Three Islands Pig Beach, Snorkelling and Turtles Tour Nassau

Paradise Island marina and Nassau Harbour

The tour begins at the marina on Paradise Island, the long island joined to Nassau by two bridges that shelters the harbour from the open Atlantic. From the dock you look across the water to the pastel waterfront of Nassau and the cruise ships at the port, and most hotels on Paradise Island and in downtown Nassau are a short taxi ride away. Our captain checks you in, fits snorkelling vests and explains the safety briefing before the engines start.

The speedboat heads east out of the harbour mouth, past the lighthouse on the western tip of Paradise Island, and within minutes the water turns from harbour green to the bright turquoise the Bahamas is known for. Keep your camera ready: the first stretch, with the Paradise Island resorts on one side and open sea on the other, is one of the best parts of any Nassau speedboat tour.

Pearl Island reef snorkelling

Pearl Island is a small cay a few minutes east of Paradise Island, fringed by a shallow reef in water rarely deeper than a few metres. The boat anchors over the coral, and for about an hour you snorkel among sea fans, brain corals and shoals of sergeant majors, parrotfish and blue tangs, with a good chance of a stingray gliding over the sand below. The guide points out what you are seeing and stays in the water with the group.

This is a relaxed Nassau snorkelling tour stop that suits beginners: the sea is calm inside the reef, vests keep you afloat, and the boat is always close by. Masks, snorkels and fins are provided, but bring your own if you prefer a familiar fit. Reef-safe sunscreen is kindest to the coral, and a rash vest saves your back from the sun while you float.

Rose Island and the swimming pigs

Rose Island lies about 18 kilometres east of Nassau, a narrow strip of sand, scrub and palms almost 20 kilometres long with no town and only a handful of private beaches. The beach we use is the longest stop of the day, about two hours, and the first thing you see as the boat noses in is the colony of pigs trotting down the sand to meet it. They swim out to the shallows for the food the guide provides, and you can wade, swim and photograph them at close range.

Once you have had your fill of pig beach Nassau style, the rest of the beach is yours: kayaks are included for paddling the sheltered lagoon, hammocks and shade are available, and a hot Bahamian-style lunch is served with bottled water. Extra snacks and drinks can be bought on the island. It is the reason the Rose Island tour from Nassau is booked by so many families.

Green Cay and the sea turtles

Green Cay is a tiny uninhabited island east of Rose Island, ringed by seagrass meadows where green sea turtles come to graze. The captain cuts the engine and lets the boat drift over the shallows for about 20 minutes while turtles surface for air and glide beneath the hull, often three or four at a time. Because the water is only a couple of metres deep and crystal clear, you see them clearly from the deck without getting wet.

Green Cay is the best place to see sea turtles near Nassau, and it is a viewing stop rather than a swim: the turtles are protected and the boat keeps a respectful distance so they stay calm. Polarised sunglasses make a big difference for spotting them under the surface. Many guests rank these 20 minutes alongside the pigs as the highlight of the three islands tour.

Athol Island and the return to Nassau

On the way back the boat skirts Athol Island, an uninhabited island between Rose Island and Paradise Island with low limestone cliffs, small beaches and the ruins of an old quarantine station from the days when ships arriving at Nassau had to wait offshore. The pass takes about 10 minutes and gives the best open-water views of the trip, with Nassau's skyline and the harbour bridges growing ahead of you.

The speedboat returns to the Paradise Island marina about four hours after departure. If you chose the shared tour with return transport, our driver takes you on to your drop-off point in Nassau; with the private speedboat option, pickup and drop-off are included from the Paradise Island marina or from next to the cruise port. For cruise visitors, a morning departure leaves ample time to be back on board.