Snorkeling Rose Island from Nassau: Swimming Pigs & Reef

The swimming pigs will approach you in the water.

A 3-hour snorkeling tour from Nassau to Rose Island combines two separate moments: time in the shallows with the island's famous swimming pigs, then a dive into the coral reef just offshore where parrotfish and grouper move through the branches. The ferry passes Atlantis and Pearl Island on the crossing. A guide leads the experience in English, and snorkel gear is provided.

Step-by-step itinerary

Swimming pigs and snorkeling tour

• Board ferry at Nassau-Downtown Harbor
• Cruise past Atlantis and Ocean Club Estates
• Pass by Pearl Island
• Arrive at Rose Island
• Meet and play with swimming pigs
• Snorkel at coral reef off the beach

The experience

The boat leaves Nassau-Downtown Harbor and takes a scenic route past Atlantis and Ocean Club Estates, then Pearl Island, before arriving at Rose Island. Once there, you'll spend time in the water with the swimming pigs. They approach visitors and are comfortable with contact. After that encounter, you move to the snorkel site just off the beach, where a vibrant coral reef sits in clear, shallow water. The reef holds colorful fish and the structure itself is the draw. This is not a boat-based reef tour where you watch from above.

Snorkel gear is provided and fitted for you. The guide stays with the group throughout and speaks English. The whole experience runs three hours from departure to return, which means it fits into a morning or an afternoon without consuming a full day. Infants and small children can come along. The tour is open to all fitness levels.

What’s included

• Admission to Rose Island.
• encounter with the swimming pigs.
• use of snorkel equipment.
• landing and facility fees.
• English-speaking guide throughout the tour.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:30 and 11:30

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (3 and older) · Under 3: can't be booked

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 or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by TD Travel Group

Is this one for you?The three-hour window leaves your morning or afternoon free for other activities in Nassau, making this a half-day option rather than a full commitment. If you want to combine snorkeling with the swimming pig experience without dedicating an entire day, this tour fits both into a single outing.

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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 like when you meet them?

The swimming pigs at Rose Island are accustomed to visitors and will approach you in the shallow water. They're comfortable with contact and interaction, making the encounter suitable for families with children.

What kind of fish and coral will I see while snorkeling?

Rose Island's coral reef holds colorful marine life including parrotfish and grouper. The reef structure itself is the main feature, sitting in clear water just off the beach in a depth where snorkelers can explore comfortably.

Does the ferry route pass any other landmarks on the way?

The ferry crosses past Atlantis and Ocean Club Estates, then Pearl Island, before reaching Rose Island. These landmarks frame the harbor cruise portion of the journey.

Is snorkel gear included, or do I need to bring my own?

Snorkel equipment is provided as part of the tour and fitted for your use. You don't need to bring or rent gear separately.

How much time do you actually spend snorkeling versus traveling?

The entire experience is three hours from departure at Nassau-Downtown Harbor to return. The ferry crossing and time with the swimming pigs take up a portion of that, leaving a solid window for snorkeling at the reef site.