Nassau: Swimming with Pigs, Snorkeling, and Sightseeing Tour

A Nassau speedboat tour is already fun, but this one adds a very Bahamian twist, snorkeling and scenery plus the chance to swim with pigs on Pig Island. I like the fast, front-row views as you sail past Paradise Island waterfront homes from the sea. I also like that the tour includes snorkeling gear and safety gear, so you can jump in without hunting down equipment.

The main thing to plan around is weather. This tour is subject to conditions, and the day’s routing can shift, so what you get to see and swim in might vary a bit.

Key things you’ll notice

• Paradise Island waterfront views from the water on the way out from Bayshore Marina
• Pearl Island + Rainbow reefs snorkeling, with colorful coral and marine wildlife spotting
• Pig Island beach stop, with an optional pig swim you pay for on site
• Captain-led comfort and safety, including close attention while you’re in the water
• Snacks, drinks, and time to relax ashore, not just nonstop rushing

Bayshore Marina, then straight to the sea views

You start at Bayshore Marina. Your guide meets you by the security booth, which makes the first step simple: you show up, get oriented, and get moving. From there, you’re on a speedboat with short travel legs that keep the whole outing feeling like an actual adventure, not a long wait.

One of my favorite parts of this style of tour is the way it gets you out of Nassau and into the “only from the water” zone quickly. Even early on, you get a preview of what the Bahamas looks like along the shoreline. You’ll sail past Paradise Island and see those big waterfront homes from the sea, which is a very different perspective than looking from land.

The boat layout and pace also help. You’re not stuck in a slow ferry line. You’re moving, stopping, swimming, and moving again. It’s a good fit if you want variety in just three hours.

A practical note on timing

The outing is set up with multiple short speedboat stretches and then blocks of time to swim and enjoy each stop. That matters because it keeps you from feeling like you only did travel time. It also means seasickness can be an issue for some people, so it helps to plan smart.

If you’re prone to motion sickness, consider sitting where you feel the least movement. And don’t be shy about telling the guide you need extra care. In one example, the captain adjusted the plan to help a passenger who felt sick, which shows the crew is paying attention, not just driving.

Snorkeling at Pearl Island and Rainbow reefs: what it’s really like

This is the heart of the tour for many people: you snorkel over coral and watch marine life while you’re in the water. You’ll make a stop at Pearl Island, then head to snorkeling areas described around the Rainbow reefs. The included snorkel gear and safety gear are a big value because you don’t need to bring your own setup or figure out what size fits.

What should you expect underwater? Based on the experience described, you’ll see colorful coral and have a chance at spotting local marine wildlife. One group specifically called out turtles as something they were lucky enough to see. You shouldn’t count on any one animal, but the reef activity is the point, and the captain watches for you while you snorkel.

Another reason this stop works well for a short tour is that it balances “pretty” with “possible.” Coral reefs can look different depending on water clarity and conditions. When visibility is less ideal, you can still get the experience of being in the water near the reef. One cancellation-free lesson here is that this operator can adapt when the ocean isn’t cooperating, so you are not left high and dry.

Gear and safety: what’s included, and why it matters

You get snorkeling gear and safety gear as part of the tour. That removes a common stress point on beach days, the frantic last-minute gear hunt. It also means the crew is running a setup they’re used to, so fit and basic instruction tends to be straightforward.

If you’re not a strong swimmer, this still can be a good fit, as long as you follow the captain’s guidance. The water time is structured, and the guide keeps an eye on the group. You’ll spend enough time to enjoy it, not just a quick look and back on the boat.

Pig Island and the optional pig swim you pay for on site

Pig Island is the headline for a reason. You’re not just passing by it. You’ll have a beach stop where you can relax, hang out, and enjoy the setting. This is where the tour shifts from “water activities” into “island time.”

The pigs roam freely on Pig Island, and there’s an option to swim with them. That part is not included in the tour price, so you pay on site if you decide to do it. You’ll want cash ready if you’re planning to add the pig swim.

The best way to think about this choice is simple: the pig swim is the most unique add-on. But it’s optional. If you’re mainly there for snorkeling and scenery, you can still enjoy Pig Island from the beach and bar area without doing the swim.

What you can do when you’re not in the water

The tour includes beach time, which matters because it turns the day from a schedule into a memory. People describe relaxing on the island, enjoying drinks, and using the downtime for beach activities. If you’re traveling with friends, it’s also a natural photo and hangout window.

One more helpful detail: if a planned stop is closed due to conditions, the captain may switch to another local island option that still allows you to meet the pig experience. That doesn’t mean every day is guaranteed to be identical, but it does suggest flexibility and a crew mindset that wants you to have a good day.

Nassau sightseeing, swimming breaks, and wildlife spotting

After the first travel and snorkeling segments, you’ll spend time around Nassau with swimming, marine life viewing, and wildlife viewing. This stretch is a one-hour block of time for water enjoyment and looking around, then later you get additional free time.

The itinerary includes another Nassau window that mixes free time with sightseeing, swimming, and snorkeling, plus time for regional food. That matters because it gives you an option that feels more like vacation mode. Instead of being forced into a single activity, you can pick what you want to prioritize, water time or looking around.

If you enjoy seeing wildlife without needing to be in the water nonstop, this portion can feel especially satisfying. You’ll also likely spot more than just fish, depending on conditions and what the captain sees around the route.

A tip for making the most of the Nassau time

Use the first water block to do your main snorkeling. Then use the later free time to either do a second session if you’re feeling great, or to keep it light. You’ll enjoy the day more if you don’t treat it like a checklist. The tour works best when you give yourself permission to slow down for a bit.

Snacks, drinks, and the small comforts that make it feel easy

One reason this tour earns strong feedback is the way food and drinks are handled. You’ll have Bahamian snacks and drinks during the day. In at least one case, the captain provided water, chips, and rum punch, which sounds like a small detail until you’ve been out on a boat in sun all morning and you’re suddenly re-energized.

These are the little things that improve the experience. They keep you from feeling like you paid for “just boat and water.” You feel like you’re part of a day plan that includes comfort, too.

Also, if you’re doing the pig swim, you’ll appreciate the way the schedule builds in time to recover and cool down. It’s not a sprint.

Price and what you truly get for $150 per person

At $150 per person for about three hours, this isn’t the cheapest way to “do the Bahamas.” But it can be good value when you count what’s included.

What’s included:

• Boat tour
• Captain and guide
• Snorkeling gear
• Safety gear
• Pig Island and beach stops

What is not included:

• Swimming with pigs, paid on site

That inclusion list is the math. Snorkeling gear and safety gear alone can run up when you book separately. Then there’s the added value of a guided captain-led route, plus access to places you can’t easily reach the same way from shore. The pig island beach stop is also part of your package, even if the pig swim add-on costs extra.

So, think of the $150 as paying for transport, leadership, and equipment plus the pig island visit. The pig swim is the only major “maybe add-on” and you control it.

When the price feels especially fair

This tour tends to feel worth it if you want:

• A short, high-variety outing (snorkel plus pig island)
• Included equipment so you travel lighter
• A crew that watches over you during water time

And it’s also a strong fit if you are pairing this with other Nassau plans, because it doesn’t eat your entire day.

Who should book, and who should skip

This kind of boat day works for lots of people, but not everyone.

It is not suitable for wheelchair users. It also lists people over 95 years as not suitable. If you’re bringing anyone with mobility challenges, ask ahead and be honest about how they’ll handle boarding and water time.

Weather matters. Since it’s subject to sea conditions, you’ll want to book on a day where you can tolerate possible changes.

It also helps to be comfortable with a speedboat. The tour includes several speedboat segments, so this isn’t a slow, mellow cruise.

Best match for this tour

You’ll likely enjoy it if you:

• Want both water and land time, not just one
• Like guided snorkeling with gear provided
• Want the Pig Island experience but prefer an optional pig swim
• Appreciate a captain who adapts the plan to keep everyone safe and on schedule

Should you book this Nassau snorkeling plus Pig Island tour?

I’d book it if your ideal Bahamas day looks like this: quick travel, guided snorkeling with provided gear, a reef-focused stop, then real beach time at Pig Island with a chance to do something wildly different like the pig swim.

Skip or think twice if you are very sensitive to rough sea conditions, because the day depends on weather. Also, if pig swimming is your only goal, remember it costs extra on site. You can still enjoy Pig Island without it, but you should decide before you go so there are no surprises.

If you’re looking for a three-hour plan that mixes sea views, coral snorkeling, and a genuinely memorable island stop, this is one of those tours that hits a lot of the right notes at once.