Located in the Exumas, Swimming Pigs Beach is a can’t-miss destination in the Bahamas. It’s home to the famous Exuma pigs, as well as the swimming with pigs experience. However, many people don’t realize that it’s just one of many amazing sites in the area.
In this guide, we’re going to highlight what to do at Swimming Pigs Beach, then pull the curtain back to examine the other top attractions in the region.
Keep reading to learn more!
Swimming Pigs Beach: What to See at Pig Beach Bahamas
Nassau Swimming Pigs on Big Major Cay
While many people might refer to them as the “Nassau Swimming Pigs,” the original swimming pigs aren’t actually in the country’s capital. They’re located around 80 miles south, in a region of the country called Exuma.
You’ll see pigs of all shapes and sizes on Big Major Cay.
Once your plane arrives at Big Major Cay, you’ll quickly realize that it was worth taking a trip there. The pigs are friendly, sociable, and the undisputed highlight of any Pig Beach Bahamas tour!
Learn more about Big Major Cay in our Pig Island Destination Guide.
What makes the so-called Nassau Swimming Pigs so special is the fact that they inhabit Swimming Pigs Beach all by themselves. Besides some other animals, like goats and cats, there aren’t any full-time residents on the island with them. Naturally, this has led to some interesting theories as to how they arrived at the island, including:
- Sailors dropped the pigs off with intentions of coming to retrieve them but never did
- The pigs were shipwrecked and swam to shore
- Farmers from Staniel Cay brought the pigs to Big Major Cay to raise them for food
- The pigs are all part of an elaborate tourist scheme
Regardless of which story you choose to believe, you’re certain to fall in love with the Exuma Pigs while visiting Swimming Pigs Beach.
Flying by air on a Pig Beach Bahamas tour offers unbeatable views.
Fly to the Swimming Pig Island by plane on an exciting Bahamas Day Trip:
- Day Trip to Exuma from Nassau by Plane
- Day Trip to Exuma from Miami by Plane
- Day Trip to Exuma from Georgetown by Plane
What else is there to see near Pig Beach?
As mentioned, Big Major Cay is just one of many highlights in Exuma. Here are the other attractions you can expect to see on a Pig Beach Bahamas tour:
1. Staniel Cay
As Swimming Pigs Beach is uninhabited, the island doesn’t have an airport to accommodate flights. Because of that, the first place you arrive at on a Pig Beach Bahamas tour is Staniel Cay, which does have one.
However, the island offers a lot more than just accessibility. Like every other island, it’s stunningly beautiful, with pristine beaches and the surrounding turquoise waters that make the Exuma famous.
It also houses a fantastic yacht club where you’ll have the chance to eat lunch.
2. Bitter Guana Cay
Bitter Guana Cay is another highlight near Swimming Pigs Beach. Unlike Big Major Cay, with its famous swimming with pigs experience, Bitter Guana Cay is home to a different animal: iguanas.
The northern Bahamian rock iguana is the premier resident on the island. Given that it’s one of the most endangered animals in the region, seeing the beautiful lizards in all their glory is always a worthwhile experience.
Besides appreciating the iguanas themselves, you can also soak in the glory of their island home. It’s one of the prettiest islands in the region!
3. Compass Cay
While Swimming Pigs Beach has pigs and Bitter Guana Cay has iguanas, Compass Cay is the place to go to see one of the most misunderstood animals in the world: sharks.
Located in the waters around the marina is a school of nurse sharks. While these massive creatures are almost never responsible for attacks on people, they’ve earned a bad reputation nonetheless. Because of that, seeing them up close and personal ends up being one of the highlights of the day for many.
Compass Cay and its nurse sharks are just a short ride away from Swimming Pigs Beach.
Plus, besides getting the chance to see them from the docks of the marina, you can choose to get closer to them if you wish. Compass Cay is also the perfect spot to go swimming with sharks!
4. Thunderball Grotto
If pigs, sharks, and iguanas weren’t enough, the area around Swimming Pigs Beach also has one of the best places in the Bahamas to go snorkeling: Thunderball Grotto Cave.
An extensive system of underwater caves, Thunderball Grotto houses all sorts of marine life. From coral to tropical fish, it’s a great place to get close to the nature that makes the Bahamas famous.
It was also the site of the James Bond film Thunderball!
Swimming With Pigs: The Highlight of Any Trip
While the Bahamas is full of all sorts of amazing sites and attractions, one you won’t want to miss out on is Swimming Pigs Beach. Also known as Big Major Cay, this island is home to the friendly and incredible Exuma Pigs. From swimming in the water with them to exploring their island home, you’ll find swimming with pigs to be the highlight of any Bahamas vacation.
But just remember that the Exuma pigs are one of many amazing sites in the area.
Sign up for an Exuma Pig Beach Bahamas day trip today to enjoy some of the many other highlights of the Exumas!
