The Bahamas pigs are one of the archipelago’s main attractions. Wading in the clear waters of the Atlantic, looking down at your feet below you, you look up to a view of white sand beaches, swaying palm trees and through your peripherals, you see the bright pink Bahamas swimming pigs are treading beside you. Luckily, Bahamas Air Tours can get you there. We offer Day tours from Miami and day tours from Nassau straight to Pig Island (Big Major Cay).
It’s not every day you see pigs in the ocean. Then, again, it is not every day you are in a tropical paradise with your feet in the warm sand of the Bahamian cays. The Bahamas is an archipelago country made up of over 7,000 islands and cays. Famous for its tropical climate, turquoise waters, and ultra laid back island atmosphere, the Bahamas sees visitors from around the world in all times of the year.
The Bahamas pigs are one of the top things to do in Bahamas and Bahamas Air Tours can give you a once in a lifetime experience with the pigs. We receive many questions about the pigs including where they came from, where they reside, and what the best way to go about visiting them is. So, without further ado, we bring you ten things you may not have known about the ever-popular Bahamas pigs.
Come see the Bahamas pigs on a day tour Bahamas.
Get to know the Bahamas Pigs
1. Bahamas Pigs live on Big Major Cay
Though in recent years, there have been several other pigs to arrive in the Bahamas, the original Bahamas swimming pigs arrived in Big Major Cay. Anywhere else you can experience swimming pigs Bahamas is likely a tourist ploy and there are always questions surrounding them ethically. The only original Bahamas pigs that were not brought as a revenue-maker are found on Pig Island (Big Major Cay).
2. Pig Island is near an easily accessible airstrip
Most people assume the real Exuma pigs are difficult to find which is why they settle for the less than authentic tourist get-ups. However, this is not true. While it is true that you’ll be hard-pressed to find a boat to the island with pigs, the authentic swimming pigs beach is located no more than half an hour from Staniel Cay Airstrip.
Although the famous pigs are located on an entirely different island, a ferry from Staniel Cay will have you at Pig Beach in no more than fifteen minutes.
The Bahamas pigs in the ocean!
3. A Private Plane tour is the most unique way to see the real Bahamas Pigs
Like mentioned above, the authentic Exuma pig beach is a bit out of reach for ferry services from Florida. So, unless you’re staying in the Bahamas, the best way to see the Bahamas pigs is via our nine-seat private plane with luxury bird’s eye viewing of one of the most beautiful places on earth.
Each person is guaranteed a large window seat and an experience you won’t soon forget. Seeing the Exuma Cays by plane is one of the most unique views you will witness in a new country. Tours can be booked from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and a Nassau to Exuma day trip.
4. The island with pigs is only one of the many things to do in the area
Luckily, taking a tour with Bahamas Air Tours means your schedule is fully customizable, allowing you to see the most of what we consider the most beautiful country on earth. The Exumas is a collection of 365 islands and cays within the Bahamas which are widely seen as the most visually stunning and popular among all tourists.
If you want to see the most gorgeous areas of the Exumas and the rest of the Bahamas islands, by plane is the way to go.
The Exuma pigs are a highlight of a day trip to Bahamas.
5. How did the Bahamas Pigs arrive on Big Major Cay?
Before there were pigs in the ocean, Big Major Cay was uninhabited. Then, the Bahamas Pigs arrived from the neighboring island of Staniel Cay. Staniel Cay was once a prominent farming village. Farmers brought the pigs to the adjacent island of Big Major Cay because of the pigs rank stench.
Though the tale is often debated and told in different ways, most believe the pigs started noticing that every day when the farmer’s boat approached the island, it was full of food. In order to get a proper feed, they started swimming to the boat so they could be the first fed. Thus, leaving a future of tourism on Big Major Cay. Now, Staniel Cay day trips are so popular that the beach often gets overcrowded in the afternoons. Luckily, the Exuma day trips with our Bahamas air charter gives you a swimming pigs tour before the rush.
You can get from Florida to swimming pigs in just one hour’s time.
6. Bahamas Pigs have a specific diet
One thing that is crucial to understand before visiting the Bahamas swimming pigs is that there are rules to abide by. Most tour companies will come prepared with food to feed the pigs that don’t go against the rules.
However, if you are doing a self-guided tour of the island with pigs, please note that the pigs are only allowed to be fed most fruits and veggies. It is strictly prohibited to feed them any other non-approved food item.
7. The Bahamas Pigs can become aggressive
Although most of the time, these pigs are as loveable and friendly as they look, it does not mean that they won’t become aggressive. The fact of the matter is, Bahamas pigs still have an appetite. It is especially important to know proper Pig Island etiquette as to not alarm the swimming pigs.
One of the most important rules is to not feed the pigs directly by hand. Make sure you understand all the Bahamas pigs rules before swimming with them as to not make them ill-tempered. No one wants to see an unloving swimming pig!
Big Major Cay is the island with pigs.
8. Pig Island remains uninhabited
Well, that’s with exception to the adorable pigs. The only interaction with humans that the pigs receive is from tourists and guides.
Recent counts say that there are about twenty-five pigs on the island with baby piglets outnumbering adult pigs by about a two-to-one ratio.
Though the number of pigs on the island is constantly changing, the pigs have been able to sustain their population with relatively low numbers for years.
9. The effect of tourism on Pig Island is evident
The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism has proposed many sanctions in order to maintain the atmosphere and environment of Pig Beach. Though the future of Pig Island tourism is always uncertain, it is assumed that tourism will keep going on Pig Beach in a way that is safe and beneficial to both the community and the animals.
It’s become such an important attraction for the community that has provided jobs and a higher standard of living to many people, that most tend to look out for the pigs in order for tourists to keep visiting.
There will most likely be changes to the Big Major Cay experience in the near future to make the experience more sustainable and therefore better for all parties.
10. Day trips to Bahamas Swimming Pigs from Miami and Nassau
Whether you want to visit on a Miami to Bahamas day trip or you are staying in Nassau and want to pop over to Big Major Cay for the day, there is one tour company that can provide you with a five-star rated experience no matter where you are coming from.
Bahamas Air Tours is the only company that affords you the possibility to see the original Bahamas pigs no matter where you are coming from. We offer daily private flights from Miami/ Fort Lauderdale and Nassau.
Visiting Big Major Cay by plane is your only option to see the very best of what the Exuma Cays have to offer.
Swimming Pigs Beach is a main attraction of the Bahamas.
One of the most unique experiences of the Bahamas
Take a Bahamas Day Trip to the exotic Big Major Cay island in the Exuma Cays Bahamas. We will visit the famous Exuma Pig Beach to see the Exuma pigs and float in the paradisaical waters of one of the most gorgeous places on the planet.
Seeing the cays by plane is one of the great pleasures of the Bahamas. We operate day trips to the Bahamas by plane from Nassau and Miami/ Fort Lauderdale.
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