Self Drive Speedboat and Swim with the Pigs

Take the wheel in Nassau. This two-hour outing pairs a self-drive speedboat ride with a visit to a private island where you can feed pigs and take photos. I like the freedom of steering your own boat and the friendly, patient crew, but wind can make the driving harder than it first appears.

The route gives you views near the Atlantis Bridge before heading across the water with a guide leading the way. I also like that no boating license or previous experience is required. The main consideration is that the pigs do not always swim, especially once the food runs out, so expect a pig encounter rather than a guaranteed swim.

Key points at a glance

• You drive your own speedboat: Adults age 18 and older can take the wheel, with quick instructions provided before departure.
• The route passes near Atlantis: You follow a guide around New Providence Island and pass close to the Atlantis Bridge.
• The pig stop is on a private island: You can feed the pigs, take pictures, and see them in clear water and clean surroundings.
• Wind affects the driving: Calm conditions make the ride easier, while strong wind can turn steering into real work.
• The crew earns strong marks: The guides are described as patient, polite, professional, and careful about getting everyone back safely.
• The tour is small enough to feel personal: The maximum group size is 20 people, and the activity returns to its starting point.

Starting at Malcom’s Park by the Atlantis Bridge

Your meeting point is Malcom’s Park at the Atlantis Bridge in Nassau. The location is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying elsewhere on New Providence Island and do not have a car.

Check-in is described as easy, and the activity begins at a private dock. The crew gives specific instructions before you leave. That briefing matters because this is not a simple ride on a boat with a staff member doing all the work. You are expected to handle the boat, at least if you are 18 or older.

The instructions are meant to be quick and manageable. No boating license or previous boating experience is needed. Still, I would arrive ready to listen closely and take your first few minutes seriously. The water, wind, and steering may feel unfamiliar, even if the controls seem simple at the dock.

The group limit is 20 people. That is large enough for a lively outing but small enough that the crew can keep an eye on the boats and help when needed. The exact arrangement of people in each boat is not specified, so you should confirm any seating questions before booking if that matters to your party.

Learning to handle your own speedboat

The most unusual part of the trip is also the part that requires the most attention. After the briefing, you take control of a speedboat and follow one of the guides toward the pig island.

I like this setup because it gives you more than a sightseeing ride. You are not just looking at the water from a seat. You get the small thrill of steering, adjusting your direction, and keeping pace with the group. For many people, that hands-on element will be worth much of the $130 price.

The first few minutes may feel awkward. One person found the boat difficult to handle at first, then grew more comfortable with time. Another noted that high wind made the trip challenging, though the crew helped the couple reach the island and return safely.

That is useful advice for setting expectations. This is a recreational boating activity, not a quiet harbor cruise. If you want a smooth ride with no work, choose another kind of boat excursion. If you like trying something new and do not mind a short learning curve, the driving is likely to be the highlight.

Only people 18 and older can drive. Children as young as five can participate, but the information provided does not say how children are seated or how driving duties are assigned. Families should confirm those details before arrival.

Following the guide past Nassau’s best-known sights

You do not simply head straight to the pigs. The boats travel together behind a guide, giving you views around New Providence Island along the way.

The route passes near the Atlantis Bridge. One account also describes getting close enough to see the hotel as the boats travel through the area. These are pleasant sightseeing details, but they are not the main reason to book. The real appeal is seeing the shoreline from a small speedboat while controlling your own route within the guided group.

Following a guide is important for two reasons. First, it keeps the boats moving in the same direction. Second, it gives less experienced drivers a clear point to follow. You are not expected to navigate alone to an unfamiliar island.

The tour lasts about two hours, so the ride and island visit must fit into a fairly tight schedule. You will get a taste of the coastline and a focused stop with the pigs, not a full-day cruise around the Bahamas. Keep that in mind when planning other activities in Nassau.

Reaching the private island and meeting the pigs

The boat ride ends at a private island where you can interact with the pigs, feed them, and take pictures. The island is described as clean, with clear water around it. That setting helps make the stop pleasant even if the pigs are more interested in food than swimming.

You should expect the animals to come toward the feeding area. Their behavior can change during the visit. One particularly useful detail is that the pigs may refuse to enter the water once there is no more food. That means the title’s swim-with-pigs promise should be treated as an opportunity, not a guarantee.

If you want a picture of pigs in the water, timing and luck will matter. If you are happy simply feeding them and watching them up close, the stop should still deliver what you came for. The presence of baby pigs can be an extra treat, especially for families.

The interaction is straightforward: feed the pigs, take photographs, and enjoy the island setting before returning to the boats. The available information does not specify how long you spend on shore, what food is provided, or whether you can swim separately from the animals. I would not assume that a long personal swim is part of the schedule.

How the crew handles beginners and rougher conditions

The crew is one of the strongest parts of this outing. The guides are described as hospitable, professional, patient, polite, and accommodating. That combination matters when several boats are moving together and some people are handling a speedboat for the first time.

A couple had trouble with their boat but was brought to the island and back safely. That is the kind of practical support you want on a hands-on water activity. The crew does not remove every challenge, but they appear ready to help when a new driver needs time or assistance.

Wind is the main condition to watch. High wind can make the boats harder to steer and may turn an easy-looking ride into a tiring one. The experience requires good weather, and the operator can cancel if conditions are poor. In that case, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

I would avoid booking this as your only planned activity on the last day of a short trip. Weather can affect the schedule, and the tour itself involves moving water and open-air conditions. Leave some flexibility if this is high on your Nassau wish list.

Is $130 a fair price for two hours?

At $130 per person, this is not a bargain-priced beach stop. The value comes from combining several pieces in one short activity: a guided speedboat ride, the chance to drive, a private-island visit, pig feeding, and photo opportunities.

You are paying for participation rather than passive sightseeing. If two people in your party are eager to drive, the price may feel reasonable because the boat ride becomes an activity in its own right. If you mainly want to see the pigs and do not care about driving, you may find the cost harder to justify.

The two-hour length also cuts both ways. It is convenient for a cruise-day schedule or a morning between other Nassau plans. You are unlikely to spend half a day on the water. On the other hand, the price is significant for a relatively short outing, especially if weather or rough conditions reduce the relaxed sightseeing time.

The 4.4 rating and 91 percent recommendation rate suggest that the overall package works well for most people. The strongest praise focuses on the crew, the safe return, the fun of driving, and the pigs, particularly the babies. The weaker points are practical rather than serious: steering can be difficult, wind can interfere, and the pigs may not swim.

Who will enjoy this Nassau activity most?

I would recommend this for adults, couples, families with older children, and first-time visitors who want a more active water outing. It suits people who enjoy learning a simple new skill and do not mind getting a little excitement from the ride.

It is also a good fit if your group wants several photo opportunities in a short window. The Atlantis Bridge, the boat ride, the private island, and the pigs give you plenty to photograph without committing to a full-day excursion.

Families should note the minimum age of five. Since only adults can drive, children will ride along rather than operate the boat. Ask the operator about seating and supervision details before booking if you are traveling with young children.

I would be more cautious about recommending it to anyone who gets anxious around boats, dislikes wind, or expects a calm and polished ride. The crew can help, but you still have to deal with the feel of a moving speedboat. Anyone booking mainly for pigs swimming should also keep expectations flexible.

Practical planning before you book

The activity starts and ends at Malcom’s Park by the Atlantis Bridge. Since the return point is the same as the meeting point, you can plan the rest of your day from that location rather than arranging a separate pickup at the island.

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the ticket is mobile. The experience is near public transportation, which makes it easier to reach without private transport. The activity accepts most participants, subject to the age rule and the normal demands of a speedboat outing.

The cancellation policy is generous if you keep an eye on the clock. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made inside 24 hours are not accepted and are not refunded.

Weather is the key exception. If poor conditions cause the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund. Since wind can make driving difficult, check the forecast and keep a little room in your schedule.

Should you book the speedboat and pig swim?

Book it if you want an active Nassau experience, like the idea of steering your own boat, and are happy to treat the pig swim as a possible bonus rather than a promise. The patient crew, small maximum group, private island stop, and views near Atlantis make this a lively two-hour outing with several memorable parts.

Skip it if you want a quiet cruise, a guaranteed swim with pigs, or the lowest-cost way to see animals. At $130, the best value comes from the driving itself. For the right person, that is the point. For everyone else, the pigs alone may not justify the price.

FAQ

How much does the experience cost?

The price is $130 per person.

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts approximately two hours.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Malcom’s Park by the Atlantis Bridge in Nassau, The Bahamas.

Where does the tour end?

It ends back at the same meeting point.

Do I need a boating license?

No. A boating license and previous boating experience are not required.

Who can drive the speedboat?

Only people age 18 and older can drive.

What is the minimum age to participate?

The minimum age is five years old.

How many people can join the activity?

The maximum group size is 20 people.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The activity requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.