Exuma Day Away – Original Swimming Pigs Excursion

The main event here is the original Pig Beach at Big Majors Cay, but the pigs are only one part of a packed day. You will also feed rock iguanas, swim with nurse sharks at Compass Cay, stop at a sandbar, pass the sunken Pablo Escobar plane near Norman’s Cay, and eat lunch at Black Point Yacht Club.

I like the variety and the chance to see the Exumas in one long sweep from Nassau. I also like that lunch, drinks, water, guide service, and the animal encounters are bundled into the price. The catch is simple: this is a long power-boat day, with roughly five hours spent getting to and from the islands and moving between stops.

Key things to know before booking

• Pig Beach is at Big Majors Cay, the original swimming-pig attraction in the central Exumas.
• Compass Cay offers an open-water nurse-shark encounter, with shallow- and deeper-water options.
• The boat ride can be rough, and several hours are spent seated on a fast-moving vessel.
• Lunch is included at Black Point Yacht Club, with Bahamian food and buffet service.
• Bring a towel, sunscreen, and an outer layer, since wind and changing weather can make the boat ride feel cool.
• The advertised maximum is 36 people, though comfort depends on the actual group and boat arrangement.

Why this Exuma day trip covers so much

The Exumas are a chain of 365 islands and cays scattered across clear Bahamian water. From Nassau, reaching the central Exumas by boat takes time, so this tour packs several stops into one ambitious day rather than offering a slow, relaxed island visit.

That tradeoff matters. You get a broad look at the area without arranging separate boats, meals, and admission fees. You also spend much of the day in transit. I would choose this trip if you want maximum variety and animal encounters more than a quiet beach day.

The tour starts at Montagu Beach in Nassau at 8 a.m. and returns to the same meeting point after about eight and a half hours. Pickup information is requested when you book, so tell the operator where you are staying.

The boat travels quickly, and the ride can be bumpy. Several people have found the seats tight on a full boat, while others describe the vessel as comfortable and fun. Expect both possibilities. Your comfort will depend on the weather, the sea conditions, and how many people are aboard.

Feeding rock iguanas on Great Guana Cay

The first stop is Great Guana Cay, where you visit a wildlife reserve and feed Bahamian rock iguanas. The stop lasts about 15 minutes, so this is a short wildlife encounter rather than a long nature walk.

The iguanas live among the rocks and can be shy. You may need to wait for them to come out, which makes the stop feel less like a guaranteed photo opportunity and more like a quick look at animals in their natural setting.

I like this opening stop because it starts the day with something distinctly Bahamian. The pigs and sharks receive most of the attention, but the iguanas give you a different kind of encounter. You are not simply looking at a staged attraction. You are visiting a protected area where the animals move on their own terms.

Bring your phone or camera, but keep the 15-minute schedule in mind. You will not have unlimited time to compose photographs or wander far. Follow the crew’s instructions when feeding the iguanas, and do not count on seeing every animal up close.

Swimming with nurse sharks at Compass Cay

Compass Cay is the most active stop of the day. The boat reaches shallow water where you can have a close encounter with nurse sharks, and deeper-water interaction is also available.

For many people, this is the emotional high point of the tour. The sharks are large enough to command respect, yet the shallow-water encounter allows you to see them at close range. Some visitors compare the experience to meeting calm, friendly animals rather than watching sharks from a distance.

You should still treat the encounter seriously. Listen to the crew, move as instructed, and pay attention to where you place your hands and feet. The tour includes the interaction and facility fees, but personal confidence in the water matters. A moderate level of physical fitness is requested.

You get about 30 minutes here. That is enough time for the central experience and photographs, but not enough for a long swim or relaxed snorkeling session. If sharks are your main reason for booking, this stop gives you more direct contact than a standard sightseeing cruise.

The water conditions can affect the feel of this stop. On a warm, calm day, the clear shallows can be spectacular. On a cool or windy day, getting wet may feel less inviting. Pack an outer layer for the boat ride and remember that towels are not supplied.

The original swimming pigs at Big Majors Cay

Pig Beach at Big Majors Cay is the tour’s main attraction. This is identified as the original swimming-pig site in the central Exumas, and you have about 45 minutes with the pigs.

The animals come into the shallow water around the beach, creating the familiar Bahamian scene of pigs wading and swimming toward visitors. You can take photographs, watch their behavior, and enjoy the oddness of standing in clear tropical water beside a pig.

This stop works best if you treat it as an animal encounter, not a perfectly controlled photo shoot. The pigs decide where to go, and the beach can feel lively when several boats arrive. Keep your belongings secure, follow the crew’s guidance, and do not assume every pig will pose exactly where you want.

The 45-minute stop is useful because it gives you time to enjoy the scene rather than simply step off the boat, take one picture, and leave. Still, some people wish the stops were longer. The schedule has to account for the long run from Nassau and the other islands on the route.

Families can enjoy this stop, but children must be accompanied by an adult. The minimum age for the excursion is three. If your child is uneasy around animals or does not like boat spray and rough water, the full day may feel demanding.

Sandbars and the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park

During the route through the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, the captain chooses a sandbar that is available at the time. Sandbars appear and shift with the tide, so the exact location changes from one departure to another.

You get about 20 minutes here. This is a quick stop for views, photographs, and a chance to stand in shallow water surrounded by the Exuma Cays. The appeal is the setting itself: pale sand, open water, and small islands scattered across the horizon.

Do not book this expecting a long beach stay. The captain chooses the available sandbar during the trip, and the stop is short. One person specifically wished for more time at a beautiful beach, which points to the larger issue with this itinerary: you see many places, but you do not linger long at most of them.

The sandbar is still valuable because it breaks up the boat ride. After sitting on the power boat, getting out into the shallows can feel like a welcome reset.

Seeing the Pablo Escobar plane near Norman’s Cay

The boat also passes the famous Pablo Escobar sunken plane wreck just off Norman’s Cay. This is a sightseeing pass rather than a separate timed stop, so your viewing time depends on the boat’s movement and conditions.

The wreck adds a curious bit of local color to the route. It is not the main reason to book this excursion, but it gives you a memorable sight between the animal encounters and islands. If you want to photograph it, have your camera ready rather than waiting until the boat is already moving past.

Not everyone will care about the plane. Some people would prefer to use that time at a beach or with the animals. I see it as a bonus, not a deciding factor. The tour already includes several major attractions, and this quick sight helps fill out the water route without requiring another landing.

Lunch at Black Point Yacht Club

Lunch is served at Black Point Yacht Club and is included in the tour price. The meal is described as a Bahamian buffet, with drinks and snacks available during the day.

This is more than a practical refueling stop. Eating a local meal at Black Point gives the itinerary a stronger connection to the islands than a packed sandwich on the boat would provide. Several menu descriptions highlight the quality and variety of the food, with Bahamian dishes forming a welcome pause in the middle of a busy schedule.

Vegetarian food is available if you request it when booking. Do not leave that request until the morning of departure. Alcoholic beverages are included, but the minimum drinking age is 18.

The lunch stop also gives you a chance to stretch after the boat ride. Since the tour covers a large amount of water, a proper meal and access to drinks make the day easier. You should still bring sunscreen and plan for sun exposure, since the boat and outdoor stops occupy much of the excursion.

What the boat ride is really like

The boat is a power boat, and the ride is part of the attraction. You move quickly between Nassau and the Exumas, with music, open-water views, and changing conditions along the way.

The ride is also the biggest source of discomfort. The full excursion lasts about eight and a half hours, and roughly five hours can be spent on the boat, including the run to Exuma, travel between stops, and the return journey. One segment may take about an hour to an hour and a half, depending on the current.

The sea can be bumpy enough to leave your back sore the next day. Seats may feel tight when the boat is full. If you want a gentle cruise with plenty of room to move, this is not the right format.

I would wear your swimsuit before boarding because there is no changing room. Bring a light outer layer, even on a warm day. Wind and changing weather can make the ride chilly, especially after you have been in the water.

Sunscreen is essential. So is a towel, which is not included. Bottled water, snacks, and alcoholic drinks are provided, but you may still want any personal essentials you need for a full day outdoors.

Price, group size, and overall value

The price is $438 per person, which is high for a day tour. The value depends on how you measure the day.

You are paying for round-trip transportation from Nassau Paradise Island, a local guide, landing and facility fees, lunch, drinks, water, the iguana feeding, the shark encounter, Pig Beach, and water sightseeing through the Exumas. Booking each element separately would be difficult, and the boat covers a huge amount of territory in one day.

The price makes more sense if you want to see the pigs, sharks, iguanas, sandbars, and Exuma Cays without arranging several separate outings. It makes less sense if your main goal is simply to visit Pig Beach and spend a long time there.

The advertised maximum is 36 people. Actual group size can vary, and a full boat may feel crowded after several hours. The operator also offers a private option for people who want a more exclusive outing, though the price for that option is not provided here.

I would compare this tour with a flight-based Exuma visit if you dislike long boat rides. The boat gives you changing views and a proper sightseeing route, but it takes much longer than flying. The tradeoff is access to several water stops and a more complete day on the islands.

Weather, cancellations, and practical planning

This excursion requires good weather. If conditions make the open-water crossing unsafe, the operator may cancel and offer another date or a full refund. That is frustrating if it happens during a short holiday, but the crossing is not a detail to ignore. Rough seas can turn an exciting day into an unpleasant one.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off uses local time.

The tour requires moderate physical fitness. You need to board and leave a boat, stand or walk during the island stops, and manage several wet outdoor activities. Children from age three can join, but an adult must accompany them.

The activity is booked, on average, eight days ahead. I would reserve early if your Nassau schedule is tight, especially since poor weather or minimum numbers can affect departure.

Who should book this excursion?

I would recommend it to you if you want a single, action-filled day and do not mind a long ride. Animal lovers get the strongest lineup: iguanas, nurse sharks, and swimming pigs, with enough time at each to make the visit worthwhile.

It also suits first-time visitors who want to see several Bahamian islands without planning a complicated route. The included lunch, drinks, guide, and fees simplify the day.

I would hesitate if you want a quiet beach escape, dislike rough water, or need lots of personal space. I would also hesitate if your budget is tight. At $438, this should be a major holiday splurge, not an impulse add-on.

Should you book the Exuma Day Away?

Book it if your priority is variety: three memorable animal encounters, Exuma scenery, a Bahamian lunch, and a full day on the water. The combination is hard to match in one Nassau departure.

Skip it if you mainly want relaxation or a short visit to the pigs. The long, bumpy boat ride and busy schedule are real costs, not minor footnotes. For the right person, the chance to swim with nurse sharks at Compass Cay and visit the original Pig Beach can justify the price. For someone who wants comfort and slow island time, a smaller or flight-based trip would be a better choice.

FAQ

Where does the Exuma day trip start?

The tour starts at Montagu Beach in Nassau, The Bahamas, at 8 a.m.

Where does the tour end?

The activity returns to the same meeting point at Montagu Beach.

How long does the excursion last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours and 30 minutes.

What is included in the price?

The price includes a local guide, bottled water, lunch at Black Point Yacht Club, landing and facility fees, rock iguana feeding, sightseeing through the Exuma Cays, swimming with pigs at Big Major Cay, swimming with nurse sharks at Compass Cay, and alcoholic beverages.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served as a buffet at Black Point Yacht Club. A vegetarian option is available if you request it when booking.

Do I need to bring a towel?

Yes. Towels are not included, so bring your own.

What else should I bring?

Bring sunscreen, a towel, and an outer layer for the boat ride. Wearing your swimsuit before the tour is advised because there is no changing room.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is three. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

How many people can join the tour?

The advertised maximum is 36 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience begins for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.