Rose Island Bahamas: How to Visit From Nassau

Rose Island is thirty minutes from downtown Nassau by water taxi

Rose Island is one of the easiest island escapes from Nassau. It is close enough for a half-day trip, but many tours turn it into a full beach-and-boat day with swimming pigs, snorkelling, lunch and time on the sand. That suits travellers who want a tropical island day without the much longer run from Nassau to the Exumas.

The trip most visitors should book is Nassau: Pigs, Snorkel, Turtles, Lunch, Private Beach Club: four hours from Paradise Island for $123, with a reef snorkel, a turtle stop, a light lunch and two hours at a Rose Island beach club where the pigs live. It is rated 4.5/5 from more than 1,500 reviews. If you only want the pigs and the beach, the water taxi below does it for $67.

How Do You Get From Nassau to Rose Island?

Most visitors go by boat, and the easiest way is an organised excursion. These tours include the return boat ride, beach access and the activities, and some add food and drinks.

The simplest crossing is the $67 Rose Island water taxi: thirty minutes each way from the downtown waterfront, departures at 9:30am and 11:30am, and three hours on the island with the pig beach entry fee included. You check in at the booths outside Señor Frog’s thirty minutes before your boat. It is rated 4.4/5 from 662 reviews.

The $123 beach club trip leaves from Paradise Island instead, so allow for a taxi across the bridge if you are staying downtown.

Is There a Ferry From Nassau to Rose Island?

Some travellers search for a simple ferry, but there is no regular commuter-style ferry service. Tourist visits run through organised excursions. The water taxi is the closest thing to a ferry: fixed departure times, a set return and nothing else bundled in.

What Is Rose Island Known For?

Rose Island is best known for its beaches, clear water, snorkelling, boat trips and swimming pigs.

Are There Swimming Pigs on Rose Island?

Yes. Swimming-pig encounters are one of the main reasons people book a Rose Island tour.

Rose Island is not the original Pig Beach, though. The famous Pig Beach is on Big Major Cay in the Exumas, about 89 miles from Nassau. The Rose Island pigs are a separate colony, hand-raised and managed by the beach operators.

Rose Island Swimming Pigs vs Exuma Pig Beach

Rose Island is better for convenience, short trips, cruise passengers, families and less time on a boat.

Exuma is better for the original Pig Beach, a full-day adventure, island hopping and the Big Major Cay experience itself. The Big Major Cay tours start at $378, for an eight-hour Exuma Cays day rated 3.7/5 from only 12 reviews. Pig Beach versus Rose Island compares the two colonies in detail.

What Do Rose Island Tours Usually Include?

Tours vary, but the usual inclusions are the swimming pigs, beach time, snorkelling, boat transfers, drinks and lunch or snacks.

The $67 water taxi: the crossing, the pig beach entry and three hours on the island. No lunch or snorkel gear.
The $109 Rose Island beach day: the pigs and piglets, an observation deck, water toys, volleyball and a harbour cruise past Atlantis. Rated 4.2/5 from 316 reviews.
The $123 pigs, snorkel and beach club trip: a reef snorkel with gear, a turtle stop, a light lunch and two hours at the beach club. Alcohol is not included.
The $150 Rose Island pigs and turtles snorkel: a powerboat, reef snorkelling, Green Cay’s turtles, soft drinks and a cruise-port pickup on request. Rated 4.6/5 from 115 reviews.

Is Rose Island Good for Families?

Yes. For many families Rose Island is easier than Exuma: the boat ride is about thirty minutes, half-day tours are available and children spend far less of the day travelling.

Is Rose Island Good for Cruise Passengers?

Yes. Because it is close, it fits into a port day much more easily than a long Exuma trip. The water taxi’s check-in booths outside Señor Frog’s are within walking distance of the cruise berths.

Cruise passengers should still check the departure time, the return time, the marina location and the transfer time back to the ship. Our list of Nassau excursions for cruise ship passengers gives each trip’s time away from the port.

Is Rose Island Worth Visiting?

For most travellers who want an easy island escape from Nassau, yes. The main draw is how easy it is. You get a beach, a boat trip, the pigs, snorkelling and island scenery without spending the whole day travelling.

How Much Time Do You Need?

A half-day is enough for many visitors: the water taxi and the beach club trip both have you back in about four hours. If you would rather stay ashore, our list of beaches on New Providence and Paradise Island covers the free ones.

A full-day trip suits you better if you want more beach time, snorkelling, lunch and several activities. The 5½-hour catamaran to Rose, Pearl and Athol costs $145, adds a hot lunch and drinks, and is rated 4.8/5 from 1,080 reviews; the pigs are on whichever of the three islands the colony is on that day.

Rose Island vs Pearl Island

Rose Island is better for swimming pigs, active tours, snorkelling and mixed itineraries.

Pearl Island is better for relaxing, structured beach days and travellers who want fewer activities. Rose Island vs Pearl Island compares the two in detail, with Pearl Island’s own prices. Our guide to the best day trips from Nassau covers Pearl Island, Exuma and the rest.

What Should You Bring?

Pack a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, a waterproof phone case, a dry bag and a change of clothes.

FAQ

Where is Rose Island?

Rose Island is just east of Nassau in the Bahamas, a short boat ride from the harbour.

Can you visit Rose Island from Nassau?

Yes. It is one of the easiest boat trips from Nassau, thirty minutes each way on the water taxi.

Are there swimming pigs on Rose Island?

Yes. Swimming-pig encounters are part of most Rose Island tours.

Is Rose Island the original Pig Beach?

No. The original Pig Beach is on Big Major Cay in the Exumas.

Is Rose Island good for cruise passengers?

Yes, because it is close to Nassau and the water taxi leaves from the downtown waterfront.

Bottom Line

Rose Island is one of the easiest and most versatile day trips from Nassau. It suits travellers who want swimming pigs, snorkelling, beach time and a boat ride without spending a full day travelling to Exuma. Check the departure time against your plans before you book, because the boats run on fixed schedules.