If there’s one excursion you might’ve heard of in the Bahamas, it’s the Exuma Bahamas swim with pigs experience. Since the Swimming Pigs mysteriously arrived at their island decades ago, the site has transformed into one of the most recognizable and popular places in the country. Today, it attracts thousands of visitors each year.
While you should absolutely embark on a Swimming Pigs Exuma tour, there are some things you’ll want to understand beforehand. Taking the time to do so can help ensure that your trip to Pig Beach Exuma ends up being everything you hope for and more.
Keep reading to learn what to know about the Swimming Pigs Bahamas tour.
Exuma Bahamas Swim With Pigs at Pig Island Bahamas
Pig Beach Exuma: Where Is It?
While the Bahamas is an archipelago made up of 700 islands, most visitors to the country stick around the capital, Nassau, on New Providence. That said, if you’re looking to enjoy the Exuma Bahamas swim with pigs experience, you’ll need to head out of the capital.
As the name of the excursion implies, Pig Beach Exuma is in the Exuma Cays. This chain of 365 islands is home to some of the prettiest sites in the Bahamas, including stunning beaches, bright blue water, and abundant marine life. The region is also the place to go to see the Swimming Pigs Bahamas.
The Swimming Pigs Bahamas experience is in the Exuma Cays.
If you’re traveling from the capital on an Exuma Pig tour from Nassau, you can expect to head south to cross a journey of around 80 miles. That short distance makes Big Major Cay (the official name of Pig Beach) the perfect day trip option.
Interestingly, the popularity of the pigs has led to imitation islands with pigs popping up around the country. While some of these may seem convenient to visit, Pig Island Exuma is home to the original pigs, making it well worth a visit!
How to Get There
As mentioned, it’s easiest to visit Pig Beach Exuma on a day trip. On these excursions, you can reach Pig Island from Nassau and even South Florida.
When you start searching ‘Exuma Pig tour from Nassau,’ you’ll quickly see that many of these trips travel by boat. While a boat tour might seem like a straightforward way to enjoy the Exuma Bahamas swim with pigs experience, you’re better off traveling by plane in most cases.
For one thing, flying is much more efficient. Traveling to Pig Island from Nassau will have you there in around 30 minutes, compared to two hours by boat. If you’re traveling from Miami, you’ll arrive in two hours by plane (which includes a stop at Andros Island to clear customs). You’re not able to reach Big Major Cay from South Florida for a day trip by boat.
Besides saving you time, traveling by private-class plane also offers a much more comfortable experience. You get to avoid the crowds and the rough waters, all while enjoying spectacular views of the Bahamas from above.
As Pig Island Bahamas is uninhabited, you’ll first fly into Staniel Cay, another island in the vicinity of Big Major Cay. Upon arrival, you’ll then switch over to a boat to tour the many sites in the region.
Besides just flying into Staniel Cay, day trippers also get to eat lunch at the local yacht club.
How Did the Swimming Pigs Get There?
There are several theories and local legends floating around that seek to explain how the Swimming Pigs Exuma arrived on their island in the first place.
According to some people, the Exuma Bahamas swim with pigs experience began when the pigs were shipwrecked near Big Major Cay. They then swam to shore, where they’ve resided ever since.
Another story claims that residents from other islands brought the pigs to Pig Island Bahamas to give their noses some relief. Since then, the residents have traveled by boat to feed them, helping them become the friendly creatures they are today.
Finally, some more suspicious-minded individuals believe that a tour company brought the pigs to the island years ago, with the hopes that the island would become a popular and profitable attraction. If that story is accurate, then their wishes have come true!
The exact origins of the Exuma Bahamas swim with pigs experience are a bit murky.
What to Expect Upon Arrival
Regardless of which story has merit, the Exuma Bahamas swim with pigs experience has become one of the most well-known attractions in the country, and for good reason.
As mentioned, visitors traveling to Pig Island from Nassau fly into nearby Staniel Cay, where they then switch over to a boat to explore the region. As the boat pulls up to Big Major Cay, some of the pigs jump into the water and paddle out to greet the newcomers. Years of nearby residents traveling to the island have conditioned them into the gregarious animals they are today.
The Swimming Pigs happily greet everyone who arrives on their island.
Once you step foot on their island, you’ll have plenty of time to get to know the different pigs (they have names!), as well as explore their home. Pig Beach Exuma, like the other islands in the region, looks like something out of a postcard.
While most people have seen pigs before, few can say that they’ve seen friendly pigs who live on an uninhabited tropical island. After seeing the Swimming Pigs Bahamas, however, you’ll be able to say that you have.
Things to Keep in Mind
The Exuma Bahamas swim with pigs experience is a fun and enjoyable activity. That said, there are some things you’ll want to keep in mind to ensure the safety of both visitors and the pigs.
Some of the pigs can get quite large in size, and while they aren’t aggressive, getting bitten by a 200-pound pig isn’t something you’re going to want to have happen. Because of that, you should make sure to only feed the pigs from the boat. Likewise, you should also avoid feeding them by hand.
Additionally, while some tourists might not see the harm in bringing outside food sources to the island, non-approved foods can make the pigs sick. To ensure that they stay happy and healthy, make sure to only feed them appropriate foods.
Other Top Sites in the Area
While Big Major Cay is, of course, the highlight of an Exuma Bahamas swim with pigs experience, there are some other great sites you can look forward to seeing on a day trip.
For example, travelers also get to visit Compass Cay, another small island near Big Major Cay. There, in the waters around the local yacht club, you have the opportunity to go swimming with nurse sharks!
A Swimming Pigs Exuma tour also gives you the chance to swim with nurse sharks.
Besides swimming with sharks, you can expect to see a lot more of what makes the Exuma Cays famous. From stunning sandbars to underwater caves full of marine life, a day trip to the region lets you see some of the best it has to offer.
See the Best of the Bahamas
While you’ve probably heard of the Exuma Bahamas swim with pigs experience, understanding where you’re headed before embarking on the excursion can make it more enjoyable. Likewise, it’s also worth knowing about some of the many other fantastic sites you can see in the area around Big Major Cay.
Whether you’re hoping to visit Pig Beach Exuma or somewhere else in the country, Bahamas Air Tours can help you get where you’re looking to go.
Sign up for one of our day trips, like an Exuma pig tour from Nassau, or book a charter flight today!
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