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

The pigs are only the beginning. This Nassau boat trip packs a fast ride, a private beach, snorkeling, lunch, games, and free photos into one busy island outing. I especially like the close contact with the swimming pigs and the fact that snorkeling gear, food, drinks, and beach equipment are included. The main catch is the pace: with so much packed into 150 minutes to four hours, some parts may feel short.

I also like the easy access from Nassau’s cruise area and the cheerful crew, who keep the mood lively without leaving you to figure out the day alone. Just remember that jet skis cost extra, and the lunch portion may feel more like a light meal to some people.

Key things to know before you book

• Swimming pigs at Athol Island: Feed, pet, and photograph the famous pigs in shallow, clear water, with pig food provided.
• A fast Nassau sightseeing ride: The route passes Nassau Harbor, Atlantis, Paradise Island, Fort Montagu, Sun Cay, Rose Island, and Blue Lagoon Island.
• Private beach time included: Use lounge chairs, hammocks, swings, floats, kayaks, paddleboards, and beach games without extra charges.
• Snorkeling follows the pig encounter: The boat continues to a reef area where you can see tropical fish and marine life.
• Lunch and drinks are part of the price: You get a plated lunch, snacks, soft drinks, and unlimited rum punch.
• Free photo and video package: Crew members take photos during the outing and send the finished package after the tour.

From Elizabeth on Bay to the open water

Your meeting point is the Bahamas Jet Boat headquarters at Elizabeth on Bay Marketplace and Marina. It sits in the beige plaza with brown trim at the corner of Bay Street and Elizabeth Avenue, the second corner on the left after Parliament Square when you head east on Bay Street.

This location matters if you are coming from a cruise ship. One passenger estimated the walk from the port at about eight minutes, though you should leave enough time to find the marina and check in. The tour lists cruise port pickup, but hotel pickup and return are not included, so anyone staying away from the port should plan their own ride.

Once aboard, the boat becomes part sightseeing ride and part transport. You pass Nassau Harbor, the cruise port, Nassau, and Paradise Island, with views toward Atlantis and the grand homes along the shore. The crew also points out places such as Versailles Gardens and the French Cloister, Fort Montagu, and nearby islands.

The speedboat is useful here. It cuts down the time spent simply getting from Nassau to the beach, and several people especially liked the smooth, quick ride. You still feel the motion, so anyone sensitive to speed or open-water conditions should think about that before booking.

Snacks and soft drinks are available as you head out. The crew also shares details about Nassau and the harbor, giving the ride more purpose than a simple transfer. The music, jokes, and upbeat hosting are a big part of the mood, but you can expect a lively group outing rather than a quiet cruise.

Meeting the famous pigs at Athol Island

The main event is the pig encounter near Athol Island. In the shallow water, you can feed the pigs, pet them, and take photos while the crew helps you stay safe. Pig food is included, so you do not need to bring anything for the animals.

This is a very hands-on stop. The pigs are friendly and curious, and some visitors have even held piglets when conditions allowed. The guides give instructions so you know how to approach them and avoid getting stepped on. They also clean up quickly when needed, which is a small but useful sign of good care.

Bring a waterproof phone case if you want your own pictures, but you will not have to rely only on your camera. A photographer is part of the operation, and the free photo and video package is sent after the outing. That is a real value at a site where your hands may be busy feeding pigs and your phone may not be thrilled about salt water.

The timing can affect the experience. An earlier arrival may mean fewer other boats around, while later periods can become more crowded. One practical criticism is that a larger group can make it harder to get a clear photo or personal moment with the pigs. Still, the pig stop receives the strongest praise across the available feedback, and the crew appears to give you enough time rather than rushing everyone straight back onto the boat.

There is one thing to accept: this is an animal encounter in a busy beach setting, not a private meeting with a few pigs. The animals may be wet, muddy, and eager for food. That is part of the charm, but it may not suit someone seeking a polished, quiet nature experience.

A private beach with plenty to do

After the pig encounter, you get time at the private beach area. The setting is the classic Bahamas picture: golden sand, clear turquoise water, hammocks, lounge chairs, and swings. You can simply sit with a rum punch, or keep moving with the included activities.

The free beach equipment includes:

• Kayaks and paddleboards
• Individual and group floats
• Beach volleyball
• Cornhole and frisbee
• Tug of war
• Giant Connect Four
• Hatchet toss
• Water toys and floats
• Hammocks, swings, and lounge chairs

This range makes the stop work for mixed groups. A child can play a simple game, a parent can float or rest in a hammock, and a more active adult can paddle along the shore. Families with older children, especially, may find this better than a beach stop with nothing but chairs and sand.

The beach also has a relaxed side. You are not required to join every game, and there is room to slow down after the pig activity. Unlimited rum punch and complimentary soft drinks are served, along with snacks. The rum punch is repeatedly praised, but use some common sense in the sun. Alternate alcoholic drinks with water if water is available, and do not treat unlimited service as a race.

Jet skis are available for an additional charge. They are not included in the $140 price, so check the current rental cost before deciding. The listed activities already provide plenty to do, making the jet ski an optional extra rather than a missing part of the tour.

Lunch, snacks, and the value of the $140 price

At $140 per person, this is not a cheap beach transfer. It is a bundled day of transport, animal interaction, beach use, food, drinks, snorkeling, equipment, and photo service. The value improves if you plan to use several of those inclusions instead of spending the beach stop in a chair.

Lunch includes American favorites, Bahamian classics, and vegan choices. The meal is plated, which is a step up from only handing out packaged snacks. Food quality gets unusually strong praise for a boat outing, although one person found the portion closer to a snack and advised eating beforehand. Another found the serving generous.

My practical advice is simple: have a normal breakfast or light meal before departure, especially if you are active, sharing the day with teenagers, or booking a shorter departure. Snacks are included, but you should not assume lunch will satisfy every appetite.

The price also includes clean snorkeling equipment, floats, kayaks, paddleboards, games, lunch, soft drinks, rum punch, and the photo package. Paying separately for each of those could add up quickly in Nassau. The strongest value is for families and groups who want one organized booking rather than arranging a pig visit, beach pass, reef trip, food, and photographs on their own.

Reef snorkeling after the beach

The final water activity takes place at a reef area with tropical fish and other marine life. Snorkeling gear is supplied, and the stop is designed for a short look at the underwater world rather than a full-day reef expedition.

The quality can depend on the exact conditions and stop. Several people describe the snorkeling as excellent, with clear water and plenty of fish. One person found it only average, so I would not book this tour solely for a serious snorkeling program. Think of it as a valuable second activity after the pigs, not the main reason to choose the excursion.

The listed schedule and individual accounts suggest roughly 25 minutes in the water on at least some departures. That can be enough for a first snorkeling experience or a quick look at coral and fish, but it may feel brief to an experienced snorkeler.

You can also use a kayak in the water, depending on the day’s setup. The crew provides a safety briefing, and the tour keeps the equipment side simple. If you have never snorkeled before, the combination of provided gear, clear water, and a guided stop makes this less stressful than arranging it alone.

The return ride and Nassau views

After snorkeling, you cruise back toward Nassau Harbor. The return route can include more views of Paradise Island, Atlantis, Rose Island, Blue Lagoon Island, and New Providence. Some departures include an especially nice look at Atlantis and waterfront homes from the boat.

This sightseeing is a useful bonus. You get a sense of how Nassau’s resort areas, historic sites, private islands, and harbor fit together without spending another half-day on a land tour. The boat ride also gives you a chance to dry off and settle down after the water activities.

The whole experience can last from 150 minutes to four hours, so check the specific departure time and duration when booking. The difference matters. A shorter version is useful for cruise passengers who need to return to the ship early, while a longer version gives you more breathing room at the beach and reef.

One operational issue is that a departure may wait for late arrivals, including people coming from a ship. If you arrive early, you may still have a short wait while the group gathers. On the positive side, the tour has a record of starting on time in many cases, and the meeting point is close to the cruise port.

What the crew does well

The crew is one of the tour’s biggest strengths. Names praised in the feedback include Sterling, Captain Johnny, Kenny, and Teisha, although the exact crew depends on your departure. The strongest comments describe a team that is funny, energetic, respectful, and careful about safety.

That balance matters. A high-energy boat crew can make the ride fun, but it can also become tiring if the jokes and music never let up. Here, the overall impression is lively rather than careless. Guides help with the pigs, explain safety points, direct the snorkeling, and keep the schedule moving.

The professional photos also reduce pressure. Instead of asking one person in your group to remain dry and act as photographer, you can take part in the activities. The free package is particularly useful for solo visitors and families who want pictures of everyone together.

Who will enjoy this Nassau tour most

I would choose this experience for:

• Families with children or teenagers
• Cruise passengers wanting a short, active outing
• First-time visitors to Nassau
• Couples who want beach time plus a memorable animal encounter
• Solo visitors who prefer a guided group activity
• Groups that enjoy music, games, and social energy

It is less suited to you if you want a silent sailing trip, a long snorkeling session, or a completely private pig encounter. The tour combines several activities, so it favors variety over depth.

Wear swimwear, bring sun protection, and use a waterproof case for personal electronics. You should also be ready for a fast boat ride, wet feet, direct sun, and sand. The meeting point can be confusing on some map apps, so follow the plaza directions rather than relying only on Apple Maps.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. English is the tour language.

Should you book the swimming pigs and snorkeling tour?

Yes, if you want a lively Nassau day with several big-ticket activities handled in one booking. The pigs are the clear star, but the package earns its price through the private beach, reef snorkeling, lunch, drinks, equipment, games, and free photographs.

I would book it especially for a cruise stop, a family group, or a first visit to the Bahamas. I would hesitate only if your priority is long, serious snorkeling or a quiet beach day. For most people, the mix of cute pigs, clear water, fast boat views, and easy beach time makes this one of the stronger all-around choices at $140.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

Meet at Bahamas Jet Boat headquarters at Elizabeth on Bay Marketplace and Marina, at the corner of Bay Street and Elizabeth Avenue. The plaza has beige walls with brown trim and is the second corner on the left after Parliament Square when heading east on Bay Street.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Cruise port pickup is listed, but you should confirm the exact arrangement for your departure.

What is included in the $140 price?

The price includes the boat tour, guides, lunch, snacks, soft drinks, unlimited rum punch, snorkeling equipment, floats, beach games, hammocks, swings, kayaks, paddleboards, and volleyball equipment. A free photo and video package is also included.

Are jet skis included?

No. Jet skis are available to rent for an additional price.

Can I feed the swimming pigs?

Yes. Pig food is provided, and you can feed and pet the pigs in the shallow water. The crew gives safety instructions before the encounter.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and the boat visits a reef area with tropical fish and marine life.

How long does the tour last?

The stated duration ranges from 150 minutes to four hours. Check the available departure details because the length can vary.