Nassau: Rose Island Snorkeling, Turtles & Swimming Pigs

Snorkel with turtles, then trade the reef for white sand and a rum punch

You snorkel with native sea turtles at Green Cay, explore the reef, and spend unhurried time on Rose Island's white sand beach with drinks and snacks included. Private transportation picks you up from your hotel, and the group stays small—six people max—so you move between stops without the crowding of larger tours. Swimming pigs can be added separately if that matters to your day.

Is this one for you?A good fit if you want snorkeling and beach time without the crowd of a large group tour—the private boat and six-person max mean you move at your own rhythm between stops. The four-hour window is tight enough to fit a half-day into your Nassau schedule, but long enough to actually spend time in the water and on the sand instead of just passing through.

What’s included

Your day includes private roundtrip hotel transportation from Nassau, snorkeling equipment, bottled water, sodas, snacks, and the signature rum punch "Sweet Emily." You'll stop at Green Cay to snorkel with sea turtles, explore the reef with fish, and spend time on Rose Island's white sand beach where a beach bar and grill is available for lunch purchases. Ice is provided on the boat.

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Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Snorkeling and beach at Rose Island

• Private roundtrip transportation
• Snorkel with turtles at Green Cay
• Snorkel with fishes at reefs
• Relax on white sandy beach at Rose Island
• Enjoy waters, sodas, snacks, and rum punch
• Optional stop at Beach Bar and Grill

The Experience

Most Nassau boat tours pack you onto a catamaran with forty other people. This one doesn't. You get a private boat, a driver who knows where the turtles actually are, and four hours to move at your own pace between three stops without anyone rushing you back to the dock. The first stop is Green Cay, where you slip into the water and the sea turtles are just there—not performing, not corralled, just living their day while you float above them with a mask on. The reef snorkeling comes next, fish moving through the water in schools that part when you swim through them.

Rose Island is where the pace shifts. You beach on white sand, and the water is so clear you can see your own shadow. This is the long stop—the one where you can actually sit still for a minute, dry off, eat something that isn't from a cooler. There's a beach bar and grill on the island if you want lunch, or you can bring your own food and drinks; the boat carries ice and bottled water, and your rum punch—the house signature called "Sweet Emily"—is already mixed and waiting. If swimming with the pigs matters to you, that's an add-on, but it's not bundled into the four hours, so you decide whether it fits your day and your budget.

Private roundtrip transportation from your Nassau hotel is included, which means no coordinating a separate ride to the marina or timing yourself around a shuttle schedule. The boat maxes out at six passengers, so you're not jockeying for space at the rail or waiting for someone else's underwater camera to clear the frame. Snorkeling gear is provided, though if you have your own and prefer it, bring it along.

Top questions

How long is the tour?

Four hours total, including all three stops and travel time between them.

What's included in the price?

Private roundtrip hotel transportation, snorkeling equipment, bottled water, sodas, snacks, and rum punch. Lunch at the beach bar is separate.

Can I bring my own food and drinks?

Yes. The beach bar and grill on Rose Island sells lunch, but you can bring whatever you want. The boat provides ice.

Is swimming with the pigs included?

No. It's available as an add-on at additional cost, so you can choose whether to include it.

How many people go on the tour?

Up to six passengers maximum, making it a private or small-group experience.

Do I need snorkeling experience?

No. Equipment is provided, and the tour is suitable for all fitness levels. However, it's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or if pregnant.

What if I have my own snorkeling gear?

You can bring it. Equipment is provided, but using your own is fine.

Is there a beach bar on Rose Island?

Yes. There's a beach bar and grill where you can purchase lunch during the stop.