I remember the first time I saw a photo of Pig Beach — a pig swimming in turquoise water, looking like it owned the place. It felt like a joke. Then I learned that the Exuma Cays, where those pigs live, also hold one of the most photographed shorelines in the Caribbean: Pink Sands Beach on Harbour Island. The two are about 100 miles apart, but together they frame what makes the Bahamas so unusual — wildlife encounters that feel surreal and beaches that actually look like their filters.
Pink Sands Beach gets its color from crushed coral and tiny pink-shelled foraminifera — not dye or editing.
This guide covers both stops and the logistics of connecting them. It’s for anyone who wants to see the pigs and walk the pink sand without overcomplicating the trip. I traveled this route with Michael, Lily, and Ethan, and the pacing worked because we treated the two destinations as separate chapters, not a single sprint.
You can visit both Pig Beach and Pink Sands Beach in one trip, but you need at least five days and a willingness to island-hop by air. The reward is two completely different Bahamas experiences — one wild and salty, one polished and pastel.
First-time Bahamas visitors
Families with school-age kids
Photography-focused travelers
Below is a quick overview of the two main stops and what each requires. Use it to decide which one fits your timeline first.
| Spot | Best For | Standout Feature | Time Needed | Key Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pig Beach (Exuma Cays) | Wildlife encounters, boat tours | Swimming with pigs in clear shallows | Half-day tour from Great Exuma | Book a morning tour — pigs are more active before the heat peaks |
| Pink Sands Beach (Harbour Island) | Beach days, photography, relaxation | Three-mile stretch of blush-colored sand | Full day or overnight | Visit in late afternoon for the warmest color on the sand |
Pig Beach: Swimming with Pigs in the Exuma Cays
Pig Beach sits on Big Major Cay in the Exuma Cays, part of a chain of islands that feels a long way from Nassau’s cruise port. The pigs here are feral but accustomed to visitors — they swim out to boats when they hear engines, expecting food. It’s a short, strange, unforgettable interaction.
Most visitors reach Pig Beach through a tour operator based in Great Exuma. Flights from Nassau to George Town (GGT) run roughly 45 minutes. From there, boat tours typically include Pig Beach alongside stops at the Thunderball Grotto, sandbars, and nurse shark encounters. Plan for a full half-day on the water.
Book a flight from Nassau to George Town (GGT) — about 45 minutes. Several carriers run daily. Arrive the night before if your tour departs early.
Tours leave from George Town around 8–9 a.m. and last 4–6 hours. Operators provide life vests, water, and often lunch. The pigs are most active in the cooler morning hours.
Boats anchor in the shallows. Pigs swim out to greet you. You can feed them from the water (tour operators usually bring food) and take photos. The water is clear and waist-deep near shore.
Tours wrap by early afternoon. You’ll have time for lunch on Great Exuma before your next flight. If you’re heading to Harbour Island the same day, book a late afternoon flight back to Nassau.
Pig Beach tours fill up fast in winter — book at least two weeks ahead if you’re traveling between December and March.
If you’re short on time, skip the overnight on Great Exuma and fly in and out the same day. It’s a long day, but doable. Lily and Ethan were fine with the boat ride, but younger kids might get restless during the longer stretches between stops.
Pink Sands Beach: Harbour Island’s Blush-Colored Shoreline
Pink Sands Beach runs along the eastern side of Harbour Island, a small island off the coast of Eleuthera. The sand gets its color from crushed coral and the pink shells of foraminifera — tiny marine organisms that live in the reef. It’s not neon pink, but on a sunny afternoon, the blush is unmistakable.
Getting to Harbour Island requires a flight to North Eleuthera Airport (ELH), then a short taxi ride to the dock and a five-minute water taxi across to the island. From Nassau, the flight takes about 30 minutes. Once you’re on Harbour Island, golf carts are the main mode of transport — the island is compact and car-free in the center.
Book a flight from Nassau to North Eleuthera Airport (ELH). Multiple carriers operate daily. The flight is short — around 30 minutes.
From the airport, a taxi runs to the dock (about 5 minutes). The water taxi to Harbour Island takes another 5 minutes. Total cost is roughly $15–$20 per person.
Golf carts are the standard way to get around Harbour Island. Rent one near the dock or through your accommodation. Rates run around $60–$80 per day.
The beach stretches three miles. The sand is soft and the water is calm — rare surf, gentle swimming. Early morning and late afternoon offer the best light for photography.
If you only have one day on Harbour Island, prioritize the beach walk and a late lunch at one of the Dunmore Town cafes. Skip the snorkeling unless you’re willing to boat out to the reef — the nearshore patches are thin. Michael and I took turns walking the full three-mile stretch while Lily and Ethan built sandcastles near the middle section where the water is shallowest.
Harbour Island’s peak season (December to March) brings higher prices and fuller hotels. Book accommodation at least two months ahead if you’re traveling during winter.
Connecting Pig Beach and Pink Sands Beach
The two destinations sit in different island chains, so you can’t hop between them in a single day without a flight. The most efficient route is to fly from Great Exuma back to Nassau, then connect to North Eleuthera. Total travel time, including layovers, runs about 3–4 hours each way.
Here’s a realistic itinerary for combining both stops:
| Day | Where You’re Going | What You’re Doing | Time Needed | Key Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Nassau → Great Exuma | Fly to Great Exuma, settle in, explore George Town | Full day | Book a hotel near the marina for easy tour access |
| Day 2 | Pig Beach (Exuma Cays) | Morning boat tour to Pig Beach and nearby cays | Half-day tour | Bring dry bags for cameras and phones |
| Day 3 | Great Exuma → Nassau → Harbour Island | Fly back through Nassau, then to North Eleuthera | Travel day (4–5 hours) | Pack a swimsuit in your carry-on — you’ll want to hit the beach immediately |
| Day 4 | Pink Sands Beach | Full day on the beach, golf cart exploration | Full day | Rent the golf cart for the full 24 hours, not just the day |
| Day 5 | Harbour Island → Nassau | Morning beach walk, then fly back | Half-day | Water taxis run less frequently in the afternoon — confirm your return timing |
If you’re short on time, pick one destination and give it two full days. Trying to do both in under five days means more time in transit than on the beach. For families, I’d recommend Harbour Island if your kids prefer calm water and sandcastle building, and Pig Beach if they’re after a bucket-list animal encounter.
Practical Section: Getting Around, Booking Windows, and Costs
Island-hopping in the Bahamas requires planning around flight schedules and tour availability. Here’s what to expect for the most common logistics.
Flights and Transport
Domestic flights in the Bahamas are operated by carriers like Bahamasair, Flamingo Air, and Western Air. Flights from Nassau to Great Exuma or North Eleuthera run multiple times daily, but schedules can shift with weather. Book directly through the airline and confirm your flight the day before. Water taxis between North Eleuthera Airport and Harbour Island run frequently during daylight hours — roughly every 15–20 minutes. The fare is around $10–$15 per person.
Tour Booking Windows
Pig Beach tours from Great Exuma should be booked at least two weeks in advance during peak season (December to March). Many operators offer half-day tours that include multiple stops. Prices typically range from $150–$250 per person, depending on the operator and inclusions. For Harbour Island, no tour booking is needed — the beach is public and free to access.
Costs and Budget
Harbour Island is the more expensive of the two destinations. Accommodation at beachfront hotels runs $300–$600 per night in peak season. Dining is also pricier than on Great Exuma, with most meals costing $20–$40 per person. Great Exuma offers more budget-friendly options, including guesthouses and local eateries where conch fritters and Kalik beer are the staples.
Hurricane season runs June through November. Flights and tours are more likely to be disrupted during this window. If you’re traveling in late summer or early fall, build in a buffer day on each end of your itinerary.
- Pig Beach and Pink Sands Beach are about 100 miles apart — plan for a travel day between them.
- Book Pig Beach tours in advance during winter; Pink Sands Beach requires no tour, but book accommodation early.
- Harbour Island is pricier and more polished; Great Exuma is more laid-back and budget-friendly.
Before You Go: Bahamas Island-Hopping Questions Answered
Can you visit Pig Beach and Pink Sands Beach in one day?
No. They’re in different island chains, and the travel time between them — including flights and water taxis — takes at least half a day. Plan for separate days for each destination.
Is Pink Sands Beach actually pink?
Yes, but subtly. The sand has a pale blush tone from crushed coral and foraminifera shells. It’s most visible in late afternoon light. It won’t look like the edited photos you see online, but it’s still beautiful.
Is Pig Beach worth the hype?
It depends on your expectations. The pigs are fun to watch and swim with, but the experience is short — maybe 20–30 minutes at the beach. The real value is the boat tour itself, which usually includes other stops like sandbars and snorkeling spots.
What’s the best time of year to visit both?
November to April offers the best weather — warm temperatures, low humidity, and calm seas. Prices spike in winter, but the conditions are reliable. Late April or early November balances good weather with smaller crowds.
Is Harbour Island kid-friendly?
Yes, for calm-water swimming and beach days. The water at Pink Sands Beach is shallow and gentle, and golf carts make it easy to get around. Just be prepared for limited dining options and higher costs compared to other Bahamas islands.
Why the Bahamas Rewards the People Who Show Up Prepared
The Bahamas is not a single destination — it’s a collection of islands that each demand their own plan. Pig Beach and Pink Sands Beach sit in different worlds, separated by distance and character. The travelers who enjoy them most are the ones who accept that distance and plan around it, rather than trying to compress everything into a single rushed itinerary. Give each stop its own day, and the Bahamas will feel as wide and generous as it looks in the photos.
For more on traveling responsibly through these islands, check out our guide to sustainable tourism in the Bahamas.
References
Take Your Backpack. “Pink Sands Beach.” Take Your Backpack, 2024. ↗
Island Excursions. “Pink Sand Beaches Harbour Island Bahamas.” Island Excursions, 2024. ↗
Holmesaleshia. “Pink Sands & Pigs: Bahamas Paradise — Your Ultimate Guide.” Medium, Oct. 2024. ↗
If you’re still deciding on the itinerary, the guide to Pig Beach in Exuma covers the tour logistics in more detail, while family fun in the Bahamas offers a broader look at kid-friendly activities across the islands. For a quieter alternative to Harbour Island, Long Island is worth a read.
Explore Places to Stay in the Bahamas
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