Big Major Cay in the Exuma Cays is home to roughly 20 to 25 pigs that swim out to meet arriving boats, a sight that draws thousands of visitors each year. The island itself is uninhabited, and the pigs have become one of the most visited attractions in The Bahamas, with day-trippers coming from Nassau and Great Exuma to see them paddle through the shallows. Reaching Big Major Cay typically takes about two to three hours by high-speed boat from Nassau or around 90 minutes from Great Exuma, which means this is a full-day commitment from either hub.
About 20 to 25 pigs and their piglets roam freely on the island, enjoying sunbathing, rolling in the sand, and swimming out to greet approaching boats.
This guide covers what the experience actually involves, how to get there, the rules that keep the pigs healthy, and the practical tradeoffs of visiting one of the Bahamas’ most photographed spots. I’ll also point you toward a few less crowded alternatives if the idea of sharing a beach with two dozen pigs and a boatload of other tourists doesn’t sound like your version of paradise.
Yes, the pigs are real, and yes, they swim. But the experience is heavily touristed, and the pigs have specific feeding rules you need to follow. The journey from Nassau eats up most of a day, and the pigs are not always in the water — they’re animals, not performers. Go with realistic expectations and you’ll have a genuinely memorable morning.
Pig Beach and the Exuma Cays: What to Expect
Big Major Cay sits in the remote northern cays of the Exumas, a chain of islands that stretches across turquoise water southeast of Nassau.
The pigs here are not a recent phenomenon. The most grounded explanation is that in the 1990s, farmers from nearby Staniel Cay relocated their pigpen to Big Major Cay because of the odor, taking boats out daily to feed them. The pigs quickly learned to swim out to meet the food-bearing boats, and the habit stuck. Other stories involve pirates and shipwrecks, but the farmer version is the one local guides tend to confirm.
What you’ll find on Pig Beach is a stretch of white sand where the pigs sunbathe, roll around, and paddle in the shallows. They are accustomed to people, but they are still animals with their own rhythms. Some days they swim out eagerly; other days they barely lift their heads. The beach itself is otherwise uninhabited — no facilities, no shade structures, just sand, water, and pigs.
Photographers
Families with older kids
First-time Bahamas visitors
Getting to Big Major Cay and What You’ll Find There
The logistics of reaching Pig Beach depend entirely on where you’re staying.
From Nassau: The Long Day Trip
Most visitors come from Nassau on high-speed boat tours that take two to three hours each way. That means four to six hours of boat time for maybe an hour on the beach with the pigs. Tour operators bundle the trip with stops at other Exuma cays, including sandbars and snorkel spots, which helps break up the journey. If you’re prone to seasickness, the Exuma Sound can get choppy, and the ride in an open boat at speed is not gentle.
From Great Exuma: The Shorter Route
If you’re staying on Great Exuma, the boat ride is about 90 minutes each way, which makes the day significantly more manageable. Several operators run trips from George Town, and you can often combine Pig Beach with a visit to the nearby swimming stingray sandbars that are popular in the same area. This is the smarter option if you have flexibility in where you base yourself.
What the Pigs Actually Do
The pigs paddle out to boats as they approach, hoping for food. They’ll swim right up to the water’s edge and sometimes climb onto the beach to investigate bags and coolers. They are not aggressive, but they are persistent — they know boats mean treats. The piglets are more cautious and tend to stay closer to the treeline. Visitors should keep in mind that the pigs are not always in the water; on hot afternoons they often retreat into the shade of the interior brush, and no amount of calling will bring them back out.
Morning tours from Great Exuma typically arrive before the Nassau boats, giving you a quieter window with the pigs. The pigs are also more active in the cooler morning hours — by midday, many are napping in the brush.
Planning Your Visit: Timing, Costs, and Rules
The experience has changed significantly as visitor numbers have grown, and there are now clear rules about how to interact with the pigs.
Best Time to Go
November through April offers the calmest seas and most reliable weather for the crossing. Summer brings higher humidity and afternoon thunderstorms that can cancel tours. The pigs are active year-round, but their swimming enthusiasm drops in the heat of summer afternoons. If you’re visiting between June and October, book a morning departure.
Feeding Rules and Why They Matter
In 2017, several pigs died after ingesting sand because tourists threw food onto the beach. The pigs, eating quickly, swallowed sand along with the treats, which caused fatal blockages. In response, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and local guides introduced strict rules: feed only fresh fruits and vegetables, and hand them to the pigs in the water so the food doesn’t touch the sand. No bread, no chips, no meat. Tour operators typically provide a bag of carrots or apples, but you can bring your own — just keep it to produce.
| Factor | From Nassau | From Great Exuma |
|---|---|---|
| Boat time (one way) | 2–3 hours | ~90 minutes |
| Typical tour cost | $200–$300 per person | $150–$250 per person |
| Time on Pig Beach | 30–60 minutes | 45–90 minutes |
| Additional stops | Sandbars, snorkel spots | Sandbars, stingray sites |
What to Bring
There is no shade on Pig Beach. A wide-brimmed hat, reef-safe sunscreen, and plenty of drinking water are essential. The boat ride can be wet, so a dry bag for electronics and a change of clothes is smart. If you’re bringing a camera, a waterproof camera case or a rugged action camera is useful — the pigs splash, and the boat spray is constant. For families, the kids will want to be in the water with the pigs, so pack swimsuits and towels they can access easily.
Tour boats from Nassau often arrive in clusters, meaning the beach can go from empty to crowded in minutes. If you want a quieter experience, ask your operator about the first departure of the day. The pigs also have teeth and can nip if they think you’re holding food — keep fingers flat when offering treats.
On the Ground: What to Know Before You Go
Beyond the pigs themselves, a few practical details make the difference between a good trip and a frustrating one.
Tour Operators and What to Look For
Not all tours are the same. Some operators rush the Pig Beach stop to fit in multiple destinations, while others give you a solid hour with the pigs. Read recent reviews and look for operators that emphasize responsible feeding practices. The best tours provide fresh produce and instruct everyone on how to feed the pigs safely. Avoid any operator that encourages feeding from the beach or allows tourists to chase the pigs for photos.
What About Other Pig Beaches?
The success of Big Major Cay has led to other islands establishing their own swimming pig experiences. Rose Island and Athol Island, both near Nassau, now have around ten locations where pigs have been relocated. These are closer to Nassau, which means shorter boat rides, but the pigs there are often less accustomed to swimming out to boats and the setups feel more manufactured. Big Major Cay remains the original and most reliable for the full swimming experience.
Local Etiquette and the Bigger Picture
The pigs are not pets, and treating them as props for photos misses the point. Local guides have worked hard to establish rules that protect both the animals and the experience. Don’t chase them, don’t pick up piglets, and don’t leave trash on the beach. The tourism revenue from Pig Beach supports local communities in the Exumas, and responsible visitors help ensure the pigs stay healthy and the island stays open.
- Feed pigs only fresh fruits and vegetables, handed to them in the water — never on the sand.
- Book a morning departure from Great Exuma for the shortest boat ride and quietest beach time.
- Bring sun protection, water, and a dry bag — there is no shade or facilities on Pig Beach.
Swimming With the Pigs in the Bahamas: Your Questions Answered
Can you swim with the pigs year-round?
Yes, the pigs are on Big Major Cay all year, but their swimming activity varies. They’re most active in the cooler months from November to April. In summer, they often stay in the shade during the heat of the day, so morning tours are your best bet for seeing them in the water.
Is the swimming pigs experience safe for children?
It can be, but it’s not a gentle petting zoo. The pigs are strong and will bump into legs when competing for food. Keep young children close and instruct them to hold food with flat palms. The boat ride from Nassau is long and can be rough, which some kids find uncomfortable.
Are there other places to see swimming pigs besides Big Major Cay?
Yes. Rose Island and Athol Island near Nassau now have pigs, and there are around ten locations across the Bahamas where you can find them. These are closer to Nassau but the experience is less established — the pigs don’t always swim out to boats the way they do at Big Major Cay.
What happens if the pigs don’t swim when I visit?
It happens. The pigs are not trained performers. On hot days or after they’ve been fed heavily by earlier tours, they may stay on the beach or in the brush. Most tour operators cannot guarantee swimming behavior, and there are no refunds for uncooperative pigs.
Do I need to book a tour in advance?
Yes, especially between November and April when demand is highest. Walk-up availability is rare, and reputable operators that follow responsible feeding practices book out days or weeks ahead. Booking directly with an operator based in Great Exuma rather than Nassau often gets you a better experience for less money.
One Last Thing About Those Pigs
The pigs of Big Major Cay are not a theme park attraction, and that’s exactly what makes them worth the trip. They are animals living on an uninhabited island who have learned that boats mean food, and the resulting interaction is strange, messy, and completely unscripted. If you go expecting a controlled encounter, you’ll be frustrated. If you go expecting to watch pigs paddle through turquoise water on their own terms, you’ll leave smiling. For a deeper look at the Exumas beyond the pigs, the Rolleville Homecoming Festival and Regatta offers a completely different side of island life.
Sources and further reading
Collection of 365 Islands: Swimming with the Pigs in the Bahamas. AOL, 2024.
Swimming with the Famous Pigs: The Surprising Story Behind Exuma’s Aquatic Swine. Discover Bahamas, 2024.
Swimming Pigs Nassau Bahamas. HHH Watersports, 2024.
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