🌴 The Best Day Trips From Nassau by Boat

Discover turquoise waters, swimming wildlife, and the Bahamas locals know best.

When you charter a private 40ft center console from Nassau, the entire archipelago opens up. Hidden coves, shallow sandbars, turtles, coral reefs, and island wildlife are within easy reach — and each location offers its own style of adventure.

Whether you're looking for luxury seclusion, unforgettable animal encounters, or a full-day escape, here are the four best day trips from Nassau by boat.

🐢🐷 1) Rose Island - Swimming Pigs & Sea Turtles

📍 15–25 minutes from Nassau

If “paradise” had a postcard, Rose Island would be the cover shot. Powder-soft beaches, crystal shallows, and coral reefs sit just a short cruise from Nassau. It’s the perfect stop for snorkeling, swimming, sunbathing, or relaxing on shorewith a cocktail in hand.

Just off Rose Island is a small cay home to Bahamas swimming pigs, where you can feed and swim with them in their natural island habitat. A short ride away, Green Cay offers an entirely different kind of wildlife encounter: glide into the water and snorkel alongside green sea turtles grazing peacefully in the seagrass below.

Why it’s perfect:

✔ Best close-to-Nassau escape

✔ Snorkeling reefs + quiet beaches

✔ Swimming pigs + wild turtles

✔ Ideal for families + first-time visitors

Best for: Half-day or full-day charters

🦎 2) Ship Channel Cay – Wildlife Paradise

📍 Northern Exuma Cays — ~1 hour from Nassau

Ship Channel Cay is where the Bahamas comes alive. It’s the ultimate wildlife day trip packed into one island experience, offering:

🐷 Swimming pigs

🦎 Rock iguanas

🦈 Shark wrangling show

🌊 Stingray feeding

Crystal bay shallows, limestone ledges, and friendly marine life make this stop unforgettable — especially for families and adventure-seekers.

Why it’s special:

✔ Wild, interactive, and safe

✔ Multiple encounters in one location

✔ Beautiful beaches and turquoise flats

Best for: Groups, families, animal lovers, and adventure days

✈️ 3) North Exuma Highlights – Pablo Escobar’s Plane & “The Washing Machine”

📍 Exuma Cays — 1.5–2 hours from Nassau

This route hits the North Exumas’ most iconic stops, combining history, mystery, adrenaline, and picture-perfect water.

🛩 The Sunken Plane (Norman’s Cay): A drug-runner’s plane linked to Pablo Escobar now rests in shallow, fish-filled water. Snorkel it up close — one of the most surreal underwater sights in the Bahamas.

🌪 The Washing Machine (Shroud Cay): A natural drift channel where you float with the current as it sweeps you across neon-blue shallows. It’s a water-park ride made by nature — no ropes, no crowds, just pure fun.

🦎 Iguanas on Allen Cay: Meet the protected Bahamian rock iguanas up close on pristine white sand.

Why it’s unforgettable:

✔ Most beautiful water in the Bahamas

✔ History meets adventure

✔ Bucket-list snorkeling stops

Best for: Photographers, thrill-seekers, luxury travelers looking for unique experiences

💗🏖 4) Harbour Island – Pink Sands & Sophisticated Island Life

📍 Eleuthera — ~1.5 hours from Nassau

Harbour Island is a chic contrast to wild-adventure cays. Known for its elegant dining, upscale boutique hotels, pastel architecture, and famous pink sand beach, it’s the perfect getaway for travelers who love luxury culture with their ocean views.

Cruise in by boat, then switch to a golf cart tour — the classic Harbour Island experience. Explore Dunmore Town’s charming streets, sample local and high-end cuisine, and stroll miles of blush-pink shoreline.

Why it stands out:

✔ Quintessential Bahamian luxury

✔ Pink-sand beaches + boutique dining

✔ Chic island lifestyle, no crowds

Best for: Couples, luxury travelers, food lovers, celebrations

🌊 Choosing Your Ideal Day Charter

Trip	Best For	Trip Length
Rose Island + Green Cay	Relaxation, families, first-timers	Half or Full Day
Ship Channel Cay	Wildlife lovers, groups	Full Day
North Exuma Highlights	Adventure, photographers	Full Day
Harbour Island	Sophisticated luxury, couples	Full Day

🛥️ Book Your Private Bahamas Boat Day

Island King offers private, fully-crewed day charters aboard a spacious 40ft center console equipped for snorkeling, sightseeing, swimming, island stops, and wildlife encounters.

💬 DM to plan your charter📍 Nassau, Bahamas ⚓ Private. Local. Unforgettable.