Nassau: Self-Drive Speedboat Ride and Pig Swimming Encounter

The best part of this Nassau outing is simple: you drive the speedboat yourself. After a short run across the water, you reach Anthol Island, feed the swimming pigs, snorkel, and spend time on a small beach. It feels more active than a standard boat transfer and more personal than a large cruise excursion.

I like the small groups of up to 10 and the chance to reach the pigs before larger boats arrive. I also like the flexibility shown by guides such as Kelly, King, Serena, and Andy, who have helped with timing, boat handling, and weather changes. The main drawback is transport: a taxi or a hot walk may be needed to reach the meeting point, and the return ride is not always arranged.

Key points

• You take the wheel: Each boat holds two people, with a guide nearby to help if needed.
• Early timing matters: The 10 a.m. departure has often reached the pigs before larger groups.
• Anthol Island is more than a photo stop: You have time for pig feeding, swimming, snorkeling, and beach time.
• The pigs can be pushy: Some are large and eager for food, so follow the guide’s instructions.
• Weather can change the plan: The trip runs rain or shine, but strong wind may lead to a ferry ride instead.
• The $120 price is competitive: It combines transport by speedboat, the pig encounter, snorkeling gear, a beach area, and a banana boat ride.

Driving Your Own Boat From Nassau

Many Nassau excursions put you on a large boat and carry you to a fixed activity. This one gives you a small motorboat and lets you share the driving. That changes the feel of the trip at once. You are not simply being carried across the water. You are steering through the waves, with a guide keeping watch over the group.

The boats are designed for two people. That works well for couples, friends, or a parent and older child who want to share the ride. You should expect spray and a wet ride, so keep phones and other valuables in a waterproof case or bag. One person can drive while the other enjoys the view, then you can switch if the guide permits.

The ride itself is not a long open-ocean expedition. The island is a short distance away, but the boat handling gives the trip its main thrill. You may pass striking waterfront homes, see luxury yachts, and, depending on the route and conditions, travel near the Atlantis area. One outing even included a view of the Atlantis waterfalls and canals on the way back.

The guides remain close and attentive. Kelly has helped people who felt unsure about steering, while other guides have allowed confident drivers to set their own pace within the group. That is useful because the boats are small, and a little guidance makes a big difference for first-time drivers.

Reaching Anthol Island Before the Crowds

Anthol Island is the payoff for the boat ride. You arrive at a small beach area with clear water, sand, and the pigs that have made this corner of the Bahamas popular. The setting is not a polished resort. That is part of its appeal. You get a simple island stop where the animals, water, and beach are the focus.

Timing makes a real difference. The 10 a.m. departure is the smart choice if you want a quieter visit. Early groups have reached the beach while the pigs were just coming out and the food was being prepared. Some people had roughly 30 to 45 minutes with few or no other visitors before larger boats appeared.

That extra breathing room helps with photos and makes the animal encounter less frantic. Later in the day, the same beach can feel busier, especially as larger boats arrive. The tour is only two hours, so a crowded arrival can make the island portion feel short.

The beach time is not unlimited, but it is long enough to feed the pigs, take pictures, get into the water, and have a look around. Snacks and drinks may be available on the island, though bringing your own water is sensible. The activity information specifically includes a beach area, but it does not promise food or drinks, so do not count on those as part of the $120 price.

Feeding and Swimming With the Pigs

The pigs are the star attraction, and they are used to people. You can feed them and enter the water with them for the familiar swimming-pig photos. Melon has been used as feed, and the guide manages the interaction so the group can get close without losing control of the animals.

You should also know that the pigs are not small, quiet pets. Some are large, and some can be aggressive when food is present. Keep your hands clear when instructed, listen to the guide, and avoid treating the encounter like a gentle petting zoo. The animals are cute, but they are still strong farm animals moving through shallow water.

The water is described as clean and very clear, which makes the swimming portion especially appealing. You may see more than pigs. Eagle rays, sea turtles, and wild peacocks have been spotted around the island and nearby water. Those sightings are not guaranteed, but they show why you should leave a little time to look around instead of rushing through the photo stop.

You will want your camera ready, but protect it carefully. The boat ride can be wet, and the pig area is in the water. A waterproof phone pouch is more useful here than a loose phone in a beach bag.

Snorkeling and the Extra Water Activities

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask and gear. The activity gives you a chance to see what is below the surface after feeding the pigs. That creates a welcome change of pace: first you are handling the boat, then meeting the animals, then enjoying quieter time in the water.

The snorkeling is part of a short two-hour outing, not a dedicated reef trip. The supplied information does not promise a particular reef, depth, or marine species. Go expecting a pleasant water activity rather than a major underwater expedition.

A banana boat ride is also included. The exact timing is not specified, so ask the guide when it will take place. It adds another burst of activity, but you should not assume every minute will be spent on the banana boat or snorkeling. The main structure remains the speedboat ride, pig beach, and return to Nassau.

If conditions turn rough, the water activities may be adjusted. One outing could not take the speedboats to the pig island because of wind, so the group used a ferry to reach the pigs and later drove the small boats in the harbor. That is a useful sign of practical local judgment. It also means the self-drive portion may be shortened or moved if the sea is unsafe.

What the Two-Hour Schedule Feels Like

The short duration is good for a cruise stop or a morning in Nassau. You get a clear sequence without committing most of the day:

• Meet the operator and complete the required setup.
• Receive instructions and take your two-person speedboat onto the water.
• Reach Anthol Island and walk to the pig beach area.
• Feed and swim with the pigs.
• Snorkel and use the included water activities as conditions allow.
• Return to Nassau by boat.

The exact order can change with wind, tide, boat traffic, and the meeting point. The live guide speaks English, French, or Spanish, and the small group limit is 10 people. That is a real advantage over a large excursion where instructions and photos can become hurried.

At two hours, the trip is compact rather than leisurely. You will not have a full beach day. The benefit is that you can fit it around a cruise schedule or combine it with other Nassau plans. The risk is that delays matter. If you are traveling on a cruise ship, leave enough time for the return to the ship, especially if you must arrange your own taxi.

Getting to the Meeting Point

The meeting point can vary by booking option, so read your confirmation carefully. Transport is not listed among the included items. Several outings reached the office by taxi, while some people walked from the cruise port in about 25 minutes. That walk may be unpleasant in Nassau’s heat, and one account describes the route as less comfortable than the tourist center.

A taxi is the safer practical choice if you are carrying beach gear or traveling with children. If a driver brings you to the start, ask for a phone number so you can arrange a return. One of the most useful improvements mentioned is a direct drop-off at a cruise ship, but you should not assume that service is standard.

The meeting details are important because the $120 price is for the activity itself, not necessarily door-to-door transport. Add taxi costs when comparing this outing with a cruise-line excursion. The operator may help with timing, but you remain responsible for getting to the stated starting point unless your selected option says otherwise.

Is $120 a Good Value?

At $120 per person, this is a strong value if you want several activities packed into a short outing. The price includes the speedboat ride, self-driving experience, pig encounter, snorkeling equipment, beach access, and banana boat ride. A small group also gives you more time with the guide than a large boat tour usually allows.

The value is strongest for couples and small families who would otherwise pay much more for a private boat. One family with three children divided among several boats and found the experience worked well, but you should remember that each boat holds only two people. Larger families may need more than one boat and should check how the booking handles that.

The comparison with cruise excursions can be favorable, especially if the ship’s pig experience costs substantially more. Still, the lower price comes with more independence. You may need to arrange taxis, carry your own water, and accept changes when wind affects the route.

For a simple pig photo stop, $120 may feel high. For a two-hour outing that combines driving, beach time, animal interaction, snorkeling, and a banana boat ride, the price makes sense. The small group is the detail that protects the value.

Who Should Book This Nassau Excursion?

I would choose this for an active couple, a family with older children, or anyone who wants more than a passive boat transfer. You should be comfortable around water, willing to get wet, and interested in taking basic control of a small boat.

It is not suitable for pregnant women or people with pre-existing medical conditions. The activity also may not suit anyone who dislikes speed, spray, small boats, or close contact with large animals.

The trip is especially useful for cruise passengers with limited time because it lasts only two hours. Book an early departure if possible. That gives you the best chance of enjoying the pigs before larger boats arrive and leaves more of the day for Nassau.

The weather clause matters. This activity runs rain or shine, but wind can force the operator to change the route or replace the open-water speedboat ride with a ferry for the island portion. If your perfect day requires a fixed schedule and calm seas, this is not the safest choice.

Final Call: Is It Worth Booking?

I would book this tour if driving your own boat matters as much as seeing the pigs. The self-drive section gives the outing its character, while the small group, early access, beach time, and snorkeling make the $120 price reasonable.

Choose another option if you want guaranteed transport from the cruise port, a long beach stay, or a fully predictable schedule. For everyone else, pick the earliest available time, bring a waterproof phone case and drinking water, confirm the meeting point, and keep a taxi plan for the return. Those small steps turn a fun idea into a much smoother Nassau day.

FAQ

How much does the speedboat and pig encounter cost?

The listed price is $120 per person.

How long does the activity last?

The activity lasts two hours.

Where does the experience take place?

It takes place in the waters around New Providence, Bahamas, with the island stop at Anthol Island.

Can I drive the speedboat myself?

Yes. The activity uses two-person speedboats, and you can take the wheel for part of the trip.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to 10 participants.

What languages does the guide speak?

Live guides are available in English, French, and Spanish.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the activity price.

Is a banana boat ride included?

Yes. The listed inclusions include a banana boat ride.

Does the activity include transport from the cruise port?

Transport from the cruise port is not listed as an inclusion. The meeting point may vary by booking option, and you may need to arrange a taxi or walk to the starting point.

What happens if it rains or the wind is strong?

The activity runs rain or shine. Strong wind can affect the speedboat route, and one reported arrangement used a ferry to reach the pigs before moving the self-drive boats to the harbor.