Rose Island
Rose Island
4.5
About
This gorgeous island in the Bahamas is known for its crystal-clear waters, pink sand, and nine resident swimming pigs. Enjoy a welcome drink, chill in a hammock, hit up the beach bar, splash around with the adorable pigs, kayak in the sea, and go snorkeling with turtles. Watch out though—there have been shark sightings in the area. The island is just 25 minutes from Nassau and is best visited on a tour or boat charter, which typically includes snorkeling and pig encounters. It's also a great and cheaper alternative to Big Major Cay’s Pig Island. – Tripadvisor
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4.5
277 reviews
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Very good
54
Average
22
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2
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Natalie N
3 contributions
Aug 2022
I had the most amazing experience, Jesse Higgs to helps to raise the pigs was amazing at explaining some of the brief history about the island and nearby Spanish wells. He also was so friendly and helped take pictures of us while we were holding the pigs! He definitely was a big part of making this excursion so amazing and memorable. I would and have definitely recommended this to family and friends.
Written 5 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IngridLummy
Sao Paulo, SP10,404 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
We went to one side of the island, and on a paradisiacal beach!
There is no restaurant or hotel, and there was only one other boat besides the one we were on.
We went through a tour that takes you to snorkelling.
The beach was empty, calm and crystal clear water, with white sand.
There isn't a very wide variety of fish in the corals near this beach, but I still loved it all, because it was so beautiful.
There is no restaurant or hotel, and there was only one other boat besides the one we were on.
We went through a tour that takes you to snorkelling.
The beach was empty, calm and crystal clear water, with white sand.
There isn't a very wide variety of fish in the corals near this beach, but I still loved it all, because it was so beautiful.
Written 7 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pmac2382
North Carolina37 contributions
Jun 2022 • Friends
Rose Island is very beautiful a beaches are very pretty and extremely blue water. The Sandy Toes excursion from Nassau is a lot of fun - you get to see some pigs, nice beachside lunch, etc. However, as posters have mentioned, I would not swim or snorkel in the water. There was a shark attack in 2019 and I believe again in 2022 with this excursion. I know that when we did the excursion, we saw a giant tiger shark, had to notify staff who immediately got everyone out of the water. Way too close for comfort.
Written 7 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jandrewsesq
Leigh-on Sea, UK190 contributions
Jan 2022
Very cool place to see the swimming pigs, one of the essential things to do if you're visiting Bahamas. We took one of the boats from Paradise Island and they looked after us the whole day. Absolutely fabulous.
Written 22 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cindy
Los Angeles, CA39 contributions
May 2024 • Family
My family of three, including my elderly dad, enjoyed our time in Rose Island. We got there via the Da Pig Beach half-day excursion. We did the morning trip and were back in Nassau by 2pm. The beach that we got to explore was beautiful and clean! I would come back to Rose Island again <3
Written 19 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maryg
29 contributions
Dec 2021 • Friends
We took the Sandy Toes boat to Rose island. What a wonderful day. Worth every penny. You can snorkel, then go a short walk across the island to the beach. There you relax with a drink an the pigs come out. The trainers explain what they do and answer all questions. Then there's lunch. More beach and drinks before heading back. Boat crew, also waiters, first aid and anything else you need. They are delightful. Kudos to Capt Will.
Written 27 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Summer S
Miami, FL1 contribution
May 2014 • Friends
Rose Island is a little private island about a 30 minute boat ride from Paradise Island. We paid $25 per person, whereas other snorkeling trips were at least $60. The boat ride there is awesome, you pass by multi-million dollar estates and a lighthouse and there are many photo ops. THen when you get to Rose Island,which is a private island, there are many activities to choose from. There is of course, the bar which is called Sandy Toes, and it serves all kinds of mixed drinks and food. The beach is perfect with white sand and crystal clear water. The water clarity was close to 100% for snorkeling. Beautiful reefs full of angel fish, clown fish, snapper, purple fans, brain coral, etc etc. Too much to list here. They have free beach chairs and rafts and floats. The only thing is you have to bring your own snorkeling gear, but other than that, this was the highlight of our Bahamas trip. Will definetly go again!!
Written 13 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jerseygirl1970
Flemington, NJ13 contributions
Aug 2016 • Family
Did the 5 hour tour. Left on a catamaran at 10. Snorkeled for an hour on a coral reef near Rose Island. Boat crew provided bbq chicken, ribs, rice, salad, fruit which could be eaten on boat or on the island when we arrived. Food was great. Drinks included when lunch served til end of trip. Cash bar before. Spent an hour at Rose Island. Perfect excursion.
Written 14 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cat G
Vancouver B.C2 contributions
Feb 2024 • Friends
We have been sailing around on a Catamaran and dropped anchor near this island. We decided to take the dingy and and see the pigs. It was so sad and heartbreaking! There were starving baby pigs and one they had just thrown under the deck that was still breathing! We went back to the boat to warm up milk and get blankets for the baby’s as they were freezing and malnourished. When we got back they had thrown the piglet even further under the deck so it was out of site. I grabbed it out and wrapped it up and tried to give it milk but it was too late. We buried the poor little baby.There are crippled pigs that can barely walk as well. Pigs don’t belong on an island without fresh water and proper food.The whole thing is atrocious! :(
Please don’t support any type of “Swimming with pigs” you just contribute to the problem.
Please don’t support any type of “Swimming with pigs” you just contribute to the problem.
Written 23 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cindersmail
Munich, Germany42 contributions
Feb 2018 • Family
The day started with pickup from the hotel at 9:15 to take the boat from Paradise Island Harbour to Rose Island with Sandy Toes Tours. Check in and staff were efficient and very friendly. It was 11am by the time we reached the island, departure was 3pm, which gave you four hours on the island, which for us was much too short and for a price of 120 dollars overpriced. The Island is really nice and we felt we didn't really have enough time. There is snorkeling available, the food was ok, the beach chairs not comfortable. They bring out some pigs for 10-15 min in the afternoon but 50 people crowded round 3 pigs on a cordoned off corner on the beach has nothing to do with the Exuma swimming ones, but is great fun for smaller kids. If you don't mind spending the money it's a lovely day out.
Written 23 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Has anyone done this snorkeling tour recently? How did you book? How was your experience? Our group is 7 adults and 3 kids (ages 4,5,6). Thanks,
Written 21 June 2023
If i go to rajiv gandhi marine park at port blair shall i get boat instantly to reach Rose beach
Written 15 August 2019
who did you book your excursion through for Rose Island as i heard it is great snorkeling. My 2 kids age 18 will be first time snorkelers so is this a good place for them to snorkel for the first time?
Written 29 July 2019
We booked an inexpensive tour on Viator that included lunch.
Written 1 August 2019
We came to this Island on a private boat 47 years ago, in March of 1972. It was completely deserted at the time, just us. There was a “ruin” of a beautiful hotel on the Island at the time. Would love to know the history this hotel. There was also a concrete dock on the far side of the Island that we tried to tie up to. The metal moorings came out of the dock and we nearly sank our boat. The tide was so strong and we couldn’t get out that night. Had to anchor off shore. There was another boat ( sailboats) also anchored and we tied up to them for the night. We riacked violently all night long. Was such a memorable experience. We are coming to Nassau on a cruise in April and hopefully we will have time to revisit this beautiful Island. Would need a private tour as we arrest 7:00 am and feoaroat 2:00. Any information will be greatly appreciated.
Written 15 January 2019
There are more structures houses, sheds on the island now but you get the feeling of being moderately remote especially coming from Nassau. Trip Advisor has options for private charter, we thought about that but decided to go with this group as it was less expensive.
Written 16 January 2019
I will stay in Paradise Island. What is the cheapest way to go to rose island if you do not care about lunch and snorkeling? Thanks.
Written 16 December 2018
I think the charter boat from Margaritaville was reasonable
Written 17 January 2019
Has anyone taken this tour from royal Caribbean? The itinerary says we are getting to Nassau at noon and the tour leaves at 10. Is there a possibility that the ship may get to Nassau earlier? I am sailing from port Canaveral
Written 29 September 2018
If I'm on a cruise ship is there enough time to go to Rose Island and return in time to get back on board before the ship leaves?.
Written 1 March 2018
We booked with Sandy Toes Excursions and collection is at 10am from Paradise Island and returns approx. 4pm. It is definitely worth doing, as the beach from where the Cruise ships dock isn't as nice as Paradise Island. Nassau is mainly geared for the ships, so you don't get a true impression of the Bahamas. You could take a taxi and have a tour of Providence but depends how long the ship docks for. Atlantis is 'crazy', loud and manufactured, not the true Bahamas. Try and do the Rose Island trip as it is truly beautiful and a well run excursion.
Written 8 July 2018
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