How to visit the Exuma Pigs at Swimming Pig Beach in the Bahamas

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With the Exuma pigs gallivanting about across your perfect spot on Pig Beach, you dig your hands into warm sand, pick it up and watch thousands of fine white grains slip through your fingers like an hourglass. The sun is setting in paradise. The deep magenta skies are losing their color as night begins to fall. Tomorrow is a new day– a new day to go swimming with pigs or snorkel across reefs. Maybe you would rather swim with sharks or fish in the deep lively sea. The world is yours; the islands are yours. Your swimming pigs tour was all you imagined and more. It was a happy day.

The original Exuma pigs can be found on the island of Big Major Cay, also known as Pig Island. It is a small-ish island jutting from the vibrantly blue sea of the Exuma Cays. The Exumas is a picturesque region in the southern portion of the Bahamas islands consisting of over half the islands and cays which make up the country. These 365 islands are known primarily for being wild and exotic when compared to its northern islands. Though Big Major Cay is one of the more frequented islands of the Exumas, if seclusion is what you are after, there are plenty of islands surrounding Pig Island where you can find that seclusion after your Exuma pig tour from Nassau or Florida.

You can take an Exuma pig tour from Nassau, Miami, or Fort Lauderdale. The swimming pigs Nassau tour is a popular option for those already vacationing in the Bahamas, and, obviously, the fact that you can take a day trip to Bahamas from Florida surprises some people. Bahamas Air Tours is your go-to for tours to see the Exuma pigs and other out islands of the Bahamas. Flying around the Bahamas privately will be your best decision of the trip and that is guaranteed.

Exuma pigs wade in the water at Pig Beach.

Your Guide to the Exuma Pigs

Below, we have put together a tell-all on the ever-popular Exuma pigs.

History of the Exuma Pigs

Many folk tales exist, especially locally, to explain how the Exuma pigs landed on Big Major Cay. It is common knowledge that pigs aren’t exactly tropical animals, after all.

Some believe they were left there by sailors after a storm was abrew and sailors had to ditch Big Major Cay without their on-board livestock after a quick stop on the island. Although, it is more widely accepted that farmers from nearby Staniel Cay were forced to move their Exuma pigs across the waters to Big Major Cay where their stench couldn’t drift into Staniel Cay Village and upset townies.

When farmers would make the ten-minute-long boat ride to Big Major Cay with the pigs’ daily feed, the pigs began swimming out to the boats to be fed first. This is what started the swimming pigs and it has been like that ever since.

There are other stories, too, but these two are the commonly widespread believable ones.

How to get to Pig Beach Exuma

Lucky for visitors, it is now fairly easy and stress-free to get to Pig Island. If you are on a swimming pigs Nassau tour, the flight takes under an hour to Staniel Cay where you can catch a water taxi to the nearby Big Major Cay. Getting to the Exuma pigs has never been more convenient and it can be done from Nassau in only a little over an hour. If you are coming from Florida, it can be done in closer to an hour-and-a-half.

With Bahamas Air Tours, you will be guided the entire way and will never have to stress a second about where to go.

What to do on Pig Beach Exuma

There are plenty of things to do on Pig Beach. For more information featuring some of the things to do in Pig Beach and around the surrounding islands, you can read our feature guide to Pig Island.

Staniel Cay (the neighbor island) is an important hub for Exuma Cays travel and, therefore, Pig Beach is an excellent place to start your out islands exploration of the Exumas.

Exuma Pigs Beach is always a busy place among tourists.

Rules for swimming with pigs

There is a basic etiquette visitors to Pig Island must abide by. In most instances, your tour guide will share with you these same rules we will give you so you know how to act toward the pigs. After all, they are still relatively untamed and can be dangerous if you give them reason.

First and foremost, treat the pigs for what they are — living animals. Don’t be cruel in any way. This means but is not limited to taunting them (with or without food). Don’t throw the food at them, don’t make them fetch the food — they are not your pet dogs learning new tricks!

Next, be careful when feeding the pigs. They aren’t delicate creatures. Their coordination isn’t immaculate. Don’t feed them from your hand. Drop the food so they don’t bite your fingers — their teeth are actually strong.

Also, feed the pigs from your boat or in the water. Don’t feed the Exuma pigs on the beach. The fact that the pigs have to swim to their food and work for it will keep their survival instincts in-tact instead of being fed like kings from the beach. Also, it will keep the beach clean of scraps.

Finally, feed the bigs appropriate foods. Bread, fruits, and vegetables only! Most tour companies will supply you with acceptable food to feed the pigs.

There may be other rules which your swimming pigs tour guides will share with you, but these are the main ones.

Waiting to be fed on Pig Island (Big Major Cay).

Which swimming pigs tour is for you?

There are a few different ways you can see the Exuma pigs. You can ride the large ferry, you can take a speed boat, or you can fly with us. Each have their advantages and disadvantages, but we are firm believers we give our customers the best experience and show them the most of the Bahamas.

Boats are often stuck in rough sea conditions causing sea sickness and overall unenjoyable experiences. Not to mention, they are a lot slower. What journey may take 3 hours by ferry will only take half an hour by air. This allows you to have more time doing what you want which is hanging with the Exuma pigs. Not to mention, ferries are often crowded and uncomfortable. On our private plane, you will be afforded a window seat of your own to see some of the most spectacular views you will ever experience and spread knowledge from our experienced guides/pilots.

There are more advantages to flying you can check out to make an informed decision for yourself, but we would like to think we can provide you the best service.

A lazy day on Pig Beach in the Bahamas.

Bahamas Day Trips by Plane: Tours to Pig Beach Exuma

Bahamas Air Tours welcomes you to join a Miami to Bahamas day trip to swim with the pigs in the Bahamas at Pig Island (Big Major Cay). Or for guests staying within the Bahamas for their Vacation, join us from Nassau on our Nassau to Exuma Day Trip to see the Swimming Pigs.

We can offer a Florida to Bahamas vacation package aboard our private Bahamas air charter that will let you experience a day trip to Bahamas without ever inconveniencing you.

Take a one day cruise to Bahamas on one of our many flights to Bahamas or Staniel Cay day trips. Most of our Exuma day trips offer swimming pigs tours that allow you to go swimming with pigs Bahamas style.

We can’t wait to see you!