Nassau Snorkeling With Turtles
Tours & tickets

Hand-picked by our editors — only the best 3 marine wildlife experiences from 14 reviewed.

Open today 08:00–17:00
Attendance: Moderate — autumn shoulder season
Check ferry departure schedules upon arrival at the terminal.
Instant confirmation Mobile voucher Free cancellation Verified partner Small groups
Tickets

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Seattle Whale Watching & Wildlife Cruise 4 hr
Standard Entry

Seattle Whale Watching & Wildlife Cruise

★ 4.5 (659)
$150
per person
Instant Mobile voucher Flexible — change up to 24h

Sail the Salish Sea in search of orcas, humpbacks, seals, and bald eagles with expert naturalist guides

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Space Needle & Chihuly Garden and Glass Combo 4 hr
Premium Combo

Space Needle & Chihuly Garden and Glass Combo

★ 4.7 (2687)
€69
per person
Instant Mobile voucher Flexible — change up to 24h

Ascend Seattle's iconic tower for 360° views, then explore dazzling blown-glass masterpieces in galleries and gardens.

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Prices from verified partners. Availability updates in real time at checkout. Free cancellation policies apply where shown.

What you'll do

Inside a tour, step by step

  1. 01 08:00

    Check-in

    Arrive at Paradise Island Ferry Terminal for your nassau swim with sea turtles tickets.

Highlights

What you'll see inside the attraction

The landmarks, rooms, and views travelers on this tour remember — all visible on a single visit.

Pearl Island Beach

White sand shoreline perfect for relaxing between your nassau swim with sea turtles tour sessions.

Island Lighthouse

Iconic viewpoint offering panoramic views of the turquoise Bahamian waters.

Shallow Snorkel Reef

Primary site for spotting sea turtles and vibrant tropical fish in clear conditions.

Sunset Deck

Scenic area to unwind after finishing your nassau swim with sea turtles excursion.

Beachfront Dining Area

Central location where lunch is served as part of your package.

Head to head

Pearl Island vs Blue Lagoon Island for Your Nassau Swim With Sea Turtles Trip

Pearl Island offers an intimate, boutique environment, while Blue Lagoon Island provides a larger-scale park experience for those booking nassau swim with sea turtles tours.

Feature Top pick Pearl Island Blue Lagoon Island
Vibe
Commercial park atmosphere
Primary activity focus
Dolphin and sea lion interactions
Accessibility
Direct boat transit required
Beach quality
Calm lagoon with protected beach
Family friendliness
High capacity for children
Average Price
100-150 USD (summer)

Verdict: Choose Pearl Island for a quieter beach day, or opt for Blue Lagoon Island if your nassau swim with sea turtles tour goals include professional marine mammal programming.

How your ticket works

Book your ticket in 3 steps

  1. 01

    Book online

    Choose your ticket, select your date, and reserve in under two minutes. Secure checkout handled by our verified partner.

  2. 02

    Receive your mobile voucher

    Instant confirmation by email, with a mobile voucher you can save offline. No printing, no queuing at a collection desk.

  3. 03

    Show & enter

    Arrive at the entrance, show your voucher on your phone, and walk in. Most tickets include priority or skip-the-line access.

Plan your visit

Everything you need to know before you go

Practical details for your visit straight from our verified partners — hours, access, rules, and how to get there.

Open today · 08:00–17:00
Opening Hours
08:00–17:00
Address
Paradise Island Ferry Terminal, Paradise Beach Drive, Nassau, The Bahamas
Accessibility
Island pathways require mobility consideration
Best arrival window
08:00–16:00
Storage
Secure lockers available at Pearl Island
Official Site
https://pearlislandbahamas.com
Mon
08:00–17:00
Tue
08:00–17:00
Wed
08:00–17:00
Thu
08:00–17:00
Fri
08:00–17:00
Sat
08:00–17:00
Sun
08:00–17:00
Closed on: Dec 25 (Christmas Day)
Main entrance

Paradise Island Ferry Terminal

Paradise Beach Drive, Nassau, The Bahamas

Main boarding gate for Pearl Island transfers.

Address
Paradise Island Ferry Terminal, Paradise Beach Drive, Nassau, The Bahamas
Storage
Secure lockers available at Pearl Island
Official Site
https://pearlislandbahamas.com

How to get there

🚕
Taxi · 15-20 min · Varies

The most direct route from Nassau hotels to the ferry terminal.

Dress code

Wear swimwear, comfortable resort attire, and footwear suitable for sandy terrain. A cover-up is required for the ferry transit back to the mainland.

Bags & security

Keep all belongings in provided secure lockers on Pearl Island to prevent loss during water activities. Security staff monitor the facility throughout operating hours.

Photography

Underwater cameras and GoPros are encouraged for your nassau swim with sea turtles experience. Respect animal space when capturing content near these marine landmarks.

Accessibility

Pearl Island features sandy paths which may pose challenges for guests with limited mobility. Please notify staff at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal regarding specific needs.

Mobile phones

Protect mobile devices in waterproof pouches while in the water. Connectivity may fluctuate across the island.

What to bring

  • Sunscreen
  • Waterproof camera
  • Towel
  • Cash for tips
  • Government-issued ID
  • Sunglasses

Not allowed

  • Glass bottles
  • Drones
  • Spear guns
  • Professional lighting equipment
  • Harsh chemical sunscreens
  • Pets
  • Large coolers
  • Alcoholic beverages

Families & strollers

The shallow waters are suitable for family-friendly interaction, though active supervision is required for children during the nassau swim with sea turtles tour.

Food & drink

The Beach Escape includes lunch as part of your 84 USD fee. Additional refreshments and tropical beverages are available for purchase at the island bar.

Pets

Animals are not permitted on the ferry or at the Pearl Island facility.

Good to know

The nassau swim with sea turtles excursion relies on natural conditions. Always listen to the guide briefing regarding marine interaction ethics.

Meeting point

Where to find us

Paradise Island Ferry Terminal

Paradise Beach Drive, Nassau, The Bahamas

Main boarding gate for Pearl Island transfers.

Get directions
Around your visit

Everything else worth knowing

Best time to go, insider tips, nearby landmarks, and the cancellation fine print — flip through to skim what matters to you.

Best time to visit

How crowds, weather, and events shift across the year.

Autumn

September offers comfortable water temperatures for a nassau swim with sea turtles tour after peak summer crowds depart.

Helpful tips for your visit

Small details that turn a good visit into a great one.

Book early

Purchase your nassau swim with sea turtles tickets in advance to guarantee island access. Early arrival ensures you secure a prime spot on the beach.

Nearby landmarks

Non-bookable sights within a short walk — free to visit, easy to pair.

Queen's Staircase

15 min

Historic 66-step limestone staircase carved by enslaved people.

Cancellation policy

Flexible, no hidden fees.

Cancellations made within the specified window are eligible for a refund according to the terms of your 84 USD Beach Escape ticket. Contact the operator directly for specific deadline details.

Where to stay

Hotels & districts near the attraction

Hand-picked options within walking distance — pick a district for vibe, or a specific hotel for convenience.

The Ocean Club

10 min
luxury

Exclusive resort property on Paradise Island.

About

The place, in context

Pearl Island's northern reef hosts one of the Bahamas' densest concentrations of juvenile green sea turtles, a population that doubled between 2019 and 2024 after the Bahamas National Trust established a seasonal nesting corridor along the island's western shore. The turtles—Chelonia mydas, green sea turtles named for the color of their fat rather than their shells—migrate here from feeding grounds as far as the Sargasso Sea, drawn by beds of seagrass that thrive in the mineral-rich currents sweeping between Pearl Island and Paradise Island. Adult greens can weigh 300 pounds, but the juveniles gliding through Pearl Island's shallows average 40 to 60 pounds, their carapaces mottled olive and amber. The reef lies in 8 to 15 feet of water, shallow enough for snorkelers to hover alongside the turtles as they graze, their beaked mouths cropping turtle grass with methodical precision. Hawksbill turtles—smaller, more solitary, their shells patterned like tortoiseshell combs—patrol the coral ledges hunting sponges. Both species are listed as endangered, and Pearl Island's protected zone prohibits fishing and anchoring within 200 meters of the reef. Nassau swim with sea turtles excursions depart from Paradise Island Ferry Terminal, a 25-minute crossing aboard catamarans that carry no more than 18 passengers. The approach from Nassau harbor passes Rose Island and the abandoned lighthouse at Athol Island before rounding Pearl Island's eastern point. The island itself is a reclaimed resort property; the original Pearl Island Beach Club closed in 2014, reopening in 2017 with a conservation mandate that limits daily visitor numbers to 150. That cap keeps the reef uncrowded even during winter high season. Morning departures encounter calmer water and better visibility—the reef's sandy bottom reflects sunlight, creating the electric-blue clarity that defines Bahamian snorkeling. By midday, Nassau swim with sea turtles tours share the shallows with turtles surfacing to breathe, their nostrils breaking the surface every four to seven minutes. The reef drops to 30 feet along its northern edge, where Nassau grouper and yellowtail snapper school above staghorn coral colonies planted by the Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation since 2020.

"The turtles migrate here from feeding grounds as far as the Sargasso Sea, drawn by beds of seagrass that thrive in mineral-rich currents."
Your experience

What a tour day looks like

A step-by-step walkthrough of the visit — what you'll see, how long each stage takes, and the details that matter.

You board the catamaran at Paradise Island Ferry Terminal at 8:00 AM, the hull rocking gently as the crew stows snorkel gear in mesh bags. The crossing takes 25 minutes; you pass Rose Island's deserted beach and the rusted Athol Island lighthouse before the boat slows at Pearl Island's northern reef. The water here is 12 feet deep, the sandy bottom visible through glass-clear water that shifts from turquoise to cobalt where the reef drops away. You slip over the side and adjust your mask. A green turtle glides past within seconds, its front flippers stroking in slow, deliberate arcs. You follow it as it descends to a seagrass bed, its head dipping to crop the blades. Another turtle surfaces ten feet ahead, exhales through its nostrils, and submerges. You drift above the reef for 40 minutes, counting six greens and two hawksbills, the smaller turtles skittish and quick, vanishing into coral crevices when you approach too closely. Back on the boat, the crew serves conch fritters and rum punch. The return crossing cuts across Nassau harbor, the pastel row houses of Bay Street visible through the spray. You dock at 12:30 PM, salt-crusted and sun-dazed, the memory of that first turtle's shadow crossing yours still vivid.

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about nassau swim with sea turtles tours

What are the opening hours for a nassau swim with sea turtles tour?

Pearl Island is open from 08:00–17:00 daily to accommodate your visit.

Do I need to buy nassau swim with sea turtles tickets in advance?

Yes, it is highly recommended to secure your nassau swim with sea turtles tickets online before arriving at the terminal.

Is there an entrance fee for the island?

The Beach Escape including lunch is 84 USD per person.

What is the best arrival window for Pearl Island?

The best arrival window is 08:00–16:00 to maximize your time on the island.

Can I bring my own food for my nassau swim with sea turtles excursion?

Outside food and beverages are not permitted; lunch is included with your Pearl Island ticket.

Are children allowed on a nassau swim with sea turtles tour?

Yes, children are welcome to participate in the nassau swim with sea turtles experience with parental guidance.

What should I wear for my nassau swim with sea turtles tour?

Wear swimwear and comfortable clothes suitable for the beach climate during your nassau swim with sea turtles tour.

Is the island accessible for guests with wheelchairs?

The sandy nature of Pearl Island may limit full access, but staff are available to assist with logistics.

What is the cancellation policy for my booking?

You may cancel your booking according to the terms of your purchase; please review your confirmation for specific refund details.

How do I get to the meeting point for my nassau swim with sea turtles tour?

The meeting point is at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal on Paradise Beach Drive.