What does Rose Island from Nassau cost, and what is included?
5 min read
The short answer
Rose Island half-days such as Sand Dollar (€68.04 per person) and the water taxi (€80.75 per person) are not all-inclusive beach days. For most travellers who mainly want the pigs, the Rose Island swimming-pigs water taxi is the simple choice: 4 hours, €80.75 per person, 4.4 stars from 669 reviews, coastal views and local beer on board. For more beach equipment, choose Sand Dollar Beach Resort. It starts at €68.04, lasts 4 hours and has 4.0 stars from 137 reviews. Lunch matters more than the headline price: the six-hour option (€228.63) states a Bahamian buffet lunch and a standard open bar as included; on the shorter trips, food is bought on site or its inclusion should be checked on the booking page.
Five prices compared
| Rose Island trip | Duration | From-price | Rating | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swimming Pigs water taxi | 4 hours | €80.75 | 4.4 (669) | pigs and a simple crossing |
| Sand Dollar Beach Resort | 4 hours | €68.04 | 4.0 (137) | beach activities and turtle spotting |
| Swimming Pigs and Beach Day group trip | 4 hours | €98.89 | 4.2 (317) | loungers, games and music |
| Swimming Pigs and Turtles snorkelling trip | 3.5 hours | €108.87 | 4.6 (115) | Green Cay turtles and three islands |
| Rose Island with swimming pigs and lunch | 6 hours | €228.63 | 4.7 (191) | buffet lunch and a longer private-beach day |
What the four-hour fares actually buy
The water taxi is for travellers who chiefly want the pig beach. Its description promises a guided boat trip, coastline views and local beer; it does not turn the fare into a full resort package. It departs from the booth outside Señor Frog’s downtown (check-in 9:00 or 11:00 AM); whether food is included is something to check on the booking page. That makes it a good purchase after breakfast or before a planned dinner, but a weak choice if you expect lunch and a long list of water toys.
Sand Dollar starts at €68.04 per person, against €80.75 for the water taxi. Its description adds pig swimming, turtle spotting, kayaks, paddleboards and snorkel equipment. Whether lunch and drinks are included is something to check on the booking page; the provider asks guests to bring cash and a credit card. It departs from its East Bay headquarters, the Nassau Cruise Port or Señor Frog’s downtown, and is listed as not suitable for babies under 1, pregnant women or people with back or heart problems. That equipment is worthwhile when you will use it; it is wasted if your ideal island day is simply sand and a lounger.
The group beach day (€98.89) shifts the emphasis again: water toys, games, music, hammocks and lounge chairs are named, while food is available to buy. Budget for that purchase separately rather than treating €98.89 as the final day total.
View the Rose Island group beach-day options
When the longer or more active trips make sense
At €108.87 per person, the 3.5-hour trip is not buying more time. It buys a more active route: turtles at Green Cay, three islands, snorkelling and complimentary drinks. It is capped at 14 travellers, starts at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal and is listed as not suitable for children under 2, pregnant women, wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments; whether lunch and tips are included is on the booking page. Book it for those stops, not merely for the Rose Island name.
Check the pigs, turtles and snorkelling trip
The six-hour trip (€228.63 per person) is the complete-day choice. It leaves from the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal and combines a private beach, pig sessions, a guided snorkel, a buffet lunch and a standard open bar all day. Kayak and tube rentals and premium drinks cost extra, snorkel gear carries a $10 refundable deposit, and check-in is by 9:30 AM for the 10:00 AM boat; whether transport to the ferry terminal is covered is on the booking page. It is listed as not suitable for wheelchair users. It suits travellers who prefer one bundled booking; it is poor value for anyone who only wants a brief pig encounter.
See availability for the Rose Island trip with buffet lunch
Our recommendation
Choose the water taxi (€80.75 per person) for a simple pig visit with a strong review record. Choose Sand Dollar (€68.04 per person) if included equipment will shape your day. The six-hour option (€228.63 per person) is worth it only when six hours, lunch and a private-beach programme are exactly what you want.
