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

The swimming pigs are the headline, but this Nassau excursion gives you much more than a quick animal photo stop. You ride a fast, clean boat through the harbor and turquoise water, reach a private beach near Athol Island, feed pigs in the shallows, eat lunch, and finish with snorkeling over a reef.

I like the strong mix of activities and the way the crew keeps the day moving without making it feel like a race. I also like the free photo and video package, since you can enjoy the pigs and water instead of guarding your phone. The main consideration is time: the trip lasts anywhere from 150 minutes to four hours, and some departures can feel busy around the pigs or brief at the snorkeling stop.

Key points to know before booking

• Pig time is the main event: Feed, pet, and photograph the pigs in clear, shallow water near the private beach.
• The boat ride is part of the sightseeing: You pass Nassau Harbor, Paradise Island, Atlantis, Fort Montagu, and nearby islands.
• Your beach day is well supplied: Lunch, snacks, soft drinks, unlimited rum punch, chairs, hammocks, floats, and games are included.
• Water activities go beyond snorkeling: Kayaks, paddleboards, floats, and beach games are available at no extra charge.
• Jet skis cost extra: They are offered on the island but are not part of the $140 price.
• Cruise passengers can make this work: The meeting point is close to the port, though you need to find the boat inside Elizabeth on Bay Marketplace and Marina.

The Nassau departure begins with harbor views

The meeting point is Bahamas Jet Boat headquarters at Elizabeth on Bay Marketplace and Marina. If you walk east on Bay Street, look for the beige plaza with brown trim at the corner of Bay Street and Elisabeth Avenue. The boat is at the second corner on the left after Parliament Square.

This detail matters because map apps have sent some people to the wrong spot. The headquarters is inside the plaza, not simply at a pin on Bay Street. From the cruise port, the walk has been described as roughly eight minutes, though you should allow extra time to find the correct entrance and check in.

Once aboard, you cruise past Nassau Cruise Port and along the harbor. The route includes views of Nassau, Paradise Island, Atlantis Bahamas, Versailles Gardens and the French Cloister, Fort Montagu, Sun Cay, and nearby homes and shoreline. Guides point out sights along the way, and the return route may include more views of Atlantis and the islands.

I like this start because the ride is not just transportation. You get a short orientation to Nassau from the water, with snacks, soft drinks, and light refreshments available. The speedboat also gets you to the activity area faster than a slower sightseeing boat, which is useful if you want several experiences in one outing.

The fast ride is part of the fun, but it is still a boat ride in open water. If you are sensitive to motion, sit where the crew recommends and follow the safety briefing. The tour is designed to keep moving, so late arrivals can affect the schedule. One person reported waiting for cruise passengers who arrived after the planned departure time, a good reason to arrive early.

Meeting the swimming pigs near Athol Island

The boat heads toward Athol Island and the private beach area. The exact order can vary, but the pig encounter is the emotional center of the trip. You enter shallow, clear water, receive food for the pigs, and take turns feeding and petting them.

The pigs are accustomed to visitors, but they are still pigs: excited, hungry, and not especially delicate. Guides explain how to hold the food and where to stand so you do not get knocked by an eager animal. Their practical warnings about feet and personal space are useful, especially for children.

You may see adult pigs and, depending on the day, younger piglets. Several people especially enjoyed holding or seeing baby pigs. The staff also keep an eye on the area and clean up quickly when needed, which helps keep the beach pleasant.

I recommend putting your phone away at least part of the time. The crew takes photos and video during the encounter, and the package is included at no extra charge. That lets you focus on the animal interaction instead of trying to manage a waterproof case, food cup, and excited children all at once.

The pig stop can become crowded when several groups arrive together. One useful advantage of an early departure is the chance of reaching the beach before larger boats. At busier times, you may need patience while groups take turns feeding the pigs and posing for photos.

A private beach with room to choose your own pace

After the pig encounter, the day shifts into a beach break. You can claim a lounge chair or hammock, sit on the golden sand, or head back into the turquoise water. This is where the tour works well for mixed groups. One person can relax while another plays volleyball, uses a kayak, or joins a group game.

The included beach activities may include:

• Kayaks and paddleboards
• Individual and group floats
• Volleyball
• Cornhole
• Frisbee
• Tug of war
• Giant Connect Four
• Hatchet toss
• Water toys and floaties
• Hammocks, swings, and lounge chairs

The setting is not simply a photo backdrop. You get a genuine block of free time to use the facilities at your own speed. Families with teenagers can split up without needing to arrange separate activities, while adults can sit with a drink and watch the water.

The staff serve snacks, soft drinks, and unlimited rum punch during the beach portion. The drinks are a pleasant part of the price, but remember that rum punch is alcohol. If you plan to kayak, paddleboard, snorkel, or use any other water equipment, pace yourself and choose a soft drink when needed.

Jet skis are available for an additional fee. That option is useful for people who want a motorized thrill, but it changes the cost calculation. At $140 per person, the base tour already includes plenty, yet jet ski rentals can quickly push the total higher.

Lunch, snacks, and the real value of the package

Lunch is included and features American favorites, Bahamian dishes, and vegan choices. The food receives mixed impressions in the supplied experiences: some people found the meal surprisingly good and generous, while one person felt the portion was closer to a snack and advised eating beforehand.

That difference may reflect appetite, menu choice, or the day’s serving. I would treat lunch as a useful included meal rather than the sole reason to book. If you tend to get hungry after swimming, bring your own expectations in line and enjoy the snacks provided along the way.

The package has good practical value because so many small costs are covered. You do not need to rent snorkeling gear, pay separately for a beach chair, buy soft drinks, or arrange a photo package. Kayaks, paddleboards, floats, and games are also included.

At $140 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a few hours in Nassau. It becomes a better deal if you plan to use several parts of the day: pigs, lunch, reef snorkeling, beach time, drinks, and photos. If you only want to see pigs and take a quick picture, a simpler pig excursion may cost less and suit you better.

Snorkeling over a Bahamian reef

After the beach and pig activities, you return to the boat and head to a reef system. The crew supplies snorkeling equipment, and you get time to swim among tropical fish and marine life. Some people found the snorkeling spectacular, with clear water and many fish. Another person found the stop only average, so conditions and expectations matter.

One account put the snorkeling time at about 25 minutes. That is enough for a good look around, but it is not a full reef expedition. The stop works best as the second water activity of the day, after the pigs and beach, rather than as a dedicated snorkeling charter.

If you are new to snorkeling, listen carefully during the safety briefing and stay within the area set by the guides. The crew has been praised for keeping safety in view, including on days when the weather was less than perfect. The provided gear also saves you from packing your own mask and fins.

You might prefer the kayak or paddleboard if snorkeling is not your thing. The tour gives you several ways to enjoy the water, which is a real advantage for a group with different interests. You can also simply float, swim, or return to the boat when you have had enough.

What the crew adds to the experience

The mood is lively. Music, jokes, and encouragement are part of the boat and beach atmosphere, rather than quiet guided sightseeing. Names that have come up positively include Sterling, Kenny, Teisha, and Captain Johnny, though the exact crew depends on the departure.

Sterling has been praised for guiding and storytelling, while Kenny and Teisha have been described as energetic and welcoming. Captain Johnny has also been singled out for a strong boat experience. The important point is not any single personality, but the active role the staff play in keeping people informed, safe, and involved.

The crew also handles practical tasks that improve the day. They explain how to approach the pigs, provide equipment, take photos, serve drinks, and help with transfers after the tour when needed. That level of hands-on help is especially useful if you are visiting Nassau for only one cruise stop.

The lively style will not suit everyone. If you want a quiet, private boat ride with little narration or music, this is probably not your ideal outing. If you enjoy an upbeat group atmosphere, it adds energy to what could otherwise be a series of short stops.

Timing, group size, and who should book

The stated duration ranges from 150 minutes to four hours. Check the departure option carefully, since a shorter version will naturally give you less beach time, water time, or flexibility. The tour is built for people who want a lot packed into one half-day rather than long, unstructured time at one beach.

Families are a strong match. Children can feed pigs, play games, swim, use floats, and try water equipment. Teenagers have more to do than simply sit on the sand, and adults can choose a hammock, rum punch, snorkeling, or a beach game.

Solo visitors and adult groups can also enjoy it. One solo participant found the staff and activities made it easy to have a good time alone. The free photos are particularly useful if you are traveling without someone to take pictures.

The tour also suits cruise passengers because the meeting point is near the port and the outing can fit into a port day. Still, do not cut the timing close. Your ship schedule, meeting time, walking route, and return to the port all need a margin.

Crowding is the main group-size issue. Some departures reach the pigs before larger boats and feel pleasantly manageable. Other times, several groups may be in the water together, making it harder to get a clear photo or personal moment with each pig.

Practical booking advice for Nassau

Bring swimwear, sun protection, and a change of clothes. You will be around water for most of the outing, and the boat ride, pig encounter, swimming, and snorkeling can leave you wet well before the return to Nassau.

Arrive early at the Elizabeth on Bay Marketplace and Marina meeting point. Check the plaza carefully, and do not rely only on Apple Maps. If you are coming from a cruise ship, allow time to leave the port area, walk to Bay Street, and locate the headquarters.

English is the tour language. The experience includes a live guide, safety instructions, food, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and beach gear. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to and from the meeting point.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those options help if your Nassau schedule is still shifting, but you should still confirm the exact starting time and duration before booking.

Should you book this swimming pigs tour?

Book it if you want a lively, efficient Nassau outing that combines animals, a speedboat ride, beach time, food, snorkeling, and photos. The strongest value comes from using the full package, not simply stopping for the pigs.

I would especially recommend it to families, cruise passengers, first-time visitors to Nassau, and groups with different ideas of fun. You get enough variety that one person can snorkel while another plays volleyball or rests in a hammock.

Think twice if you want a quiet beach day, a long reef snorkeling session, or a small private charter. Crowds can gather at the pig stop, the snorkeling window may be fairly short, and jet skis cost extra.

For most people, the $140 price is reasonable because it covers the boat, lunch, drinks, equipment, activities, and professional photos. Just arrive early, confirm your tour length, and treat the pig encounter as the main attraction with snorkeling and beach time as valuable bonuses.

FAQ

How much does the swimming pigs tour cost?

The tour costs $140 per person.

How long does the experience last?

The duration ranges from 150 minutes to four hours. Check the available departure option for the exact length.

Where does the tour meet?

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

Is pickup from the cruise port included?

Cruise port pickup is included in the tour information. The meeting point is also close to Nassau Cruise Port, and one description places the walk at about eight minutes.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. The package includes lunch, snacks, soft drinks, and unlimited rum punch. Lunch offers American favorites, Bahamian dishes, and vegan options.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with kayaks, paddleboards, floats, and beach games.

Are jet skis included?

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

Are photos included?

Yes. A free photo and video package is included, with professional photos sent after the experience.