Are you planning your trip from Nassau to Pig Island? Looking for the best deal and insider tips in the Bahamas? We’ve got you covered!
Pig Island is indeed a one-of-a-kind destination where instead of tropical fish, turtles, or dolphins, you get to swim with a bunch of loveable pigs floating clumsily in the ocean. Even better, the virgin shoreline and crystal clear water here make every traveler not ever want to leave this place.
As a local expert that has been exploring every nook and cranny of the Bahamas, we will uncover all the tips and tricks you need to know so you can get the greatest value out of your trip. From the best way to get from Nassau to Pig Island to other hidden gems around the archipelago, here is a complete guide for your Bahamas swimming pigs excursion:
Getting from Nassau to Pig Island
Pig Island, known as Big Major Cay officially, is perched among the 360 pristine islands, islets, and cays of Exuma Cays – the exotic side of the Bahamas, with unspoiled nature and adrenaline-pumping attractions.
At only one mile in length, it’s practically impossible for Pig Island to have its own airstrip. Therefore, most tourists would travel from nearby Staniel Cay. Staniel Cay is the hub of the Exumas, with the busiest airstrips in the region being Staniel Cay Airport. It takes less than fifteen minutes to travel from Staniel Cay to Pig Island by water taxi.
As a part of an archipelago, there is only two ways to travel from Nassau to Pig Island. Either by plane or ferry.
Bahamas Air Tours will give you a glimpse of the Exumas from a bird’s eye view.
How to get from Nassau to Exuma by plane
When navigating how to get from Nassau to Exuma, most people will associate air travel with being expensive. Although, we beg to differ. In the case of Pig Island, it’s actually the best way to get the most bang for your buck. Especially when you are traveling with Bahamas Air Tours!
A Bahamas Air Tours flight from Nassau to Staniel Cay only takes 40 minutes. That means you have extra time to explore more secret destinations. One of the secret destinations is Pablo Escobar’s sunken aircraft, which can only be visited with Bahamas Air Tours.
Flying with Bahamas Air Tours’ private plane also means that your trip will be far less likely to be canceled last-minute due to the rough sea conditions. Not to mention you don’t have to bear the rough sea conditions during your trip that could trigger serious sea sickness. Flying by plane means that you don’t need to worry about anything – just relax and enjoy the outstanding views of Exuma Cays.
Day trips from Nassau to Exuma by ferry
Traveling by ferry or speedboat may sound tempting due to it being less expensive. However, we encourage you to think twice. There have been plenty of complaints that most ferry tours from Nassau to Exuma are overbooked and crowded, making the whole trip unbearable. Pair that with poor sea conditions and you have a nightmare brewing!
Furthermore, with a longer travel time, you will miss opportunities to explore the surrounding attractions. This is normal if you spend over half your time getting to/from the islands.
Lastly, do not expect a tranquil trip. Most ferry companies have the same departure schedule, meaning you will have to squeeze among the masses to enjoy Exuma or Pig Island.
Best way to get from Nassau to Pig Island
Based on our experience, opting for air travel could be the best decision you made in your Bahamas excursions. Not only will you get special privileges like a designated window seat and access to hidden destinations, you will also have the luxury of time and comfort.
If you would like to arrange your own itinerary, Bahamas Air Tours also provides charter flights for travelers who like to seek more flexibility during their trip.
Take a day trip to Bahamas to see Pig Beach on Big Major Cay.
A Guide to Nassau Bahamas Swim with Pigs Tour
Where is Pig Beach Bahamas
Pig Beach Bahamas is located on the west side of Big Major Cay. This is where the adorable pigs are most of the time. Your water taxi from Staniel Cay will reach this beach directly.
History of Bahamas swimming pigs
You will be surprised by how much folklore and legend revolves around the history of these Exuma pigs. Some claim that the pigs were left behind by a group of pirates that intended to pick them up later but never did. Others say that these pigs swam to the island after being shipwrecked nearby. However, their real history is not as mysterious or thrilling.
Captain Dave, a Bahamas Air Tours local guide, explains that the adorable Exumas pigs were moved to Big Major Cay intentionally a few decades ago. At that time, Staniel Cay was a small farming island and pig farms were a huge part of their economy. However, the intolerable stench they created received a lot of complaints from other villagers. This forced the pig owners to move the pigs to Big Major Cay.
To feed the pigs, farmers had to travel from Staniel Cay to Big Major Cay daily with buckets of feed. To be the first fed, most pigs raced to the boats where the food was before they reached shore. You can witness this behavior even today as your boat is reaching the island – just get your camera ready to capture the swimming pigs.
Take a day trip from Nassau to Pig Island to see the Bahamas swimming pigs in action!
Swim with pigs Nassau etiquette
Before heading from Nassau to Pig Island, it’s advised to learn some of the basic etiquette to interact with Exuma Pigs. Bahamas swimming pigs can become aggressive on Pig Beach when it comes to food.
The first thing to take note of is to never feed a pig from the beach. As their now-natural instinct is to swim for their food when a boat approaches, feeding them at the beach could ruin the natural process of getting food.
Another important point is to not feed by hand. Pigs will munch on everything they see – don’t let that be your hand!
Lastly, only feed food that is approved by the local guides as even pigs here have a special diet to follow.
Other Attractions on Day Trips from Nassau to Exuma
Since you traveled all the way from Nassau to Pig Island, it would be a shame to visit only one destination. Here other attractions you can explore on your Exuma day trips:
Dive into a James Bond movie at Thunderball Grotto
Are you ready to be the UK’s most formidable spy? Conquer the underwater cave system at Thunderball Grotto which was once a shooting location of a 007 movie. What kind of inner Bond are you?
Go face-to-face with Bahamas sharks at Compass Cay
If swimming with Pigs Bahamas is too subtle for you, why not explore the shark-infested waters at Compass Cay. Though fierce-looking, these sharks are actually friendly pet sharks that enjoy people’s companionship.
The Compass Cay sharks are visited by millions every year.
Hike with endangered iguanas at Bitter Guana Cay
Enter the island where dozens of endangered Bahamian Rock Iguanas roam the land. These curious yet charming lizards often approach tourists for berries. So, make sure you pack some!
Snorkel above a sunken cartel plane at Staniel Cay
Plunge into the crystal clear ocean and discover a sunken plane wreck that once belonged to Pablo Escobar. Legend has it that this plane was used for drug trafficking and other illegal activities.
Nassau Bahamas Swim with Pigs Tour
We’ve got you covered for everything you need during your trip so you can enjoy your Bahamas adventure to the fullest. Now, you should have all the information regarding the swim with pigs Nassau tour.
The extremely popular Exuma pigs are waiting for you to join them in the Bahamas. Do not disappoint them. Book your trip Nassau to Exuma Day Trip, from Nassau to Pig Island by Plane now with Bahamas Air Tours.
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