More and more we are being asked by travelers where they can swim with pigs. The most popular place is Exuma, but there are now other options as well.
Exuma is known for it’s beautiful white-sand beaches of the Exumas. Although it started over 18 years ago, the popularity was spurred by an appearance on NBC’s the Bachelor & the Pigs of Paradise book, along with social media pictures, the beaches of Big Major Cay, are now famous for it’s beach pigs, who love to swim out to boats to welcome you. Friendly and gentle, these highly intelligent creatures nuzzle right up to visitors looking for food. Gently touching and petting the pigs as well as feeding them is okay, but feed them in the water, so there is less of a chance they can take in sand which hurts their digestive system. Tour guides will review all of this information with you in advance. Recommended foods to feed the pigs are carrots, lettuce, watermelon and apples….overall most fruits and vegetables just make sure to remove any pits.
The most economical way to reach Pig Beach is by boat, so you’ll either have to charter one or take a guided tour. You can visit the island year round, but keep in mind that summer is also hurricane season and they will move the pigs to a sheltered area if there are any storms in the region. Also keep in mind that they do eventually get full, so take a morning tour vs an afternoon tour.
Daily tours to Pig Beach are offered from Nassau and Great Exuma by boat, but it will take an entire day with a lot of travel time. Most companies combine the day with a stop at Pig Beach along with swimming with nurse sharks and feeding Bahamian rock iguanas on surrounding islands. If you want to fly from Nassau for just the day it can be done, but expect to pay over $500 pp for the package. If you are not in a rush, there are closer islands with nice resorts where you can stay including Georgetown, Staniel Cay, Black Point & Farmer’s Cay. Staying at any of these islands put you just a short boat road away. The Grand Isle Resort on Great Exuma is the breathtaking resort that was featured in the Bachelor. Staniel Cay Yacht Club villas are also a popular place to stay.
Another option is to purchase a swimming with the pigs shore excursion while on a Bahamas cruise.
Norwegian Cruise Line has a shore excursion that visits Treasure Island, which is just a 10 minute speedboat ride from their private island, Great Stirrup Cay. With a small group of around 15 guests, you arrive at the island and are given a quick lesson on how to interact with the pigs. You get to spend time with the pigs, but close to shore, so there isn’t actual swimming like you would do in Exuma, however you do spend time in the water interacting with them. Royal Caribbean Cruises also has an excursion from their private island, CocoCay, Bahamas by taking a boat ride to Berry Islands.
Make sure and read the details of your excursion. Some guests are disappointed when they realize their trip goes to the island and the pigs swim up to the boat, however you do not swim with them.
The swimming pigs provoke an excellent discussion on our treatment and relationship of animals. There is some concern about the overall safety of the pigs, because there are no specific laws protecting them. There is no one to monitor to make sure the pigs are not being fed foods that could harm them. I hope that legislation is passed soon. In 2018, a non-profit agency was formed in 2018 to provide the pigs with vitamins, supplements and a consistent source of fresh drinking water.
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