Nassau Catamaran Snorkeling Cruise (3-Stop): Review
Want a Bahamas day on the water without being packed onto a crowded boat? This 5.5-hour, three-stop catamaran cruise from Nassau gives you room to spread out while still hitting the big three — reef snorkeling by Pearl Island, the swimming pigs and a look for sea turtles — with lunch served on board, including vegan and vegetarian options. It's run by Sail Tomorrow out of Montagu Beach and rates 4.9 stars. Here's the full review. (Comparing options? See compare all Nassau snorkeling tours on the homepage.)
About This Activity
Up to 24h in advance — full refund
A relaxed three-stop day on the water
Room to spread out — skip the crowded boats
On-board lunch with plant-based options
Meet the pigs and look for sea turtles
Coral reef by Pearl Island, gear included
Why Book This Spacious Catamaran Cruise
The biggest difference between this trip and many of the cheaper Nassau boats is simply space. Sail Tomorrow runs a roomy catamaran, so even on a full day you're not elbow-to-elbow with strangers — there's deck to sunbathe on, shade to retreat to, and an easy ladder in and out of the water. Larger groups can take up a section of the boat together without feeling cramped.
That extra room changes the whole pace of the day. Stops feel unhurried, the snorkeling isn't a scramble off a packed swim platform, and lunch on board is something you sit down and enjoy rather than juggle on your lap. With a 4.9-star rating and 360 reviews, it's one of the highest-rated reef-and-pigs cruises we compare — and the comfort is a big reason why.
What You'll See
Three stops in one half-day means you cover a lot of the best of Nassau's waters. Expect to see:
- The coral reef by Pearl Island — colorful hard and soft corals
- Reef fish in every direction: parrotfish, blue tang, sergeant majors and snapper
- Green sea turtles, which the crew look for at the reef and turtle stop
- Southern stingrays gliding over sandy patches near the reef
- The famous swimming pigs wading out at the Rose Island pig beach
- Clear, warm water with the bright turquoise the Bahamas is known for
- A relaxed on-board lunch with vegan and vegetarian options included
It's a well-rounded day: real reef snorkeling at one stop, the pigs at another, and a turtle search in between, all from a single boat.
What's Included
The headline extras are all covered on board:
- 5.5-hour cruise on a spacious catamaran with a local crew
- Snorkel gear (mask, snorkel and fins) and a briefing
- Three stops: reef snorkel, turtle search and Pig Beach
- Lunch served on board, with vegan and vegetarian options
- Drinks on board
Not included
A few things are extra or not guaranteed, and it's worth knowing before you book. Interacting with the pigs at Pig Beach is usually a small on-site cash extra (around $30 per person) — confirm the amount with the crew on the day. Turtle sightings are wild and never guaranteed, though the crew know the reliable spots and look hard for them.
Gratuities for the crew, reef-safe sunscreen and any hotel transfers are also on you.
How the Tour Works
The cruise departs from Montagu Beach in Nassau, typically boarding for a 9:30am start, so it's a morning trip that has you back by early afternoon. Once everyone's aboard, the catamaran heads out to the first of three stops — the coral reef by Pearl Island for snorkeling — before moving on to look for sea turtles and then visiting the swimming pigs at the Rose Island pig beach.
The whole day runs about 5.5 hours, with lunch served on board between stops. The boat is spacious and the group caps at around 30 people, so it never feels as crammed as the smaller speedboats. Give the crew your hotel or, if you're on a cruise, your ship's all-aboard time when you book so the timing works for your day.
Where It Departs
Who This Trip Is (and Isn't) For
This cruise is a strong pick if comfort and a full, varied day matter to you. It's great for:
- Families who want space, shade and an easy in-and-out from the water
- Vegans and vegetarians — plant-based lunch options are actually catered for
- Larger groups who want to stay together without crowding a small boat
- Anyone who wants reef snorkeling, turtles and the pigs in one trip
- Travelers who'd rather a relaxed pace than a fast, packed speedboat run
It's less ideal if you specifically want a tiny private charter — at up to around 30 guests this is a shared cruise, just a roomy one. If a small-group feel is your priority, a capped kayak-and-snorkel trip suits better. And if you only have an hour or two ashore, a shorter tour will fit a tight schedule more easily than this half-day.
Nassau Catamaran Snorkeling Cruise FAQ
Are vegan and vegetarian lunch options really available?
Yes — the on-board lunch genuinely includes vegan and vegetarian options, which is unusual for a Nassau boat tour, so plant-based travelers don't have to plan around it. It's worth flagging any dietary needs when you book so the crew can prepare.
Where does the cruise depart from?
The catamaran leaves from Montagu Beach in Nassau, with boarding typically for a 9:30am start. It's a short taxi from most Nassau hotels and the cruise port; give the crew your ship's all-aboard time if you're on a cruise day.
How much does it cost to interact with the pigs?
Visiting Pig Beach is part of the cruise, but actually interacting with or feeding the pigs is usually a small on-site cash extra of around $30 per person. Bring a little cash and confirm the exact amount with the crew on the day.
Will I definitely see sea turtles?
Not guaranteed — turtles are wild animals. That said, the crew know the reliable turtle spots around the reefs and look for them at a dedicated stop, so sightings are common. Treat any turtle encounter as a lovely bonus rather than a certainty.
How many people are on the boat?
It's a shared cruise capped at around 30 guests, but on a spacious catamaran — so it feels far less crowded than the smaller speedboats. There's room to spread out on deck, and even larger groups can sit together comfortably.
What Snorkelers Say
Our family had an unforgettable time on the catamaran. Snorkeling over the colorful coral reefs was magical, and Pig Beach was a fun highlight — the kids loved it. The crew were welcoming and professional.
We had a party of 14 and took up half the boat — plenty of room for everyone. We saw five turtles, the reef snorkeling was epic, and the Cuban lunch was so good I went back for seconds.
The stops were timed perfectly, never rushed. Healthy reef with lots of fish, sea turtles at Green Cay, and the crew were careful not to anchor on coral. Delicious lunch on board.
Booked this for the extra space and it was the right call. Easy ladder in and out, shade when we wanted it, and a relaxed pace at every stop. The vegan lunch option was a nice surprise for me.