Exuma Island Hopping Swimming Pigs Tour with Lunch from Nassau

The swimming pigs are only the headline. This eight-hour Exuma trip also brings you close to rock iguanas, nurse sharks, a sunken plane, and a bright sandbar, all in one very full day. I like the quick powerboat and the smart mix of wildlife, food, snorkeling, and beach time.

I also like the crew’s hands-on service. Captains and crew members such as Winston, Alex, TJ, Keith, and Jasmine have earned praise for helping people on and off the boat, keeping drinks flowing, and explaining how to behave around the animals. The catch is simple: you spend a lot of time sitting on the boat, and the fast ride can feel cold and windy.

Six things to know before you book

• Four hours on the water: Exuma is a long ride from Paradise Island, so this is an island-hopping boat day, not a short local outing.
• Six distinct stops: You visit Allen Cay, Compass Cay, Great Exuma, Big Major Cay, Norman’s Cay, and a sandbar or beach.
• The animals are the main event: You can feed swimming pigs, stand near nurse sharks, and see rare Bahamian rock iguanas.
• Lunch is included: A Bahamian-style buffet and a cold drink are served at a local restaurant on Great Exuma.
• Bring warm layers and a towel: The boat moves quickly, and you will be in and out of the water.
• Best for active visitors: A moderate fitness level is required, and the tour is not permitted for pregnant travelers or recommended for cruise ship passengers.

Why this Exuma day trip packs in so much

This tour is built around variety. You do not simply ride to Pig Beach, take a few photos, and return. You make six stops, each with a different purpose, and the changing scenery helps break up the long run between Nassau and the Exuma Cays.

The powerboat is a big part of the experience. It gets you across open water much faster than a slower vessel, but speed comes with wind, spray, and long stretches of sitting. I would bring a light jacket or hoodie even on a warm Bahamian morning. Strong sun is another concern, so pack sunscreen and a towel.

The group can reach a maximum of 25 people. That is large enough to give the boat a social holiday mood, but small enough for the crew to help with boarding, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and animal-safety instructions. Music plays during parts of the ride, adding energy to what might otherwise be a long transfer.

At $438.90 per person, this is not a cheap excursion. The value comes from combining several costly or time-consuming Exuma experiences in one day: transportation from Paradise Island, multiple island stops, lunch, drinks, snacks, snorkeling gear, facility fees, and a return trip. If you only want a quiet beach day, the price is hard to justify. If you want to see several famous Exuma sights without arranging separate transfers, it makes more sense.

Allen Cay and its rare rock iguanas

The first stop is Allen Cay, where you meet Bahamian rock iguanas. This species is found only on three small islands in Exuma, giving the stop more substance than a standard wildlife photo opportunity.

You have about 20 minutes here. That is enough for a close look and photos, but not a long nature walk. The crew explains what to do around the animals, and you should follow those instructions closely. Feeding or approaching wildlife can be exciting, but the animals need space and careful handling.

I like starting with Allen Cay because it eases you into the day. You get your first taste of the clear water and small-island setting before the more famous animal encounters. If your main goal is the pigs, this brief stop may feel like a delay. If you enjoy unusual wildlife, it is one of the most distinctive parts of the tour.

Compass Cay and the nurse sharks

At Compass Cay, the focus shifts from land animals to nurse sharks. These sharks gather around the marina and are accustomed to people, making it possible to enter the water near them under the crew’s direction.

The stop lasts about 40 minutes. That gives you time to get into the water, watch the sharks, take photos, and climb back aboard without feeling hurried. Still, the exact experience depends on the conditions and the animals. You should never assume that a wild animal will behave on a schedule.

For many people, this is the day’s strongest moment. Swimming near nurse sharks feels more remarkable than the pig encounter, especially because the animals move quietly through the clear water right beside you. The crew’s safety instructions matter here. Listen before entering, keep your movements controlled, and do not crowd the sharks.

You receive snorkeling equipment, but this is not a tour built around a long traditional snorkeling session. The equipment is useful for the shark stop and the plane wreck, while the day’s real focus is the range of stops.

Great Exuma lunch with a Bahamian buffet

After Compass Cay, you stop on Great Exuma for lunch at a local restaurant. The meal is served buffet-style, with a cold drink included, and it gives you a welcome break from the boat.

Lunch is more important than it might sound. A fast boat, strong sun, salt water, and several active stops can leave you hungry by midday. Having food arranged as part of the tour means you do not need to search for a restaurant or carry a full meal with you.

The meal is Bahamian-style rather than a generic packed lunch. Food quality has been one of the most praised parts of the experience, though exact dishes can vary. Give yourself the full hour to eat, cool down, and prepare for the afternoon stops.

Big Major Cay and the famous swimming pigs

Big Major Cay, commonly called Pig Beach, is the headline stop. Here you can feed and swim with the pigs that made this small island famous around the world.

You have about 45 minutes. That is enough time to get into the water, take photos, watch the pigs move along the beach, and enjoy the novelty of the scene. It is not a private encounter. The pigs are the main attraction, so several people may be trying to take pictures and interact at the same time.

The experience is fun, but it is worth keeping expectations sensible. The pigs are living animals, not trained performers. Some may come toward the water, while others may stay on the sand or show little interest in you. Follow the crew’s feeding instructions and avoid treating the animals roughly for a photo.

I like that Pig Beach comes after lunch rather than at the very start. By then, you understand the rhythm of the boat day and have already seen wildlife in a quieter setting. If pigs are your only reason for booking, you may find the long ride from Nassau excessive. If the pigs are one part of a larger Exuma day, the stop fits well.

Norman’s Cay and the sunken plane

Norman’s Cay brings a different kind of story. You can snorkel around a plane wreck known locally as Pablo Escobar’s sunken plane. The aircraft reportedly crashed near the island in the late 1970s and is associated with the drug trade, though the popular story is part of the attraction.

You get about 30 minutes at the wreck. This is a short, focused snorkel stop rather than a full underwater outing. The crew provides equipment and directs you toward the site, but you should be comfortable in the water and ready to get in and out without much delay.

The plane gives the day a bit of mystery and variety. After iguanas, sharks, and pigs, an underwater wreck feels like a completely different chapter. If you are not a confident swimmer, ask the crew for help and stay within the area they designate. A moderate fitness level is required for the tour, and repeated boat boarding can be tiring.

A final sandbar or beach stop

The last stop is a sandbar or beach in Exuma. You can swim, sunbathe, and take final photos before the return trip to Paradise Island.

This stop may sound less famous than Pig Beach, but it can be one of the most relaxing parts of the day. The shallow, clear water gives you time to enjoy the setting without animal rules, snorkeling targets, or a crowded schedule. It also lets you rinse off some of the salt and slow down before the long ride home.

The exact location depends on the day’s conditions. That flexibility is useful because weather and water affect safe boating. It also means you should not book this tour expecting one guaranteed beach by name.

The powerboat ride is part of the deal

You make your own way to Carnivale Bahamas at Sterling Marina in Hurricane Hole, Paradise Island, for an 8:30 a.m. check-in. The tour ends back at the same meeting point after roughly eight hours.

The boat ride is fast and scenic, with Exuma’s small islands and clear water passing by. Several people have found the ride smooth and enjoyable, but you should not mistake smooth for short. Expect roughly four hours total on the boat, including the runs between stops and the journey back to Nassau.

That affects who should book. I would choose this trip for someone who enjoys a lively boat day and wants to cover a lot of ground. I would not choose it for someone who dislikes speed, gets cold easily, or wants long, quiet stretches at each beach.

The crew serves bottled water, soda, local beer for those 18 and older, and light snacks. A restroom is available on board, which matters on a full-day trip. Bring a towel, sunscreen, a cover-up, and anything you need to protect your phone from water. A waterproof phone case is a sensible personal addition, though it is not listed as part of the equipment.

Timing, weather, and the trade-offs

The published stop times are useful targets, not promises carved in stone. Weather can change the order, shorten a stop, or lead to a cancellation. Safety has to come before giving you every advertised minute at each location.

That flexibility can disappoint you if you expect a precise schedule. A shortened animal stop is especially frustrating when you have paid a high price and traveled a long way. On the other hand, open-water conditions can change quickly, and the captain may need to adjust the plan.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather cancels it, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. If the minimum number of people is not met, you receive the same choice of a different date or experience, or a full refund. For any personal cancellation, cancel at least 24 hours before the 8:30 a.m. start time for a full refund. Changes made inside that window are not accepted.

Who will get the most from this tour

I think this works best for first-time Nassau visitors who want to see several signature Exuma sights in one day. Families with older children can enjoy the variety, and the attentive crew can help with boarding and water activities. Solo visitors also have an easy way to join a social day without arranging each stop alone.

It is a good match for you if you want:

• Swimming pigs plus other animal encounters
• A fast boat ride and full-day adventure
• Included lunch, snacks, drinks, and equipment
• Several photo stops in one organized outing
• A chance to snorkel at the Norman’s Cay wreck

I would hesitate if you want a slow beach day, dislike sitting for long periods, or need a tour designed around traditional snorkeling. Pregnant travelers cannot take this tour, cruise ship passengers are not advised to book it, and a moderate fitness level is required.

Should you book the Exuma swimming pigs tour?

Book it if you want the biggest possible sample of Exuma in a single day. The pigs are memorable, but the nurse sharks, rare iguanas, plane wreck, Bahamian lunch, and final sandbar are what make the $438.90 price easier to defend.

Skip it if your priority is relaxation or extended time at one beach. You will spend a large part of the day moving between islands, and the boat can be cold and windy at speed.

My practical advice is to pack a towel, hoodie, sunscreen, waterproof phone protection, and patience for the long ride. If you can accept the travel time, this is a well-packed way to turn a Nassau stay into a full Exuma adventure.

FAQ

Where does the Exuma island-hopping tour start?

The tour starts at Carnivale Bahamas, 1 Marina Way, Paradise Island, at Sterling Marina in Hurricane Hole, The Bahamas. Check-in is at 8:30 a.m.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point on Paradise Island.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

What stops are included?

The tour stops at Allen Cay, Compass Cay, Great Exuma, Big Major Cay, Norman’s Cay, and a sandbar or beach in Exuma.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served at a local restaurant on Great Exuma as a Bahamian-style buffet, with a cold drink.

Are drinks and snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. The tour includes bottled water, soda, light snacks, local beer for people 18 and older, and snorkeling equipment. A restroom is also available on board.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. If poor weather or an insufficient minimum number of participants cancels the tour, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.