Private Rose Island tour: Swimming pigs and snorkeling

Swim with pigs and turtles on your own boat

A private half-day boat tour of Rose Island and surrounding islands from Nassau Harbor, with a licensed captain and crew who customize the route to your group's interests. Snorkel at Athol Island with the famous swimming pigs, explore the reef sanctuary, visit Sandy Cay (Gilligan's Island), and swim with sea turtles at Green Cay before heading to Rose Island's private beaches and reefs.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private tour of islands and snorkeling

• Start at Nassau Harbor sightseeing Fort Montague
• Tour celebrity homes in Nassau Harbour
• Snorkel and feed swimming pigs at Athol Island
• Swim and explore historic Sandy Cay
• Snorkel with turtles and relax at Green Cay sand bar
• Snorkel, hike, and relax on Rose Island

The experience

The boat leaves Nassau Harbor with only your party aboard, so the captain adjusts the stops and timing to what you want to do. The first stop is oceanside sightseeing of Fort Montague and a tour of celebrity homes along the harbor. From there you head to Athol Island, a protected reef sanctuary where the swimming pigs live. You'll feed and swim with them in the water. The captain has 24 years in the maritime industry and 18 years as a boat coxswain in the Bahamian military, plus US Navy, USMC and US Coastguard training, so navigation and safety are handled by someone who knows these waters.

Sandy Cay, also called Gilligan's Island after the 1960s TV show, is the next stop. You swim to the cay and explore the original set buildings and the island's natural landscape. Green Cay is built around sea turtles. You snorkel with them and can also swim to the island to relax on its sand bar. Rose Island itself rounds out the tour with world-class private beaches, reefs full of tropical fish, and the option to hike and spot exotic birds if your group wants to explore inland.

Snorkeling gear, bottled water, soda, snacks and alcoholic beverages are provided on board, along with WiFi. The tour runs four hours. A $35 per-person fee applies if you want to feed the swimming pigs. That's separate from the tour price.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment.
• bottled water and soda.
• snacks and alcoholic beverages.
• WiFi on board.
• live English-speaking guide and crew.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Tropic Sea Adventures

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English and leads the tour in real time, so your group follows the commentary and can ask questions as you move between stops. If you prefer to customize which islands you visit or how long you spend at each one, the private boat means the captain adjusts the route to your interests rather than sticking to a fixed itinerary.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What are the swimming pigs at Athol Island like?

Athol Island is a protected reef sanctuary and home to the famous swimming pigs. You'll feed and interact with them in the water as part of the snorkeling stop. They're accustomed to visitors and are the main draw of the reef.

Can I snorkel at more than one spot on this tour?

Yes. You snorkel at Athol Island with the pigs and the reef, then snorkel again at Green Cay with the sea turtles. Both are included in the tour.

What is Sandy Cay and why is it called Gilligan's Island?

Sandy Cay was used as the filming location for the 1960s American TV sitcom Gilligan's Island. You swim to the cay and can explore the original set buildings and the island's natural scenery.

How does a private tour differ from a shared one?

On a private tour, your party is the only group on the boat with the crew, no other passengers. This means the captain can customize the itinerary and timing to what your group wants to do, rather than following a fixed schedule.

What's included in the tour price?

Snorkeling equipment, bottled water, soda, snacks, alcoholic beverages and WiFi on board are included. Gratuities and the $35 per-person swimming pig feeding fee are separate.