Pigs Beach, Green Turtle Cay, Rose Island Private Tour

Three island stops, one small boat. TandA Tours packs coral snorkeling, sea turtles, a harbor cruise, and swimming pigs into a private 3-hour-30-minute trip from Nassau. I especially like the small-group setup for up to eight people and the freedom to choose your own music while the captain handles the route and safety briefing.

I also like that snacks, soft drinks, and light alcohol are included, which makes the boat ride feel easy rather than bare-bones. The main drawback is the extra $25 cash fee at Pig Beach if you want to feed the pigs, and the schedule may feel brisk if you prefer long, quiet stretches at each stop.

Key points to know before you book

• Three water-based highlights: Snorkel at Rainbow Reef, swim near turtles at Green Turtle Cay, and meet the pigs at Pig Beach.
• Private group pricing: The $850 rate covers up to eight people, so the value improves sharply when your group is full.
• Short but busy outing: The full experience lasts about 3 hours and 30 minutes, including travel time between stops.
• Food and drinks included: Snacks, soft drinks, light alcohol, and your choice of music are available on board.
• Pig feeding costs extra: Feeding the pigs requires a $25 cash payment, though you can stay on the boat or swim without feeding them.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, while cancellations within 24 hours are not refundable.

What the Nassau boat trip is really like

This is a private sightseeing and swimming charter rather than a slow beach day. You meet at the dock in Nassau, board with your own group, and receive a safety briefing before the boat gets underway. The captain makes sure everyone is seated safely and explains the safety measures in place.

That start matters. A boat trip with three water stops can feel rushed or disorganized if nobody explains the plan. Here, the captain and guides are expected to keep you informed about the sights, sounds, and marine life along the route. You can also choose the music, a small touch that helps the outing feel more personal.

The tour runs Monday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The exact meeting point information should be checked when you book, but the activity begins from a dock and finishes back at the meeting point. Travel time is already part of the 3-hour-30-minute total, so you are not getting three and a half hours at the water stops alone.

That is both good and bad. You get a varied taste of the waters around Nassau without giving up a full day. On the other hand, you should not expect a leisurely hour at every island. This works best if you want several memorable activities in one compact outing.

Rainbow Reef at Rose Island

The first major stop is Rose Island, where you snorkel at Rainbow Reef. The stop lasts about 25 minutes, with no separate admission charge.

The appeal is variety. The reef is described as a large coral reef where you can see several kinds of local fish, including species commonly eaten on the island. That gives the snorkeling a useful local angle. You are not only looking at bright fish as scenery, you are also getting a small lesson in the marine life connected to Bahamian life.

Twenty-five minutes is enough for a focused swim, especially if you get into the water promptly. It is not enough for a slow session with long breaks, repeated equipment adjustments, and plenty of time for everyone to search every corner of the reef. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, keep your expectations in line with the short stop.

The guides provide information about marine life during the tour, so this is a good place to ask questions. You will also want to have your camera ready. The tour is designed to give you photo opportunities throughout the trip, but underwater pictures depend on your own equipment and conditions.

Rose Island sets the tone for the rest of the charter. It gives you a proper reef stop before the day shifts toward turtles, harbor sightseeing, and pigs.

Green Turtle Cay and the turtle encounter

Green Turtle Cay is a small island of about half a mile. No one actually lives there, and the boat visits for the attraction rather than for a village walk or a long beach stay.

The main event is snorkeling with turtles. This is a different kind of water experience from Rainbow Reef. At the reef, the focus is fish and coral. At Green Turtle Cay, the draw is watching turtles in the water and trying to take photos as they move around you.

The stop lasts about 30 minutes. Like the Rose Island visit, that is a short window, but it gives the trip a strong second act. The combination of reef fish and turtles is one of the best reasons to choose this charter over a simple harbor cruise.

You should also understand what Green Turtle Cay is not. It is not presented as a place for a long shore visit, local shopping, or a meal. Since the island is uninhabited, the experience centers on the water and the natural setting. If you are looking for a quiet island landing with time to wander, this stop may feel limited.

For families and mixed-age groups, the private format helps. Some people can focus on turtle spotting while others simply enjoy the boat and the view. The captain and guides can explain what you are seeing, which gives the stop more meaning than a quick swim with no context.

Nassau Harbour and the celebrity homes

Between the island stops, the boat sails through Nassau Harbour. The crew points out and names celebrity homes along the way.

This part gives your group a break from swimming and adds a sightseeing layer to the trip. It also helps you see Nassau from the water, where the harbor becomes part of the experience rather than just the place where you boarded.

The celebrity-home portion is naturally dependent on what can be seen from the boat and on the route taken that day. It should be treated as a light bit of local sightseeing, not a formal architectural tour. Still, it is a fun addition for a group that enjoys looking at high-profile properties and hearing who is connected with the area.

The harbor cruise is also useful for anyone who does not want to stay in the water at every stop. You can enjoy the views, listen to the guide, and take pictures while the boat moves between activities.

Pig Beach and the extra cash fee

Pig Beach is the final headline stop, with about one hour set aside for swimming with the pigs. This is the longest stop, and that makes sense. You have time to watch the animals, get into the water, and decide how involved you want to be.

Feeding the pigs costs an additional $25 in cash. That payment is not included in the $850 tour price. If you do not want to feed them, you can stay on the boat or swim without taking part in the feeding.

That choice is important. Some people book Pig Beach specifically for the feeding experience, while others mainly want the photographs and the chance to be in the water nearby. The tour does not force you to pay the extra fee, so members of the same group can make different choices.

Use care around the animals and follow the crew’s instructions. The boat team is responsible for explaining the visit, but you are responsible for listening and behaving sensibly around the pigs. Keep your camera ready, since this is likely to be the most playful photo stop of the day.

An hour gives Pig Beach enough weight in the schedule to feel like a real stop rather than a quick pass-by. It also means the earlier snorkeling stops remain fairly concise. The route is built around variety, not around spending the entire afternoon at one beach.

The $850 price and who gets good value

The private rate is $850 for up to eight people. At the full eight-person limit, that works out to $106.25 per person before the optional $25 pig-feeding fee. For four people, the cost becomes $212.50 per person, and for only two people it is $425 each.

That calculation tells you who should book. A full family group, birthday party, or group of friends gets the strongest value. The private boat, flexible music choice, included snacks and drinks, and custom group setting are easier to justify when the cost is divided among several people.

The rate includes more than transportation. You are paying for a captain, guides, a private outing, several water-based stops, marine-life information, and the convenience of keeping your own group together. You also avoid joining a large mixed group with strangers, which can make a difference when some people want to snorkel, some want photos, and others prefer to stay on board.

Still, $850 is a serious price for a 3-hour-30-minute experience. If you are traveling alone or as a couple, a shared excursion may offer better financial value. This private charter earns its price when privacy, a compact schedule, and a special occasion matter more than finding the lowest-cost boat trip.

The tour has been especially well received overall, with a 4.8 rating from 21 ratings and a 95 percent recommendation rate. The strongest praise centers on the personalized feel, smaller group size, turtle snorkeling, Pig Island, hidden beaches, and the celebrity homes. One booking was used for a 50th birthday celebration, which fits the experience well: it has enough variety to feel festive without requiring a full day away from Nassau.

Drinks, music, and the small details that help

The boat includes snacks, soft drinks, and light alcohol at no added charge. That is useful because the schedule moves between several stops, and you may not want a full meal during a short water outing.

Light alcohol is available, but you should still pay close attention to the captain’s safety instructions and your own comfort in the sun and water. The tour begins with everyone safely seated and informed about the boat’s safety measures, so listen closely before the fun starts.

Your choice of music is another pleasant feature. It lets your group set the mood rather than accept a fixed soundtrack. For a birthday, family outing, or small celebration, that can make the trip feel more like your own charter.

The guides also provide information about the sights and marine life throughout the trip. That is valuable on a route with several stops because it connects the activities. You see fish at Rose Island, turtles at Green Turtle Cay, homes in Nassau Harbour, and pigs at the final beach, all within one short route.

Timing, weather, and practical planning

The tour operates during the stated 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. window every day of the week. Confirmation is provided when you book, and the activity uses a mobile ticket, which is convenient when you are already moving around Nassau.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The meeting area is near public transportation, which helps if you are not staying right beside the dock. Since the activity ends where it starts, you can plan your next Nassau activity from the same general area.

Weather is the main outside factor. This experience requires good conditions, and poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund. That policy is sensible for snorkeling and open-water travel, but it means you should avoid placing an important dinner or airport transfer too close to the end of the charter.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancel at least 24 hours ahead for a full refund. Within 24 hours, cancellations and changes are not accepted and the payment is not refunded. The cut-off follows Nassau local time.

Book early if your dates are fixed. The experience is booked an average of 41 days ahead, which suggests that popular dates can fill well before your trip.

Who should choose this private charter

I would point this tour toward a group that wants several classic Nassau water experiences without spending a full day at sea. It is a good match for families, birthday groups, couples traveling with friends, and anyone who values a private setting.

You will get the most from it if you enjoy switching activities. The route moves from coral reef snorkeling to turtle spotting, then harbor sightseeing and swimming pigs. That variety keeps the trip lively, but it also means no single stop is treated as a long, unhurried session.

It suits mixed groups particularly well. People who want to snorkel can use the Rose Island and Green Turtle Cay stops, while anyone who prefers not to swim can stay on the boat, enjoy the drinks and snacks, listen to music, and take in the views.

I would think twice if your priority is a quiet beach day, extensive reef time, or the lowest possible cost. The $25 cash pig-feeding charge is also easy to overlook, so bring it if feeding the pigs is part of your plan.

Should you book the Rose Island, Green Turtle Cay, and Pig Beach tour?

Book it if you have a group of up to eight and want a private, photo-friendly outing with a strong mix of snorkeling, turtles, harbor views, and pigs. The best value comes when several people share the $850 price, and the private format gives your group room to set the music and enjoy the day together.

Skip it if you are traveling alone or as a couple and mainly want inexpensive time in the water. For everyone else, especially those marking a birthday or another special occasion, this is a well-packed Nassau charter with enough personal touches to justify the higher price.

FAQ

How long does the private tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes. Travel time between stops is included in that total.

How much does the tour cost?

The private tour costs $850 per group for up to eight people.

Is Pig Beach feeding included in the price?

No. Feeding the pigs costs an additional $25 in cash. You can stay on the boat or swim without feeding them.

Which places does the tour visit?

The route includes Rose Island, Green Turtle Cay, Nassau Harbour, and Pig Beach.

How long are the Rose Island and Green Turtle Cay stops?

The Rose Island snorkeling stop lasts about 25 minutes. The Green Turtle Cay stop lasts about 30 minutes.

What is included on the boat?

Snacks, soft drinks, light alcohol, and music chosen by your group are available at no extra charge.

Does the tour operate every day?

Yes. The stated operating hours are Monday through Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded. If poor weather cancels the tour, you will be offered another date or a full refund.