Pigs, turtles, and reefs in one Nassau ride. I love the expert guides who keep the trip organized and answer questions, and I like that medical personnel and lifeguards stay on board during the whole excursion. One thing to think through: the Pig Island stop (Athol Island) comes with a $45 per-guest attraction fee, and it’s optional.

You’ll ride in a chartered speed boat for about 4 hours, hitting four island stops (Rose Island, Pearl Island, Green Cay, then Athol Island). I also like that you’re in charge of your timing, with the freedom to choose when to leave each stop, plus the option to customize a private tour to your group.

What you get feels practical right away: bottled water, rum punch, snacks, WiFi, and snorkeling gear are included. You’ll want to pack your own essentials like sunscreen and towels, though, since those aren’t provided, and lunch is something you’ll pay for at the stop.

Key things that make this Nassau tour worth your time

• Safety first on the water with medical personnel and lifeguards onboard
• A fast 4-island route using a chartered speed boat
• Turtle feeding plus reef snorkeling around Rose Island, Pearl Island, and Green Cay
• Pig Island is optional with a separate $45 attraction site fee per guest
• Snacks, bottled water, and rum punch onboard, plus snorkeling equipment
• You control your pace at each stop on this private tour

Price and what you’re actually paying for

At $205 per person, this isn’t a “cheap and cheerful” add-on. What justifies the price is the mix of experiences packed into a short time window: multiple island stops, reef snorkeling gear included, and a guided plan that’s built around water time.

Then there’s the Pig Island reality check. Pig Island (Athol Island) is a major part of the headline, but it’s also an optional stop with a $45 per-guest attraction site fee. If pigs are your main goal, you’ll likely find the math makes sense. If they’re a bonus and you’d rather focus on turtles and snorkeling, you can treat Pig Island as the spend-or-skip moment.

Also, note what’s included versus not included. Bottled water, rum punch, snacks, and WiFi help you avoid extra spend onboard, and snorkeling equipment is provided. Lunch is not included, so budget for that meal when you reach the lunch stop.

The speed boat: comfortable, licensed, and built for real safety

This tour runs on a chartered speed boat, and the company stresses that its vessels are fully licensed and insured. That matters, because you’re on moving water for several hours, not parked at one calm dock.

The biggest practical safety point is that medical personnel and lifeguards are on board at all times. That doesn’t mean you should ignore normal water common sense (watch your footing, keep an eye on kids, don’t rush into snorkeling), but it does mean you’re not going to feel like you’re on your own if something happens.

In real-world terms, that safety setup is one of the reasons this works well for families. The crew is described as professional, patient, and helpful with kids, which is exactly what you want when your day depends on keeping everyone calm and comfortable.

Rose Island: the easy start for snorkeling and wildlife time

The tour leaves the marina at scheduled times and heads to Rose Island first. From there, you’re moving through the stops designed for sightseeing and water time rather than long land stretches.

At this stage, your goal is simple: ease into the day, take in the scenery, and get ready for snorkeling. Rose Island is one of the places where you’ll have opportunities to see fish and wildlife while snorkeling the reefs. Even if you’re not a confident swimmer, the structure here helps—snorkeling equipment is included, and the crew can guide you on how to use it.

What to watch for: early in the trip, some people get a little excited and rush. If you want good photos and relaxed snorkeling, I’d start slow. Get your gear ready, test your comfort level, and then move into the water. You’ll enjoy it more than trying to “beat the schedule.”

Pearl Island and Green Cay: turtle feeding plus reef viewing

Next up are Pearl Island and Green Cay. These stops are paired with a key activity: feeding turtles. That’s more than a cute moment—it’s a way to understand the rhythm of the local ecosystem from a respectful distance while your guide explains what you’re seeing and how to act around wildlife.

You’ll also have chances to snorkel reefs and swim with fish and wildlife during this stretch. This is where the tour’s pace makes sense: you’re not stuck on one spot for hours. You’re getting multiple chances at calm water moments, different viewing angles, and the kind of variety that makes a short excursion feel longer.

Possible drawback: feeding wildlife can be emotionally intense, especially with kids. If your group tends to get loud or push forward, give yourself a little buffer. Let the guide position you, and keep the group together. Your best experience will come from staying calm and following instructions.

Athol Island, aka Pig Island: famous pigs with an optional fee

Then the tour heads to Athol Island, commonly called Pig Island. This is the headline stop: you’ll have time to swim, feed the pigs, and take photos with them.

Here’s how to think about it. If swimming with pigs and getting those classic photos is the reason you booked, this is a high-impact stop. The tour structure gives you a dedicated block of time there, instead of treating it like a quick photo stop.

But it’s also optional. That matters for two reasons:

• The $45 attraction site fee per guest is a real cost you should factor in up front.
• If you’re traveling with someone who’s nervous around animals in water, you might prefer focusing on turtles and snorkeling and skipping Pig Island.

A practical tip: plan your phone and camera approach before you hit the water. If you wait until you’re already wet and moving quickly, you’ll miss shots or get flustered.

Antiki Floating Bar lunch: what the stop is really for

After the snorkeling and Pig Island time, you’ll enjoy lunch on the water at the famous antiki floating bar.

One important clarification for your budget: lunch is not included. The tour includes snacks, rum punch, and bottled water onboard, but when lunch happens, you’ll be paying for it as part of the restaurant stop.

Why I like this setup: it breaks the day into two clear moods. First you’re out in the islands doing active water time. Then you get a calmer moment to eat, regroup, and enjoy the “on the water” feel without having to keep swimming or snorkeling.

If your group gets hungry quickly, this stop is a good anchor. If you don’t want a long lunch, keep an eye on your energy level and your next planned water moment, and you’ll stay comfortable.

Jetski and photographer add-ons for different travel styles

This isn’t a one-size-fits-all tour. You can add a jetski for an additional cost if your group wants more adrenaline time.

You can also request a special photographer for the excursion, including drone footage. If you love getting a polished set of images (especially for the pigs and the sea conditions), this can be a smart upgrade.

My advice: choose your add-on based on what your group will actually use. If you already take great phone photos and prefer to keep spending low, skip the photographer. If you want standout shots without juggling cameras in the water, the photographer option can be worth it.

What’s included: the “small” perks that make the day easier

Included items here are the kind that reduce friction. You get:

• Bottled water
• Rum punch
• Snacks
• WiFi
• Use of snorkeling equipment

Those don’t sound glamorous, but they help you avoid the most common vacation stress: scrambling for water, feeding people constantly, or paying for gear you thought you’d have to rent.

Also, this is described as no hidden fees, which is the opposite of what you want when you’re paying for a fun day on the water. Just keep in mind the Pig Island attraction fee since that’s separate and explicitly tied to that stop.

Tips to pack so your snorkeling day stays smooth

This is a water-first tour, so you’ll want to be ready. Bring your own:

• Sunscreen
• Towel(s)
• Personal items you need

I’d also bring a change of clothes in case your group gets wet beyond just snorkeling. Even with lifeguards onboard, you’ll feel better if you can dry off and refresh before lunch.

If you have kids, plan for small routines: hats, extra sunscreen attention, and a clear “meet-back point” idea in your group so nobody wanders off.

Customization and your control over timing

One of the most underrated parts of this tour is the way you can control your time. You’re not stuck with a rigid “stand up at exactly 2:15” approach. Instead, you can choose when you want to leave any stop during the route.

For families, that’s huge. Kids can get tired fast. Adults can need a few extra minutes to reapply sunscreen or rest. Having that flexibility makes the whole day feel less stressful.

This is also a private tour/activity, so only your group participates. That matters for comfort, conversation, and keeping your kids close without strangers in the mix.

Who should book this Nassau tour (and who might want a different plan)

This tour fits best if you want a single outing that covers a lot of Nassau highlights:

• Reef snorkeling with included equipment
• Turtle feeding around multiple island stops
• A “wow” pig experience at Athol Island (optional)
• A comfortable, licensed speed boat with real safety support

It’s especially appealing for families, since the crew is described as helpful and patient with kids, and medical/lifeguard support is always onboard.

Who might think twice? If you know your group won’t want Pig Island’s $45 attraction fee, make sure you’re comfortable with the idea that the trip’s main headline may cost extra. Also, because this tour requires good weather, don’t book it as a last-minute gamble if you’re on a strict schedule.

Final verdict: should you book Champion Cruising Tours for swimming pigs and reef time?

Yes, I’d book it if you want maximum variety in a half-day and you care about doing it with safety and guidance in place. The combination of reef snorkeling gear, turtle feeding, and an optional pig stop is a strong value play, especially since snacks, bottled water, rum punch, and WiFi are included.

But do the budget math first. If Pig Island is a must for your group, plan for the $45 per-guest attraction fee. If it’s not, you can still enjoy the turtles and snorkeling without forcing that extra cost.

If your ideal Bahamas day is short, active, and guided with a crew that can handle kids calmly, this is a very solid Nassau choice.

FAQ

How long is the Nassau swimming pigs, turtles, and reef snorkel tour?

The tour runs about 4 hours.

What does the tour cost, and what’s the Pig Island fee?

The tour price is $205 per person. Pig Island (Athol Island) has a $45 attraction site fee per guest and is optional.

What’s included in the price?

You get bottled water, rum punch, snacks, WiFi, and the use of snorkeling equipment.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, and you’ll have a lunch stop where you pay at the local restaurant.

Does the tour offer pickup?

Pickup is offered.

What’s the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded. The tour also requires good weather, and if it’s canceled due to poor weather you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.