Private Tour 45ft Powerboat to Nearby Islands

The best part of this private Nassau boat tour is the variety packed into roughly four hours. You can snorkel around Green Cay, stroll Rose Island’s white beach, visit tiny Sandy Cay, stop at a beach bar, and see swimming pigs without sharing the boat with strangers. Sea turtles and clear water give the morning a real sense of place.

I like the way the tour combines active stops with easy beach time, and I like the chance to have a crew focused only on your group. Captains Adam and Rico, along with crew members Dia and Canaan, have earned especially warm praise for their friendly service. The main drawback is the price: at $3,800 for up to 10 people, this makes the most sense for a full group, not a couple seeking a cheap outing.

Key points at a glance

• Private 45-foot powerboat: Your group has the boat to itself, with room for up to 10 people at the listed rate and up to 22 for an added charge.
• Green Cay sea turtles: Snorkel near a small island surrounded by turtles and colorful sea life.
• Rose Island beach time: Expect powdery white sand, clear turquoise water, and about an hour to relax.
• Sandy Cay photo stop: This tiny, three-acre island is known for its striking setting and easy snorkeling.
• Beach bar activities: The stop can include lunch, billiards, volleyball, karaoke, beach chairs, and ocean views.
• Swimming pigs: A final Rose Island stop adds the classic Bahamas animal encounter to the day.

What this private Nassau boat trip feels like

This is not a formal sightseeing cruise with a fixed script. It is a brisk island-hopping outing aboard a private 45-foot powerboat, starting and ending at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Bahamas Marina on Paradise Island.

The schedule gives you several different versions of the Bahamas in one trip. You get shallow-water snorkeling, empty-looking beaches, a tiny offshore cay, a social beach stop, and swimming pigs. That variety is the main reason to choose this over a single-island beach excursion.

The private setup matters. If your group wants more time in the water, less time on the beach, or a slower lunch stop, you have a better chance of discussing that with the crew than you would on a large shared boat. Still, four hours goes quickly. You should think of this as a lively sampler of nearby islands, not a slow full-day escape.

The crew names connected with this outing include Captain Adam, Captain Rico, Dia, and Canaan. Service is a big part of the experience. The strongest praise has focused on attentive crews, smooth check-in, friendly company, and good care from the start of the outing to the return.

Green Cay, where snorkeling meets sea turtles

The first stop is Green Cay, a very small island near Rose Island. The surrounding water is known for sea turtles, making this more than a generic reef stop.

Snorkeling gear is provided, along with bottled water, soft drinks, beer, and grapefruit Radlers. You can expect about 45 minutes here. That is enough time to get into the water, look for turtles, and see colorful fish and other sea life, but it is not a long reef expedition.

The appeal is the setting. Green Cay gives you a close look at the shallow coastal waters around Nassau, rather than only a view from the boat. If you like wildlife and want a memorable first stop, this is likely the highlight.

Keep your expectations measured. Turtle sightings are part of the planned stop, but marine animals move freely. The information provided does not promise a guaranteed encounter or describe the exact snorkeling depth and conditions. Water visibility and comfort may vary with the weather, which is one reason the tour requires good conditions.

If you are not a strong swimmer, ask the crew what parts of the stop will work best for you. The tour is open to most people, but the experience is still built around getting into the sea.

Rose Island gives you an hour to slow down

Rose Island provides the longest proper beach break, with about one hour scheduled. Its long stretches of powdery white sand and clear turquoise water are exactly what many people picture when they think of a Bahamas boat day.

You can walk along the beach, sit in the sand, or spend time in the water. This is a welcome change after the more active snorkeling stop. I like the balance: you are not expected to swim at every island, and you have a chance to simply enjoy the coast.

The hour is long enough to feel useful but short enough that you will not lose the rest of the itinerary. If your group includes children or people who prefer lounging to snorkeling, Rose Island may be the easiest stop to enjoy together.

The tradeoff is that the schedule is fairly full. You will not have several hours to claim one patch of beach and settle in for the afternoon. Bring your camera, but also leave room for a quick walk and a swim. The boat will continue on to the next stop.

Sandy Cay is small, scenic, and quick

Sandy Cay is described as a three-acre island about 15 minutes from Nassau Harbour. The stop lasts around 30 minutes, so this is a short look rather than a major beach stay.

The island is known as one of the most photographed in the Caribbean. Its appeal comes from scale and scenery: a small patch of land surrounded by bright water, with little distance between the shore and the open sea. You can relax, explore, or snorkel near the island.

This stop works best as a photo break and a chance to see another kind of Bahamian cay. You should not expect a long walk or a full activity program in half an hour. The benefit is that the boat gets you there without asking you to spend the whole day on one island.

The name Gilligan’s Island is also connected with this part of the route. The supplied tour details use both Sandy Cay and Gilligan’s Island when describing the island-hopping experience, so confirm the exact stop names with Aqua Shores before departure if that distinction matters to you.

The beach bar adds lunch and land-based fun

The beach bar and grill stop lasts about one hour and 15 minutes. It adds a social, land-based break to a day otherwise spent around small islands and open water.

Activities listed for the stop include billiards, volleyball, karaoke, beach chairs, and ocean views. You can eat, sit by the sand, or join a game. This is useful for groups with mixed interests because not everyone has to snorkel or swim at the same time.

There is an important pricing wrinkle here. One part of the tour information says food and beverages are not included in the charter cost. Another part says lunch for 10 people is included, along with the swimming pigs package for 10. Because those details conflict, ask Aqua Shores exactly what your quoted price includes, especially if lunch, drinks, or a particular package matters to your budget.

Dietary needs such as vegetarian and gluten-free meals can be accommodated. State those needs when booking rather than waiting until the boat leaves the marina.

Alcoholic drinks are served only to people aged 21 and older. Younger members of your group receive non-alcoholic drinks. Beer and grapefruit Radlers are specifically listed among the included beverages.

Swimming pigs finish the island circuit

The final stop returns to Rose Island for the swimming pigs experience, scheduled for about 30 minutes. This is a lighthearted finish after snorkeling and beach time, and it gives the group another reason to get into the water.

The swimming pig interaction is listed for 10 people. Additional guests can be added up to a total of 22, with an extra charge for the lunch and pigs package. Confirm the added cost before booking if your group is larger than 10.

Animal encounters are best approached with patience. The supplied details do not explain feeding rules, animal care procedures, or exactly how close you can get. Follow the crew’s instructions and let the pigs set the pace.

For families, this may be the most memorable stop. For adults who prefer reefs and beaches, it is an optional-feeling finale that adds variety without taking much of the four-hour schedule.

Is $3,800 good value for a private boat?

The listed price is $3,800 per group of up to 10 people. That works out to $380 per person if you fill all 10 places. For a private powerboat with snorkeling, drinks, island stops, lunch and pigs listed for the first 10 people, that can be reasonable for a group celebrating together or sharing the cost among friends.

For fewer people, the math changes quickly. A couple would effectively pay $1,900 each at the listed group price. That is a major spend for four hours, even with the privacy and range of stops.

The value is strongest when you care about exclusive use of the boat, a personal crew, and a full mix of activities. It is weaker if you only want a beach, a short snorkel, or a low-cost ride across the water.

The tour can accommodate up to 22 people for an added charge, but the supplied information does not give that amount. Ask for a full group quote that separates the charter, lunch, pigs package, and any extra guests.

Transportation to the dock is not included. The estimated cost is $10 to $40 depending on distance. Atlantis visitors can use the hotel shuttle to get to the marina, which may save you a separate transfer.

Practical details before you leave Paradise Island

The meeting point is Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Bahamas Marina Drive on Paradise Island, New Providence. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, so plan your onward transportation from there.

Confirmation is normally sent at booking. If you book within two hours of departure, confirmation comes as soon as possible and depends on availability. That short-notice rule matters if you are trying to fit the boat trip around a cruise arrival, flight, or tight hotel schedule.

The outing depends on good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. However, the normal cancellation policy is strict: the experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason if you cancel or request an amendment.

Service animals are allowed, and the marina is near public transportation. Most people can participate, although the itinerary includes snorkeling, swimming, beach access, and time around a moving boat. Ask specific questions in advance if anyone in your group has mobility or water-related concerns.

Bring a swimsuit, sun protection, and a dry change of clothes. Those items are practical advice for any snorkeling and beach day, though the tour itself supplies bottled water and snorkeling equipment.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

I would consider this a strong choice for a group that wants to do several Bahamas activities in one short outing. Families may like the pigs, beach time, and simple snorkeling. Friends may enjoy having their own boat, drinks, beach games, and the freedom to spend more time on the activities they prefer.

It also suits people staying on Paradise Island who want a convenient half-day on the water. Atlantis visitors have access to the hotel shuttle to the marina, which makes the meeting point easier to reach.

It is less suited to anyone seeking a quiet, slow day on one beach. The itinerary moves through several stops, and some are short. It also may not suit a small party on a tight budget, since the $3,800 minimum group price is built for a larger party.

The four-hour length is both a strength and a limit. You can fit this around other Nassau plans, but you will need to keep an eye on the clock. Sandy Cay gets only 30 minutes, Green Cay about 45 minutes, and the swimming pigs about 30 minutes.

Should you book the Aqua Shores powerboat?

Book it if your group can share the cost and wants a private boat, several island stops, snorkeling, sea turtles, beach time, and swimming pigs in one compact outing. The friendly crews, including Captain Adam, Captain Rico, Dia, and Canaan, are a clear part of the appeal.

Before paying, confirm the lunch and beverage arrangement in writing. The details supplied for this experience give conflicting information about whether lunch is included, even though lunch for 10 is also listed as part of the package.

This is a high-cost, high-variety excursion. For 10 people who want privacy and a busy half-day at sea, it can be good value. For two or three people, compare the total cost with simpler shared boat trips before committing.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start?

The tour starts at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Bahamas Marina, Marina Drive, Paradise Island, New Providence, The Bahamas.

Where does the activity end?

The tour ends back at the same meeting point at the marina.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours.

How many people can join at the listed price?

The listed price of $3,800 covers a private group of up to 10 people.

Can larger groups join?

Yes. The boat can accommodate up to 22 people, with an extra charge for additional guests and the lunch and pigs package.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included.

Are drinks included?

Bottled water, soda, beer, and grapefruit Radlers are listed among the included drinks. Alcohol is served only to people aged 21 and older. The supplied information gives conflicting details about food and beverage costs at the beach bar, so confirm what is included in your booking.

Can dietary needs be accommodated?

Yes. Vegetarian and gluten-free dietary needs can be accommodated.

Are swimming pigs part of the experience?

Yes. A swimming pig interaction for 10 people is listed, with an additional charge connected to the package for larger groups.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the tour is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

Is transportation to the marina included?

No. Transportation to the dock is not included and is estimated to cost $10 to $40 depending on the distance. Atlantis visitors can use the hotel shuttle to reach the marina.