Private Island Tours from Nassau: Worth It?

A private island tour from Nassau typically means chartering a boat to a small cay like Rose Island or Pearl Island for a few hours. Expect crystal-clear water for snorkeling with turtles, a stop to feed swimming pigs, and time on a quiet beach away from the big cruise-ship crowds. The boat ride is usually 20-45 minutes each way. You'll have a captain and sometimes a guide who handles food, drinks, and gear. It's relaxed but still structured: snorkel, pigs, beach club lunch, then back. Most trips run 3-5 hours total.

Best time is December through April when the weather is driest and seas are calmest. Summer and fall bring higher heat, rain, and occasional rough water that can cancel trips. Expect to pay around $650–$1,200 total for a private boat for up to 6 people, depending on length, inclusions like lunch and drinks, and which island. Larger groups or extra hours push it higher.

Pick the version that includes both snorkeling with turtles and the pigs if you want the full experience; the pure beach-club-only trips feel overpriced. Skip the ATV combo tours unless you specifically want to ride— they cut into water time and usually feel rushed. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a waterproof phone case, and cash for tips.