Rose Island Bahamas Cruise Port Guide

Getting Ashore

Your ship docks in Nassau — Rose Island is a 25-minute excursion boat ride away.

Getting to Rose Island

1
Disembark at Prince George Wharf, NassauLarge cruise ships berth at Prince George Wharf in downtown Nassau. The port exit is a 5–10 minute walk from your gangway.
2
Head to the Paradise Island Ferry TerminalSandy Toes excursion boats depart from the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal, a short taxi ride (5–10 min, ~$5–10) from the cruise pier. Some operators pick up directly at the port.
3
Boat ride to Rose IslandThe catamaran or speedboat crossing takes about 25–30 minutes. The ride can be bumpy in windy weather — take motion-sickness medication beforehand if needed.
4
On the islandNo vehicles, no paved roads. Everything — beach, bar, snorkeling cove, swimming pigs — is within a 5-minute walk of the dock.

💡 Pro move: Small luxury vessels (e.g. SeaDream) may call Rose Island directly as a tender port, skipping Nassau.

Piers & Tendering by Cruise Line

Rose Island has no cruise pier; guests arrive by excursion boat from Nassau.

Cruise Line	Typical Berth / Arrival	Dock or Tender
Major cruise lines	Prince George Wharf, Nassau (then excursion boat to Rose Island)📍	Docked
Small/expedition ships (e.g. SeaDream)	Anchored off Rose Island📍	Tendered

Top Excursions

Rose Island is defined by one operator — Sandy Toes — whose full-day package covers nearly everything worth doing.

Relax

Sandy Toes Full-Day Beach Excursion

The signature Rose Island experience: boat transfer from Nassau, private beach access, hammock garden, swimming pigs encounter, guided snorkeling, buffet lunch (BBQ chicken, peas 'n' rice), and open bar access. Capacity is strictly capped for an uncrowded feel.

⏱ Full day (~6 hrs on island)🚤 Boat included🍽️ Lunch included📷 Iconic

Book Sandy Toes tours →

Wildlife

Swimming Pigs Experience

Wade into the shallows and hand-feed Rose Island's resident swimming pigs — farm-saved animals that are genuinely habituated to people. Less chaotic than the Exuma pigs, and included in the Sandy Toes package.

⏱ 30–45 min🐷 Included in Sandy Toes👨‍👩‍👧 Family-friendly

Find swimming pigs tours →

Nature

Rose Island Reef Snorkeling

Guided snorkel over fringing reefs surrounding Rose Island — tropical fish, sea fans, stingrays, and occasional sea turtles in crystal-clear water. Gear provided with a refundable deposit.

⏱ 1–1.5 hrs🤿 Gear included🐢 Turtles possible🚶 Easy

Find snorkeling tours →

Relax

Catamaran Cruise from Nassau

Half-day catamaran tours depart Nassau for Rose Island, combining a harbor scenic cruise with snorkeling, beach time, and an open bar — a lighter alternative to the full-day Sandy Toes package.

⏱ Half day (~4 hrs)🥂 Open bar⛵ Scenic sailing

Find catamaran tours →

Self-Guided Walks & Hikes

Rose Island is tiny and carless — short strolls connect all the highlights.

Dock to Sandy Toes Beach Bar & Pigs

5 min · Easy · Flat

From the excursion dock, a short path leads over a gentle ridge to the main north-shore beach, the Sandy Toes bar perched on the high point, and the swimming pig pen in the shallows.

StartSandy Toes Beach Bar Rose Island Bahamas

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Beach Walk — Snorkeling Cove to Hammock Garden

15 min · Easy · Sand & light brush

Stroll the north-shore beach east to the rocky snorkeling cove, then loop back through the shaded hammock garden. The full circuit covers virtually the entire usable part of the island.

StartRose Island Bahamas

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Weather & Best Time to Visit

Climate normals for Rose Island, New Providence, Bahamas (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.

Month	Avg High	Avg Low	Rainy Days	Sunrise	Sunset
Jan	76°F / 24°C	70°F / 21°C	10	6:56 AM	5:41 PM
Feb	77°F / 25°C	71°F / 22°C	9	6:44 AM	6:03 PM
Mar	78°F / 26°C	71°F / 22°C	8	7:19 AM	7:18 PM
Apr	81°F / 27°C	74°F / 23°C	12	6:47 AM	7:32 PM
May	82°F / 28°C	76°F / 24°C	16	6:25 AM	7:47 PM
Jun	85°F / 29°C	79°F / 26°C	18	6:19 AM	8:01 PM
Jul	87°F / 31°C	81°F / 27°C	17	6:29 AM	8:02 PM
Aug	87°F / 31°C	81°F / 27°C	18	6:43 AM	7:44 PM
Sep	86°F / 30°C	80°F / 27°C	18	6:55 AM	7:14 PM
Oct	83°F / 28°C	78°F / 26°C	18	7:08 AM	6:42 PM
Nov	80°F / 27°C	75°F / 24°C	11	6:26 AM	5:22 PM
Dec	78°F / 26°C	72°F / 22°C	9	6:47 AM	5:22 PM

Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)

Insider Tips

⏰
Build in transit time: The boat ride is 25–30 min each way. Book excursions that return to Nassau at least 90 minutes before your ship's all-aboard time.
📅
Book early — capacity is capped: Sandy Toes strictly limits numbers to keep the island uncrowded. Excursions sell out weeks (sometimes months) in advance, especially in peak season.
💵
Cash for tips: USD accepted everywhere at 1:1 with Bahamian Dollars. Cards work at Sandy Toes bar, but cash is expected for boat crew, pig handlers, and guides.
🌊
Seasickness warning: The crossing can be choppy in trade-wind swells. If you're prone to motion sickness, take medication before boarding the excursion boat in Nassau.
🧴
Reef-safe sunscreen only: Chemical sunscreens are damaging to the coral reefs here. Bring mineral (zinc-oxide) sunscreen — or pick some up at the Sandy Toes shop.