Big Major Cay, a small uninhabited island in the Exuma Cays, is home to a few dozen feral pigs that paddle out to greet approaching boats in waist-deep turquoise water. The swimming pigs have become the Bahamas’ most photographed residents, and for good reason — there aren’t many places where you can share a sandbar with a piglet. This article covers the full experience: what to expect at Pig Beach, the surrounding Exuma Cays stops that make the trip worthwhile, and the practical logistics of getting there from Nassau, Florida, or Great Exuma.
Big Major Cay is uninhabited by humans — its sole residents are a few dozen pigs, along with goats, stray cats, and dogs.
Bucket-list seekers
Families with older kids
Boat-day enthusiasts
Most guided tours bundle the pig encounter with three or four other Exuma Cays highlights in a single day. The table below lays out the usual stops so you can see how the day fits together.
| Stop | Location | Approx. time on site | Why go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pig Beach | Big Major Cay, near Staniel Cay | 15–30 min | Swim and feed the famous pigs in shallow water |
| Thunderball Grotto | Off Staniel Cay | 30–45 min | Snorkel a limestone cave featured in the James Bond film Thunderball |
| Compass Cay | Few islands north of Big Major Cay | 20–30 min | Stand in waist-deep water with harmless nurse sharks |
| Bitter Guana Cay | Central Exumas | 20–30 min | See endangered Bahamian rock iguanas up close |
| Sandbars | Various locations, often near White Bay | As long as the tide allows | Walk on pristine white sand that emerges at low tide |
Pig Beach — Big Major Cay
The pigs on Big Major Cay have been drawing visitors for years, and their origin is part of the lore. Local folklore suggests sailors brought pigs to the island sometime in the 20th century — possibly as a future food source they never returned for, or as survivors from a shipwreck. Whatever the story, the pigs thrived on ample vegetation and freshwater, and they’ve grown accustomed to human visitors. Tour boats arrive throughout the day, and the pigs often swim out toward the engines, having learned to associate the sound with food.
Most organized tours spend about 15 to 30 minutes at Pig Beach. Guides bring chopped fruits and vegetables — typically watermelons, carrots, and apples — and visitors feed the pigs from the water rather than on shore. That matters: feeding on land encourages the pigs to dig into the sand and ingest it. Keep your fingers flat when offering food to avoid accidental bites. The pigs are generally friendly but still feral animals, and they can get pushy or chaotic when food is involved.
Pigs may not swim at all during your visit — they often lounge on the beach, especially later in the day. That’s normal behavior; they’ll usually wade into the water when they see a boat approach.
Thunderball Grotto
About a 10-minute boat ride from Pig Beach, Thunderball Grotto is a limestone cave you enter by snorkeling through an underwater opening. The cave was used as a filming location for the 1965 James Bond film Thunderball, and the name stuck. Inside, shafts of sunlight fall through openings in the cave roof, illuminating tropical fish that gather beneath the surface. Water conditions and tides affect how easy the entry is — at the right tide it’s a straightforward swim, but at other times the current is stronger. An experienced captain makes the difference.
The grotto is a frequent stop on the same itinerary as Pig Beach, and most guided tours include snorkel gear. If you have your own mask and fins, bring them — provided equipment works, but your own tends to fit better.
Thunderball Grotto is also reachable from Staniel Cay Yacht Club by a short boat ride, making it an easy add-on if you’re staying at the club rather than joining a full-day tour from Great Exuma.
Compass Cay — Nurse Sharks
A few islands north of Big Major Cay, Compass Cay offers a controlled encounter with nurse sharks that gather near the marina. The sharks are accustomed to people and harmless to humans — they cruise in waist-deep water, and visitors can stand beside them or kneel to watch them pass. Tours typically stop here for 20 to 30 minutes, and the experience is calm enough for most ages.
The nurse sharks at Compass Cay are part of a broader network of animal encounters in the Exumas. The same tour often continues north to Bitter Guana Cay, where the focus shifts from water to land.
Bitter Guana Cay — Bahamian Rock Iguanas
Bitter Guana Cay is home to a population of endangered Bahamian rock iguanas that have roamed the island for thousands of years. The iguanas are accustomed to visitors and will approach when they see people, especially if grapes or other fruit are offered. Tours typically stop for 20 to 30 minutes, giving you time to walk the beach and rocky areas where the iguanas bask.
The encounter is more relaxed than the pig experience — the iguanas move slowly and don’t swarm the way pigs can. Still, the same rule applies: feed only what the guide provides, and avoid touching or handling the animals.
Sandbars and the Wider Exuma Cays
Beyond the animal stops, the Exuma Cays are defined by sandbars that emerge at low tide — long white curves of sand rising from channels of clear water. Some sandbars are close to Great Exuma and make an easy half-day excursion, while others lie deeper in the cays and are reached during longer boat trips. White Bay, off the southwestern coast of Exuma, is widely considered the best sandbar, but it’s only reachable by flats boat.
No loungers, restaurants, or umbrellas exist on these sandbars. Your boat may be the only one nearby, and the water surrounds you in every direction, shifting from clear to aquamarine to deep blue as the depth changes. A good captain can often find a quieter sandbar even during the busiest winter weeks.
Getting There and What It Costs
The most common way to reach the swimming pigs is through a guided day tour from either Great Exuma (George Town) or Staniel Cay. Flights into the Exumas land at Exuma International Airport on Great Exuma, which American Airlines now serves with three daily flights from Miami during the winter season (December 17 through early April). Roundtrip fares from Miami to George Town start around $350 on Google Flights.
If you’re based in Nassau, Flamingo Air and Titan Air both operate flights to Staniel Cay — about 30 to 40 minutes in a small propeller plane. From Fort Lauderdale, Booker’s Air (formerly Makers Air) and Staniel Air offer direct flights to Staniel Cay in roughly 1.5 hours. A day tour from Nassau costs roughly $250 to $400 per person and typically includes transportation between islands, guide services, pig-feeding supplies, lunch, and several Exuma highlights. Tours from Great Exuma run a similar range; Exuma Watersports, for example, lists a full-day tour at $399 per person, with lower rates for children and teens, up to 24 passengers, and complimentary drinks and lunch.
Don’t feed pigs from your hand — hold the food flat or toss it into the water. Pigs have sharp teeth and can accidentally bite fingers when grabbing treats. Also keep an eye on your beach bag; pigs are curious and will investigate anything left on the sand.
Where to Base Yourself
If you want to be close to Pig Beach and the central cays, Staniel Cay Yacht Club is the most convenient option. The club dates to 1956 and sits right on the water with colorful bungalows, a restaurant and bar that serves as the social hub, and direct access to boat charters. Big Major Cay is a 10-minute boat ride away, and Thunderball Grotto is even closer. Staniel Cay has its own airstrip with service from South Florida and Nassau, so you can fly in directly rather than coming through Great Exuma.
On Great Exuma, Peace & Plenty hotel in George Town offers a more practical base if you’re renting a car to explore the main island and Little Exuma. The hotel has a dock that serves as a departure point for excursions, and its Beach Club on Stocking Island is a short boat ride across Elizabeth Harbour. George Town also gives you access to groceries, restaurants, and the widest range of accommodation.
Before You Go — Exuma Cays
How far in advance should I book a pig-swimming tour?
Book at least several weeks ahead during peak season (December through April). Tours fill quickly, and accommodation on Staniel Cay is limited — the yacht club’s bungalows and a handful of villas are the only options, so reserve both tour and lodging early.
What should I pack for a day tour?
Reef-safe sunscreen, a waterproof phone case or dry bag, water shoes (the bottom is rocky and coral-covered in places), a towel, cash in small denominations, and motion-sickness medication if you’re prone to it on boats. Most tours provide snorkel gear, but your own mask and fins will fit better.
Are the pigs always in the water when I arrive?
Not always. They sometimes rest on the beach, especially after they’ve been fed. That’s normal — they’ll usually make their way into the water when a boat approaches. The pigs are most active in the morning before they’ve been fed.
What should I not feed the pigs?
Stick to the fruits and vegetables your guide provides — typically watermelon, carrots, and apples. Avoid bread, processed foods, salty snacks, and sugary drinks, all of which can harm the pigs’ digestive systems. Never bring food onto the shore, as it encourages digging and sand ingestion.
Can I visit Pig Beach without a tour?
Yes, if you charter a private boat or rent a WaveRunner from Staniel Cay. Private boats are allowed to dock before 9 a.m., when tour boats are restricted, giving you a quieter window. Expect to pay more for the flexibility.
Closing
The swimming pigs of Big Major Cay are the headline, but the Exuma Cays reward the kind of trip where you let the tide set the schedule — a boat waiting at the dock, a sandbar appearing as the water drops, and a sequence of stops that string together into a day on the water. The pigs are feral, the experience is unpolished, and that’s exactly what makes it memorable. For more Bahamas adventures, check out our guide to a luxury yachting itinerary through the Exuma Cays.
References
Caribbean Journal. “American Airlines Adds Third Daily Miami-Exuma Flight for Winter 2026-2027.” Caribbean Journal, 2026. ↗
FlyStayRide. “Swimming With Pigs in the Bahamas: The Complete 2026 Travel Guide.” FlyStayRide, 2026. ↗
MustSeeSpots. “Swimming With Pigs in the Bahamas: Ultimate Guide to Pig Beach.” MustSeeSpots, 2026. ↗
Staniel Rental. “Swimming Pigs Bahamas.” Staniel Rental, 2026. ↗
If you’re planning a longer Bahamas trip, our guides to bonefishing in Bimini, spotting wild flamingos on Inagua, and exploring the Bahamas on a budget offer more ways to experience the islands beyond the pig beach.
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