Rose Island: Day Trips and Tours from Nassau

Take a day trip to Rose Island from Nassau to live it up in luxury, indulging in the idyllic setting with a slew of activities lined up on the sandy shores.

The private islands and beaches around Nassau offer the ultimate luxurious experience. The clearest water in the world washes onto alabaster-white beaches as pigs frolic on the sand.

Rose Island is one of the most renowned and exclusive locations in the Bahamas and a day trip to this paradise should be a priority when visiting the Caribbean.

Here's all you need to know about Rose Island, one of the most exciting day trips from Nassau.

How to get to Rose Island from Nassau?

Rose Island is just over 15 kilometers east of Nassau. You can only reach the island by boat and the trip takes about 25 minutes.

Guided tour to Rose Island from Nassau

To enjoy an excursion to Rose Island, you must join a guided tour. It is a private island and transportation is only offered by registered tour operators. Guided tours also help you relax and enjoy the ride as all the planning is left to the professionals.

What is the typical itinerary?

Day trips to Rose Island offer plenty of free time, allowing you hours to make use of the fun-filled amenities on the island. You will depart from Paradise Island next to Nassau around 10 AM, but you must be checked in at least 30 minutes before.

Your boat will cruise past other island icons like Blue Lagoon Island and Atholl Island before reaching your paradise destination.

If you have booked a tour that includes an activity like Nassau snorkeling tour or an ATV ride, you will first embark on this once you reach Rose Island.

Around lunchtime, you will be served a grand selection of local dishes during a scrumptious beach barbecue. Enjoy tropical cocktails or icy beverages from the beach bars on Rose Island before continuing your day on the beach.

You can book any number of activities to enjoy on the beach or simply relax under the shade of a palm tree. Many tours include the use of snorkeling equipment and you can reach the colorful reefs from the seashore.

One of the many highlights of Rose Island is the sight of friendly pigs that splash in the shallows of the pristine beach. Swimming alongside them for one last adventure before heading back on the scenic boat ride to paradise Island.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Rose Island?

Rose Island day tours offer a selection of pre-booked activities or private experiences for a memorable day in paradise.

Guided tours to Rose Island from Nassau

This is the most popular day trip to Rose Island offering transport-only experiences and tours with pre-planned activities. You will be whisked away on a catamaran or charter boat to Rose Island where you can enjoy either 4 or 8 hours of free time.

Explore the island on foot or find a shady spot on the sand to enjoy the island paradise in peace. Some tours include the use of snorkeling equipment or transparent kayaks, so you can spend hours in the water, making the most of the abundance of sea life in the tropical water.

You can book more activities once you reach the island or choose a tour that already includes a pre-booked activity like a thrilling quad tour in Nassau.

For an extra indulgent experience, keep an eye out for a tour with an open bar, keeping you refreshed and hydrated throughout the day.

Private tour to Rose Island from Nassau

This is the most luxurious way to experience the pristine nature of Rose Island. A private tour to Rose Island gives you privacy and the full use of a private charter to make your experience on the water and around the island as memorable as possible.

If you are itching for a party, book a party experience for up to 14 people. You will have exclusive use of two floating open bars as well as a Rose Island beach bar once your reach the island.

For a more relaxed experience, book a private boat for up to 8 people, taking you to the best beach on Rose Island. You have the benefit of storage for food and beverages on the vessel while no private refreshments are allowed onto the island.

Some charter experiences allow groups to fully customize their trip and stop at multiple islands. This is the perfect option for people strapped for time and looking to see as much of the Bahamas as they can in a single day.

How much does a day trip to Rose Island from Nassau cost?

The cost of day trips to Rose Island range from around US$130 per person for  4-hour half-day jaunt to about US$220 per person for a full-day excursion. The prices also vary depending on the activities included in your tour.  

A Rose Island tour that includes a 5-hour Rose Island trip with an ATV tour costs US$470 per person and also includes a buffet lunch.

Private tours to Rose Island cost around US$1,400 for 10 people but it does not include transportation. Private boat charters cost US$2200 for up to 8 people on a full-day excursion while a half-day boat trip that takes you snorkeling with turtles costs US$2,250 for up to 15 people.

What will you see and do?

Rose Island is a hotbed of activities, and despite its tiny size, you are spoiled for choice. One of the most popular attractions of Rose Island is the famous swimming pigs. Join the swimming swine in the turquoise waters of the Bahamas and have your picture taken with them as they pose proudly on the sand.

The island is also a popular spot for snorkeling with thousands of colorful fish living in the temperate tropical water around the island. Many tours include snorkeling equipment and you can spend hours floating on the surface, investigating the thriving world below.

There are tons of other water and land-based activities on Rose Island, including some popular kayaking trips in Nassau. For an Instagram-worthy experience, paddle a see-through kayak or try stand-up paddleboarding to test your endurance.

Sports lovers will enjoy the frequent volleyball games that unfold on the beach and anyone is welcome to join at any time. The island is also full of hammocks lazily swinging in the shade of a palm tree. Make yourself at home on one of these or find a spot on the sand to work on your Bahama-bronze glow.

When is the best time to visit Rose Island?

The most popular time for holidays in the Bahamas is from mid-December to mid-April. The temperature is pleasant year-round but from July to November there is an increased risk of hurricanes.

What are the other day trips from Nassau?

• Blue Lagoon Island Day Trips from Nassau
• Day Trips to Clifton Heritage Park from Nassau

Travel tips

• Let your Rose Island tour provider know if you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions.
• No outside beverages or food will be allowed on the island, so budget accordingly if beverages are not included in your tour.
• Pack your own swimsuit, sunscreen, towel, and even a change of clothes, as you can use the lockers on the island.
• Bring an underwater camera to capture the otherworldly beauty you will encounter below the surface.