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

The swimming pigs are the headline, but the real appeal is the mix of pig encounter, beach time, and snorkeling in one fast boat outing. You feed the pigs in shallow water, then settle into a private beach setting with kayaks, paddleboards, hammocks, games, lunch, and drinks.

I like that the boat ride includes views of Nassau Harbor, Atlantis, Paradise Island, and nearby islands instead of treating the transfer as dead time. I also like the free photo and video package, since you can enjoy the water without asking one person in your group to spend the whole day behind a phone.

The main drawback is pace. The tour can last from 150 minutes to four hours, depending on the departure, and the itinerary packs in several activities. Snorkeling time may feel brief, and the beach can get busy when other groups arrive.

Key things to know before you book

• Swimming pigs near Athol Island: Feed, pet, and photograph the pigs in shallow, clear water with staff guidance.
• Speedboat sightseeing: The route passes Nassau Harbor, Atlantis, Paradise Island, Fort Montagu, and nearby cays.
• Private beach setup: Expect lounge chairs, hammocks, swings, floats, kayaks, paddleboards, and beach games.
• Food and drinks included: Lunch, snacks, soft drinks, and unlimited rum punch are part of the package.
• Snorkeling gear provided: The reef stop offers a chance to see tropical fish and marine life.
• Free photos and video: Staff take pictures during the day and send them for you to download.

Why this Nassau pig tour works so well

The Bahamas has several pig excursions, and they are not all alike. Some focus almost entirely on the boat ride and the animals. This one tries to give you a full beach day in a compact package.

You leave from the Bahamas Jet Boat headquarters at Elizabeth on Bay Marketplace and Marina. From Bay Street, look for the beige plaza with brown trim at Bay Street and Elizabeth Avenue. The boat is at the second corner on the left after Parliament Square when heading east. This location is close to the cruise port, and one recent visitor estimated the walk from the ship at about eight minutes.

That easy meeting point matters if you are in Nassau for only one day. You do not need to spend half your port call crossing the city. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so resort visitors need to arrange their own way to the marina.

The crew speaks English and gives a safety briefing before the water activities. Guides have been praised for keeping the mood lively without losing track of safety. Sterling, Captain Johnny, Kenny, and Teisha are among the crew members singled out by name in past feedback, though the staff on your departure may be different.

The speedboat ride from Nassau Harbor

The outing starts with a fast ride over New Providence’s turquoise water. You receive snacks and soft drinks as the guide points out sights and shares information about Nassau Harbor.

The route passes the cruise port, Nassau, Atlantis Bahamas, Paradise Island, Versailles Gardens and French Cloister, Fort Montagu, Sun Cay, Rose Island, Blue Lagoon Island, and other parts of New Providence. Some stops are simply viewed from the boat, but they give you a useful orientation to Nassau’s waterfront and nearby islands.

Atlantis is one of the more entertaining sights along the way. The boat may pass close enough for photos, and the guides have pointed out notable homes and island landmarks during the ride. You should think of this as a scenic introduction, not a formal city tour. The main destination is the private beach area, and the sightseeing comes between activity stops.

The speedboat is part of the fun, but it may not suit anyone who wants a slow, quiet cruise. The fast run helps keep the tour short and gets you to the pig beach quickly, which is useful when your time in port is limited. On the other hand, you should expect wind, spray, and a lively ride rather than a sedate sightseeing boat.

Meeting the swimming pigs

The pig encounter takes place in shallow water near Athol Island, at the private beach destination used for the upgraded experience. Staff introduce you to the animals and explain how to feed and approach them.

Food for the pigs is included. You can take turns feeding and petting them while staff help manage the interaction. The pigs are the obvious star for families and anyone checking off a bucket-list experience, but the practical details matter. Keep your hands clear when an eager pig comes toward the food, and listen when the guides explain where to stand.

The animals can be playful and surprisingly active. They may crowd around visitors, so this is not a quiet wildlife sighting. It is a managed encounter in shallow water, with people taking turns and staff watching the group.

The free photo service is especially useful here. Staff and photographers capture the pig feeding, beach time, and water activities, then send the images after the excursion. That gives you a better chance of appearing in your own vacation pictures instead of taking only selfies.

One point to keep in mind is crowding. Earlier departures may have a calmer feel, and past visitors have appreciated reaching the pig beach before larger boats. At other times, several groups may arrive close together, making it harder to get a clear picture or personal space with the pigs.

The private beach has more than a few chairs

After the pig encounter, you have time to use the beach facilities. This is where the tour earns much of its $140 price.

You can stretch out on golden sand, use a lounge chair or hammock, or cool off with a float. Swings, including a water swing, add easy photo opportunities. The beach includes volleyball, cornhole, frisbee, tug of war, giant Connect Four, and hatchet toss. Families can spread out among the games, while adults can ignore the organized fun and simply sit by the water.

Kayaks and paddleboards are included. They give you a way to explore the shoreline without paying extra. Individual and group floats are also available, and the beach setup is designed for people who want choices rather than one fixed activity.

Jet skis are available for an additional charge. They are not included in the $140 price, so ask about the current cost before committing. This is a useful option for a thrill-seeker in your group, but the tour already includes enough activities to keep most people occupied without adding another expense.

The beach experience is also a good reason to book this instead of a simple pig transfer. If one person in your family wants animals, another wants water sports, and someone else wants to lounge, the private beach lets everyone split up for a while and regroup later.

Lunch, rum punch, and realistic expectations

Lunch is included, along with snacks, soft drinks, and unlimited rum punch. The menu includes American favorites, Bahamian dishes, and vegan choices.

Food quality has received unusually strong praise for a boat and beach excursion. Some people found the meal generous, while one past visitor felt the portion was closer to a snack and advised eating beforehand. That difference may reflect the menu or serving on a particular departure, so I would not treat the included lunch as a reason to skip breakfast.

The sensible approach is simple: eat something before leaving if you have a large appetite, then enjoy the included meal as part of the day. Snacks and drinks are helpful on a fast boat outing, especially in the heat.

Unlimited rum punch sounds festive, but pace yourself. You are still riding on a boat, swimming, snorkeling, and spending time in the sun. Soft drinks are available if you prefer to stay clear-headed for the water activities.

Snorkeling at the coral reef

The final major activity is a stop at a reef system near the islands. Snorkeling equipment is provided, and you can use the gear to look for tropical fish and other marine life in clear water.

The reef stop can be excellent. Some departures have seen plenty of fish and called the snorkeling a highlight. Other people found their stop less impressive, with limited underwater activity or only about 25 minutes in the water. That variation is normal for a short reef visit, since visibility, weather, and the exact stopping point affect what you see.

I would treat snorkeling as an important bonus rather than the sole reason to book the tour. If your main goal is a long reef session, a dedicated snorkeling trip may give you more time. If you want a compact day that combines fish, pigs, beach time, food, and sightseeing, the reef stop rounds out the outing well.

Kayaks and paddleboards may also be available around the beach area, but the snorkeling stop is the main chance to see the underwater world with provided equipment. Listen carefully to the safety instructions and stay within the area marked by the crew.

How long the outing really takes

The advertised duration ranges from 150 minutes to four hours. Check the available departure when you book, because a two-and-a-half-hour outing will feel different from a full four-hour beach session.

The shorter format is one of this tour’s strengths. You can fit it into a cruise stop without giving up your entire day, and past visitors have chosen it specifically because they wanted to return to the ship early.

The tradeoff is that you may feel rushed if you try to do everything. Feeding the pigs, eating lunch, playing games, kayaking, swimming, taking photos, and snorkeling cannot all receive equal time on the shortest departure.

If you want a relaxed beach day, choose the longest available version. If your priority is the pigs and a quick snorkel, the shorter option may be enough. Build in time for the boat ride and return to the marina, especially if you have a fixed cruise departure.

The crew generally keeps the schedule moving. One past departure was delayed while waiting for people arriving from a ship, so arrive early and do not assume the boat can leave exactly on time if other passengers are still coming. The stated cancellation policy allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours ahead, and you can reserve now and pay later.

What $140 buys you

At $140 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach a beach. But the price includes transportation by boat, guides, the pig encounter, lunch, snacks, soft drinks, rum punch, snorkeling equipment, floats, kayaks, paddleboards, games, and professional photos and video.

You would pay separately for several of these pieces on a self-planned day. You would also need to arrange transport to a beach, find a pig encounter, rent water equipment, and decide how to photograph the experience. The bundled price saves planning time and reduces the risk of paying small add-on fees all day.

The value is strongest for families and groups with different interests. A child can focus on pigs and games, an adult can snorkel, and someone else can use a hammock without making separate bookings.

The value is weaker if you want a quiet, private boat charter or serious reef snorkeling. You are buying a social excursion with music, games, guides, and a fixed program. The word private refers to the beach setting and included amenities, not necessarily a boat reserved only for your party.

Who should book this experience

I would recommend it to families with children, first-time visitors to Nassau, cruise passengers, and groups that want a lot of activity in a limited time. It also works well for solo visitors because the staff keeps the group involved, and the games and guided activities make it easy to meet people.

The tour suits adults, too. The rum punch, beach setting, music, fast boat, and optional jet skis give it more range than a basic family outing. You can skip the games and spend your time swimming or resting.

I would be more cautious if you dislike speedboats, crowds, animals gathering around food, or a tightly timed schedule. The pig beach may feel busy, and the reef stop may not satisfy a serious snorkeler. Bad weather can also affect the experience, though the crew has shown a willingness to put safety first and adjust plans when needed.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, and a dry way to protect valuables. The tour provides gear, but your own towel and any personal medication are still sensible additions. Since the photos are sent later, you do not need to risk your phone during the pig encounter.

Should you book the Nassau swimming pigs tour?

Book it if you want the Bahamas in one lively package: a fast ride, swimming pigs, a pretty beach, reef snorkeling, lunch, drinks, and photos. The strongest value comes from the number of included activities and the short transfer from central Nassau.

Skip it if your ideal day means a nearly empty beach, a long uninterrupted snorkel, or a private charter. For everyone else, especially cruise passengers and families, this is a practical way to turn a few hours in Nassau into a full day of water-based fun. Choose the longest departure available if you want breathing room, and arrive early at the Elizabeth on Bay marina.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet in Nassau?

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

Is cruise port pickup included?

Cruise port pickup is included, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not. The meeting point is close to Nassau Cruise Port and can be reached on foot from the port.

How long does the tour last?

The listed duration ranges from 150 minutes to four hours. Check the available departure and duration when booking.

Are the pigs included in the price?

Yes. The pig encounter and food used to feed the pigs are included in the tour.

Is lunch included?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and the tour stops at a reef area with tropical fish and marine life.

Are kayaks and paddleboards included?

Yes. Kayaks and paddleboards are included, along with floats and beach games.

Do jet skis cost extra?

Yes. Jet skis are available to rent, but they are not included in the tour price.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The live tour guide service is offered in English.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve now and pay later option is also available.