Nassau: Discover Exuma Island Hopping and Swimming Pigs Tour

The star of this day is the Exuma Cays themselves, a chain of bright-water islands scattered southeast of Nassau. In eight hours, you see wild iguanas, nurse sharks, famous swimming pigs, a sunken plane, and a beach or sandbar. It is a big day, but the variety keeps it moving.

I like the carefully packed route and the fact that lunch, drinks, snorkel gear, landing fees, and pig food are covered. I also like the small-group limit of 24 people, which feels more manageable than a large party boat. The main catch is the long ride from Nassau and the brisk pace. Beach time is only about 30 minutes, and the captain can change the order of stops.

Five memorable stops in one Exuma day

• Allen’s Cay: Meet the Bahamian Rock Iguanas, a species found only on three small Exuma islands.
• Compass Cay: Swim near nurse sharks gathered beneath the marina docks.
• Big Major’s Cay: Feed and swim with the famous pigs at Pig Beach.
• Norman’s Cay plane wreck: Snorkel around the aircraft linked to Pablo Escobar’s 1970s drug-running operation.
• Final beach or sandbar: End with swimming, sunbathing, and photos before the long ride back.

From Paradise Island to the Exuma Cays

Your day begins at the Born Free Charters desk at Carnivale Bahamas on Paradise Island. Transportation to that meeting point is not included, so plan that part yourself and allow enough time to check in before departure.

Then you board a high-speed power boat and point southeast. The first run takes just over an hour. That is a serious stretch on open water, not a quick shuttle across Nassau Harbour, so bring sunscreen, a towel, and a steady attitude toward boat travel.

The payoff is the setting. The Exuma Cays are made for moving by boat, with small islands, shallow water, docks, sand, and open sea appearing in quick succession. The boat ride is part of the day, but it also explains why the tour can fit so many distinct stops into one outing.

This is a shared tour for up to 24 people. That group size gives the crew enough people to make the trip worthwhile while keeping it smaller than many mass-market excursions. You should still expect some waiting as everyone boards, gets into the water, takes photos, and returns to the boat.

Allen’s Cay and its rare iguanas

The first stop is Allen’s Cay, where you spend about 25 minutes viewing Bahamian Rock Iguanas. These lizards are not just ordinary island wildlife. They are found nowhere else in the world beyond three small islands in Exuma, which gives this short stop a real sense of place.

You will have time to see and interact with the iguanas before continuing south. The stop is brief, so it is best to treat it as a focused wildlife encounter rather than a long walk or nature outing.

This is one of the more distinctive parts of the day because it connects you with an animal found only in this small corner of the Bahamas. If your main goal is a long, quiet nature session, the schedule may feel tight. If you like seeing several unusual sights in one day, Allen’s Cay makes a strong opening stop.

Nurse sharks beneath the Compass Cay docks

Next comes a roughly 45-minute boat ride through the Exuma Cays to Compass Cay. The stop lasts about 35 minutes and centers on nurse sharks beneath the docks at Compass Cay Marina.

These sharks are accustomed to the area and are described as welcoming thousands of people each year to their home under the docks. You can enter the water near them, but the captain and crew remain in charge of how the encounter is handled. Listen closely to their instructions and give the animals room.

The setting matters here. This is not an aquarium or a staged show. You are at a marina in the Exuma Cays, looking down into clear water where the sharks gather. For many people, this will be the most nerve-racking swim of the day, even though the animals are the familiar nurse sharks associated with Compass Cay.

Thirty-five minutes gives you time to watch, take photos, and get into the water if you feel comfortable. You do not have to force yourself into every activity. The tour works best when you choose your comfort level rather than trying to collect proof of every stop.

Pig Beach at Big Major’s Cay

From Compass Cay, the boat makes a short ride to Big Major’s Cay, home of the famous swimming pigs. You have about 40 minutes here for swimming, wildlife viewing, feeding the pigs, and photographs.

The pigs became known around the world through television appearances, including ABC’s The Bachelor, and through social media. That fame has made Pig Beach one of the Exuma Cays’ best-known stops. Expect it to be popular and photo-focused rather than quiet.

Food for the pigs is included, which means you do not need to bring anything for them. Follow the crew’s directions about feeding and keep your attention on the animals while they are close. The visit gives you a chance to swim with the pigs, but the pigs decide how much interaction they want.

The short time here is useful. You can see the main attraction without spending half the day at one beach. Still, anyone hoping for a peaceful island afternoon may find the scene lively and crowded at the water’s edge, depending on conditions and other boats in the area.

A Bahamian lunch after the morning swims

After Pig Beach, you take a quick boat ride to a local Exuma restaurant for lunch. The meal lasts about an hour and includes a buffet lunch, a cold drink, local beer, sodas, bottled water, and light snacks.

This is more than a convenience. With several swims, boat rides, and active stops packed into the morning, a proper meal gives you time to sit down and reset. The buffet format also makes the stop simple for a mixed group with different appetites.

The supplied details do not specify the menu, so do not book this expecting a particular dish. Think of it as a local restaurant meal included in the day’s price, with drinks available, rather than a special food tour.

I like having lunch built into the schedule because it keeps you from losing time arranging food on your own. It also helps explain the $489 price. You are paying for a full-day boat trip across the Exuma Cays, several landing fees, equipment, food, and drinks, not just transportation to one famous beach.

Snorkeling at the plane wreck near Norman’s Cay

After lunch, the boat runs for about 35 minutes to the sunken aircraft near Norman’s Cay. You have about 30 minutes to snorkel around what is commonly called Pablo Escobar’s plane.

The story behind the wreck links it to the late 1970s, when Pablo Escobar reportedly controlled Norman’s Cay and used its small runway as a base and refueling point for aircraft carrying cocaine from Mexico to the United States. The plane itself is the attraction, but the setting also gives you a glimpse into a darker chapter of the islands’ recent past.

The wreck is said to have crashed into the water supposedly carrying cocaine. That detail belongs to the story surrounding the site, and you should treat the legend with the appropriate caution. The snorkeling stop is still worthwhile for the unusual subject: a submerged aircraft rather than a standard reef-only outing.

Snorkel gear is included, so you do not need to rent equipment separately. The tour gives you 30 minutes in the water, enough for a look around but not a long reef session. If snorkeling is your top priority, this trip may feel too broad because the day divides your water time among sharks, pigs, and the wreck.

The final beach or sandbar stop

The final stop is a beautiful Exuma beach or sandbar, with about 30 minutes for swimming, sunbathing, and photographs. The exact location is left to the captain, and the order of stops can change.

That flexibility is practical. Weather, water conditions, timing, and local traffic can affect which stop works best at a given moment. It also means you should not expect a guaranteed named sandbar or a fixed beach.

One recent booking review specifically wished for a more isolated sandbar for this part of the day. That is useful advice when setting expectations. The final stop is a pleasant chance to slow down, but it is not a long beach break. If you want an entire afternoon on a quiet strip of sand, choose a dedicated beach excursion instead.

The advantage is that the day ends with something restful after the more active wildlife stops. You get a last swim and a final round of photos before the 70-minute boat ride back to Carnivale Bahamas.

The long return ride and the real value of the day

The return journey takes about 70 minutes. By then, you will have been on the water for much of the day, so this is where the tour’s pace becomes most important.

One strong feature is the planning. You do not spend the whole day at one attraction, and the route moves from wildlife to marine life, pigs, lunch, snorkeling, and beach time. A recent booking review praised the way the activities were arranged without staying too long in one place.

The tradeoff is obvious: you see a lot, but no single stop gets much time. The listed activity periods total only short visits at most sites, while the rest of the day is spent moving between them. You need to enjoy a full schedule and be willing to get on and off the boat several times.

At $489 per person, this is expensive by ordinary day-trip standards. The cost makes more sense if you want to combine several Exuma highlights in one booking and value the included buffet lunch, beer, soft drinks, water, snacks, snorkel equipment, pig food, and landing fees.

It is less compelling if you only want to swim with pigs or sit on a beach. In that case, you may be paying for a broad route when your real interest is one stop. For someone staying in Nassau with one free day and a strong wish to see the Exuma Cays, the bundled format can be practical.

Who should book this Exuma tour

I would suggest this trip to active adults and older children who are comfortable with a fast boat, repeated boarding, and several swims. It suits you if your ideal day includes collecting many memorable moments rather than settling into one place.

The tour is not suitable for children under two, pregnant women, people with back, heart, or mobility problems, wheelchair users, or cruise ship guests. Baby strollers, baby carriages, and electric wheelchairs are not allowed.

You should also consider the meeting point. Carnivale Bahamas on Paradise Island is the departure location, and transport there is not included. The experience is conducted in English, with a live guide.

Pack a towel and sunscreen. Keep your belongings secure and expect sun exposure, spray, and movement on the boat. A flexible attitude helps because the captain controls the order of stops.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your Nassau plans are still shifting.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a big Exuma sampler in one long day: rare iguanas, nurse sharks, swimming pigs, a plane wreck, lunch, and a beach stop. Its strongest feature is the range of activities, and the 4.9 rating from 29 bookings reflects how well that busy format has worked for many people.

Skip it if your priority is slow beach time, a quiet sandbar, or extended snorkeling. The boat rides are long, the schedule is active, and the final beach stop may not be as isolated as you hope.

For the right person, the price buys convenience and access to several far-flung sights that would be difficult to combine independently. Just arrive ready for a full day on the water, not a leisurely beach holiday.

FAQ

Where does the Exuma island-hopping tour start?

The tour starts at Carnivale Bahamas on Paradise Island, at the Born Free Charters desk. Transportation to the check-in location is not included.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts eight hours, including the boat rides, wildlife stops, lunch, snorkeling, and the final beach or sandbar stop.

How many people can join the shared tour?

The shared boat tour can have up to 24 guests.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch at a local restaurant is included, along with local beer, sodas, bottled water, and light snacks.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkel gear is included in the tour price.

Can I swim with the pigs?

Yes. At Big Major’s Cay, you have the opportunity to feed and swim with the famous pigs. Food for the pigs is included.

Will I swim with nurse sharks?

The tour stops at Compass Cay, where nurse sharks gather under the marina docks. You can view and swim near them, following the crew’s directions.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel and sunscreen. The tour includes bottled water, drinks, snacks, and snorkel gear.

Is the tour suitable for cruise ship guests?

No. Cruise ship guests are listed as unsuitable for this tour.

Can I cancel if my plans change?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The tour also offers a reserve-now, pay-later option.