Rose Island: Private Snorkeling, Fishing, and Swimming with Pigs

A private 28-foot boat carries you from New Providence past Paradise Island, the old Gilligan’s Island filming site, and Green Cay toward Rose Island. The best part is the freedom to mix snorkeling, fishing, and beach time instead of following a fixed group schedule.

I like the personal attention from Captain Frenchie, Mario, or D, and I like that rods, bait, snorkels, water, soft drinks, and a snack are included. The main caution is weather: wind can limit the route and make the water cloudy. Swimming with the pigs costs an extra $35 per person, and lunch is also your own expense.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to eight: The $850 rate covers the group, so the value improves sharply when shared by a larger family or friend group.
• Captain Frenchie gets warm praise: He is described as attentive with children, flexible about activities, and careful about keeping everyone comfortable.
• Green Cay brings the best water time: Snorkeling here may include colorful fish and sea turtles, though conditions depend on wind and boat traffic.
• Rose Island gives you a real break: Expect white sand, swimming, sunbathing, and the option to buy lunch or spend time at a beach bar.
• Fishing is part of the plan: Light-tackle gear, bait, rods, and even an electric reel are available.
• Pig swimming costs extra: You can visit the pigs, but participation and food supplied by the pig attraction cost $35 per person.

What this four-hour private charter is really like

This is not simply a boat ride to one beach. It is a short, flexible outing built around the waters east of Nassau. You can snorkel over reef, look for sea turtles, try light-tackle fishing, and spend time on Rose Island. The boat is private, so your group does not have to share the day with strangers.

The rate is $850 for up to eight people. That works out to $106.25 per person if you fill every seat, or $212.50 each for a group of four. For a couple, it is a costly half-day. For a family or group of friends, it can compare well with several separate paid activities, especially since equipment and drinks are supplied.

Captain Frenchie is the central personality of the trip. Mario and D are also named as crew members on some departures. The strongest praise focuses on their patience, flexibility, and care with children. One family described Frenchie helping a nervous six-year-old feel special near the captain’s chair. That kind of personal attention matters on a small boat, especially when a child is unsure about snorkeling or rough water.

The boat is a 28-foot open-hull vessel with twin 250-horsepower motors. That gives you a fast way to cover the area, but it also means this is an open-water outing rather than a sheltered harbor cruise. Bring a swimsuit, sun protection, and a dry change of clothes. The supplied snack is simple, such as granola bars or chips, with soda pop and water. Do not expect a full meal on board.

Sailing past Paradise Island and the old TV island

The trip begins with views of Paradise Island and the homes along what one party called billionaires row. This is a pleasant part of the ride, but it is mainly scenery from the boat rather than a formal sightseeing stop.

You also pass the island associated with the 1960s television show Gilligan’s Island. The reference adds a bit of pop-culture fun to the route, especially if you know the show. It is not presented as a museum or a long shore visit, so think of it as an interesting sight during the cruise.

The boat then works toward Green Cay and the nearby reef areas. Exact conditions control how long you spend at each place. The crew has room to adjust the order of snorkeling, fishing, and beach time, which is one of the real benefits of booking privately.

Green Cay snorkeling and sea turtles

For many people, Green Cay is the main event. The water can be clear, and the area is home to plenty of fish. Sea turtles are another major draw, and several groups have been able to swim near them. The sight of a turtle moving through the water is the sort of simple, memorable moment that makes this more than a standard beach transfer.

Snorkels are provided, so you do not need to bring your own. The crew can help you get set up and guide you toward the fish and turtles. That support is useful for children and first-time snorkelers, though the tour is still dependent on your comfort in open water.

Here is the important qualification: the water is not guaranteed to be glassy. Strong wind has forced the boat away from calmer locations in the past, and one outing had murky water at the snorkeling site. The conditions may also make a small site feel crowded. A five-star day can turn into a more limited snorkel when the weather shifts, even when the captain works hard to adapt.

If snorkeling is your top priority, ask about the day’s wind and sea conditions before departure. The tour requires good weather, and the operator may cancel for poor conditions. In that case, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Fishing around Rose Island and Paradise Island

Fishing gives the outing a useful second focus. You are not forced to snorkel for the entire time, and children often enjoy having a clear activity with a result they can work toward. Light-tackle fishing takes place around the reefs near Rose Island and Paradise Island.

Rods and bait are supplied. The information also notes the option of fishing poles or an electric reel. The crew helps with the equipment, which makes this accessible for beginners. Still, fishing success is never promised, and you should book it as a chance to practice rather than a guaranteed catch.

I like this mix because family members can split their time. One person can fish while another snorkels, then everyone can head to the beach. The crew’s flexibility is especially useful when a child loses interest in one activity after twenty minutes.

The fishing portion may not appeal to you if you want a quiet, uninterrupted beach day. The boat is designed for an active half-day, not a slow resort transfer. Tell the captain what matters most to your group early on, so your four hours are used well.

Rose Island beach time

Rose Island supplies the classic Bahamas portion of the trip: white sand, clear water, and room to swim or stretch out. After time on the boat, the beach gives you a chance to slow down. You can sunbathe, swim, and enjoy the island at your own pace.

The stop is not a private island reserved only for your group. Conditions and local activity affect how peaceful it feels. One party found the pig area busy and chose not to stop there, while other groups enjoyed Rose Island, lunch, drinks, volleyball, and time at Footprints Beach Bar.

Lunch is not included in the tour price. You can purchase it on the island, along with drinks and possibly other activities. That arrangement gives you choice, but bring a payment method and budget extra if your group wants a meal. The boat’s snack is not meant to replace lunch.

The beach portion can be the most relaxing part of the day, but it also depends on weather and the specific stop available. In strong wind, finding a calm beach may be difficult. If your dream is a perfectly still stretch of sand, keep your expectations flexible.

Swimming with pigs and the extra $35 charge

Swimming with pigs is an optional add-on, not part of the $850 group price. The cost is $35 per person. You may visit the area without taking part, but the paid activity includes the food provided by the pig attraction’s staff.

This detail should be clear before you arrive. A disagreement during one outing came from confusion about the difference between seeing the pigs and paying to participate with food. Ask the captain to explain the arrangement before you leave the boat. That small conversation can prevent an unpleasant surprise.

The pig stop is also not always the best use of your time. If the area is crowded, or if wind limits the route, your group may prefer more beach time, fishing, or snorkeling. The private format lets you express that preference.

Families often choose the pigs because they offer a distinct memory and a simple activity for children. Other families skip them and spend longer with turtles or fish. Neither choice is wrong. The useful point is that you have options, and the pig swim should not be treated as an automatic part of the package.

What is included, and what you still need to pay for

The included items are practical rather than luxurious:

• Snorkeling equipment
• Fishing rods and bait
• The option to use an electric reel
• Water and soft drinks
• A small snack such as granola bars or chips

Alcohol is not included. Lunch is not included, and swimming with the pigs costs $35 per person. You may also want money for food, beach drinks, or other activities at Rose Island.

The inclusions help justify the group price. You do not have to rent a second set of snorkel gear or arrange fishing equipment separately. The main value, though, is the private boat and the ability to shape the outing around your group.

A private charter is most sensible for six to eight people. At two people, the price is harder to defend unless you strongly value privacy and a custom plan. At full capacity, it becomes a practical way to combine several Nassau-area activities in one morning or afternoon.

How weather can change the day

The Bahamas often looks perfect in photographs, but wind matters more than sunshine for a small open boat. Wind can make the ride rough, push the captain away from a calm beach, and stir up sand at the snorkeling site. A destination that looks ideal on a map may not be the right stop on a particular day.

The crew has adjusted routes during windy conditions and still delivered enjoyable outings. That deserves credit, but it does not remove the basic limitation. If you get seasick, take that seriously when deciding if this is right for you.

The operator requires good weather. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would choose this for a family or friend group that wants several activities in one compact outing. It suits people who cannot agree on one thing, since one person can fish, another can snorkel, and someone else can stay on the beach.

It also works well for families with children. The crew has been praised for including younger children and helping nervous swimmers feel comfortable. The short four-hour length keeps the day manageable, though it still includes sun, open water, and boat movement.

This is less suitable if you want a guaranteed calm-water snorkel, a full day on one untouched beach, or a meal included in the price. It is also not the best bargain for one or two people unless privacy is your main goal.

Service animals are allowed, and the experience is near public transportation. Most people can participate, but the supplied details do not promise special assistance for every mobility need, so ask before booking if that matters to you.

My verdict on the $850 price

The price makes sense when you fill the boat and use several of its features. For eight people, the cost per person is reasonable for a private boat, crew, fishing gear, snorkeling equipment, drinks, and beach access. For four, it is a premium half-day, but still defensible if you want control over the schedule.

The strongest value comes from the staff. Captain Frenchie and the crew are repeatedly praised for being warm, attentive, and willing to shape the outing around the group. That service is more important than a fancy boat on a day when children need help or weather forces a change of plan.

The weaker value appears when the sea is rough, the snorkeling water is cloudy, or the pig stop feels crowded. No private charter can control those conditions. Book with the understanding that you are paying for a boat, crew, equipment, and flexibility, not a guarantee of perfect water.

Should you book Rose Island with Triple D’s Aqua Adventures?

Book it if you have a group of up to eight and want an active, flexible half-day around Nassau. The combination of sea turtles, reef snorkeling, fishing, Rose Island beach time, and optional pigs gives you more variety than a simple beach transfer.

I would especially recommend it for families and groups willing to make decisions as the day unfolds. Tell the crew your priorities, ask about the weather, and confirm the $35 pig fee before arriving. If you need calm water and a fixed, polished schedule, choose carefully. If you want a personal captain, several choices, and a good chance at turtles and fish, this is a strong option.

FAQ

How long is the private Rose Island tour?

The tour lasts approximately four hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The $850 price covers a private group of up to eight people.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided, along with fishing rods and bait.

Are fishing gear and bait included?

Yes. Fishing rods and bait are included, and an electric reel may also be available.

How much does swimming with the pigs cost?

Swimming with the pigs costs an additional $35 per person.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.