Rose Island Boat Tour & Swimming Pigs
Family of 4
Sandy Toes full-day tour: approximately $150-229 per person.
Duration
5-6 hours
Best Ages
3 and up
About
If there's one activity your kids will brag about to every friend and classmate when they get home, it's swimming with pigs in the Bahamas. While the original swimming pigs are in Exuma (a costly and time-consuming trip from Nassau), Rose Island offers the same experience just 25 minutes by speedboat from Paradise Island — making it far more practical for families, especially those with younger children.
Sandy Toes is the most established operator, running daily tours to Rose Island that include the pig encounter, snorkeling, lunch, drinks, and beach time. The experience starts with an exciting speedboat ride across crystal-clear turquoise water — kids love the speed and the spray. Upon arrival, the resident pigs wade into the shallows to meet the boat, swimming alongside you in water that's impossibly clear.
The pigs are friendly and used to visitors, which makes for incredible photo opportunities. Kids can wade in waist-deep water while pigs paddle around them. A few ground rules: don't hold food right at the pig's mouth (they can nip), toss it into the water instead. Keep very young children close, as the pigs can be pushy when food is involved.
After the pig encounter, most tours move to a snorkeling stop over shallow reefs where you'll see tropical fish, sea fans, and often sea turtles. Snorkel gear is provided. Then it's on to a private beach section for lunch (usually grilled food and drinks) and free time to swim, kayak, or just relax in a hammock.
The full-day experience runs 5-6 hours and costs $150-229 per person depending on the operator and inclusions. It's not cheap, but it combines multiple activities (boat ride, pig encounter, snorkeling, beach day, lunch) that would individually cost as much or more. Book morning departures for the best pig activity levels and calmer water.
Compared to the Exuma swimming pigs trip (which requires a $715+ per person flight or a grueling multi-hour boat ride), Rose Island is the smart family choice — shorter travel time, lower cost, and less stressful for young kids.
Age Suitability
Parent Logistics
Stroller-Friendly
No
Nursing / Changing
Not Available
Kid Meals
Available
Setting
Outdoor
Rainy Day
Not ideal
Plan Your Visit
Best Time to Visit
Book the morning departure (usually 10 AM). Afternoon trips are hotter and the pigs are less active after being fed all morning by earlier groups.
Wait Times
Pre-booked tours depart on schedule. Arrive 15-20 minutes early at the departure point.
Nearby Food
Lunch is typically included in the tour package (grilled food on the island). After returning to Nassau, Marina Village at Atlantis or the Fish Fry at Arawak Cay are nearby options.
Why Kids Love It
Swimming with pigs in the Bahamas is one of those bucket-list experiences that sounds too weird to be real — and kids absolutely lose their minds over it. The 25-minute speedboat ride from Nassau to Rose Island is exciting on its own, bouncing over turquoise water with the wind in their hair. Once on the island, the swimming pigs wade right into the water to greet the boat — friendly, photogenic, and completely unbothered by kids splashing nearby.
After the pig encounter, most tours include snorkeling over shallow reefs (turtles, tropical fish, and sometimes stingrays), lunch on a private beach, and free time for swimming and exploring. The island feels truly remote despite being just 25 minutes from Nassau. Kids talk about this experience for months afterward.
Pro Tips from Parents
- Rose Island is much closer to Nassau than Exuma (25 min vs. 1+ hour), making it better for families with young kids
- Morning tours see more active pigs — by afternoon, the pigs have been fed by multiple tour groups and are less interested
- Don't let the pigs bite — they're friendly but can nip fingers if you hold food too close. Toss food into the water instead
- Bring waterproof cameras — this is a prime photo opportunity you'll want captured
- The boat ride can be bumpy on windy days — take motion sickness precautions if needed
What to Bring
- Waterproof camera or phone case (essential)
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Towel and change of clothes
- Motion sickness remedy
- Cash for tips (crew tips are customary)
Cost Info
Estimated Cost (Family of 4)
Sandy Toes full-day tour: approximately $150-229 per person.
Family of 4: $600-920.
Includes boat, lunch, drinks, snorkel gear, and pig encounter.
Some operators offer kids' pricing.
Tips to Save
- Rose Island tours from Nassau are significantly cheaper than flying to Exuma to see the original swimming pigs.
- Look for operators that include lunch and drinks in the price.
- Book directly with local operators rather than through cruise excursion desks.