Many travelers dream of seeing the famous Swimming Pigs in The Bahamas, and the original pigs of Exuma remain one of the country’s top attractions. But if you’re looking for a more convenient option, the Eleuthera Swimming Pigs at Meeks Patch offer a fun, family-friendly alternative. Best of all, they’re just a short flight from Florida, making them perfect for a quick tropical escape.
From meeting the Eleuthera Bahamas Pigs themselves to checking out the other nearby attractions, there’s a lot to see and do in the area.
Read on to learn all about the Swim With Pigs Eleuthera experience!
Eleuthera Swimming Pigs: Meet the Eleuthera Bahamas Pigs
Eleuthera Pigs: Where Are They?
True to their name, the Eleuthera Pigs are found near the Bahamian island of Eleuthera. Long and narrow, the island is in the eastern part of the 700-island archipelago. North Eleuthera serves as a barrier island, with its eastern half bordering the rough waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
Meeks Patch is a small island near Eleuthera.
The Eleuthera Swimming Pigs themselves are on Meeks Patch, which is a smaller island off of the western coast of Eleuthera. While the island isn’t quite as impressive as Big Major Cay (the original Pig Island), it’s still beautiful and features thinner crowds than its Exuma counterpart.
The other islands near Eleuthera are also worth visiting. Spanish Wells, Royal Island, and Harbour Island all have unique and beautiful attractions you won’t want to pass up on seeing. If you sign up for an Eleuthera Pigs day tour, you’ll stop by many of these destinations.
Eleuthera is around 73 miles (118 kilometers) away from Nassau and 256 miles (412 kilometers) away from Miami.
Swim With Pigs Eleuthera: What to Know
The pigs have a gorgeous, tropical island home.
Before embarking on your Eleuthera Swimming Pigs tour, what should you know about the island itself?
Meeks Patch is a small, uninhabited cay off the coast of Eleuthera. While modest in size, the island is beautiful, featuring soft white sand ringed by crystal-clear turquoise water. Meeks Patch is also flat, making it easy to approach by boat and explore on foot.
Like many of the lesser-known islands in the archipelago, Meeks Patch is peaceful and underdeveloped. Since there aren’t any roads or permanent buildings on the cay, visiting it makes it easy to feel like you’ve stepped foot onto your own private island. Nevertheless, Meeks Patch has grown into a quirky destination thanks to its Eleuthera Swimming Pigs residents.
Both the Eleuthera Pigs and the natural beauty of the cay make Meeks Patch a top destination in the region.
Other Pig Beaches in The Bahamas
Meeks Patch and its resident Eleuthera Swimming Pigs serve as the perfect day trip from South Florida. That said, when looking into the Swim With Pigs Eleuthera experience, you might come across other Pig Beaches throughout The Bahamas. These islands take inspiration from Big Major Cay, which became popular years ago.
Nicknamed Pig Island, Big Major Cay is another picturesque uninhabited island. Located in Exuma, a district of The Bahamas home to 365 islands, Big Major Cay features a group of pigs that mysteriously arrived at their uninhabited home decades ago. From shipwreck to a meal that never was, no one can say with certainty how the Swimming Pigs came to be.
Regardless of the truth, nearby islanders have traveled to Big Major Cay for years to feed the Swimming Pigs. This has led the pigs to associate boats with food, causing Pig Island to grow as a tourist destination. Today, the island attracts millions of tourists annually.
Swim With Pigs excursions have become popular throughout The Bahamas.
After the island and the Exuma Pigs made names for themselves, tour groups sought to spread the joy of going swimming with pigs. Today, you can find Pig Beaches at Athol Island, Rose Island, Freeport, and several other locations throughout the country.
The Eleuthera Swimming Pigs of Meeks Patch have similar origins to these Pig Beaches, emulating the original experience in Exuma.
Book our Eleuthera Bahamas Pigs Day Tour
The experience of visiting the Eleuthera Swimming Pigs is convenient and full of fun. Learn more about our Bahamas Day Trip to the Eleuthera Pigs.
Your journey begins with a 7:00 am check-in at Fort Lauderdale International Airport, followed by a one-hour and 15-minute journey to Eleuthera. If you’ve never flown on a private-class plane before, you’re in for a treat. With comfortable seating and incredible aerial views, the journey is far from an unfortunate necessity of the trip – it’s a highlight.
Once you reach Eleuthera, you’ll land at North Eleuthera Airport and meet your boat captain and tour guide for the day. As you make your way from attraction to attraction, these experts will fill you in on everything you need to know. You’ll then hop onto your boat and begin visiting the nine attractions you see on an Eleuthera Pigs day tour.
A short flight and boat ride are all it takes to meet the Eleuthera Swimming Pigs.
After sightseeing throughout the morning and afternoon, you’ll make your way back to Florida at 4:00 pm. Expect to arrive back in Fort Lauderdale by 5:30 pm, at the latest.
While the itinerary lets you visit some of the top attractions in the Eleuthera area, you might be interested in skipping some attractions or spending additional time at others. In that case, consider prioritizing flexibility and booking a private tour.
Regardless of whether you opt for a private or standard tour, make sure to bring the following:
- Passport (and a visa, if necessary)
- Money for tips
- A camera
- A portable phone charger (expect to take many photos, which will drain your battery!)
- Sunscreen and sun-protective clothing
- A swimsuit
- A change of clothes
- A warm layer, if the airplane is chilly
- Snacks, if you have specific dietary needs
Other Attractions to See in Eleuthera
The Eleuthera Swimming Pigs are an undeniable highlight of an Eleuthera day trip. Nevertheless, some travelers end up loving other stops on the tour just as much, if not more.
For example, another destination you’ll visit is the Ocean Swings near Royal Island. Constructed in 2022, these are one of the newest attractions to the area but have become a favorite amongst influencers in that time. Located on a pristine sandbar in remote shallow waters, the swings offer spectacular views and make for a dreamlike experience.
The Ocean Swings at Spanish Wells are another popular attraction.
Likewise, you’ll also get to see Harbour Island. Located off of the eastern side of Eleuthera, Harbour Island is most famous for its Pink Sands Beach. As its name implies, the stunning sandy expanse features a unique pink hue, a color that flows from a more traditional white to a vivid pink throughout the day. The island is also home to Dunmore Town, a charming historic settlement that serves as a popular lunch stop. Given all that Harbour Island has to offer, however, you’ll probably want to book a separate day trip to explore it in-depth!
Day Trip to Bahamas Eleuthera Tour Map
All in all, it’s hard to say which of the other attractions in Eleuthera will be your favorite. Expect to love them all!
Eleuthera Swimming Pigs: Book a Miami to Bahamas Day Trip
If you’re looking to go swimming with pigs in The Bahamas, the Eleuthera Swimming Pigs make for a day trip to consider. While they’re not the original Swimming Pigs, they and the other Eleuthera attractions make for the ultimate South Florida day trip.
Skip the crowds and long boat rides — book a Bahamas Day Trip from Florida and meet the Eleuthera Bahamas Pigs up close.
Your tropical day trip starts with Bahamas Air Tours!
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