REVIEW · NEW PROVIDENCE ISLAND
Perfect Day Swimming Pigs, Turtles, Reef Snorkel & Lunch
Book on Viator →Operated by Exuma Escapes Bahamas LTD · Bookable on Viator
Pigs first. Ocean second. That simple combo is why this all-in-one day trip feels like a shortcut to the Bahamas highlights, mixing a quick reef snorkel, turtle spotting, and a private beach-club lunch with unlimited drinks. I especially like the value of having lunch and unlimited rum and fruit punch included without doing extra stopovers, and I like that the day packs in multiple “wow” moments without feeling rushed. The one thing to think about: the reef snorkeling is weather-dependent and the turtle sanctuary stop is strictly turtle watching from the vessel, not snorkeling.
You’ll start at Montagu Beach in Nassau and spend about four hours bouncing between islands on a smaller boat (max 25 people). This is also a moderate walking day—expect stairs and at least some uphill movement at the meeting/transfer points. If you’re traveling with kids, or you just want a safe, guided mix of sea and shore time, it’s a strong fit.
In This Review
- Key Highlights You’ll Actually Feel
- Atholl Island Reef Snorkel: Where the Sea Gets Close
- Green Cay Turtle Watching: Pretty Good, Even Without Getting Wet
- Rose Island Beach Club: Lunch, Drinks, and the Best Break Between Stops
- Swimming Pigs: Feeding Time, Safety, and Why It Feels Different
- The Boat Ride and Schedule: How This Stays Doable
- Price and Value: What $189 Buys You in the Real Bahamas
- What to Bring (So You Don’t Spend the Day Looking for It)
- Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Might Want Something Else)
- Should You Book This Pig and Snorkel Day Trip?
- FAQ
- What’s included in the tour price?
- How long is the tour?
- Where do you meet, and where does it end?
- Do I need to bring a towel?
- Is snorkeling allowed at Green Cay?
- Is alcohol included?
Key Highlights You’ll Actually Feel

- Atholl Island reef snorkel for about 30 minutes, with marine life as a possible bonus (weather permitting).
- Green Cay turtle sanctuary stop where you watch turtles from the boat (no snorkeling allowed by law there).
- Rose Island beach club time with buffet BBQ-style lunch, plus unlimited Bahama Mamas/rum and fruit punch.
- Swimming pigs interaction that’s really feeding and hanging out, with a crew-led setup for safety and cleanup.
- Snorkel gear and life jackets included, so you can travel light.
- Crew energy matters: staff like Captain Henny, Captain Randy, Maurice, and Tay Tay show up in guest stories as friendly and organized.
Atholl Island Reef Snorkel: Where the Sea Gets Close

This tour starts the fun right away, with a reef snorkeling stop near Atholl Island (and sometimes the Green Cay area) for about 30 minutes. The vibe here is simple: the boat parks, you get gear, and you head into clear water with coral and fish as the goal.
What makes this stop worth it is the format. You’re not trying to “plan a snorkeling day.” You’re doing a focused hit: short enough that most people can manage it, and short enough that you won’t feel trapped in the water if conditions aren’t perfect.
Now the honest part: snorkeling here is weather permitting. That means you should go in expecting you’ll do snorkeling, but you should also accept that visibility and sea conditions can vary. If the water is rough or visibility is limited, the experience can shift from fish-and-coral fantasy to just getting time on the reef.
You also shouldn’t expect a guaranteed turtle sighting at the snorkel stop. Turtle sightings are possible, not promised. In other words, it’s a bonus if nature cooperates, not a checklist item.
A few more New Providence Island tours and experiences worth a look
Green Cay Turtle Watching: Pretty Good, Even Without Getting Wet

After the reef stop, you’ll head to Green Cay and spend around 15 minutes watching turtles. Here’s the key detail: Green Cay is a protected area, and snorkeling isn’t permitted by law. That’s why this portion is from the vessel only—no getting in the water.
If you’re the kind of person who hates rules when you’re on vacation, this might feel restrictive. But in practice, it often makes the stop easier: you stay aboard, you look, you take photos, and you avoid that rushed feeling some snorkeling tours create.
This also helps explain why the tour structure works so well for mixed groups. Someone who’s unsure about snorkeling can still enjoy the wildlife moment, because the focus is observation from the boat.
Rose Island Beach Club: Lunch, Drinks, and the Best Break Between Stops

Rose Island is the long stop, about two hours, and it’s the part of the day that feels most like a beach vacation. This is a private beach club setup with shade and plenty of space to spread out. You can swim, relax, and take photos where the water looks almost unreal.
Food is buffet style and you’ll get a Bahamian-style lunch—think BBQ-style favorites such as burgers and hot dogs based on what guests describe. Drinks are where the value really shows: you get unlimited rum and fruit punch, and some passengers also describe it as unlimited Bahama Mamas. One practical tip I picked up from guest feedback: keep your cup, because you may be asked to reuse it when you get refills.
A detail that can matter if you’re traveling with kids or a phone-carrying photo addict: the Rose Island area is built for hanging around. Guests talk about lounge seating and places to chill, so it’s not just a quick “arrive, eat, leave” moment.
The only watch-out? The beach club has a social vibe, including music near the bar. If you’re sensitive to loud sound, plan to position yourself farther from the bar area during your lunch and drink breaks.
Swimming Pigs: Feeding Time, Safety, and Why It Feels Different

The famous pigs on these tours are one of those rare activities where the “you saw it on Instagram” feeling is actually matched by what you’ll do in real life. Here, you don’t swim with them. You feed them and interact on the beach.
The interaction is typically scheduled after the food and beach time. Guests describe the pigs as friendly and not aggressive, and they’re usually given food in portions from staff—commonly hot dog pieces and apple pieces.
Safety is handled in a few visible ways. There’s a crew presence, and you’ll see cleanup-focused attention too. One very specific detail that stands out: an assigned staff role for picking up after the pigs, which keeps the beach area more manageable during the fun.
If you’re worried about smell, slippery sand, or general mess, you can relax a bit here. The whole setup is designed around pig interaction, not around letting a few wild animals run the show. It’s still a pig experience, so expect the reality of animals on sand—but it’s not chaotic.
And yes, it’s hilarious when the pigs run toward the food. If you bring a camera, you’ll use it here. If you forget it, you’ll still have a great time—but you’ll probably wish you had photos.
The Boat Ride and Schedule: How This Stays Doable

This is a short day out at sea—about four hours total—and that makes it work well for cruise passengers or anyone who doesn’t want a full day getaway. You’ll return to the same meeting point, Montagu Beach, in Nassau.
Timing flexibility is a plus. The operator offers multiple morning and afternoon tours, which helps you match Nassau port schedules. One reason families tend to like it is the boat ride doesn’t drag.
The group size is capped at 25 travelers, which usually means you’re not stuck in a giant crowd. Also, life jackets are provided for adults and children, which makes it feel more organized from the moment you board.
Comfort-wise, guests mention the ride can be smooth even when conditions aren’t perfect, and that the boat often has shade. If you’re prone to motion sickness, still bring your usual remedy. You’re going over water, even if it’s well handled.
One more detail that helps onboard flow: some crews take shoes and store them safely so the deck stays less slippery. That small touch matters when you’re moving around for snorkeling and pig-beach time.
Price and Value: What $189 Buys You in the Real Bahamas

At $189 per person, this isn’t a bargain like a simple shuttle. But it’s also not priced like a luxury private charter. The value comes from bundling.
For your money, you’re paying for:
- Snorkeling equipment and life jackets
- The boat transportation between Nassau-area stops
- Lunch at the Rose Island beach club
- Unlimited rum and fruit punch
- Pig interaction and turtle watching
When you add it up, the $189 feels more like “one paid day” than a handful of separate activities. You avoid the classic Bahamas problem: spending time and cash on transfers, then paying for lunch separately, then still needing to rent gear.
One more value angle: the stops are built around variety. You get reef time, a wildlife observation moment, and a beach-club hangout. Even if snorkeling isn’t perfect on the day you go, the Rose Island portion plus the pig interaction still delivers the core payoff.
A final pricing note: this is an activity with a minimum passenger requirement. So if you book and planning is tight, try not to gamble too close to your travel day. That said, the tour is popular and is often booked well ahead (about 23 days on average), which usually helps the odds.
What to Bring (So You Don’t Spend the Day Looking for It)

You’ll want to travel smart for a boat + beach + snorkeling day.
Do bring:
- Your own towel. Towels are not provided.
- Reef-safe sunscreen and lip balm if you get sunburn easily.
- Water-resistant footwear or something you can handle in sand and around boats.
- A small waterproof bag or dry pouch for your phone and essentials.
Consider also:
- A camera. Pig-beach photos happen fast, and you’ll want them.
- A light cover-up. Wind off the water can surprise you even when the sun is strong.
- A reusable cup-friendly mindset if your drink refills follow the cup reuse style described by guests.
If you’re pregnant, pay attention. The operator doesn’t encourage women over six months pregnant for safety reasons. If that applies to you, I’d treat it as a firm guideline, not a suggestion.
Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Might Want Something Else)

This tour works especially well if you want:
- A guided, all-in-one day without coordinating multiple vendors
- A mix of sea life and beach time
- Something that feels family-friendly and safe with staff support
It’s also a good match for couples who want a memorable, photo-heavy day but don’t want to spend a long time in the water. You get the wildlife and the beach, then you’re back before the day disappears.
If you’re the type who hates any stairs or steep walking, think twice. You should be ready to walk uphill and climb stairs at a moderate level. Also, if you’re hoping for long snorkel time at every stop, adjust expectations: Green Cay is a no-snorkeling sanctuary, so you’ll be watching from the boat there.
Should You Book This Pig and Snorkel Day Trip?
I’d book it if you want a Bahamas day that feels like a greatest-hits mix: reef snorkeling for a short burst, turtle watching, and a real beach club lunch with unlimited drinks. The pig interaction is the headline, but it works best because it isn’t the only thing going on.
I’d hesitate if:
- You’re traveling with tight mobility needs (stairs and uphill walking are part of the day)
- You’re expecting a guaranteed turtle-and-reef show at the snorkeling stop (it’s weather-dependent and turtles aren’t promised)
- You’re sensitive to music near the bar area during the beach club time
If you match those expectations, this is a fun, well-structured excursion with clear value in the bundle—and it’s one of those days that tends to turn into the best “we did that!” story of the trip.
FAQ
What’s included in the tour price?
Lunch (Bahamian-style), bottled water, use of snorkeling equipment, swimming pig interaction, turtle watching (from the vessel), life jackets (adults and children), and unlimited rum and fruit punch are included.
How long is the tour?
The tour runs about 4 hours.
Where do you meet, and where does it end?
The tour starts at Montagu Beach in Nassau, Bahamas, and ends back at the same meeting point.
Do I need to bring a towel?
Yes. Towels must be brought by each passenger, and towels are not provided.
Is snorkeling allowed at Green Cay?
No. Green Cay is a protected area, and snorkeling is not permitted by law there. Turtle watching is done from the vessel.
Is alcohol included?
Unlimited rum and fruit punch are included. Alcoholic beverages beyond that are not included, though there is a cash bar available for purchase.












