Travelers looking to see the Pigs at the Beach Bahamas won’t have to look far. Several locations across the Bahamas let you visit a beach with pigs Bahamas and go swimming with them.
That said, there’s only one location that offers the original and authentic experience, and that’s Swimming Pigs Big Major Cay. All of the other locations are imitation beaches.
In this post, we’ll explain how to reach Big Major Cay (nicknamed Pig Beach Bahamas) and what you can look forward to seeing once you’re there.
Keep reading to find out more!
Pigs at the Beach Bahamas: Meet the Swimming Bahamas Pigs
Beach With Pigs Bahamas: Where Is It?
Most travelers entering the Bahamas do so via Nassau, the country’s capital. Because of that, they often think the Pigs at the Beach Bahamas are in Nassau.
While you can find pigs around the capital island of New Providence, the original Pigs Beach Bahamas is actually in a district of the country called Exuma.
Home to 365 islands and stunning turquoise water, Exuma offers some of the prettiest vistas in the country.
Besides the famous Pig Beach, other well-known Exuma locations include:
- Great Exuma & Georgetown
- Little Exuma
- Staniel Cay
- Compass Cay
- Thunderball Grotto
- Norman’s Cay
- Bitter Guana Cay
- Stocking Island
Browse these islands and Exuma Cays with our Exuma Map.
You can visit some of the region’s top attractions, including Pig Beach Bahamas, on a Nassau to Exuma day trip (more on this below).
Swimming Pigs Big Major Cay
Big Major Cay is the official name of the original Pig Island.
As mentioned, the original Pigs at the Beach Bahamas experience is in Exuma. While many people know the island as Pig Island, its official name is Big Major Cay.
Located around 80 miles (128 kilometers) south of Nassau, Big Major Cay is a small island but one full of excitement. Today, it’s home to a couple of dozen pigs of various ages and sizes.
Interestingly, nobody knows for certain how the Swimming Pigs Big Major Cay first arrived at their island. Some of the different theories and myths seeking to explain their origins include:
- Shipwrecked: The pigs were shipwrecked and survived by swimming to Pig Island
- Bad smell: Local farmers grew tired of the pigs’ odors and transported them to Big Major Cay to give their noses a break
- Meat: The pigs were meant to be eaten, but farmers never did so
- Tourism: The Swimming Bahamas Pigs are simply part of a giant tourist conspiracy
Regardless of which theory is the truth, the island remains a fun and fascinating destination to visit.
Pig Beach Bahamas: How to Visit
So how can you visit the Pigs at the Beach Bahamas if they’re not in Nassau? The easiest way is by signing up for a Bahamas Pigs on a beach day trip.
Bahamas day trips make it easy to reach the pigs.
When you search for a Pigs Beach Bahamas day trip, you’ll see many options – several of which travel by boat. In general, you’ll want to avoid these and instead, sign up for a tour that travels by plane.
Air travel is, by far, the most efficient way to travel. If you’re flying from the capital, it takes just 30 minutes to land on Staniel Cay, an island near Big Major Cay.
It’s so efficient, you can even sign up for Bahamas day trips from Miami.
Besides being fast, air travel is also comfortable. You get to beat the crowds, travel in a private-class plane, and enjoy spectacular views from the window.
After seeing the Bahamas pigs on beach and other incredible attractions, you then return back to your original destination that same afternoon.
Swimming Bahamas Pigs: What to Expect
Unlike many other popular attractions, the Pigs at the Beach Bahamas don’t disappoint.
After landing on Staniel Cay, you’ll switch over to a boat and make your way over to the island. As your boat approaches Pig Island, you’ll see the pigs hop in the water and paddle out to greet you.
The pigs are used to greeting newcomers to their island.
Once you’ve tossed them a healthy amount of pig-approved foods, you can make your way onto their island to explore their home.
From meeting the Swimming Pigs to seeing their stunning home, a visit to Pigs Beach Bahamas is the ultimate excursion.
Attractions Near Big Major Cay
On a Pigs at the Beach day trip, you don’t just get to meet the Swimming Bahamas Pigs. You also get to visit several other top attractions in the region. These include:
- Staniel Cay: The Gateway to Exuma, which you arrive into and depart from
- Compass Cay: Home to the swim with sharks Bahamas experience
- Thunderball Grotto: A snorkeling destination of underwater caves
- Staniel Cay Planewreck: Another great snorkeling destination
- Bitter Guana Cay: Home to an endangered species of iguanas
- Pipe Creek: To visit sandbars that appear at low tide
All of these attractions make a Pigs at the Beach tour by plane a top-tier day trip!
Pigs at the Beach Bahamas: Day Trips to Exuma
To see the original Pigs at the Beach Bahamas, you’ll need to visit Big Major Cay. The easiest way to do that is on day trips to Exuma that travel by plane.
After you land in Exuma, you’ll have plenty of time to spend with the pigs, as well as to explore other top attractions in the surrounding area.
Contact us to learn more about visiting Swimming Pigs Big Major Cay!
