Exuma Day Away – Original Swimming Pigs Excursion

The main draw here is a rare chance to see several famous Bahamian sights in one long day: swimming pigs, nurse sharks, and wild rock iguanas. You also cruise through the Exuma Cays, where the water shifts from pale blue to clear turquoise around hundreds of small islands.

I like the strong mix of wildlife and scenery, plus the good Bahamian lunch at Black Point Yacht Club. I also like that the crew keeps the day moving, with guides such as Cameo, Andrew, Seymour, Joe, and Calvin praised for being friendly and helpful. The catch is simple: you spend many hours on a fast, bumpy boat, and some of the stops can feel short for the $438 price.

Key points to know before booking

• Swimming pigs at Big Majors Cay: This is the signature stop, at the original Pig Beach in the central Exumas.
• Nurse sharks at Compass Cay: You can enter shallow or deeper water for a close encounter with these large but generally calm sharks.
• A very long boat day: The total outing lasts about 8 hours and 30 minutes, with roughly five hours spent traveling to and between the islands.
• Lunch at Black Point Yacht Club: A Bahamian buffet meal is included, along with bottled water, snacks, and alcoholic drinks.
• Weather matters: Rough seas can cause a last-minute cancellation, and the open-water ride can be cold or uncomfortable in winter.
• Bring your own towel: You also need swimwear, sunscreen, and an outer layer for wind and changing weather.

Nassau to the Exumas by powerboat

This is not a short harbor cruise. You meet at Montagu Beach in Nassau at 8:00 a.m. and head out across open water in a powerboat. The ride is part of the attraction, with wide views of the sea and the scattered Exuma Cays, but it also sets the tone for the day: fast, exposed, and sometimes rough.

The boat covers a lot of ground. The journey to the Exumas can take about an hour or a little longer depending on the current, and the return is another long run. Additional boat time connects the island stops. You should expect about five hours of the day to involve riding rather than standing on a beach or swimming.

That matters when you judge the price. At $438 per person, you are paying for access to a remote area, boat fuel, guides, landing fees, lunch, drinks, and several separate activities. You are not paying for eight straight hours of time in the water.

The boat holds up to 36 people. That is not a private outing, and seating may feel close when the boat is full. One useful detail: the crew has allowed passengers to connect a playlist by Bluetooth, which can make the longer stretches more enjoyable.

Wear your swimsuit before boarding, since there is no changing room. Bring a towel, strong sunblock, sunglasses, and a light outer layer. Wind can make the ride chilly even on a warm Bahamian day. December and January may be less comfortable if the weather turns cool.

Great Guana Cay and its wild rock iguanas

The first stop is Great Guana Cay, where you see Bahamian rock iguanas in a protected wildlife area. The stop lasts about 15 minutes, so this is a quick introduction rather than a long wildlife walk.

The iguanas live among the rocks and may be shy. Feeding is part of the experience, and the included rock iguana feeding gives you a better chance to see them come out. You might get close views, but you should not expect every animal to appear on cue.

This stop adds something important to the day. Without it, the trip would be mostly about pigs and sharks. The iguanas show you a different side of the Bahamas, with animals living in their natural setting rather than at a formal zoo.

Still, 15 minutes passes quickly. Have your camera ready before you step off the boat, and listen closely to the guide so you do not spend the whole stop figuring out where to look.

Compass Cay and the nurse shark encounter

Compass Cay is the most unusual stop for many people. Here you enter the water with nurse sharks in an open-water setting. Shallow-water and deeper-water interactions are available, giving you some choice in how close you want to get.

This is the part that can feel most personal and memorable. The sharks move through the clear water while you stand or swim nearby. Some people find the encounter thrilling; others may need a moment to get comfortable with the idea of being in the water with sharks.

Follow the crew’s directions carefully. The excitement works best when the group stays calm and gives the animals room. The guides help manage the interaction, and the stop lasts about 30 minutes.

If you have limited swimming confidence, ask about the shallow-water option. You do not need to force yourself into the deepest water to enjoy the sight. The stop is also worth considering if animal encounters matter more to you than time spent on a beach.

Many people rate the sharks as the best part of the trip, even ahead of the pigs. That is useful when deciding if this outing suits you. If you want a traditional beach day, much of the itinerary may feel rushed. If you want unusual wildlife encounters, Compass Cay is a strong reason to go.

Pig Beach at Big Majors Cay

Pig Beach is the main event, and the tour visits the original swimming pigs attraction at Big Majors Cay. You have about 45 minutes here, enough time to see the pigs in the water, take photos, and watch them move along the beach.

The pigs are accustomed to people and may swim toward the boats or visitors. That makes for memorable pictures, but it also means you should stay alert. Keep your belongings secure, listen to the crew, and use sensible caution around the animals.

This is a lively stop rather than a quiet nature experience. The pigs are the stars, and the beach can be busy with activity. You may also see piglets, which add to the appeal, especially for families and animal lovers.

The stop can feel short because getting photos, entering the water, and enjoying the scene all take time. Still, 45 minutes is enough to have the experience without leaving you stranded on a small cay for too long.

I would plan to enjoy the moment rather than chase a perfect photograph. The water, the pigs, and the setting are the point. Speak firmly and follow the crew’s instructions around the animals, especially if a pig comes close.

Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the minimum age is three. Parents should remember that this is an active boat day, not a gentle sightseeing cruise. Young children may enjoy the pigs but tire during the long rides.

Sandbars, the Exuma Cays, and Pablo Escobar’s plane

The boat tour through the Exuma Cays is one of the strongest parts of the excursion, even though it receives less attention than the animals. The Exumas contain 365 small islands and cays, and you see many of them from the water as the boat moves between stops.

At low tide, pale sandbars appear in the shallow water. The captain chooses an available sandbar during the journey, so the exact location changes from day to day. You spend about 20 minutes there.

This is a short stop, but it gives you the classic Exuma view: clear water, bright sand, and small islands spread across the horizon. You may want more time, especially if conditions are good. One nearby beach has been singled out as especially beautiful, and a longer stay there would appeal to anyone who prefers swimming and relaxing to moving from stop to stop.

You also pass the famous sunken plane wreck near Norman’s Cay, linked to Pablo Escobar. It is a sightseeing view from the boat, not a separate snorkeling session. For some people, it is an interesting piece of local lore. For others, it is a quick photo stop that takes time away from a beach or sandbar.

That tradeoff is worth understanding before you book. The tour tries to show you many highlights in one day. The benefit is variety. The cost is limited time at each place.

Lunch, drinks, and the Bahamian flavor

Lunch is served at Black Point Yacht Club and is included in the price. It is a buffet-style meal with Bahamian dishes, and the food has received some of the strongest praise from people who enjoyed the trip.

A local meal is valuable here because it breaks up the boat time and gives you a chance to sit down on land. The crew also provides bottled water and drinks, with alcoholic beverages included. The minimum drinking age is 18.

Do not treat the included alcohol as the main attraction. You still have a long ride back, sun exposure, and more movement on the boat. Drink water, use sunscreen, and pace yourself.

Vegetarian food is available, but you need to request it when booking. This is one detail worth handling early, since the day has a fixed schedule and limited chances to find an alternative meal.

Is $438 a fair price?

The price is high, but the comparison is not simply $438 for a boat ride. The tour includes return transportation from Nassau Paradise Island, a local guide, bottled water, lunch, drinks, landing and facility fees, the iguana feeding, shark encounter, Pig Beach, and sightseeing around the Exumas.

If you tried to arrange these stops independently, you would face boat access, fuel, timing, local fees, and the challenge of reaching remote cays in one day. The package is convenient and packs a lot into a single outing.

The question is how much you value variety. I think the price makes more sense for a first visit, a special occasion, or someone who wants to see the Exumas but has no plans to stay there overnight. It makes less sense if you mainly want a relaxed beach day or if long, bumpy rides are a problem.

The experience has an average rating of 4.5 from 463 ratings, which fits the pattern of the day: many people love the animals, crew, scenery, and lunch, while the main complaints focus on price, cramped seating, rough water, and too much time on the boat.

Weather, comfort, and group size

The operator requires good weather, and that is not a minor condition. This route crosses open water, so a sudden change can make the ride unsafe or simply unpleasant. The boat may be turned around or the trip canceled if conditions are too rough. In that case, you are offered another date or a full refund.

The boat ride can be bumpy enough to leave your back sore the next day. That does not mean every outing will be rough, but you should be comfortable with a fast sea ride before booking. Anyone with a low tolerance for motion should think carefully.

The listed maximum is 36 people. You may find the boat comfortable when numbers are lower, but a full departure can feel tight during an eight-and-a-half-hour day. This is not the right choice if you want a quiet, private boat with plenty of room to stretch out.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded, except when the operator cancels for weather or because the minimum number of people is not met.

Who will enjoy this day most?

I would choose this excursion if you want several signature Bahamian experiences in one package. It suits first-time visitors, animal lovers, active families with older children, couples marking a special event, and anyone eager to see the Exumas without arranging a separate stay.

It is especially good for people who rank the nurse sharks, pigs, and iguanas above long periods of relaxation. The guides help keep the day organized, and crew members such as Cameo, Andrew, Seymour, Joe, and Calvin have been noted for friendly service and clear help around the stops.

I would look elsewhere if you want a slow pace, a private setting, or hours on one beach. You should also reconsider if you dislike speedboats, get uncomfortable in wind, or need a lot of personal space.

What to pack for the 8:00 a.m. departure

Pack lightly, but pack the right things:

• Swimsuit worn under your clothes
• Towel, since one is not supplied
• High-strength sunscreen and a way to reapply it
• Sunglasses and a hat
• Light outer layers for wind and cooler weather
• Waterproof protection for your phone and camera
• Any needed vegetarian meal request made at booking

Keep your phone secure at the shark stop and Pig Beach. The water activities are the reason to bring it, but a loose phone can quickly become an expensive problem.

Should you book Exuma Day Away?

Book it if you want a big, active day that checks off the Exumas’ best-known animal encounters. The pigs are memorable, the nurse sharks may be the highlight, and the iguanas add welcome variety. The scenery and Bahamian lunch round out a packed day.

Skip it if the thought of five hours on a bouncing powerboat makes you hesitate. At $438, you should be honest about your priorities. This tour delivers breadth rather than leisure, and its value comes from reaching several remote places in one outing.

My practical call: book early, since it averages about eight days of advance booking, and choose a favorable weather window if your schedule allows. For a first-time Nassau visit, a special celebration, or a once-only Exuma outing, it is a strong choice. Just board prepared for wind, sun, tight seating, and a very long ride.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts and ends at Montagu Beach in Nassau, The Bahamas. Pickup information is required when booking, including where you are staying.

What time does the excursion begin?

The scheduled start time is 8:00 a.m. The full experience lasts approximately 8 hours and 30 minutes.

What animals will I see?

The itinerary includes Bahamian rock iguanas at Great Guana Cay, nurse sharks at Compass Cay, and swimming pigs at Big Majors Cay, also known as Pig Beach.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served at Black Point Yacht Club, and a vegetarian option is available if you request it when booking. Bottled water, snacks, and alcoholic beverages are also included.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel and sunblock. You should also wear your swimsuit before boarding because there is no changing room. An outer layer is useful because the boat can be windy and weather conditions can change.

Can children join the tour?

The minimum age is three. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and all participants should have a moderate level of physical fitness.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the experience begins.