Powerboat and Snorkel Experience with Swimming Pigs and Turtles

The unusual part of this boat trip is how much it packs into half a day: reef snorkeling, swimming pigs, turtles, and three islands. You start from Paradise Island aboard a custom 35-foot Donzi center-console boat, then head toward Rose Island, Green Cay, and Sandy Cay, the beach island featured in a Gilligan’s Island trailer.

I like the small-boat format, which helps the outing feel nimble rather than like a crowded ferry ride. I also like the practical touches: snorkeling gear, water, soft drinks, and a restroom built into the boat’s center console are included. The main caution is that this is an open-water trip, so rough weather can change the plan, and lunch is not provided.

Quick takeaways from the water

• Three island stops in about three and a half hours: Rose Island, Green Cay, and Sandy Cay each bring a different part of the day.
• Swimming pigs are the playful highlight: You can meet, feed, and interact with the famous pigs near Rose Island.
• Green Cay is for turtle watching: The turtles are seen in their natural habitat around the island’s sanctuary area.
• A 35-foot Donzi keeps the group moving: The boat is compact enough for a personal feel, with a built-in restroom.
• Captain J and his partner set the tone: The crew is described as friendly, patient, welcoming, and attentive.
• Bring your own food: Drinks are included, but lunch is not.

Why this three-island trip works

Many boat outings from Nassau focus on one beach or one snorkeling site. This one gives you several distinctly Bahamian moments in a short window. You get time in the water, an animal encounter, a scenic beach stop, and a fast ride between islands.

That variety matters if you have only part of a day available. You do not have to choose between snorkeling and the pigs, or between turtles and a quiet beach. The tradeoff is that no single stop can take up the whole afternoon. If you want a long, slow beach stay, this schedule may feel brisk.

The boat leaves from the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal on Paradise Beach Drive and returns to the same point. The meeting area can have several boats and operators nearby, so look specifically for Secret Cays. A useful practical detail is that the company’s boat may show its name only once in the booking information and may not be as boldly marked as larger vessels. Give yourself time to identify the right crew before departure.

Riding out on the 35-foot Donzi

The custom 35-foot Donzi Marine center-console boat is a good fit for a short island-hopping trip. It has enough size for the open water while staying smaller than a large excursion vessel. That makes it easier for the guide to keep the group together and move between several locations.

The boat has a dedicated restroom inside the center console, a welcome feature on a three-and-a-half-hour outing. It is one of those details you may ignore while booking, then appreciate once you are away from shore.

The advertised group size is small, with capacity listed at up to 14 or 15 people. That is worth noting because the boat format works best when it is not packed tight. One booking party had the entire boat to itself, though you should not count on that happening. Still, the small maximum leaves more room for personal attention than a large sightseeing cruise.

The ride itself is part of the appeal. You are not simply being transported to a single beach. You move around New Providence by powerboat, with the open sea connecting each stop. Music may be part of the atmosphere, and the crew has been praised for creating a relaxed, friendly mood onboard.

Rose Island snorkeling and the swimming pigs

Rose Island supplies two of the main reasons to book this outing: snorkeling and the swimming pigs. The reef area is described as full of aquatic life, making it the most active water stop of the day.

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to rent a mask and fins separately. You should still think about your own comfort in the water. The tour involves open-water activity, and one excursion member described being frightened after falling from a banana boat, particularly because she was not a strong swimmer. That incident was not the central advertised activity, but it is a useful reminder to ask for a life jacket whenever you want one and to be direct with the crew about your swimming ability.

The snorkeling stop is likely to appeal most to people who want a look below the surface without committing to a full-day reef charter. You can expect a shorter, focused session rather than an all-day marine expedition. The exact marine life can change with conditions, but the reef is promoted for its aquatic life and the outing includes the necessary basic equipment.

Then comes the pigs. At Rose Island, you can meet, feed, and interact with the swimming pigs. This is less about quiet nature watching and more about a lighthearted encounter that works well for families and first-time visitors to the Bahamas.

The pigs are a strong fit for children, but keep your expectations sensible. Animal encounters are active and unpredictable. The appeal is being close to the pigs in the water, not receiving a formal wildlife presentation. Follow the captain’s instructions, keep food handling orderly, and give the animals space when asked.

Green Cay and the turtle sanctuary

Green Cay changes the pace. Instead of the noisy fun of the pigs, this stop centers on watching turtles in their natural habitat around a sanctuary area.

This is often the most memorable part for people who care more about wildlife than novelty. Several turtles may be visible, and one sighting included a turtle with a remora attached. You might see more or fewer animals depending on the day and water conditions, but the setting gives you a chance to watch them where they live rather than in a tank.

Keep your eyes open and your camera ready, but do not expect the turtles to perform on command. The value of this stop comes from patience. The sea is beautiful, and the moment a turtle appears can be brief. The crew’s role is important here, since a friendly guide who knows where to look can make the stop far more rewarding.

Snorkeling gear is available for the tour, but the supplied details do not promise that every stop uses the equipment in the same way. Ask the captain what is planned when you arrive at Green Cay. That small question helps you decide whether to stay in the water or watch from the boat.

Sandy Cay, beaches, and the Gilligan’s Island connection

Sandy Cay provides the scenic pause. It was featured in a trailer for Gilligan’s Island, which gives the stop a bit of pop-culture interest without turning it into a studio-style attraction.

The island’s main draw is its sandy beach. You can relax, play, or simply enjoy the setting before returning to the boat. This is the least structured part of the outing, which is a benefit if you want time to stretch out and enjoy the coast.

Because the whole trip lasts about three and a half hours, Sandy Cay is not likely to feel like a full beach day. Think of it as a beach break within a wider route. If you want hours of sunbathing, pack a separate beach plan. If you want a short rest between water activities, this stop fits well.

The three stops also create a useful rhythm: active snorkeling, playful pigs, quieter turtle watching, then beach time. The exact order or amount of time at each place can depend on sea conditions and the captain’s judgment.

What the crew adds to the day

The crew is a major part of the experience. Captain J and his partner have been singled out for being friendly, patient, kind, and careful with the group. That matters on a boat trip where people may have different comfort levels in the water.

A good crew does more than steer the boat. You want clear instructions before snorkeling, sensible help around the animals, and someone willing to slow down for a nervous swimmer. The available feedback points to a welcoming approach, with music and conversation helping the ride feel social rather than stiff.

Still, do your part. Tell the crew if you are not a strong swimmer, ask about life jackets before entering the water, and listen closely during each stop. The boat is small, so practical communication makes a real difference.

Is $145 a fair price?

At $145 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a morning in Nassau. The price makes more sense when you count what is included: a powerboat ride, captain and guide, snorkeling equipment, soft drinks, bottled water, and three island locations.

You are paying for variety and transportation as much as for any one attraction. A separate boat transfer, reef outing, turtle stop, and beach visit could take more planning and cost more once combined. This trip also saves time by linking the stops in one route.

The value is strongest if you want several activities in one booking and prefer a small powerboat to a large cruise boat. It is weaker if you mainly want a long beach stay, a substantial meal, or an extended snorkeling session. Lunch is not included, so eat beforehand or bring food if permitted and practical. The supplied information confirms drinks, but not a meal service.

The short duration can also be a plus. You still have much of the day for other plans on New Providence Island. If your schedule is tight, a 3.5-hour outing is easier to fit around a hotel stay, cruise call, or afternoon activity.

Who should book this outing?

I would point this trip toward families, couples, and small groups who want a mix of animals, water, and beaches rather than one narrow activity. The pigs offer easy entertainment, the turtles bring a quieter wildlife moment, and the beach stop gives non-snorkelers something to enjoy.

It is also a sensible choice for people who like smaller boats and direct crew interaction. The maximum group size is limited, and the boat has a restroom, two features that make the day more comfortable.

Strong swimmers and confident beginners may get the most from the snorkeling. If you are uneasy in open water, you can still enjoy the boat ride, beach, pigs, and turtle viewing, but speak with the crew before the water stops. The tour description says most people can participate, yet it is still an active marine outing rather than a passive sightseeing cruise.

Weather, meeting point, and cancellation details

The trip requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of people is not met and the operator cancels the departure.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

The activity starts and ends at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal on Paradise Beach Drive. The meeting point is near public transportation, but allow time to find the Secret Cays boat among the other vessels gathered near the Margaritaville area.

Should you book the Secret Cays powerboat trip?

Book it if you want a compact, social outing that combines the Bahamas’ most popular water activities without giving up the personal feel of a small boat. The strongest reasons are the three-stop route, the turtle sanctuary, the swimming pigs, and a crew led by Captain J that appears attentive to different comfort levels.

Skip it if your priority is a long beach day, a full lunch, or several hours devoted only to snorkeling. Also reconsider if poor weather is likely, since the route depends on sea conditions.

For most people with a free half-day, the $145 price is reasonable for the range of stops and included equipment. Just arrive early enough to identify the boat, bring sun protection and any food you need, and tell the crew how comfortable you are in the water.

FAQ

How long does the powerboat and snorkel experience last?

The activity lasts approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts and ends at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal on Paradise Beach Drive in The Bahamas.

What islands does the experience visit?

The route includes Rose Island for snorkeling and swimming pigs, Green Cay for turtle viewing, and Sandy Cay for beaches and relaxation.

Are snorkeling equipment and drinks included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, bottled water, and soda or other soft drinks are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the price.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the trip is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund. A full refund is also available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.