Rose Island: Pig Beach, Snorkeling, Sea Turtles, Beach

Clear water, quiet beaches, and a fast boat make this a tempting Nassau escape. I like the private-group setup, which lets you spend more time where you want, and I like the 38-foot Jupiter boat with a restroom, Wi-Fi, music, drinks, snacks, and room to move. The main drawback is the $1,800 group price, which is strong value for a full group but costly for a small party.

The four-hour route packs in several stops: coral-reef snorkeling, Gilligan’s Island, sea turtles at Green Cay, and beach time on Rose Island. I would also plan for extra spending if you want lunch or the pig experience, since neither is included.

Key points to know before you book

• A private $1,800 charter for up to 15 people: At full capacity, the cost works out to $120 per person before gratuity and extras.
• A comfortable 38-foot Jupiter boat: You get a restroom, Wi-Fi, music, light snacks, rum punch, local beer, sodas, and bottled water.
• Several stops in four hours: The outing combines snorkeling, Gilligan’s Island, Green Cay, and Rose Island beach time.
• Sea turtles at Green Cay: The stop is focused on seeing the turtles and learning about their habitat.
• Pig visits cost extra: Tell the crew if you want to pet and feed the pigs, but budget separately for that activity.
• Montague Dock is the meeting point: Find it near the fish and conch stalls, then turn left at the traffic light to park.

Why Rose Island makes a good Nassau escape

Nassau has plenty of shore-based attractions, but Rose Island gives you a change of pace without requiring a full-day trip. You leave New Providence by speedboat and spend the next few hours moving between open water, small islands, reef, and sand.

That short travel time matters. You get the feeling of going somewhere remote, but you do not give up an entire day to reach it. The boat ride itself is part of the fun, with music playing and drinks available as you travel between stops.

This is also a private group experience, not a shared boat outing. Up to 15 people can book the charter together. That suits families, friend groups, wedding parties, and anyone who would rather not follow a large crowd from one stop to the next.

The captain also shares facts about Nassau Harbor and its past during the ride. This is a useful touch because the boat journey becomes more than simple transportation. You get a bit of local context while moving through the harbor and out toward the islands.

The 38-foot Jupiter boat sets the tone

The boat is a 38-foot Jupiter, described as clean, spacious, and comfortable. It has a restroom on board, which is a welcome feature on a four-hour trip with swimming and drinks involved.

You will also have Wi-Fi, music, light snacks, rum punch, local beers, sodas, and bottled water. These inclusions make the ride feel less like a bare-bones transfer and more like a small private cruise.

The supplied information does not give a precise seating layout or the boat’s maximum comfort level at all 15 passengers. That is worth keeping in mind. Fifteen people can fit within the stated group limit, but a smaller group may have more room to spread out and change into beach gear.

A verified booking from July 5, 2025, praised the captain and skipper, along with the boat’s cleanliness, size, and comfort for children. That is especially useful for families deciding between a basic fishing boat and a more polished private charter.

Still, a speedboat is not the same as a calm sightseeing boat. You should be comfortable with a quicker ride and ocean movement. The tour is not suitable for people with back problems, heart or respiratory issues, recent surgery, mobility limitations, or pregnancy.

Snorkeling over a Bahamian coral reef

The snorkeling stop is one of the main reasons to book this trip. You receive snorkeling equipment and get time over a coral reef where you can watch a variety of fish moving through the water.

The appeal here is simple: you are not just looking at the sea from the boat. You get a chance to see the underwater side of the Bahamas, with coral and fish providing the main scenery. Clear turquoise water helps with visibility, though conditions can change with weather and sea movement.

If you are new to snorkeling, use the ride out to get comfortable with the equipment and ask the crew for practical instructions. The provided information does not specify the exact reef location, water depth, or length of the snorkeling stop, so do not assume you will receive a long guided lesson or a particular type of coral.

Bring your own towel and sunscreen. Beachwear is the sensible choice from the start, since several parts of the day involve swimming or time on the sand.

Snorkeling can be tiring, especially in sun and current. Pace yourself rather than trying to stay in the water for every minute. You have other stops ahead, and the beach offers a quieter way to enjoy the sea.

Gilligan’s Island adds a playful stop

The route includes a visit to the famous Gilligan’s Island. The name gives this stop a light, pop-culture feel, but the exact activities and time spent there are not specified.

Treat it as an exploration stop rather than expecting a full attraction with rides, exhibits, or a formal program. You may get a chance to look around, take photos, and enjoy the setting before continuing by boat.

This kind of short stop works well in a private itinerary because the group can keep the pace relaxed. If your party wants more time for swimming, you can ask the captain how the stops will be balanced. The exact order can depend on conditions and the captain’s judgment.

Gilligan’s Island is also a good break between water activities. You are not locked into snorkeling and beach time alone, so the day has more variety than a simple boat ride to one beach.

Green Cay is the turtle-watching stop

At Green Cay, the aim is to spot sea turtles and learn about their habitat and the animals around them. This stop offers a different kind of experience from snorkeling. Instead of focusing on reef fish below you, you are watching for larger animals in their own setting.

The word sight is important here. Sea turtles are wild animals, so seeing them cannot be treated as guaranteed. The tour promises a stop to look for them, not a close encounter or a chance to touch them.

That distinction helps set the right expectations. Bring patience, keep your eyes open, and listen to the captain’s explanation of the turtles’ environment. The educational part is valuable because it gives you context for what you are seeing instead of turning the stop into a quick photo opportunity.

The supplied details do not state how close the boat gets, if you enter the water, or how long the stop lasts. Ask the crew on the day if turtle viewing is your top priority and conditions permit a longer look.

Rose Island beach time is the relaxed centerpiece

Rose Island provides the slowest part of the outing. After the boat rides and wildlife stops, you can stretch out on soft sand, swim in clear turquoise water, play beach games, collect shells, or simply sit in the sun.

This is where the private format pays off most. A group can use the beach time in its own way. Some people can swim while others stay dry, and children can play on the sand instead of being rushed from one scheduled activity to the next.

The beach stop also gives you room to recover from snorkeling. Four hours sounds short, but sun, salt water, and a speedboat ride can make a packed schedule feel full. A calm stretch on the beach keeps the day from becoming a race.

Do not expect lunch to appear on the sand. Light snacks are included, but lunch is at your expense. If you need a substantial meal, clarify the plan before departure and bring enough money for the option available during the outing.

Shell collecting should also be handled with care. Enjoy the beach without removing anything that local rules or the crew ask you to leave behind.

The pig experience is optional and extra

Pig Beach is part of the experience’s title and may be an important reason for your interest. However, petting and feeding the pigs is not included in the $1,800 price.

You need to tell the crew if you want this activity, and you pay for it separately. That makes the final cost less predictable than the headline price suggests. Ask for the current price before committing, especially if several people in your group want to participate.

I would not book this charter solely for the pigs unless you confirm the details first. The tour has plenty of other features, including snorkeling, turtles, Gilligan’s Island, and Rose Island beach time. The pig stop should be treated as an optional add-on, not the guaranteed centerpiece of the day.

What the $1,800 price really means

The charter costs $1,800 for up to 15 people. At the full limit, that is $120 per person before gratuity, lunch, and the pig experience. For a large family or group of friends, that can be fair value because you are sharing a private boat and receiving transportation, a captain, equipment, drinks, snacks, and several stops.

For four people, the same price works out to $450 each. That is a very different proposition. A small group should compare this outing with shared boat trips or shorter excursions before booking.

The cost makes the most sense if you value privacy and flexibility. You are not simply paying to reach Rose Island. You are paying for a boat, captain, multiple locations, onboard comforts, and the ability to spend the day with your own group.

Gratuity is not included and is left to your discretion. Add it to your working budget if the crew provides good service. Also remember that hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to Montague Dock.

Meeting at Montague Dock

The meeting point is Montague Dock, near the fish and conch stalls. To park, turn left at the traffic light.

This location gives you a practical clue about the start of the day. You are meeting at a working harbor area, not a resort lobby. Allow time to find the dock, park, gather your group, and complete the required waiver before boarding.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not provided. You need to handle transportation to and from the dock, and the information does not state the exact parking fee or transfer time from your hotel.

Check the available starting times when booking. The trip lasts four hours, but the departure schedule is not fixed in the supplied details. Arriving prepared will help keep the private charter on schedule.

Who will enjoy this trip most

This excursion suits an active group that wants several Bahamian experiences in one outing. It is a good fit for:

• Families with children over age 3 who want a clean, comfortable private boat
• Friends who want snorkeling, swimming, music, and drinks without sharing a vessel
• Couples traveling with another couple or a larger group
• Visitors who want beach time but also want wildlife and island stops
• Groups that can divide the cost among many people

The boat is not suitable for children under 3, babies under 1, pregnant women, wheelchair users, or people with back, heart, respiratory, mobility, or recent-surgery concerns. These limits are important because the outing includes a speedboat ride and water activities.

Children who are comfortable on a boat may enjoy the variety, and the verified family booking praised the vessel’s comfort for kids. Still, parents should bring towels, sunscreen, suitable beachwear, and anything their children need between stops.

Practical tips for a smoother four hours

I would wear swimwear under your clothes and bring a towel that you know will dry well. Sunscreen is essential, and you should reapply it after snorkeling and swimming.

Keep your plans flexible. The exact order and timing of the stops are not provided, and sea conditions can affect the route. If turtle viewing, snorkeling, or the pig experience matters most to your group, discuss that priority with the captain early.

Do not count the light snacks as lunch. Bring extra funds for food, the optional pig activity, and gratuity. Bottled water, sodas, local beer, and rum punch are included, but drinking alcohol in the sun can leave you dehydrated, so use water as your base.

A waiver must be signed before boarding. The tour is conducted in English, and the captain shares information about Nassau Harbor during the ride.

The cancellation rule is straightforward: cancel at least 24 hours before the trip for a full refund. Cancelling inside that window brings no refund. If weather or another unforeseen problem forces cancellation, the trip can be refunded or rescheduled.

Should you book the Rose Island charter?

Book it if you have a large group and want a private, active half-day on the water. The combination of coral-reef snorkeling, sea turtles, Gilligan’s Island, Rose Island beach time, and a comfortable boat gives you a lot of variety in four hours.

Think twice if you have only a few people, need hotel transportation, or mainly want a guaranteed pig encounter. The $1,800 price becomes much easier to justify when split among 10 to 15 people, but it is steep for a small party.

For the best value, fill the boat with friends or family, confirm the pig activity cost in advance, and arrive ready for a flexible day of sun, swimming, and short island stops. Platinum Boat Tours appears to put real effort into the boat and onboard comfort, with the captain and skipper earning particularly strong praise for their service and care with children.

FAQ

How long is the Rose Island boat tour?

The experience lasts four hours.

How much does the private charter cost?

The price is $1,800 for a private group of up to 15 people.

What is included in the tour?

The price includes the speedboat ride, captain, snorkeling equipment, rum punch, bottled water, local beer, sodas, light snacks, beach time, exploration of Gilligan’s Island, and a stop on Rose Island.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is offered at your expense, so plan to pay separately if you want a meal.

Does the tour include the pig experience?

No. Petting and feeding the pigs costs extra. Tell the crew if you want to participate.

Where do you meet the boat?

You meet at Montague Dock near the fish and conch stalls. Turn left at the traffic light to park. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.