Without a doubt, on any trip to the Bahamas, you need to know how to get to Pig Island. If you have ever seen photos of the dreamy Bahamas, you have surely seen the long stretches of white sand beaches, palms swaying in the wind, turquoise water running up the cays, and the ever-loveable Bahamas pigs swimming side-by-side happy tourists.
Yes, you read that correctly. Swimming pigs in the Exuma Cays. The adorable pigs in the Bahamas have been there for decades and have become a hit with locals and tourists alike. But there are some things you must know about these Exuma pigs and the island before you go. Don’t fret, we’ve included all you will need to know including how to get to Pig Island! We will offer you tips like how to save time so that you can make the most out of your day trip to Pig Beach Bahamas. Bahamas Air Tours offers 5-star rated tours to Pig Beach by way of a Bahamas air charter for you and the whole family.
Read on to learn how to get to Pig Island
Where is Pig Island?
Pig Island, otherwise known as Big Major Cay, is one of the 700 Bahamian islands a part of the archipelago nation. It’s located in the Exuma Cays roughly 75-miles from the capital, Nassau, making it relatively well-known how to get to Pig Island.
What is on Big Major Cay?
Here, on Big Major Cay, you will find none other than the adorable Bahamas swimming pigs. Recently, there have been other locations in the Bahamas to feature Exuma pigs, however, Big Major Cay is home to the original pigs who arrived there over decades ago when sailors brought them as livestock and had to abandon the island without. They’ve now survived in the tropical Bahamas for years, loving on all the extra attention they receive.
How to Get to Pig Island
The closest airport is in Staniel Cay — about a ten-minute boat ride to reach the world-renown Pig Island but a longer trip to get from the airport to the boat service making how to get to Pig Island a relatively complicated question if going there on your own. There are often heaps of visitors to the island and self-guided tours aboard the ferries can become crowded and time-consuming. That is why it is widely suggested to book your own private tour before going.
It’s relatively easy to find how to get to Pig Island to see the Bahamas pigs.
Where are the Exumas?
The Exumas, a portion of the Bahamas archipelago known for being extraordinarily beautiful, is a collection of 365 islands and cays just southeast of Nassau. The waters in the Exumas is so clear, you can literally see the seafloor at almost every beach you visit. The Exumas are more than just a popular destination when visiting Nassau as some tourists never even visit Nassau and plan their vacation around the Exumas only.
Tours to Swimming Pigs Exuma from Miami
Whether you’re in Miami or the neighboring city of Fort Lauderdale, there are plenty of ways you can choose from how to get to Pig Island. Whether it’s by ferry, speed boat, or private plane is your choice. There are plenty of companies who tour the swimming pigs island but only one that offers you views from above the islands as well.
The lovable Bahamas Pigs at Big Major Cay!
Tours to Swimming Pigs Exuma from Nassau
From Nassau, the swimming pigs on Pig Island are a little more accessible than from Miami. There are still gobs of tour companies vying for your money. By boat, the journey isn’t incredibly long, however, don’t expect to make it far from Nassau. Therefore, you will have to deal with crowded beaches and tourist prices. If you don’t mind that, then great! However, there are other options and we will explore which your options are better for your itinerary. Discover more about our Nassau to Exuma Day Trip to visit the famous Pig Island!
Why Avoid the Boat to Swimming Pigs Island
Ferry and speed boat tours are often over-booked, crowded, and a long journey from either Miami or Fort Lauderdale. Even if coming from Nassau, the waters are often rough and it is known that travelers often suffer from sea-sickness even if they don’t normally.
Views of the great Caribbean-Atlantic are often obstructed because only a few will get seats near the water. On the speed boat, the ones with the best view are often the ones getting soaked with salt water during the ride.
Go to Swimming Pigs Island to see the Pigs Beach Bahamas.
Why You Should Fly to See the Bahamas Pigs
Compare the crowded tours by sea to the luxury 9-seater private plane offered by Bahamas Air Tours in which every customer gets their own large window seat and an unfathomable bird’s eye view at one of the most spectacular scenes on Earth (aerial view of the Bahamas islands). Not to mention, the journey back and forth from Miami or Fort Lauderdale will save you an unbelievable four hours of the round trip travel time of which is precious hours to spend with the Exuma pigs — all of which you wouldn’t get if traveling by sea.
With a customizable schedule, you will see more of the islands than you ever could by sea and you are afforded the opportunity to get as far away from the crowds as you can if that’s what you please. It is hard to argue the reasons why taking the private plane isn’t a better choice of how to get to Pig Island.
What Else is on Pig Island?
Besides taking a dip with the fantastic Exuma Pigs, you can make your way inside the Pig Beach Pavillion where you can grab snacks and hideout from the sun for a while. While you’re there, you can learn proper etiquette on Pig Beach Bahamas to make sure you are not mistreating the pigs.
One such etiquette is that it is absolutely disallowed to feed the Exuma pigs anything but fruits, veggies, or bread. Local guides also suggest not feeding the pigs by hand as they could bite. They suggest dropping the food into the water (not on Pig Beach) and letting the Bahamas pigs swim to their meal.
What’s in the Area?
Near Big Major Cay is Staniel Cay, one of the most beautiful islands of the Exumas. The island has a population of just over 100 residents but has a strong presence of vacationers to keep the island lively. Relax on several white sand beaches and spend the afternoon sipping cold beers while you’re there. Staniel Cay is home to the nearest airport to Pig Island and many people — including day-trippers via Bahamas Air Tours will fly into the Staniel Cay Airport. From Staniel Cay, you will know how to get to Pig Island as it is merely a ten-minute boat ride to Pig Beach Bahamas.
The Bahamas pigs love to play!
Reserve Your Spot on Our Tour Today!
Take a Bahamas Day Trip with Bahamas Air Tours to the stunning Big Major Cay in the Exuma Cays Bahamas Islands. We will visit the famous Exuma Pigs, Swimming Pigs Bahamas, and the wonderful tropical waters of one of the most magnificent places on earth.
Visiting Pig Beach by plane on Pig Island is one of the great pleasures of the Bahamas. We operate day trips to the Bahamas by plane from Nassau and Miami. So even if you’re visiting the Bahamas on a cruise and your stopover in Nassau isn’t long enough to make the day trip, you can take the Big Major Cay Day Trip from Miami before or after your cruise and have ample time to see a part of the archipelago you would otherwise miss!
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