Nassau: Self-Drive Speedboat Ride and Pig Swimming Encounter

The unusual part comes first: you get to drive your own two-person speedboat across Nassau’s clear coastal water to Anthol Island. Once there, you feed and swim with pigs, snorkel, and spend time on a small beach before steering back toward Nassau.

I like the freedom of having the wheel and the small-group setup, which keeps the outing more personal than a large boat excursion. I also like the early start, especially the 10 a.m. departure, since it can get you to the pigs before larger boats arrive. The main catch is transport to the meeting point, which is not always included and may mean a hot walk or a taxi from the cruise port.

Key points at a glance

• You drive the boat: Each speedboat holds two people, and a guide remains nearby to help.
• Early access matters: The 10 a.m. departure has often reached the pig beach before bigger groups.
• Anthol Island feels simple and natural: Expect a small beach, clear water, pigs, snorkeling, and little time wasted indoors.
• The pigs are friendly but not timid: Some are large and can push in when food appears.
• The ride includes more than pigs: Snorkeling equipment, a banana boat ride, and beach access are included.
• Plan for wet conditions: Bring a waterproof phone case or bag, and remember that the tour runs rain or shine.

Taking the wheel from Nassau

For $120 per person, this two-hour outing combines three things that are often sold separately: a small speedboat ride, time with swimming pigs, and a snorkeling stop. The speedboat is the star for many people. You are not simply sitting on a ferry while someone else handles the route. You and your companion get a two-person boat, and you can take the helm for part of the journey.

The boats are small, which makes the ride feel lively and direct. You will feel the wind, spray, and movement of the water more than you would on a large excursion vessel. That also means you should expect to get wet. Keep phones, wallets, cameras, and cruise documents in a waterproof case.

A guide leads the group and stays attentive while you drive. If you feel unsure, the guide can take over. This makes the experience workable for first-time boat drivers, though you still need to be comfortable around moving water and following instructions.

The group limit is 10 people, a useful detail if you dislike the usual cruise excursion crowd. With only a few small boats, the guides can pay closer attention to the group and may adjust the pace when conditions allow. Guides named in the experience feedback include Kelly, King, Serena, and Andy, though the guide assigned to your departure can vary.

The route toward Anthol Island

The ride to Anthol Island is short enough that the tour does not spend most of its two hours in transit. That leaves time for the island visit, feeding the pigs, photos, water time, and the return trip.

The route can offer a different view of Nassau than a land tour. Depending on the path and conditions, you may pass attractive waterfront homes, luxury yachts, and views around Atlantis. One outing also included a look at the foundations at Atlantis and a stop to watch a fisherman open conch. These details are not guaranteed parts of every departure, but they show how the boat route can add local sights beyond the main pig encounter.

The boat ride is also where the activity earns much of its value. A basic pig visit can involve sitting on a larger boat and walking straight to the beach. Here, the ride itself is part of the fun, and you have some control over how you get there.

That said, this is not a long open-ocean sailing trip. The boat journey is described as short, so book it for the combination of driving, pigs, and beach time rather than for hours of cruising.

Meeting the pigs on a small beach

Anthol Island’s pig beach is the emotional center of the outing. You arrive by boat, walk onto the beach, and receive food to give the pigs. The animals enter the shallow water and come toward people, creating easy photo opportunities without much waiting around.

The water is often clear, and you can swim near the pigs after feeding them. The setting is simple rather than built up, which is part of its appeal. You get a small beach area, open water, and the animals, not a large resort program filled with stages and shops.

Timing makes a real difference. The 10 a.m. departure has reached the beach before larger boats on several occasions, giving the first group roughly 30 to 45 minutes with fewer people around. If a quieter visit matters to you, choose the earliest available time and arrive ready to go.

The pigs are cute, but do not treat them like small pets. Some are large, and they can be pushy or aggressive when food is available. Hold food carefully, listen to the guide, and give the animals room. Parents should stay close to younger children, especially near the water and around the larger pigs.

You may also spot other wildlife. Sea turtles and an eagle ray have been seen during the water time, and wild peacocks have been spotted on the island. These sightings are chance encounters, not promised parts of the tour, but they add interest to the stop.

Snorkeling in clear Bahamian water

Snorkeling equipment is included, and the schedule allows time to look beneath the water after the pig encounter. This gives the visit a better mix than a quick photo stop followed by an immediate return.

The snorkeling is best viewed as a short add-on rather than a full reef expedition. The supplied details do not promise a specific reef, depth, or set of fish, so you should not book this as a specialist snorkeling trip. Instead, it is a chance to cool off and see what is around the island after feeding the pigs.

The water can be invitingly clear, but conditions vary. Wind affects both visibility and the boat route. On one departure, strong wind made the direct speedboat trip to the pigs unsafe, so the operator arranged a ferry ride to the island instead and offered self-drive boats in the harbor afterward.

That change shows a sensible safety choice, but it also reveals the limit of booking a weather-dependent activity. If the water is rough, you may not receive the exact ride described at every stage. The tour operates rain or shine, so pack a light cover-up and protect anything you do not want soaked.

What the banana boat ride adds

A banana boat ride is listed among the inclusions, along with the speedboat ride, pig encounter, snorkeling equipment, and beach access. The available details do not spell out exactly when the banana boat ride takes place or how long it lasts.

Treat it as an extra water activity rather than the main reason to book. The self-drive boat and pig beach are the defining parts of the day. If the banana boat is especially important to you, confirm the timing with the operator when you book.

Why the $120 price can make sense

At $120 per person, the outing costs more than a basic beach transfer but less than some premium pig excursions. Its value comes from the number of activities packed into two hours and from the chance to drive rather than simply ride.

A couple sharing a boat gets a more private-feeling experience than a large group transfer. Families can also split across boats, as one family did with three boats for different combinations of adults and children. The small-group limit helps keep the experience from turning into a crowded procession.

The price does not automatically cover every practical cost. Transportation to the meeting point may be extra, and drinks or snacks on the island may also cost extra. One family packed water, while another advised bringing cash for drinks. Include a taxi in your budget if you are arriving from a cruise port or hotel.

Compared with a cruise-line excursion, the independent booking can offer a lower price and a smaller group. The tradeoff is that you need to manage your own route to the meeting point and allow time to return to your ship. A few outings had a smooth drop-off near a cruise ship, but that should not be assumed unless it is confirmed for your departure.

Getting to the meeting point without stress

The meeting point can vary according to the option booked, so check the exact instructions rather than relying on a general map pin. From the cruise port, the walk has been described as roughly 25 minutes, while another account found it easy to walk. Heat, luggage, and the condition of the route can make that difference meaningful.

If you are carrying beach gear or traveling with children, a taxi is the safer practical choice. One useful tip is to keep the number of the taxi driver who brings you to the activity, since finding a ride back may not be as simple after the tour.

Cruise passengers should leave a generous buffer. A two-hour activity can become much longer once you add the trip to the meeting point, check-in, possible delays, and the ride back. The operator has accommodated late arrivals in at least one case, but you should not count on that during a tight port call.

Who will enjoy this most

This is a good fit for couples, families with older children, and active cruise passengers who want something more hands-on than a standard beach excursion. You should enjoy being on the water, getting wet, and trying something mildly adventurous.

It also suits people who value a small group. The 10-person limit and two-person boats give you more room to ask questions and more time at the beach before the larger boats arrive.

The outing is less suitable if you want a slow, quiet beach day with no schedule. The speedboats are part of the point, and the pigs can be energetic around food. It is also not suitable for pregnant women or people with pre-existing medical conditions, according to the activity information.

Children can enjoy the boats and animals, but the supplied details do not state a minimum age. Ask the operator before booking if you are traveling with very young children.

Practical things to pack

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and a waterproof case for your phone. You should assume spray during the boat ride and wet clothing around the pigs.

Pack drinking water, even though drinks or snacks may be available for purchase on the island. A small amount of cash is useful for those purchases.

Wear footwear that you can manage around a beach and short island paths. One account describes a short walk through brush to reach the pigs, so the experience is not limited to stepping directly from boat onto a paved dock.

Choose the earliest departure if you want the best chance of a quieter beach. The 10 a.m. option has been especially useful for reaching the pigs before larger groups. Still, arrival times can shift with weather and operating conditions.

Booking terms and languages

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps you from paying at the time of booking. Starting times depend on availability.

Guiding is available in English, French, and Spanish. The activity takes place rain or shine, but wind and water conditions can change the route or the boat arrangements. The operator has used a ferry alternative when conditions were too windy for the direct speedboat trip.

Should you book the Nassau pig and speedboat tour?

I would choose this outing if you want the pig beach but also want the journey to feel like an activity in its own right. The chance to drive a two-person boat, the small group, and the early access to Anthol Island give it more personality than a standard transfer-and-photo stop.

Book it with realistic expectations. The ride to the island is short, the pigs can be forceful around food, and the snorkeling details are not as specific as those of a dedicated reef trip. You also need to sort out transport to the meeting point and leave plenty of time if you are returning to a cruise ship.

For the strongest version of the experience, choose the earliest slot, bring waterproof storage and water, confirm the meeting point, and budget for a taxi. At $120 per person, it is a strong value for an active half-day style outing compressed into two hours, especially for couples and small families who want to drive themselves.

FAQ

How long does the speedboat and pig encounter last?

The activity lasts two hours, including the speedboat ride, time at Anthol Island, the pig encounter, snorkeling, and the return journey.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to 10 participants. The boats are designed for two people each.

Can I drive the speedboat myself?

Yes. You can take the wheel for part of the trip, while a guide remains available to assist and can drive if needed.

What is included in the price?

The $120 price includes the speedboat ride, pig swimming encounter, snorkeling equipment, banana boat ride, and access to the beach area.

What languages are available?

Live guiding is available in English, French, and Spanish.

Is the activity suitable in bad weather?

The activity takes place rain or shine. Strong wind can affect the route, and an alternative ferry arrangement has been used when speedboats could not safely travel to the pigs.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.