Exuma Day Away – Original Swimming Pigs Excursion

The main event is Big Major Cay, where you wade into clear Exuma water with the famous swimming pigs. I like that this trip also gives you nurse sharks at Compass Cay and wild rock iguanas at Great Guana Cay, so the day feels like more than a single-animal photo stop.

I also like the chance to see the Exumas from the water, including shifting sandbars and the Pablo Escobar plane wreck. The trade-off is simple: this is a long, bumpy power-boat day, with several hours spent getting to and from the islands. Bring a towel, sunscreen, and an extra layer.

Key points to know before booking

• Original Pig Beach: Visit Big Major Cay, the original swimming-pig site in the central Exumas.
• Nurse shark encounter: Swim with nurse sharks in shallow or deeper water at Compass Cay.
• Five island experiences: The day combines wildlife, sandbars, lunch, scenic cruising, and a plane-wreck view.
• Long ride, big payoff: Expect roughly 8 hours 30 minutes overall, with some boat legs lasting an hour or more.
• Lunch and drinks included: A Bahamian buffet lunch at Black Point Yacht Club, bottled water, snacks, and alcoholic drinks are part of the package.
• Weather matters: Rough seas can force a cancellation, and poor weather may also make the ride uncomfortable.

Why this Exuma day trip is special

From Nassau, the Exumas feel far away in the best possible way. The chain includes 365 islands and cays, many of them tiny, uninhabited, and edged by pale sand and brilliant blue water. You will not simply arrive at one beach and turn around. This outing links several different Bahamian sights in one ambitious day.

The tour runs from Montagu Beach, with an 8 a.m. start. Round-trip transportation from Nassau Paradise Island is included, and you should tell the operator where you are staying so pickup can be arranged. The experience ends back at the meeting point.

I would think of this as a sightseeing cruise with active stops, not a relaxed beach day. The boat can cover more than 200 miles over the course of the outing, and the long open-water stretches are part of the price of reaching the central Exumas from New Providence.

That distance explains both the appeal and the main weakness. You see much more than you could by staying near Nassau, but you spend a large part of the day seated on the boat. Some boat legs last about an hour to an hour and a half, and the ride can be bumpy, especially when wind and sea conditions change.

Great Guana Cay and its rock iguanas

The first stop is Great Guana Cay, where you visit a wildlife reserve and see Bahamian rock iguanas in their natural setting. The scheduled stop is about 15 minutes, so this is a quick introduction rather than a long nature walk.

The iguanas can be shy. You may see them emerge from rocky hiding places to feed, and the experience includes rock iguana feeding. It is a nice contrast to the more commercial feel of Pig Beach because you are seeing a native Bahamian animal in its own habitat.

Keep your camera ready, but do not expect every iguana to pose on cue. The short stop works best if you treat it as a close look at local wildlife, not a guaranteed animal encounter lasting half an hour.

Compass Cay and the nurse sharks

For many people, Compass Cay is the highlight. The stop lasts about 30 minutes and gives you a chance to enter the water with nurse sharks. You can choose between a shallow-water and deeper-water interaction, depending on the conditions and what feels comfortable to you.

Nurse sharks are generally calm animals, but this is still a wild-animal encounter in open water. Listen closely to the crew, follow their directions, and avoid sudden movements or grabbing at the animals. You will want a waterproof phone case or a secure way to carry your camera, since getting good photographs is part of the fun.

The water here is shallow, clear, and strikingly blue. The shark stop is not just a quick viewing platform. You are getting into the water, which makes this a better fit for people who are comfortable swimming and willing to get wet.

Several highly praised parts of the trip center on this stop. That makes sense. The nurse sharks offer a more unusual experience than the pigs, and the clear water lets you see them well. If you are nervous, the crew can help you understand what to do, but you should not book this excursion expecting to remain dry.

Big Major Cay and the original swimming pigs

Big Major Cay, commonly called Pig Beach, is the main reason many people book this excursion. The stop lasts about 45 minutes, giving you time to wade into the water, take photographs, and watch the pigs move along the shore and through the shallows.

These are not tame pets in a private enclosure. They are accustomed to people, but you still need to treat them with care. Keep food and personal items under control, listen to the crew, and give the animals room when they move around you.

The stop can be lively, wet, and a little messy. That is part of its charm. You are not looking at pigs from behind a fence. You are standing in the Bahamian shallows with them, often while other people are taking photos nearby.

Wear your swimsuit before you leave. There is no changing room, so changing after the swim is not convenient. A towel is not supplied, and sunscreen is essential. Bring a cover-up or light outer layer for the boat ride afterward, since wind can make wet clothes feel cold.

Sandbars, scenery, and the Exuma Cays

The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park provides one of the quieter moments of the day. At low tide, shifting sandbars appear in the shallow water. The captain chooses an available sandbar during the route, so the exact location can change from one outing to another.

You may have about 20 minutes at this stop. That is enough for photographs, a short walk, or time in the warm shallows, but not enough for a long, slow beach stay. One practical point matters here: sandbars are shaped by tide and weather, so this part of the itinerary is naturally less fixed than a normal beach stop.

The views are the real attraction. From the boat, you get a wide look at the pale cays, shallow channels, and shifting tones of Exuma water. If you enjoy scenery as much as animal encounters, this section gives the day some breathing room.

The route also includes a view of the famous Pablo Escobar sunken plane wreck just off Norman’s Cay. You will see it from the water rather than spending a long time at the site. It is an unusual sightseeing detail, though some people may prefer more time at a beach or sandbar instead.

Lunch at Black Point Yacht Club

Lunch is served at Black Point Yacht Club, with a Bahamian buffet included in the price. This is more than a practical meal break. It gives you a taste of local cooking and a chance to sit on land after the long boat ride.

The meal has earned strong praise for both variety and quality. A vegetarian option is available, but you need to request it when booking. Bottled water, snacks, and alcoholic drinks are also included, and the minimum drinking age is 18.

You should still pace yourself with alcohol. The day includes swimming, boat movement, bright sun, and several wet stops. Water and sunscreen matter more than a second rum drink when you still have a long ride ahead.

What the power boat ride is really like

The boat is fast, which makes the far-off Exumas possible as a day trip from Nassau. It also means wind, spray, and regular movement. The ride is not the same as sitting on a large sightseeing ferry.

Some people enjoy the music and speed. The crew may allow you to connect your own playlist by Bluetooth, which can make the long stretches more pleasant. Others find the seats tight or the motion tiring, especially on a full boat.

The published maximum is 36 people, but the actual group size can vary. Some outings have felt crowded, while others have operated with smaller numbers. If you need extra personal space, ask about a private option before booking rather than assuming the standard trip will be intimate.

Weather is important. The open-water route can become rough, and the operator may cancel for safety if conditions change. That is frustrating when it happens, but a cancellation is preferable to spending eight hours on a rough sea in an unsuitable boat. If poor weather cancels the outing, you can receive a different date or a full refund.

Is the $438 price fair?

At $438 per person, this is not a cheap excursion. You are paying for a full day, a power boat covering a great distance, several island stops, a guide, landing and facility fees, lunch, drinks, and the chance to reach places that are difficult to visit independently from Nassau.

The value depends on how you like to travel. If you want one efficient day that combines pigs, sharks, iguanas, sandbars, lunch, and Exuma scenery, the price may make sense. Booking separate boat rides for each experience would take more planning and might not cost less.

If your priority is relaxed beach time, the value is weaker. You spend roughly five hours at the various stops and the rest moving between them. You may wish the sandbar or a beautiful beach stop lasted longer, but the long crossings are what allow the itinerary to cover so much ground.

I would compare this with the cost and convenience of flying to the Exumas, but the supplied information does not give a flight price or schedule. The boat excursion offers a single organized day with meals and drinks included, which is its clearest advantage.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to first-time visitors who want a broad introduction to the Bahamas in one day. It suits animal lovers, active couples, families with older children, and anyone who wants the famous Exuma water without arranging several separate outings.

The minimum age is 3, but the physical demands still matter. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and everyone should be comfortable with a long boat ride, swimming, getting wet, and standing or walking briefly at island stops.

You should think twice if you get seasick, dislike bouncing boat rides, need lots of legroom, or want a slow island day. The tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness, and the ride may leave your back tired the next day.

For comfort, wear your swimsuit from the start. Pack a towel, strong sunblock, an outer layer for the wind, and a secure waterproof pouch for valuables. Do not count on changing facilities. Mobile ticketing makes the booking side simple, but the preparation is up to you.

Should you book the Exuma Day Away?

Book it if your goal is to see the Exumas, swim with nurse sharks and pigs, feed rock iguanas, and cover several memorable sights in one packed day. The animal encounters are the strongest reason to go, with Compass Cay often matching or even surpassing Pig Beach as the most exciting stop.

Skip it if you want a quiet beach holiday or if five hours on a moving boat sounds like too much. At $438, you should be certain you value variety and access more than comfort and long stays at one location.

For the right person, this is a bold, busy, very Bahamian day. Just accept the bargain clearly: fewer hours lounging, more hours crossing open water, and a much bigger view of the Exumas.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Montagu Beach in Nassau, Bahamas, at 8 a.m. Round-trip transportation from Nassau Paradise Island is included, and you should provide your accommodation details for pickup arrangements.

How long does the excursion last?

The experience lasts approximately 8 hours and 30 minutes and ends back at the meeting point.

What animals will I see?

You may see and feed Bahamian rock iguanas at Great Guana Cay, swim with nurse sharks at Compass Cay, and visit the swimming pigs at Big Major Cay.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is a Bahamian buffet at Black Point Yacht Club. Bottled water and alcoholic beverages are also included, and a vegetarian option is available if requested in advance.

Do I need to bring a towel?

Yes. Towels are not included. You should also bring sunscreen and an outer layer for the windy boat ride.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 3. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness.

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. If the minimum number of participants is not met, you will also be offered a different date or experience, or a full refund.