Swim with Pigs & Sharks: An Unforgettable Exuma Adventure

On an uninhabited cay in the Exuma chain, a colony of feral pigs wades into the turquoise shallows to greet arriving boats. This is Pig Beach on Big Major Cay, and it’s the centerpiece of a day that also includes swimming with nurse sharks, snorkeling through a James Bond film set, and feeding endangered iguanas on a private island. The Exuma archipelago stretches across 365 islands and cays, and a well-planned tour packs the best of them into a single unforgettable adventure. This article covers the top experiences you’ll hit on a typical Exuma day tour — from the famous swimming pigs to the hidden sandbars — and gives you the practical details to book the right trip for your crew.

Swimming Pigs at Big Major Cay

The pigs on Big Major Cay have been wading into the water to greet boats since at least the early 1990s. One theory holds that sailors left them on the uninhabited island as a food source and never returned; another traces them to a failed restaurant project on the cay. Whatever their origin, the colony now numbers roughly 20–30 pigs and piglets, and they’ve become the Caribbean’s most photographed attraction. The pigs know the routine — they’ll swim right up to your boat, snouts held high, hoping for the carrots and apples your guide will provide.

You’ll get about 45 minutes to an hour with them. The water is shallow and clear, so even non-swimmers can stand and interact. A few ground rules matter: don’t touch the pigs without permission, feed only what the guide hands out (processed food and alcohol have made pigs sick in the past), and keep an eye on your bag — curious pigs will investigate anything left on the beach. Most tours include this stop as the main event, but the pigs may not always be in the water when you arrive; sometimes they rest on the beach, and they’ll eventually make their way to you.

Nurse Sharks at Compass Cay

Are nurse sharks safe to swim with? Yes — they’re docile bottom-dwellers with no history of aggression toward humans. At the Compass Cay marina, a resident group of nurse sharks glides through the crystal-clear water, and guests are invited to wade in alongside them. The experience is more serene than thrilling: the sharks drift past like underwater shadows, and you can touch them under the crew’s supervision. Kids who were initially apprehensive often warm up quickly, as the sharks are surprisingly gentle and used to visitors.

This stop typically lasts about 30 minutes. The water is shallow enough to stand, and life jackets are available for non-swimmers. The crew will explain the sharks’ behavior and ensure interactions stay safe. If you’re prone to seasickness, this is a good stop to recover your sea legs — the marina is calm and sheltered.

Thunderball Grotto

Thunderball Grotto is a limestone sea cave off Staniel Cay, made famous by the 1965 James Bond film Thunderball. You enter through the water — snorkeling beneath a rock overhang into a cavern illuminated by shafts of sunlight piercing the ceiling. The cave is teeming with tropical fish: sergeant majors, parrotfish, angelfish, and sometimes grouper. The acoustics and light create a hidden-world atmosphere that feels a world away from the pig frenzy you just left.

Water conditions and tides matter here. At low tide, the current is calm and the snorkeling is straightforward. At other times, the current can be strong, so an experienced captain is important. Most tours bundle this stop with the pigs and sharks, making it a natural midday break. Bring a waterproof camera — the light shafts and fish schools are the photos you’ll actually frame.

Rock Iguanas at Allen’s Cay

Northern Bahamian rock iguanas are endangered and found almost nowhere else in the world. On Allen’s Cay, a colony of these reptiles patrols the white-sand beach, looking like miniature dinosaurs. They’re accustomed to visitors and will accept food from your hand — usually lettuce or fruit provided by the guide. Some grow up to three feet long, and they lumber across the sand with surprising speed when they spot a snack.

This is a quick stop — about 30 minutes — but it’s often the favorite for kids. The iguanas are curious and photogenic, and the encounter is a natural way to teach wildlife respect and conservation. The beach itself is pristine, with crystal-clear water and virtually no other people. Wear water shoes; the sand can be hot, and the rocks near the iguana hangouts can be sharp.

Pablo Escobar’s Sunken Plane & Exuma Sandbars

Off Norman’s Cay, the wreckage of a drug-running plane allegedly linked to Pablo Escobar rests in shallow, gin-clear water. The plane crashed during a smuggling run, and today it’s an eerie underwater memorial that you can snorkel around. The wreck is shallow enough for beginners, and the contrast of the twisted metal against the turquoise sand makes for striking photos. It’s a short stop — 20 to 30 minutes — but it adds a layer of history and intrigue to the day.

The final stop on most tours is an Exuma sandbar — one of those long white ribbons of sand that surface at low tide, surrounded by water that shifts from clear to aquamarine to deep blue. There are no loungers, restaurants, or umbrellas here; often your boat is the only one around. It’s the moment to float, take it all in, and realize you’ve packed five distinct ecosystems into a single day. Your captain may also navigate to a quieter sandbar away from the crowds, especially during busy winter weeks.

Now that you know what you’ll see, here’s how to plan the logistics — tours, costs, timing, and what to pack.

Planning Your Exuma Adventure: Tours, Costs & Timing

You have three main ways to experience the Exuma Cays, and the right choice depends on your budget, time, and comfort with longer boat rides.

The most popular option for first-time visitors is the full-day powerboat tour from Nassau. These tours — like the Exuma Day Away – Original Swimming Pigs Excursion — cover 150+ nautical miles and five island stops in about 8.5 hours. Prices start around $405 per person, and the tour consistently earns 4.5 out of 5 stars from verified travelers. An alternative is the Exuma Adventure: Swim with Pigs & Sharks tour, which departs from Paradise Island Ferry Terminal and runs $405–439 per person with a 4.5–4.8 rating.

Heads up: some links here are affiliate links — costs you nothing extra. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

If you’re already staying on Great Exuma, skip the Nassau departure. Local boat captains at the George Town harbor offer half-day charters for €80–150 per person (roughly $85–160), and they can customize the itinerary — more time at Pig Beach, an extra sandbar stop, or a visit to Thunderball Grotto. Ask your accommodation for recommendations; the captains know the quieter spots.

Best Time to Visit

The dry season from December to April offers the calmest seas, lowest humidity, and minimal rain — ideal conditions for a day on the water. Temperatures sit between 76°F and 82°F (24°C–28°C). This is also peak tourist season, so prices are higher and tours sell out. May and November are good-value shoulder months with decent weather and thinner crowds. June through August brings afternoon thunderstorms, but mornings are typically beautiful and you’ll find the best prices. Hurricane season runs June through November, peaking in August–October; if you book during that window, choose a flexible cancellation policy or buy travel insurance.

What to Pack

Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+ is non-negotiable — standard chemical sunscreens damage coral, and operators often ask guests not to use them. Bring a waterproof phone case or dry bag, cash in small denominations (pigs and tips are cash-only), water shoes for rocky beaches, and a light cover-up for the boat ride. Snorkel gear is usually provided, but your own mask and fins will be more comfortable. Motion-sickness medication is a smart precaution even if you don’t normally get seasick — the open-ocean crossing can surprise you. Bring more drinking water than you think you’ll need; dehydration creeps up fast under the Caribbean sun.

Before You Go to Exuma’s Pig Beach & Cays

Is swimming with the pigs safe?

Generally yes, but they are wild animals. Don’t touch them without the guide’s okay, feed only what’s provided, and supervise children. The pigs have sharp teeth and can accidentally bite when grabbing food. Keep your distance and let them come to you.

What’s the best time of year to visit?

December through April delivers the calmest seas and driest weather. If you want fewer crowds and lower prices, aim for May or November. Avoid September and October — hurricane risk spikes and tours are more likely to cancel.

How much does a day tour cost?

A full-day powerboat tour from Nassau runs roughly $400–500 per person. A charter from Great Exuma’s George Town harbor costs around $80–150 per person. The on-site pig feeding fee is an additional $30–35 USD in cash.

Can I visit the pigs on a day trip from Nassau?

Yes — and it’s the most popular way. Full-day tours by powerboat or plane leave Nassau in the early morning and return by late afternoon. They bundle Pig Beach with four other stops, so you see the best of the Exuma Cays in a single day.

What should I pack for the tour?

Reef-safe sunscreen, a waterproof phone case, water shoes, cash for the pig fee and tips, motion-sickness medication, and more drinking water than you think you’ll need. Snorkel gear and lunch are usually included, but confirm with your operator.

One Island, Endless Angles

The Exuma Cays deliver their magic in layers — the pigs splash, the sharks glide, the grotto glows, the iguanas lumber, and the sandbar stretches into infinity. A single day tour captures all of it, and the experience lingers longer than any photo. For a quieter take on the same archipelago, head to the underrated Exumas where the beaches have no footprints and the only soundtrack is the tide.

References

Exuma Day Away. “Exuma Day Away – Original Swimming Pigs Excursion.” Exuma Day Away, 2026. ↗

Island Events. “Nassau 3 Islands Snorkel, Pig Beach and Turtles Tour.” Island Events, 2026. ↗

Staniel Cay Yacht Club. “Staniel Cay Yacht Club.” Staniel Cay Yacht Club. ↗

Bahamas National Trust. “Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park.” Bahamas National Trust. ↗

If this Exuma adventure has you craving more Bahamian island time, check out our guides to snorkeling at Stocking Island, the Tropic of Cancer Beach on Little Exuma, and the secret beaches of Abaco for more off-the-beaten-path Bahamas inspiration.