Exuma Powerboat Tour from Nassau with Swimming Pigs

Big Major Cay’s swimming pigs get the headlines, but the real prize is the full day in the Exuma Cays. From Nassau, you reach bright sandbars, wild nurse sharks, rock iguanas, and the wreck of a sunken plane in one fast-moving trip. The powerboat covers a lot of water in a short time, though you will spend a good part of the day onboard.

I like the small maximum group of 16, which makes it easier to get help, photos, and time near the animals. I also like the lunch stop at Staniel Cay Yacht Club, plus the included beer, water, and snacks.

The main catch is the ride. It takes about an hour to reach the first stop and about an hour to return, with more boat time between islands. The speed can be fun, but the open-water ride is often choppy, windy, and cool.

Key points to know before booking

• Allen’s Cay brings you close to Bahamian rock iguanas in their natural setting, with time to see and feed them.
• Compass Cay is the standout animal stop for many people, with nurse sharks gathered around the dock.
• Pig Beach is memorable but not tame, and large pigs can be pushy, dirty, and capable of biting.
• Staniel Cay Yacht Club provides a proper sit-down lunch, with drinks and snacks included through the day.
• The sandbar may be the prettiest stop, with shallow water, shells, sand dollars, and classic Exuma scenery.
• The tour covers a huge area in eight hours, but that means long periods on a fast boat and short visits at some stops.

Why this Nassau to Exuma day trip works

Nassau and Paradise Island have lovely water, but the Exumas show you a different side of the Bahamas. The water turns into layer after layer of blue and green, and the islands become low, spare strips of sand and scrub. You are not simply visiting one beach. You are sampling several of the country’s most unusual natural attractions in a single day.

The tour starts at 8:30 a.m. at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal on Paradise Beach Drive. The powerboat is the key to the plan. A slower boat would make this route difficult in one day, while the fast ride lets you reach Allen’s Cay, Compass Cay, Big Major Cay, Staniel Cay, the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, and Norman’s Cay.

That efficiency comes with a tradeoff. This is an active sightseeing day, not a lazy cruise. I would expect roughly eight hours away from the meeting point, with long stretches sitting on the boat. The seats have been described as comfortable, but the ocean can be rough, and the ride may feel brutal if you are not used to speedboats.

The small group size helps. With no more than 16 people, the crew can keep an eye on the group at each stop and help you get photos. Guides named Rico, Ron, Emilio, Cam, Neil, AJ, Captain Milio, and others have been praised for keeping the mood lively and helping people feel safe. The exact crew changes, so do not book around one particular name.

Allen’s Cay and the rock iguanas

The first stop is Allen’s Cay in the Exuma Cays, with about an hour to see the Bahamian rock iguanas. These reptiles are native to the Bahamas and are one of the more interesting stops because you see them in their own island setting rather than behind a fence.

You may have a chance to feed them, and they can come surprisingly close. Keep your hands and food under control, follow crew instructions, and remember that these are wild animals. This stop has a good balance of scenery and wildlife, with time to look around rather than simply snap one photograph and leave.

The iguanas are also a useful reminder that this trip is more than a pig excursion. If you are choosing among Exuma trips, compare the full range of stops. This tour gives you several different encounters, not just one famous photo opportunity.

Compass Cay and the nurse sharks

At Compass Cay, the boat stops for about 30 minutes while you view nurse sharks from the dock. The sharks swim around the marina, allowing you to get close photographs and, when conditions and crew direction allow, touch or hold them.

For many people, this is the most memorable part of the day. Nurse sharks are large, powerful animals, but they are not presented here as a chase or a stunt. The crew’s role is important. Listen closely, move calmly, and let the guides manage how people approach the animals.

Thirty minutes sounds brief, but it can be enough for photographs and a close look. This is also one stop where crowd control matters. A group of 16 can still gather around a dock quickly, so take your turn and avoid blocking other people’s view.

If swimming with sharks is high on your list, this tour offers something more unusual than a standard beach day. If you prefer to watch wildlife from a distance, you can stay near the dock and enjoy the sight without making physical contact.

Pig Beach at Big Major Cay

Big Major Cay is better known as Pig Beach, and the visit lasts about 45 minutes. The familiar images show small pigs paddling through clear water toward a camera. The real scene is less polished.

Some pigs are large, strong, and very persistent around food. They may push against you, nip, or crowd you in shallow water. Pig droppings can be present on the beach and in the water. Baby pigs are cute, but do not assume every animal is gentle simply because it is famous online.

I would treat Pig Beach as a wildlife encounter, not a petting zoo. Stay alert, protect your belongings, and follow the crew’s instructions about feeding and approaching the animals. You can enjoy the sight from the boat or edge of the water if the larger pigs make you uneasy. One practical complaint on a day like this is especially important: stay aware of the boat and the group when you are on shore. Never wander away from the crew or assume the boat will wait without checking.

This stop is still fun and unusual. Paddling beside pigs in the Exumas is a memorable story, even if the experience is messier and rougher than the photos suggest. Families should talk with children beforehand about not grabbing, chasing, or turning their backs on the animals.

Staniel Cay Yacht Club lunch

After Pig Beach, the tour stops at Staniel Cay Yacht Club for about an hour. Lunch is included, along with bottled water, snacks, and beer during the day. The restaurant stop gives you a chance to sit at a table, get off the boat, and eat a proper meal instead of relying on packed food.

The lunch receives strong praise overall, though the quality can vary by order. One useful detail is that you can order from the menu, with shellfish excluded because of allergy concerns. Some people find the food surprisingly good, while others consider it only average. I would value the stop mainly for the combination of a real restaurant, shade, seating, and a break from the boat.

Beer is included, but pace yourself. The day is long, sunny, and physically active, and you still have more time on the water afterward. Water and snacks are also available, so you are not left to manage the whole day with one meal.

The Exuma sandbar and Land and Sea Park

The sandbar stop lasts about an hour and is one of the most beautiful parts of the route. Shallow water spreads across pale sand, giving you a chance to walk, look for shells and sand dollars, and take in the open Exuma scenery.

This is where the trip slows down. After the noisy boat and the busy animal stops, the sandbar offers space and quiet. I would bring this stop into your decision more heavily than the pig photos. The sandbar captures what makes the Exumas special: clear water, a simple strip of sand, and almost no need for a planned activity.

Several people wish they had more time here. That is a fair criticism because one hour passes quickly once you get off the boat, take photos, and walk through the shallows. Still, the stop is included and gives the day a needed change of pace.

The tour describes this area as part of the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park. You will get scenery and time in the water, but do not expect a dedicated snorkeling session. Snorkeling is not part of this tour, and that has disappointed people who assumed it was included.

Norman’s Cay and the sunken plane

The Norman’s Cay stop lasts only about 15 minutes and focuses on the sunken plane often linked with Pablo Escobar. The boat pauses so you can view the wreck near Norman’s Cay, usually from close to the surface.

This is a quick stop, but it adds an odd and memorable detail to the day. The plane is not just a distant story. You can get close enough to see the wreck underwater, though you do not get out to explore it, and it is not a snorkeling stop.

If you are fascinated by unusual history and abandoned sites, this may be more interesting than expected. If you want time in the water, it can feel too short. Think of it as a photo and viewing stop rather than a full attraction visit.

The boat ride is half the experience

The powerboat makes this itinerary possible, but it also shapes the day. The first run to the Exumas takes about an hour, and the trip back to Nassau takes about an hour. There is additional travel between the islands.

On a calm, warm day, the speed and wind can feel exciting. On a cool or rough day, the same ride may leave you tired. Several useful packing tips follow directly from the route:

• Bring plenty of sunscreen. A sunshade is available, but you will spend much of the day exposed to sun.
• Pack a light warm layer. Wind on a fast boat can feel cool even when Nassau is hot.
• Expect a bumpy ride. Good physical fitness is required, and pregnant people cannot take this tour.
• Keep your belongings secure and listen when the crew gives boarding instructions.
• Bring patience for the return trip. After a full day, the final hour on the boat can feel longer than the morning ride.

There is a bathroom on the boat, and some stops also have bathroom facilities. The crew supplies water, snacks, and beer, which helps during the long transit periods. Music may be played onboard, and the crew often keeps the ride social and entertaining, but the boat remains the main setting for a large part of your day.

Is the $439 price fair?

At $439 per person, this is not a cheap excursion. The value comes from what the price replaces: separate boat transfers, several animal visits, a sandbar stop, lunch, drinks, and a full day of transport around the Exumas.

You are also paying for access to a route that would be hard to organize independently from Nassau in one day. The fast powerboat reaches several distant cays, and the small group keeps the experience more personal than a large ferry-style outing.

Still, the price will feel high if your main goal is Pig Beach. You get only about 45 minutes there, and the pigs may not match the neat online images. The trip makes more sense if you want the complete mix of iguanas, sharks, pigs, sandbars, lunch, and the plane wreck.

The package includes lunch, beer, bottled water, and snacks. Private transportation is not included, so you need to reach the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal yourself. Confirmation is sent when you book, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Weather, cancellations, and group fit

This trip depends on good weather. The operator may cancel for safety when conditions are poor, and you will be offered another date or a full refund. That is a sensible policy for an open-water powerboat route. A weather cancellation is disappointing, but a cautious captain is exactly what you want here.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. The trip also requires a minimum number of participants, so a cancellation for that reason comes with the choice of another date or experience, or a full refund.

I think the tour suits active adults, families with older children, solo visitors, and anyone with limited time in Nassau who wants to see more than Paradise Island. It is especially good for people who like variety and do not mind moving from one stop to the next.

I would hesitate if you are pregnant, prone to seasickness, uncomfortable around large animals, or hoping for a relaxed beach day. The tour is not designed around long swims, snorkeling, or extended time at one beach.

Should you book the Exuma powerboat tour?

I would book this if you want a packed day of distinct Bahamian sights and accept the long, bumpy boat ride. The nurse sharks, sandbar, and clear Exuma water are the strongest reasons to go. The iguanas and plane wreck add variety, while the lunch stop keeps the day from becoming one long series of quick beach visits.

Go with realistic expectations about Pig Beach. The pigs can be aggressive and dirty, and the stop is not as gentle as the photographs suggest. If you keep your distance and follow the crew, it can still be a memorable part of the day.

At $439, this is best viewed as a high-cost, high-coverage day trip. You pay for speed, transport, meals, and access to several far-flung stops. For a short Nassau stay, that breadth can make the price worthwhile. For a quiet holiday or a dedicated snorkeling outing, choose something else.

FAQ

Where does the Exuma powerboat tour start?

The tour starts at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal on Paradise Beach Drive in the Bahamas.

What time does the tour begin?

The listed start time is 8:30 a.m.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours and returns to the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 16 participants.

What destinations are included?

The route includes Allen’s Cay in the Exuma Cays, Compass Cay, Big Major Cay or Pig Beach, Staniel Cay, a sandbar in the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, and Norman’s Cay.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club is included in the tour price.

Are drinks and snacks included?

Yes. Bottled water, snacks, and alcoholic beverages in the form of beer are included.

Can I see nurse sharks on the tour?

Yes. At Compass Cay, you can view nurse sharks from the dock and take close photographs.

Is snorkeling included?

No. Snorkeling is not included in this tour. The Norman’s Cay plane stop is a viewing stop, not a snorkeling visit.

Can pregnant people join the tour?

No. Pregnant participants are not permitted.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted and are not refunded.