Nassau: Pigs Beach Trip by Boat with Swimming and Feeding

Swimming pigs beat most Nassau shore plans. This Nassau-to-Athol Island boat trip gets you to Pig Beach fast, then you’ll feed and swim with the famous swimming pigs before heading to Pearl Island for a relaxing beach stretch. It’s a short, friendly, very photo-friendly outing that still feels like a real day on the water, not just a quick photo stop.

I especially like the chance to focus on the animals with pig feeding and swimming, plus the fact that you also get a proper beach break on Pearl Island (about an hour and a half). One thing to keep in mind: the schedule can feel tight once you factor in shared-boat logistics and the fact that Pig Beach can get crowded, so your time can get more “go-go-go” than you might expect.

Quick Take: SunCay’s Pig Beach and Pearl Island Mix

• A short pig-beach window (about 40 minutes): enough time to get in the water and feed the pigs without turning it into a half-day activity.
• Pearl Island beach time (about 1.5 hours): a separate, calmer stop with water time and lounge time.
• Boat trip from Nassau Cruise Port area: a scenic ride to Athol Island, which is about 8 nautical miles away.
• Lounge chairs included: helps make the beach stops feel more comfortable for a budget price.
• Know the practical detail about boarding stairs: you climb down stairs to get on the boat from shore.

Why This Trip Feels Like the Right Kind of Nassau Shore Fun

If you’re in Nassau and you want one “only-here” experience, swimming pigs is about as memorable as it gets. This is built around a simple idea: hop on a boat, reach Athol Island (often called Pigs Beach Island), and then spend focused time with the animals on Pig Beach.

What I like is how the trip is short enough to fit a cruise-port mindset, but still structured enough that you’re not rushing constantly. You get the animal encounter, then you get a separate beach stop on Pearl Island, so the day doesn’t feel like one long line waiting for your turn.

The biggest “watch this” point is crowding and timing. Pig Beach is popular, and the beach can be busy. Also, even though the tour is listed as 3 hours, some people find the full day-to-return window is closer to 5 hours depending on how the boat is loaded and where people are picked up.

Finding the Meeting Point Near Nassau Cruise Port (No Guesswork)

This tour does not include pickup or drop-off. So you’ll want to be very deliberate about where you meet the boat.

Your meeting point is Elizabeth on Bay Marina, about 5 minutes from the Nassau Cruise Port. Walk down Bay Street in the direction of traffic until you hit Hoffer Sports and Phoenix Chinese. Right opposite is the marina.

Then go all the way down to the water. Look for Salsa on your right, and find SunCay staff wearing blue or orange shirts with the SunCay name on them. You’ll know you’re in the right spot when you see the group gathering by the docks.

Practical tip: arrive a few minutes early. This isn’t a “show up exactly at the second” kind of meeting, especially if you’re walking off a cruise ship and the streets are busy.

The Boat Ride to Athol Island: Short, Scenic, Shared

You’ll board the boat at the marina and head across the water to Athol Island. Athol Island sits about 8 nautical miles from the Nassau Cruise Port area, which helps explain why this trip feels quick compared with longer Bahamas excursions.

On a shared-boat tour like this, the boat can be loaded with people from other tours. In real-world terms, that can add small delays and mean you don’t have a private boat experience. One review noted the boat made additional stops before arriving at Pig Beach, including picking up more passengers and even a stop at an island for a scuba tour.

That doesn’t ruin the trip—it just means you should expect some waiting. If you’re the type who hates uncertainty, you’ll want to build in patience. If you’re okay with a relaxed pace and just want the “getting there” part to be part of the fun, you’ll be fine.

40 Minutes on Pig Beach: Feeding Time, Swimming Time, Photo Time

Once you arrive at Pig Beach, you’re there for about 40 minutes with the pigs. This is the heart of the excursion, and it’s also where you’ll see why people talk about the swimming pigs as a genuine experience rather than a gimmick.

Here’s what you can expect during that pig time:

• Feeding and interacting: you’ll share snacks and get up close with the pigs.
• Swimming and frolic: the pigs are known for coming into the water, so you’ll likely be in the action zone.
• Time with baby pigs: some visitors reported holding baby pigs as part of the encounter.

Pig etiquette matters. At least one review warns that pigs are not picky and that if people bring snacks, the pigs go for it. Translation: protect your belongings, and keep your food situation simple.

Also note the environment: Pig Beach can be very busy. There may be many boats arriving and lots of people gathered at the same time. You’ll still get the experience, but it can feel like organized chaos when you’re trying to feed, pose for photos, and hop in the water.

One more practical detail: to board the boat, you have to climb down some stairs from the beach. If you don’t love uneven steps or short climbs, this is worth factoring into your comfort level.

Pearl Island for About 1.5 Hours: The Reset Button

After Pig Beach, you switch scenes. The tour heads to Pearl Island for about an hour and a half of beach time.

This stop is valuable for a few reasons:

• It gives you a break from the constant attention on the pigs.
• It adds a second setting to your day, so the tour doesn’t feel one-note.
• Reviews mention enjoying views, a swim, and a chance to relax with water activities.

Some people also treat Pearl Island as “where you recharge” after the pig encounter. If Pig Beach felt crowded or if you spent most of your pig time in the water, Pearl Island is the part where you can slow down.

There’s also a timing trade-off. If you opt for an itinerary version that rushes you to Pig Beach directly (one review mentioned this with a Pig Express setup), you might get less lounging time on Pearl Island. Even then, you still get the beach stop, which many visitors said was beautiful and enjoyable.

Drinks, Amenities, and the Stuff You Actually Need to Know

The tour includes a few “small comfort” items that matter once you’re out in the sun and sand. The big ones listed are:

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

Lounge chairs are included, which is a plus for beach comfort and for waiting your turn if crowds build.

Food and drinks are where you should read the room. The highlights mention enjoying drinks while you frolic, but at least one review said no drinks were provided. So I’d plan like drinks are not guaranteed for everyone. If you want to be safe, bring water. One review explicitly suggests packing water jugs, which tells me dehydration is a real concern in the heat and the time outdoors.

Restrooms are another practical question. One review said the restrooms were clean, which is great news if you’re trying to stay comfortable during your beach time.

Crowds, Safety Briefings, and Shared-Group Reality

This tour is popular, and the Pig Beach portion can feel crowded. Multiple reviews point to lots of people, a busy beach, and pigs that keep moving and responding to attention from different groups.

Group structure also matters. One review noted you might be placed on a boat with people from multiple tours, then encounter additional stops for pickups. Another said the experience time felt shorter than what was advertised because time was spent traveling and picking up other people.

Safety briefings weren’t consistent either. At least one review noted there were no safety briefings. That doesn’t mean the crew won’t be helpful, but it does mean you shouldn’t assume there will be a formal pre-water talk. When you’re on-site, listen closely to whatever instructions the crew gives you about the water and pig feeding.

If you go in with realistic expectations—crowds, a shared boat, and a tight time window—you’ll have a smoother day.

Price and Value: Is $79 Worth It?

At $79 per person, this sits in the “budget-friendly relative to other options” category. Reviews also describe it as a good price compared with competitors, and they call it a worthwhile experience for the chance to see the pigs up close.

But value depends on what you want most:

• If your priority is the pigs and you’re happy with a shorter beach encounter, you’ll likely feel this is a solid deal.
• If your priority is more beach time on Pearl Island, you might feel slightly squeezed. One review said the pig-time version didn’t give them time to lounge and enjoy Pearl Island because they were directly back onto the boat for the return.

One more value reality check: the trip is listed at 3 hours, but some people reported being out about 5 hours from cruise ship departure to return. That doesn’t make it a bad deal, but it does change how you should think about time. When you judge value, judge it as part of your whole port day, not just the on-paper duration.

Who This Trip Is Best For (and Who Should Skip It)

This is a strong fit if:

• you love animal encounters and want something unusual without a long Bahamas transit day
• you want a guided experience with a clear structure: pigs first, Pearl Island second
• you’re comfortable with shared boats and beach crowds

It’s likely not the best fit if:

• you’re traveling with very young children, because it’s not suitable for children under 5
• you need a low-crowd, quiet beach day (Pig Beach can be busy)
• you’re sensitive to stairs, because boarding includes climbing down steps from the beach

If you want a fun, iconic “I’m really in the Bahamas” moment with minimal planning, this delivers.

Should You Book This Nassau Pigs Beach Trip?

I think it’s a good booking when you want the highlights—swimming pigs, pig feeding, and a beach reset at Pearl Island—without spending all day on a complicated itinerary. The price is reasonable for what you’re doing, the crew is described as friendly, and the encounter itself is the kind of experience you’ll remember long after you’re back on your ship.

But I’d book it with two expectations locked in:

1) time may run longer than the listed duration, and

2) Pig Beach can be crowded, so go with patience and focus on your own interaction with the pigs.

If that sounds like your style, you’ll probably be happy you did it.

FAQ

How long is the Nassau Pigs Beach trip?

The tour is listed as 3 hours. One review reported that from leaving a cruise ship to returning, the full time was closer to 5 hours.

How much time do you spend with the pigs?

You’ll have about 40 minutes with the swimming pigs on Pig Beach, including feeding and interacting.

Is pickup and drop-off included?

No. Pickup and drop-off are not included. You meet at the marina near the Nassau Cruise Port.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at Elizabeth on Bay Marina near Nassau Cruise Port. Walk Bay Street toward traffic past Hoffer Sports and Phoenix Chinese. Go down to the water and look for Salsa on your right, then find SunCay staff in blue or orange shirts.

What’s included in the price?

Included are the boat trip, guide, swimming with pigs, pig feeding, and lounge chairs.

Is it suitable for young children?

It is not suitable for children under 5 years.