Pigs, water, and a fast Nassau day. I love the short hop to Athol Island and the hands-on swimming pigs and pig feeding, and I like that you also get an hour and a half on Pearl Island. The main drawback is the schedule can feel tight and the beach can be crowded.

This is run out of Elizabeth on Bay Marina, just a short walk from the Nassau Cruise Port. When you show up, look for staff in blue or orange shirts with Suncay on them, then plan on boarding by climbing down stairs from the beach.

Once you’re in the water, it turns into pure, silly animal chaos in the best way. The pigs are the star, but you’ll still want to mind your timing so you get a real break on Pearl Island.

Key Highlights You’ll Actually Care About

• 40 minutes with the swimming pigs on Athol Island, including feeding time in the water
• 8 nautical miles by boat from Nassau, so you spend more time in the fun than in transit
• Pearl Island beach time for 90 minutes, enough for a swim, a breather, and a few photos
• Lounge chairs are included, helpful when the beach is full of day-trippers
• The pigs are extremely food-motivated, so be ready for them to go for anything edible

Getting To the Boat: Nassau Marina Directions That Save You Time

If you’re doing this from Nassau, the biggest win is that it starts close to the cruise port. The marina is about a 5-minute walk from Nassau Cruise Port, and the directions are straightforward once you hit Bay Street.

Here’s the way I’d approach it to avoid wandering:

• Walk down Bay Street in the direction of traffic.
• Stop when you reach Hoffer Sports and a Chinese restaurant called Phoenix Chinese.
• Look across the street for Elizabeth on Bay Marina.
• Head all the way to the water. You’ll know you’re close when you spot Salsa on your right.
• Find staff wearing blue or orange shirts with Suncay on them.

That said, the tour does not list cruise pickup or drop-off. So if you’re hoping for the easy “walk onto the boat at your dock” setup, this isn’t built that way. A couple of people have reported additional pickup in other spots like Paradise Island, but you should treat that as a maybe, not a plan.

Quick on-the-ground tip

Build in extra buffer time. Even with clear directions, lines and crowding happen right around cruise arrivals. You’ll feel calmer if you arrive a little early rather than sprinting at the last second.

The Ride Out: What the Athol Island Boat Trip Feels Like

The boat portion is part of the day’s charm. Athol Island, sometimes called Pigs Beach Island, is about 8 nautical miles offshore. In practice, that short distance usually means you’re not sitting forever on the water.

You’ll also learn fast that this is a shared-day excursion setup. The boat can be part of a larger rotation of passengers, which can mean a little extra time that isn’t strictly “ocean to pigs” time.

Why that matters: you’re buying a short experience. You want the pigs portion to feel lively, not rushed and tense. If you’re the type who hates surprises in timing, keep your expectations flexible.

Board with care

One important detail: to get onto the boat, you climb down stairs. If you’ve got mobility issues or you’re traveling with someone who doesn’t do well with steps, this is a real consideration. Take your time at the dock and hold onto the handholds.

Pig Beach Reality Check: 40 Minutes of Feeding and Swimming

This is the whole reason you’re here. You arrive at Athol Island and get about 40 minutes with the famous swimming pigs.

During that window, you can expect:

• Pig feeding, with snack sharing as part of the interaction
• Swimming and frolic time in the water with the pigs
• Lots of chances for close-up photos and goofy moments
• Staff on hand to help manage the flow and keep things moving

The pigs are not shy about their opinions. They’re eager eaters, so if someone nearby has extra snacks, the pigs may “investigate.” It’s funny once you’re watching, but it also means you should keep your food secured and follow staff instructions.

How crowded can it get?

Pig Beach can get busy fast. The pigs are the attraction for multiple tour groups, so there’s a good chance you’ll share space—sometimes closely—with other people holding snacks and guiding their own photo shoots.

If you want that hands-on time to feel more personal, go in ready to move with the group when the staff tells you to. Trying to freeze in one spot can throw off the flow.

Pearl Island: The Trade-Off That Changes the Whole Day

After pig time, you head to Pearl Island for about 90 minutes on the beach. This is the balance to the pig chaos: a calmer stretch where you can swim, take a break, and enjoy the shoreline without having to worry about snacks in your hand.

People enjoy Pearl Island because it gives you:

• A real pause after the active pig encounter
• Water time that feels more like a normal beach day
• A chance to relax on included lounge chairs

But here’s the practical truth: the tour is short on purpose. Some schedules feel like they squeeze Pearl Island a bit more than you’d hope, depending on how long the boat portion takes and how groups are staggered.

One detail worth knowing: a few participants mentioned different routing using Pig Express-style bands, where you go straight to Pig Beach rather than spending more time on the island with lunch. That can help you get to the pigs faster, but it can also affect how much time you actually have to lounge on Pearl Island afterward.

How to make the 90 minutes work

Bring a simple game plan:

• Swim early, before the island settles into peak beach crowding.
• Use lounge chairs quickly for shade, then switch to photos or a slow walk.
• If you want a proper photo set, pick one spot and commit before the crowd shifts around you.

Price and Value: Is $79 a Good Deal?

At $79 per person for a 3-hour tour, you’re paying for convenience and access—not a long, multi-stop beach vacation.

So is it good value? I think it is, as long as you want:

• A short, high-energy interaction with the swimming pigs
• Minimal fuss compared with DIY logistics
• A second beach stop that breaks up the day

Where value can slip: if you’re expecting a long, laid-back beach day on Pearl Island, this tour’s structure won’t cater to that. Between shared pickup patterns, possible extra stops, and group timing, your total time from cruise departure to return can run longer than the headline duration.

A key pattern from experience: people sometimes plan around the activity length and are surprised when the whole outing stretches out. If you’re coordinating with a cruise schedule, I’d plan for a longer window than you think you need.

Group Dynamics: Shared Boats, Multiple Stops, and Timing Pressure

This tour often runs in a group format, which affects your experience in subtle ways.

What you might notice:

• You may be placed on a boat with people from multiple tours.
• The boat may make additional stops to pick up other passengers.
• The path can include waiting and transitions that eat into your “pig beach” feeling.

The upside is that staff usually keeps things moving, and the pigs themselves don’t care about your timetable—they just want snacks. The downside is that if you’re budgeting time tightly, you can feel rushed, especially around the edge of your pig encounter window.

Pro move for your day

If you have shore time that’s strict (like a cruise port deadline), treat this as an efficient excursion, not a leisurely one. Give yourself buffer time back at the ship. You’ll enjoy the day more when you’re not watching the clock every minute.

What’s Included, What’s Not, and What to Bring

The included list is simple and fair:

• Boat trip
• Guide
• Swimming with pigs
• Pig feeding
• Lounge chairs

Not included:

• Pickup and drop-off

Drinks aren’t listed as included, and at least one person flagged that there weren’t drinks provided during the main experience. So plan to bring what you need for comfort, like water and something small to snack on between stops.

One practical tip that keeps showing up: pack extra water. Some people specifically recommend bringing water jugs. That’s not fancy advice—it’s survival advice in sun-and-salt conditions.

What I’d pack

Swimwear, a towel, and a way to protect your phone (something like a small waterproof pouch). Also think about shoes for getting around the beach and boarding area. The tour involves water time and stairs, so comfort beats style.

Who Should Book This Pig Beach Boat Trip

This excursion is best for you if:

• You want a short, memorable animal experience
• You like quick logistics and don’t want to figure out transport on your own
• You’re okay with crowds and sharing space on the beach

You might skip it if:

• You need lots of quiet time on the sand. Pearl Island is only 90 minutes.
• You’re traveling with young kids. It’s not suitable for children under 5.
• You hate any timing uncertainty. This can run long from port to return because of shared scheduling.

Also, if you’re coming mostly for swimming and want a long uninterrupted water session, focus on your expectations. The pig time is measured. The beach time is measured. You’re buying a concentrated burst.

Should You Book This Tour?

I’d book it if your priority is the pigs. For many people, the swimming pigs are a once-in-a-while, bucket-list payoff, and this trip delivers it without the complexity of planning. The $79 price feels reasonable for what you get: boat access, guided pig time, feeding, and lounge chairs plus a bonus beach stop on Pearl Island.

But book with the right mindset. This isn’t a half-day lazy beach plan. It’s an efficient schedule with a real chance of crowds and a total day that may stretch beyond the headline duration. If that sounds fine, you’ll likely leave with photos, stories, and the kind of laughter you don’t get from sitting on a tour bus.

FAQ

How long is the Pig Beach trip?

The tour duration is listed as 3 hours.

Where is the meeting point in Nassau?

Meet at Elizabeth on Bay Marina. Walk Bay Street toward traffic until Hoffer Sports and Phoenix Chinese, then go down to the water. You’ll see Salsa nearby; look for Suncay staff in blue or orange shirts.

Is pickup or drop-off included?

No. Pickup and drop-off are not included.

How long do you spend with the swimming pigs?

You get about 40 minutes with the swimming pigs on Athol Island.

What does swimming with pigs include?

The tour includes swimming with pigs and pig feeding, along with a guide and lounge chairs.

Is Pearl Island included?

Yes. You get about 1.5 hours on Pearl Island after your pig beach time.

Can children under 5 join?

No. It’s not suitable for children under 5.

What happens if the weather is bad?

In case of bad weather, the tour can be rescheduled to another day.

Is there a guide, and what language do they speak?

Yes, there is a live tour guide who speaks English.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.