If you’re visiting the Bahamas, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of a Swimming Pigs tour. As its name implies, this excursion transports you from different parts of the Bahamas (or even from outside of the country) to Big Major Cay, home of the Exuma Pigs. You then return to your original destination that same evening.
But is a Pig Beach Bahamas tour worthwhile? If you do sign up for one, what can you expect the experience to be like?
Read on to learn more.
Swimming Pigs Tour: Should You Sign up for One?
Visiting the Exumas
Big Major Cay (also known as Pig Beach) is one of 365 islands in the Exumas, a district south of Nassau. One of the great things about a Swimming Pigs tour is that it gives you the chance to explore the region. Renowned for its beautiful beaches and brightly-colored water, Exuma is a gem that every visitor to the country should see.
In addition to housing some of the prettiest spots in the country, the region is also home to incredible local attractions, like the Exuma Pigs. While all of the islands in the Bahamas are beautiful, the Swimming Pigs Bahamas set Exuma apart from the rest.
A Swimming Pigs tour lets you get up close and personal with the lovely Exuma Pigs.
Nassau Swimming Pigs: How to Reach Them
As you probably know by now, the so-called “Nassau Swimming Pigs” aren’t actually in the country’s capital. A better name for them is the Exuma Pigs since that’s where they reside. However, just because they’re not in Nassau doesn’t mean they’re difficult to reach. A Swimming Pigs tour makes it easy to see the pigs without having to spend too much figuring out how to get there.
If you’re in Nassau – even if only for a day – you can sign up for day trips to Big Major Cay to see the Exuma Pigs.
Traveling by Boat
Many tourists sign up for a Swimming Pigs tour that travels by boat. That said, not everyone knows what they’re signing up for.
While Nassau and Big Major Cay might look close on a map, you can expect several hours of roundtrip travel time. If you’re on a tight schedule or just can’t stand to be in transit for long periods of time, a Pig Beach Bahamas tour that goes by boat might not be the best option.
On top of being a long journey, the experience can also be an uncomfortable one, as well. To reach Exuma, the boats need to pass through rough open waters. This makes for a choppy experience and one that passengers prone to motion sickness will find particularly uncomfortable.
Traveling by Plane
The good news is that you aren’t stuck taking a Swimming Pigs tour by boat. More and more travelers are realizing that traveling by plane is the best way to go as it sidesteps many of the problems that go along with the boat.
For one thing, air travel gets you to Exuma in a fraction of the time. If you’re flying from Nassau, you can expect to arrive at Staniel Cay (an island close to Big Major Cay) in around 30 minutes. Given how quickly the plane moves, you can even sign up for a Swimming Pigs Bahamas tour that departs from Miami. Plus, regardless of where you travel from, you can’t beat the views from the airplane window!
Air travel makes it easy to sign up for a Swimming Pigs Bahamas tour.
Besides being more efficient, air travel offers a much more comfortable experience. You don’t have to worry about waves knocking your vessel around, and you also don’t have to travel with as many people.
Boat vs Plane: from Nassau to Exuma
- Tour by Plane from Nassau
- $675per person
- 30 minute Flight in Comfort
- Stunning Aerial Views
- Visits 7 Exuma Attractions
- Guaranteed Small Group Size
- Weather Cancellation Rare
- Inclusive Pricing: Lunch & Transfers
- Private Upgrades Available
- Minimum 2 Persons
- 5-Star Reviews
- Tour by Powerboat from Nassau
- $550
- 3 hour Boat Ride one way
- No Views from above
- Visits only 4 Exuma Attractions
- Large Groups
- Frequent Cancellations due Weather
- Surcharges & Fees
- No Private Boat Upgrades
- Requires 12 persons to go ahead
- Poor Reviews
What to Expect Upon Arrival
Once your Swimming Pigs tour arrives at Staniel Cay, you’ll switch over to a boat to visit the Exuma Pigs. Once you step foot on their island, you’ll quickly realize that their reputation is well-deserved. The pigs are friendly beach lovers who are happy to interact with everyone who comes to visit them.
A Pig Beach Bahamas tour takes you to their island home of Big Major Cay.
After spending time with the pigs, you’ll make your way to some of the other local Exuma Attractions. These include:
- Compass Cay, home to a school of nurse sharks
- Thunderball Grotto, a system of underwater caves teeming with marine life
- Bitter Guana Cay, home to the endangered northern Bahamian rock iguana
- An underwater plane wreck that crashed in the 70s
- And much more!
Exuma Pigs: Make Sure to Visit Them
Should you sign up for a Swimming Pigs tour to see the Exuma Pigs? No matter how long you plan on spending in the Bahamas, the answer is always yes.
From the pigs themselves to other nearby attractions, like schools of sharks and underwater caves, Exuma exhibits some of the top sites the Bahamas has to offer. To ensure that your experience is the best of the best, just ensure you sign up for a Swimming Pigs tour that travels by plane.
Book a Pig Beach Bahamas tour today!
