Sitting on the warm sands of Pig Beach on Big Major Cay (Pig Island), one of the cute pink Bahamas pigs approaches you. Big Major Cay is known as the island with pigs and hundreds of tourists flock to Big Major Cay on a Pig Beach Bahamas tour daily. Big Major Cay is a part of the beautiful Exumas in the Bahamas.
The Exuma Cays are a collection of 365 islands in the heart of the Bahamas. Some consider the islands and cays which make up the majority of the region the most gorgeous and exotic parts of the country. There, you can find seclusion which is not found in other places in the country like the high tourist destination of Nassau.
You can take a day trip to Bahamas’ Exuma Cays by way of a Bahamas air charter for you and a private party. This one day cruise to Bahamas Exuma Cays by Bahamas Air Tours offers Staniel Cay day trips which you can easily hire a boat and make your way to Big Major Cay and Pig Beach. We have made a list of great things you can do in and around Big Major Cay and Pig Beach to maximize your vacation time.
The Exuma swimming pigs tour is one of the most popular among Bahamas vacation goers.
Best things to do near Big Major Cay (Pig Island)
1. Visit Pig Beach Bahamas tour
This one seems fairly obvious on an island with pigs. Like mentioned, most people come to Big Major Cay looking for these cute pink Instagram celebrities (on the Exuma swimming pigs tour).
As soon as you ride up on the beach, the swimming pigs Exuma will already be paddling out to your boat expecting food. It is quite a spectacle to see and one which most travelers to the Exumas make time for.
However, if you are already on a one day tour of the Exumas and you are near Big Major Cay, might as well make a full itinerary of things near. Below, you will find even more things to do in the area after your Pig Beach Bahamas tour.
Big Major Cay, otherwise known as Pig Island (home to Pig Beach).
2. Drink with locals at Staniel Cay Yacht Club
Most likely, you will end up on Staniel Cay on your Exuma swimming pigs tour. Being so near to Big Major Cay, after you see the swimming pigs Exuma, head to the Staniel Cay Yacht Club; one of the most established businesses in the Exuma Cays.
Officially opened in 1956, the Staniel Cay Yacht Club is in its 63rd year of operation. Quite an accomplishment for a little island bar and marina. Many tourists, locals, and celebrities alike have graced the bar at Staniel Cay Yacht Club. Inside, you will see photos hanging which tell the club’s past in its entirety.
It is a good spot to grab a cold one and watch the crowd hustle in and out of the marina all afternoon.
3. Get your adrenaline pumping at Thunderball Grotto
Once the setting of a Hollywood box office blockbuster (the James Bond thriller “Thunderball” starring Sean Connery), this adrenaline junkie’s paradise is now one of the top attractions of the Exumas near Big Major Cay. Actually, it is just an arm’s length away from Big Major Cay, in-between Staniel Cay and Big Major Cay.
The Thunderball Grotto is partly hidden and sometimes only accessible via underwater caves. It doesn’t look like anything more than a small rock island on the outside. However, once inside, you will be so glad you gave it a chance. There is an unlimited opportunity for snorkeling, diving, or simply taking in one of the wildest scenes you have surely ever been inside this hollow grotto.
4. Swim with sharks at Compass Cay Marina
These bottom-feeding nurse sharks have seen over 5 million visitors from all walks of life since the Compass Cay Marina rescued its first as the signature ‘pet’.
Now, with a lot more sharks, it has become one of the top attractions in the Exumas and for good reason! Many celebrities visit this gem in the middle of the wild Exumas and most gumption up the nerve to swim with these beasts. Don’t worry, though, even though these sharks can grow up to 10 feet in length, they are mostly harmless to humans unless threatened.
5. Spot endangered Bahamian Rock Iguanas at Bitter Guana Cay
Northern Bahamian Rock Iguanas are a rare sight and even more rare in today’s world where certain spots in the Exumas are the only place these brown lizard-like creatures exist. Most, however, reside in Bitter Guana Cay, hiding in the rock cracks and buried in the sand.
You can take a boat from Big Major Cay to Bitter Guana Cay and spend a few hours hiking around the island on the lookout for these sly guys. There are only around 5,000 of them still in existence as they face endangerment issues from locals who still hunt them for food. Additionally, stray dogs and other predators prey on their eggs and baby iguanas.
They can grow anywhere from two to four feet in length when fully grown and some will bite if you approach them. Take caution at Bitter Guana Cay!
6. Take a day trip to Nassau Bahamas excursions
Though Nassau is more than an ear’s shot away from Big Major Cay, a trip to New Providence Island (Nassau Bahamas excursions) is not out of the question for a nearby day trip. As a matter of fact, there is plenty of things to do in Nassau to make it worth your while.
Whether you want to check out the world-renowned Atlantis Resort, the famous shark walk there, or any number of beaches, night clubs, or other sanctuaries for wild animals, Nassau is the place to go.
You can easily fly to Nassau on a day tour from Staniel Cay (which is just minutes from Big Major Cay). If for nothing else, go to Nassau for a day to check out the best of Bahamian food from across the archipelago.
Pig Beach Bahamas is the best place to tour Exumas pigs.
7. Snorkel above a sunken underwater plane wreck used in drug trafficking
Sometime in the mid-’80s, an airplane was lost in the airspace over the Staniel Cay airport. The next day, it was discovered ten miles off the coast of Norman’s Cay loaded with bales of marijuana, apparently in route from Colombia to Miami.
Norman’s Cay was a popular stopping-off point for the cartel led by Carlos Ledher. However, this plane, which is rumored to have run dry of fuel, crash-landed in the sea with both pilot and co-pilot trapped inside.
Nowadays, only ten-feet under, it is one of the most easily accessible underwater plane wrecks in the world (but the marijuana bales have been removed).
8. Go island hopping with Bahamas Air Tours
Bahamas Air Tours specializes in comfort and luxury aboard a private twin-engined Navajo plane with the largest viewing windows in the world. It is said the best view of the Bahamas is seen from above, so you can see for yourself.
On a Bahamas Air Tours day trip, we let you customize your own itinerary to fit your preferences. That way, you are never disappointed at what you did and did not see. Aboard our plane, you will be afforded the possibility to go further into the exotic Exumas where the big ferry tour boats can’t reach.
Let us take you all over the Exumas from Nassau today!
9. Check out the sandbar at Pipe Cay
Though there are great sand bars all over the Exumas, the one-off Pipe Cay is one of the most impressive. Although, depending on the tide, it can be less than what you expected. Make sure to ask locals about the tide to get the best view. In addition, it will make the trip easier if you tour at the right time according to the tide as shallow sands can prevent bigger boats from getting near the sandbar at Pipe Cay.
10. Sunset horseback riding in the Exumas
Ride into the sunset on a horseback riding adventure from a number of Exuma islands. These horseback tours usually last anywhere from an hour-and-a-half to two-hours with groups up to six people per professional guide.
Pig Beach is a Nassau Bahamas excursions worth doing.
Swimming with Pigs Bahamas Vacation
Whether on a Miami to Bahamas day trip or taking a Nassau to Staniel Cay day tour, tours to Pig Beach are equally as accessible on Big Major Cay. It is easy to witness the pigs in the Bahamas from anywhere.
Bahamas Air Tours can fly you from Florida to Bahamas and you will be treated to luxury onboard service, customizable itineraries, and the intimacy and accessibility of a private and trained guide at your full disposal for any questions you may have regarding the Bahamas.
Book your one day Florida to swimming pigs tour today!
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