Most travelers who visit the Bahamas do so by entering the capital, Nassau. With a giant cruise ship port and an international airport, Nassau accommodates tourists from across the world. But while it has a lot to offer, you’re going to want to leave the capital for at least an afternoon to explore the country. The best way to do that is on a Swimming Pigs tour from Nassau.
If you’re unsure why you should sign up for an Exuma Pig tour from Nassau or even what that is, you’ve come to the right place. This post will help you understand the basics, as well as why flying to the Exuma Cays for the day is such a good idea.
Keep reading for six reasons you should embark on a Pig Beach excursion from Nassau.
Swimming Pigs Tour From Nassau: Sign up for a Pig Island Tour
1. You Get to Meet the Exuma Pigs
While the Bahamas is full of fun attractions, a Swimming Pigs tour from Nassau lets you see arguably the most exciting one: the Exuma Pigs.
Found on Big Major Cay, an island around 80 miles south of Nassau, the Swimming Pigs are local celebrities and have put the district of Exuma on the map. Since gaining popularity over the years, Pig Island has been featured in all sorts of programs, including documentaries, on social media, and on reality TV shows like The Bachelor.
Swimming with pigs has become one of the most popular attractions in the Bahamas.
The Swimming Pigs are so famous that “knock-off” Pig Islands have opened up around the country. However, the original pigs are the most exciting, and a Pig Beach excursion from Nassau makes it easy to partake in the authentic experience.
Because of all that the island and its residents have to offer, your Bahamas vacation won’t be complete until you go swimming with pigs.
2. You Can Learn About the Island’s History
The origins of the Swimming Pigs are mysterious, to say the least.
When you visit Big Major Cay, you’ll notice right away how friendly and sociable the pigs are. As nearby islanders have traveled to Pig island to feed them for years, the pigs have become used to boat arrivals and associate visitors with dinner time. However, the story of how they got to their island is something of a mystery.
Some locals say that the pigs were shipwrecked and swam to shore. Others believe that farmers brought them to their island with the intention to eat them and then never returned. Still other people will tell you that islanders actually brought them to Pig Beach because they were tired of the smells the pigs were leaving behind.
On a Swimming Pigs tour from Nassau, you’ll get to visit Big Major Cay, see the pigs firsthand, and form your own conclusions about how the pigs arrived on their island.
3. Day Trips Are Convenient
As mentioned, the Bahamas is full of incredible places, but many people don’t end up stepping out of a few select areas. While Nassau has a lot of exciting attractions, it’s a good idea to leave to see other sites throughout the country. Day trips are a great way to do that.
When you sign up for a Pig Beach excursion from Nassau, you’ll get to see another side of the Bahamas. In contrast to the hustle and bustle of the capital, the Exuma Cays are quieter, more laidback, and epitomize the energy that other Caribbean islands are famous for.
An Exuma Pig tour from Nassau is best enjoyed by plane.
Additionally, on a Swimming Pigs tour from Nassau, you also don’t have to worry about finding accommodations or logistics once you land. Every minute of the tour is planned out, letting you explore the area and then return back to your point of departure later that afternoon.
4. Flying Lets You See More
When you start searching for Swimming Pigs tour from Nassau options, you’ll come across many – some of which travel by boat and others that do so by plane.
While an Exuma Pig tour from Nassau that travels by boat might sound like a logical choice, flying is almost always the better option. When you travel with Bahamas Air Tours, you’ll arrive in the Exumas in 30 minutes, getting you there at least an hour and a half before travelers who take the boat. That time you save means more time to spend sightseeing around the region.
But besides saving you time, flying also comes with other benefits. For one thing, it’s the most comfortable way to travel. Instead of smacking around the surface of the water with a bunch of other people, you get to sit back in comfort and enjoy the ride. Speaking of the ride, you can’t beat the views from outside the plane window!
Nothing beats seeing the Exuma Cays from above!
5. You Can Also Go Swimming With Nurse Sharks
Unsurprisingly, swimming with pigs is the highlight of a Swimming Pigs tour from Nassau. However, you might find it surprising to learn that pigs aren’t the only animal you get to swim with. Day trips from Nassau to Exuma also take you to Compass Cay where you have the opportunity to swim with nurse sharks.
A Pig Island tour also lets you go swimming with nurse sharks.
The owner of the Compass Cay Marina is something of a shark fanatic and has managed to “tame” a school of nurse sharks. They’ve stuck around the waters of the marina ever since, causing the site to become one of the best places in the Bahamas to go swimming with sharks.
While jumping into shark-infested waters might sound intimidating, nurse sharks are docile, and these animals, in particular, are extra gentle. However, you’ll still receive a safety briefing before you take the plunge to ensure that the experience stays fun for both you and the sharks. And of course, if you’d rather admire them from the piers, that’s an option as well.
The chance to go swimming with nurse sharks is another benefit of signing up for an Exuma Swimming Pigs tour.
6. You Have Time to Explore the Stunning Exuma Cays
As if swimming with pigs and nurse sharks wasn’t enough, a Swimming Pigs tour from Nassau lets you see and do a lot more than just that.
From admiring the Bahamas from beneath the surface of the water at Thunderball Grotto to hanging out with endangered iguanas on Bitter Guana Cay, day trips from Nassau to Exuma let you explore one of the most stunning parts of the country. Discover more about the Exuma Attractions visited on a Bahamas Day Trip.
Given all that you get to do, it’s hard to say what your favorite attraction will be. However, a Pig Island tour is something you have to experience to complete your Bahamas vacation.
Stunning sand bars at Pipe Creek — another highlight of a Swimming Pigs tour from Nassau.
Plane vs Boat? Compare the Exuma Tour options
- Tour by Plane
- $675per person
- 30 minute Flight in Comfort
- Stunning Aerial Views
- Visits 7 Exuma Attractions
- Guaranteed Small Group Size
- Weather Cancellation Rare
- Inclusive Pricing: Transfers & Lunch
- Private Upgrades Available
- 5-Star Reviews
- Tour by Powerboat
- $550per person
- 3 hour Boat Ride one way
- No Aerial Views
- Visits 4 Exuma Attractions
- Large Groups
- Frequent Cancellations
- Surcharges & Fees
- No Private Upgrades
- Poor Reviews
Pig Beach Excursion From Nassau: Don’t Miss Out
While Nassau is a must-see destination in the country, the Bahamas has 700 unique islands – all of which are worth visiting. You might not be able to see all of them, but you will have time to sign up for a Swimming Pigs tour from Nassau.
From meeting the Exuma Pigs to exploring other sites in the Exuma Cays, Swimming With Pigs tours are a fantastic way to see a different side of the Bahamas. Plus, when you travel with Bahamas Air Tours, you get to fly in a luxurious private-class plane. Besides being the most comfortable travel option, it also gives you more time to soak up the beauty of the region.
Sign up for an Exuma Swimming Pigs tour today!
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