Nassau Water Taxi to the Swimming Pigs of Rose Island
- DurationAbout 4 hours
- Daily
- Group
- Fair, honest prices
- Real people, not bots
- Confirm, then pay
- Secure payment
Overview
This Nassau water taxi trip is the simplest way to swim with pigs in the Bahamas without a long speedboat day. You board a shared water taxi at Woodes Rodgers Walk on the Nassau waterfront, a short walk from the cruise port, cruise out of Nassau Harbour along the Paradise Island coastline and land on the pig beach at Rose Island, where the pigs paddle out to meet the boat. The pig beach entry fee and an English-speaking guide are included, and the outing takes about four hours, with time to swim, sunbathe and buy snacks on the island before the ride back. There is no hotel pickup and no food included. It suits cruise visitors, families with young children and anyone who wants the pigs at a relaxed pace.
Highlights
- Swim with the famous pigs on the beach at Rose Island
- Scenic water taxi ride through Nassau Harbour and along the Paradise Island coast
- Departs from Woodes Rodgers Walk, a short walk from the Nassau cruise port
- Pig beach entry fee and English-speaking guide included
- Free time to swim, relax on the sand and buy snacks and drinks on the island
- Two departures a day at 09:30 and 11:30 to fit ship schedules
- About four hours door to door, back on the Nassau waterfront by mid-afternoon
- Suitable for children from age 3 and for non-swimmers in the shallows
Full Description
Woodes Rodgers Walk and the Nassau waterfront
Woodes Rodgers Walk is the promenade that runs along the harbour side of downtown Nassau, behind Bay Street and beside the cruise port piers. It is named after the first royal governor of the Bahamas, who arrived in 1718 to clear the island of pirates, and today it is lined with water taxi docks, craft stalls and views of the ships berthed at Prince George Wharf. From the cruise terminal it is a walk of a few minutes.
Our water taxi leaves from the dock here at 09:30 and 11:30. Arrive 15 minutes early to check in with the guide, who hands out the beach rules and answers questions on the way. Because the departure point is in the middle of town, this is the easiest Nassau boat tour from the cruise port to join: no taxi, no transfer, simply walk off the ship and along the waterfront.
Nassau Harbour and the Paradise Island coastline
The ride out is a sightseeing trip in itself. The water taxi passes under the two bridges that link Nassau to Paradise Island, with the resort towers rising on one side and the colourful downtown waterfront on the other, then follows the Paradise Island shore eastwards past the marinas and beachfront homes. On the western tip stands the Paradise Island lighthouse of 1817, the oldest surviving lighthouse in the Bahamas.
Once the boat clears the harbour the water turns the vivid turquoise that makes the Bahamas famous, and the guide points out Athol Island and the low green line of Rose Island ahead. The Rose Island boat trip takes roughly 30 to 40 minutes each way at water-taxi pace, long enough to enjoy the breeze and take photos, short enough for children not to get restless.
The swimming pigs of Rose Island
Rose Island is a long, narrow island about 18 kilometres east of Nassau with no town, only a few private beaches and the pig beach that has made it one of the most searched things to do in Nassau. The pigs live on the island year-round and have learned that boats mean food: as the water taxi noses into the shallows they come down the sand and swim out to greet it, snouts above the water.
You wade in and the guide shows you how to approach them and hands out the food they are given, so you can feed, stroke and photograph the pigs at arm's length. Keep fingers clear of mouths, do not chase them and let them come to you; they are friendly and used to visitors of all ages. For many guests, swimming with the pigs on Rose Island in Nassau is the single memory they take away from the Bahamas.
Beach time, snacks and the return
After the pigs you have free time on the beach. The sand is white and the water inside the reef is calm and shallow, so children and non-swimmers can paddle safely while others swim out further. There is a beach shack on the island where snacks and drinks can be bought, and shade, hammocks and simple facilities are available; no food is included in this trip, so bring cash or a card for the shack.
The water taxi makes the return crossing in the early afternoon and docks back at Woodes Rodgers Walk about four hours after departure, which leaves cruise passengers plenty of margin before sailing. Compared with the longer three-islands speedboat tours, this is the relaxed, lower-cost way to see the pig beach near Nassau, with nothing to organise beyond walking to the dock.
Itinerary
- Check-in at Woodes Rodgers WalkMeet the guide at the water taxi dock on the Nassau waterfront 15 minutes before the 09:30 or 11:30 departure.
- Water taxi through Nassau HarbourCruise under the Paradise Island bridges and along the Paradise Island coast; about 30 to 40 minutes with commentary from the guide.
- Arrival at the pig beach on Rose IslandThe pigs come down to meet the boat; the guide explains the rules and hands out the food for feeding them in the shallows.
- Swimming with the pigsAbout an hour to feed, stroke and photograph the pigs and swim beside them.
- Free beach timeSwim, sunbathe and buy snacks and drinks at the beach shack; shade and hammocks are available.
- Return to NassauReboard the water taxi for the crossing back, arriving at Woodes Rodgers Walk about four hours after departure.
What's included
- Return water taxi ride between Nassau and Rose Island
- English-speaking guide
- Pig beach entry fee
- Time to swim with the pigs and enjoy the beach
- Coastal views of Nassau Harbour and Paradise Island
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Towels and sunscreen
- Tips
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Travellers who want it organised for them — confirmed on WhatsApp before you pay
Think twice if
- You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
Meeting point
Meet at the water taxi dock on Woodes Rodgers Walk, the promenade on the Nassau waterfront behind Bay Street and a short walk from the cruise terminal, 15 minutes before your 09:30 or 11:30 departure. Our guide will be at the dock to check you in. Hotel pickup is not included; taxis from Cable Beach and Paradise Island hotels drop you at the waterfront in a few minutes.
Important information
- Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat and a waterproof case for your phone
- No food is included; bring cash or a card to buy snacks and drinks at the beach shack on Rose Island
- Do not bring your own food for the pigs; the guide provides what they may eat
- Keep fingers away from the pigs' mouths and let them approach you; children should stay close to an adult in the water
- Children aged 3 to 11 travel on a child rate; the shallows are calm enough for young children
- Towels are not provided
- Departures depend on sea conditions; in rough weather the trip may be moved to another time
- Arrive 15 minutes before departure, as the water taxi leaves on schedule
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
Is this a shared or a private experience?
It is a shared water taxi with other guests and an English-speaking guide on board. The beach on Rose Island is shared with other visitors as well.
How long does the trip take?
About four hours in total: roughly 30 to 40 minutes each way on the water and two to three hours on Rose Island with the pigs and the beach.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. The water taxi leaves from Woodes Rodgers Walk on the Nassau waterfront, a short walk from the cruise port and a quick taxi ride from hotels on Paradise Island and Cable Beach.
What is included?
The return water taxi ride between Nassau and Rose Island, the English-speaking guide and the pig beach entry fee. Food and drinks are not included but can be bought on the island.
Is the price per person or per group?
Per person, with adult and child rates. The booking panel on this page shows the current price.
Is it suitable for children and for reduced mobility?
Yes for children from age 3; the pigs stay in shallow water and the beach is calm. Boarding the water taxi involves a step down and a wet landing on the beach, so guests with reduced mobility should contact us first.
What should I bring?
Swimwear under your clothes, a towel, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, water shoes if you have them and cash or a card for snacks at the beach shack.
Are the swimming pigs on Rose Island the same as the ones in the Exumas?
No. The original swimming pigs live in the Exumas, a flight or a full-day boat trip away. The Rose Island pigs are a separate colony a short water taxi ride from Nassau, which is why this trip is so popular with cruise visitors.
Which departure is best for cruise passengers?
The 09:30 departure returns by early afternoon and suits almost every ship schedule; the 11:30 departure works for ships that arrive later in the morning.
What happens in bad weather?
The water taxi does not sail in rough seas. If your departure is cancelled for weather we offer another time or date, and our team keeps you informed on WhatsApp.
Can I swim with the pigs if I cannot swim?
Yes. The pigs come into water that is knee to waist deep, so you can stand while feeding and photographing them; a swimming vest can be worn for extra confidence.
How do I book and confirm?
Choose your date and departure time in the booking panel and send the request. Our team confirms your booking on WhatsApp within minutes with the exact dock location on Woodes Rodgers Walk.