather, and who should book

The advertised duration is about six hours, with departure at 9:30 a.m. and a return around mid-afternoon. That makes this a practical choice for a full morning and early afternoon, but it is not a quick port excursion.

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, the amount paid is not refunded, and changes are not accepted.

I would choose this for families, couples, and mixed-age groups who want different ways to enjoy one place. Children can focus on the pigs, adults can snorkel or use the bar, and less active family members can stay near the pavilion or beach.

I would be more cautious if you are visiting in a cooler month and dislike cold water. December can feel chilly, and the pigs may not be the only ones reluctant to swim. I would also think twice if you need abundant shade, polished loungers, or a tightly packed sightseeing schedule.

The tour accepts most people, and the maximum group size is 75. That is small enough to keep the day organized, though it is not an intimate private charter.

Should you book Sandy Toes?

Book it if you want a complete Rose Island day, not just a pig photo. The strongest reasons are the well-cared-for animals, the clean beach, the friendly crew, included lunch, snorkeling, and the ease of having transport and meals handled together.

Skip it if $258 feels too high for a beach outing, if you expect wild pigs in a completely natural setting, or if four hours of flexible island time sounds dull. Also check the forecast before you go, especially in a cooler season.

For the right visitor, Sandy Toes offers a rare combination: a short boat escape from Nassau, a private beach, rescued animals, and enough free time to choose your own pace. Arrive early, bring a towel, and plan to use more than one part of the island. That is how the price makes the most sense.

FAQ

Where does the Sandy Toes tour depart?

The tour departs from the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal on Paradise Beach Drive, between the two bridges on Paradise Island. You must make your own way there.

What time should I arrive?

Check-in is at 9:15 a.m. for the 9:30 a.m. departure. Check-in closes at 9:45 a.m., and anyone not checked in by 9:50 a.m. forfeits the seat and may be charged the full cancellation fee.

How long is the excursion?

The experience lasts about six hours. It returns to the same Paradise Island Ferry Terminal where it begins.

Are the pigs included in the tour?

Yes. Swimming pig interaction is included, and you can visit the rescued, vet-checked pigs at the island sanctuary.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Mask, fins, and a vest are available with a refundable $10 deposit per person. Kayaks and floats are not included.

What food and drinks are included?

The buffet includes barbecue chicken, hot dogs, mixed green salad, and vegetable pasta salad. Lemonade is included with lunch, along with standard alcoholic drinks. Premium liquor, imported beers, and frozen cocktails cost extra.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes during that period are not accepted. If poor weather cancels the tour, you are offered another date or a full refund.