HARBOUR ISLAND PINK SANDS EXPERIENCE
Tour Highlights
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Swim with and feed the swimming pigs at Meeks Patch, Eleuthera
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Interact with wild green turtles in the shallow waters of Eleuthera
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Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant
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Relax on Harbour Island's Pink Sands Beach
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Visit the swings on a beautiful Eleuthera sandbar
What's Included
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Lunch at a local restaurant
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Local beer, soda and water
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Snorkel gear
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Landing fees
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Food for the animals
Important Tour Details
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This is a shared tour and can have up to 25 guests
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The tour is not suitable for women who are pregnant at any stage
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The tour is not wheelchair accessible and does require the ability to climb a vertical ladder
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Not recommended for anyone with chronic neck or back issues
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Children under the age of two are not permitted
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Guests should bring and are responsible for applying sunscreen as needed due to extended sun exposure
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A 48-hour cancellation policy applies. Cancellations or changes made within 48 hours of departure are subject to the full tour charge
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Transportation to the check in location is not included
Tour Pricing
ADULTS : $427.90
CHILD 2-6YRS : $328.90
*Inclusive of 10% VAT
*Does not include crew gratuity
Tour Schedule & Departure Time
Check In : 8:00 AM
Departure: 8:30 AM
Return: 4:30PM / 5:00 PM
Meeting Location
Check-in is at the Born Free Charters booth at the former Carnivale Bahamas location on Paradise Island, Nassau. Our booth is located near the restaurant's main entrance. Please arrive by 8:00 AM for check-in before the 8:30 AM departure.
Transportation to the meeting location is not included.
Harbour Island & Eleuthera Tour Itinerary
Depart Paradise Island, Nassau for a full day exploring the beautiful islands of Eleuthera and Harbour Island. This speedboat adventure combines unforgettable wildlife encounters, turquoise Bahamian waters and one of the world's most famous beaches.
Our first stop is Meeks Patch, a small cay off Eleuthera where you'll meet and interact with the island's swimming pigs. Guests typically spend about 30 minutes enjoying the clear, shallow water and getting to know these friendly island residents.
Depending on the tide, we may next visit a picturesque sandbar with swings set in the shallow turquoise water. When the tide is higher in the morning, we'll save this experience for later in the day when conditions are better.
We'll then continue along Eleuthera for one of the day's most memorable wildlife encounters, meeting wild green turtles in their natural environment. Guests can enter the typically waist-deep water for a closer look at these beautiful animals before continuing our island-hopping adventure.
Next, we'll stop for lunch at a local restaurant on Harbour Island, with approximately one hour to relax and refuel.
After lunch, you'll visit the world-famous Pink Sands Beach, known for its soft sand with a distinctive pale pink hue and beautiful turquoise water. You'll have approximately 40 minutes to walk the beach, take photos, swim or simply enjoy one of the Bahamas' most recognizable shorelines.
If the tide wasn't right for the sandbar earlier in the day, we'll visit it on our return journey before cruising back to Paradise Island, Nassau.
This full-day experience combines the swimming pigs, wild green turtles, Eleuthera's beautiful waters and Harbour Island's Pink Sands Beach into one unforgettable day of island hopping from Nassau.
Please note: Our captains may adjust the order of stops or substitute locations based on tides, weather, sea conditions, accessibility or other operational considerations. Wildlife is free-roaming, so sightings and interactions cannot be guaranteed.
Boats Used for the Harbour Island Tour
Our 41' Bahama Jalapeño and 43' Performance Caribbean Queen are typically used for the Harbour Island Pink Sands Experience. Both boats feature custom seating designed for full-day island-hopping adventures.
Jalapeño accommodates up to 19 guests, while Caribbean Queen accommodates up to 24 guests. Both boats have an onboard bathroom and a ladder for entering and exiting the water during appropriate stops.
Boat assignments are subject to change based on availability, maintenance and operational requirements.
JALAPENO
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CARIBBEAN QUEEN
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the boat ride from Nassau to Harbour Island?
The first boat ride from Paradise Island, Nassau to Meeks Patch in Eleuthera is just over one hour. Travel time can vary depending on weather and sea conditions as you continue through Eleuthera and on to Harbour Island.
Is the Harbour Island tour suitable for cruise ship passengers visiting Nassau?
Yes, cruise ship passengers can join our Harbour Island tour when their ship's schedule allows enough time. Check-in is at 8:00 AM on Paradise Island, with departure at approximately 8:30 AM and return typically between 4:30 PM and 5:00 PM. We recommend carefully comparing your ship's arrival and departure times with the tour schedule before booking. Guests are responsible for transportation between the Nassau cruise port and our Paradise Island meeting location and for allowing sufficient time to return to their ship.
Is the sand at Pink Sands Beach really pink?
Yes. Pink Sands Beach is known for its distinctive pale pink hue, created by tiny shell and coral fragments mixed with the white sand. The intensity of the pink color can appear different depending on the light, tide and area of the beach.
What animals will we see on the Harbour Island tour?
The itinerary normally includes swimming pigs at Meeks Patch and an opportunity to interact with wild green turtles in the clear waters of Eleuthera. These are free-roaming animals, so wildlife sightings and interactions cannot be guaranteed.
How deep is the water when interacting with the wild green turtles?
Guests are typically standing in approximately waist-deep water during the wild green turtle experience. Water depth and conditions can vary with the tide, and guests are never required to enter the water if they are uncomfortable doing so.
Do I need to know how to swim to join the Harbour Island tour?
No. You do not need to be a strong swimmer to enjoy the tour. Some experiences involve entering the water, but guests can choose not to participate in any water activity they are uncomfortable with. Life jackets are available onboard.
Is the Harbour Island tour suitable for children?
Children ages 2 and older are welcome. This is a full-day speedboat excursion with extended travel on the water, so parents should consider whether their child will be comfortable with a full day of boating and island hopping. Children under 2 are not permitted on this tour.
How much time do we spend at each stop?
Stop times vary slightly depending on the day's conditions and itinerary. Typically, guests spend about 30 minutes with the swimming pigs at Meeks Patch, 25–30 minutes at the sandbar swings, 30–35 minutes interacting with the wild green turtles, approximately one hour for lunch and around 40 minutes enjoying Pink Sands Beach on Harbour Island. The sandbar may be visited earlier or later in the day depending on the tide.
What should I bring on the Harbour Island tour?
Bring a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses and anything else you may want for a full day on the water. A light jacket is also recommended during the cooler months. Please bring a credit card and matching photo ID as well.
What happens if rain is in the forecast?
A forecast showing rain does not necessarily mean the tour will be cancelled. Our captains consider wind speed, wind direction, sea conditions, thunderstorms and other weather factors when determining whether it is safe to operate. If Born Free Charters cancels the tour because of unsafe weather conditions, guests will be given appropriate rescheduling or refund options.
What happens if I get seasick?
This tour includes extended travel by speedboat between Nassau, Eleuthera and Harbour Island. Guests who are prone to motion sickness should prepare accordingly before departure. Sea conditions vary from day to day, and our captains will always operate with guest safety in mind.
What is included with the Harbour Island tour?
Your tour includes lunch at a local restaurant, bottled water and assorted onboard beverages, snorkel equipment, landing fees and food for the animal encounters. Alcoholic beverages are available for guests ages 18 and older.
Can pregnant guests join the Harbour Island tour?
No. For safety reasons, our offshore speedboat tours are not suitable for pregnant guests. The tour is also not recommended for guests with chronic neck or back conditions and is not wheelchair accessible. Guests must be able to use a boat ladder for certain stops.