Exuma Full Day Swimming Pigs Group Boat Tour

Seeing pigs paddle through clear Bahamian water is the headline here, but it is only one part of a very full day. This Exuma speedboat tour also brings you close to rock iguanas, nurse sharks, a sunken plane, and a sandbar far from Nassau.

I like the generous mix of stops and the included food, drinks, snacks, and water. I also like the personal service reported from crew members such as Captain Ryan and Tahj. The catch is the ride: you may spend hours on an open speedboat, and rough seas can make the return wet, loud, and tiring.

Key things to know before booking

• The boat ride is a major part of the day: The journey to Exuma is long, with one account estimating roughly 180 miles and about two hours on the return.
• You get several famous Bahamian sights in one outing: Iguanas, swimming pigs, nurse sharks, a plane wreck, lunch, and a sandbar all fit into the schedule.
• The group-size promise needs checking: The tour is promoted as a small group of six, while the operating information allows up to 30 people and one account described about 20.
• Lunch is served at Lorraine’s in Black Point: Expect a buffet with local dishes, not a meal eaten on the boat.
• Bring clothes that can get soaked: Sea spray, swimming stops, and weather can leave you wet even before you reach Pig Beach.
• This is best for active visitors: You should be comfortable boarding a speedboat, swimming, walking on beaches, and spending a long day outside.

Why this Exuma day trip packs in so much

At $499 per person, this is not a casual harbor cruise. You are paying for a long round-trip boat journey from Nassau, several island stops, lunch, drinks, snacks, and a full day in the Exumas. The value improves if you want to see many of the area’s signature sights without arranging separate boats or transfers.

The appeal is variety. In one day, you can feed or observe rock iguanas, stand in the water with nurse sharks, paddle beside pigs, eat at a local cafe, look at an underwater aircraft wreck, and finish on a white sandbar. Few Nassau excursions offer that many different settings in roughly eight hours.

The schedule is also efficient, sometimes to a fault. Most wildlife stops are listed at about 30 minutes, so you get a taste of each place rather than a slow, quiet visit. If you want long beach time or several hours with the pigs, this will feel rushed.

Leaving Nassau from Margaritaville Marina

The meeting point is Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Bahamas at Marina Drive on Paradise Island, with an 8:00 a.m. start. The activity ends at the same place. Private transportation is not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the marina unless your hotel or resort helps with a taxi or another local option.

One useful detail is the communication before departure. Some bookings include a message the day before, and that can help confirm the meeting point and timing. Still, I would keep your confirmation handy and make sure the operator has your current contact details. A small number of serious problems have involved people arriving at the meeting point and not finding the boat or having their booking recognized.

Once aboard, the day becomes a long run across open water. Some accounts describe a hot breakfast at check-in, but breakfast is not listed among the standard inclusions, so do not count on it. The confirmed food included in the tour is lunch, along with snacks, bottled water, soda, and alcoholic drinks for those aged 21 and over.

Allen Cay and its rock iguanas

The first wildlife stop is Allen Cay, home to ancient rock iguanas and local birds. You can get close enough for a good look and photographs, but the instructions are clear: do not harm or disturb the animals.

This stop offers something different from the better-known pig encounter. The iguanas are wild animals, not performers, and their presence gives the visit a more natural feel. Look around the trees as well as along the beach. Several people have found more iguanas in the higher branches and shaded areas.

You have about 30 minutes here. That is enough to see the animals and walk a little, but not enough for a leisurely exploration of the cay. Wear shoes that can handle sand and uneven ground, and keep your phone protected from spray during the boat ride.

Swimming with nurse sharks at Compass Cay

Compass Cay is the most dramatic stop for many visitors. The area is known for nurse sharks, and you can enter the water among them. This is a close wildlife encounter, so listen carefully to the crew and follow their instructions.

The experience depends on your comfort in the water. You do not need to force yourself into the sea to enjoy the stop, but the chance to stand or swim near nurse sharks is a major reason to choose this particular tour. The stop is scheduled for about 30 minutes, so time in the water is limited.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, and a dry change of clothes. The tour provides drinks and snacks, but no personal gear list is supplied, so I would protect cameras and wallets in a waterproof bag. Also remember that sunscreen, jewelry, and loose items can become a nuisance during repeated boarding and swimming stops.

Pig Beach, with only a short visit

Pig Beach is the star attraction. After the boat reaches shore, you can leave the boat and walk or swim near the free-roaming pigs. Piglets, shallow water, and the unusual sight of pigs paddling in the sea make this a memorable stop, especially for families and anyone who has had this encounter on a wish list for years.

The scheduled time is about 30 minutes. That is the main limitation. You may have enough time for photographs, a short swim, and a close look at the pigs, but the stop will not feel unhurried if the beach is busy or several boats arrive together.

Treat the animals calmly and follow the crew’s directions. Keep food and personal items secure, and expect to get wet. The pigs are the reason many people accept the high price, but you should book with the understanding that this is one stop in a packed route, not an entire afternoon at Pig Beach.

Lunch at Lorraine’s in Black Point

After the water activities, the group stops at Lorraine’s, a local cafe in Black Point. Lunch is buffet-style, with several choices and some Bahamian dishes. This is a welcome change from the boat and gives you a chance to sit, eat, and dry off.

The meal is one of the stronger value points. You are not left to buy an expensive lunch on your own after paying for the excursion. The food also adds a local element that a boat-only tour would miss. Some people rate the Bahamian dishes as a highlight of the day.

You have about an hour here. That is enough time for a proper meal, although service and crowding can affect how relaxed the stop feels. Drinks are included during the tour, and the package also lists alcoholic beverages. Alcohol is limited to people aged 21 and older, and I would save it for after the active swimming stops rather than drinking heavily before the long ride home.

The underwater plane and the Exuma sandbar

On the second half of the trip, the boat passes the wreck of Pablo Escobar’s underwater plane. This is a quick sightseeing feature rather than a full wreck expedition. The plane is viewed in the water, and the available information does not promise snorkeling or time to explore it below the surface.

Still, it adds an odd and memorable chapter to the day. After iguanas, sharks, and pigs, an aircraft wreck gives the route a touch of mystery. Keep your expectations in check: weather, water clarity, and the boat’s timing will affect what you can see.

The final main stop is an Exuma sandbar. Here you can get off the boat, swim, relax, walk through shallow water, and enjoy beverages in a remote setting. This is the place where the day slows down. After the tight schedule at the wildlife stops, an hour on a broad strip of white sand and clear water can feel like the best balance to the trip.

Sandbars are shaped by tides and weather, so the exact appearance can change. The water may be shallow and calm, but you are still exposed to the sun. Bring sun protection and reapply it during the day.

The boat ride is beautiful, but not easy

The most important practical point is the speedboat. This is not a short transfer between nearby cays. One detailed account described a total journey of about 180 miles and a return ride of roughly two hours. Depending on the sea, the ride can be smooth and exhilarating or rough and punishing.

An open boat means spray can hit your face and clothing. Ponchos may be supplied, but you should still dress for water and keep valuable items sealed. A waterproof phone pouch, sunglasses with a secure strap, and a dry bag are sensible additions.

Bad weather can change the entire mood of the trip. Thunderstorms and choppy water have made some return journeys uncomfortable, with heavy rain and hard impacts from the waves. The tour requires good weather and may offer a different date or a full refund if conditions force cancellation, but weather can also worsen after departure. If you get seasick or dislike fast boat travel, this is a serious reason to choose a shorter excursion.

The crew is an important part of the experience. Captain Ryan is specifically praised for attention to safety, while Tahj is noted for friendly service and help with photographs. DiDi is associated with clear communication and handling customer concerns. Crew assignments can vary, but the pattern to look for is active help with boarding, drinks, photos, and timing.

Group size and the small-group question

The tour is promoted as capped at six attendees for a personal feel. That would be a real advantage, especially at wildlife stops where a smaller party can board and leave faster.

However, the operating details also state a maximum of 30 people, and one account described a group of around 20 rather than six. That is a meaningful difference. A six-person boat feels private and flexible. A larger boat may mean slower boarding, more people around the pigs, and less individual attention.

I would contact Tour Daddy before paying if the six-person limit is central to your decision. Ask what the expected group size is for your date and what boat will be used. Do not assume the headline small-group description guarantees a six-person departure.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

I would recommend it to you if you want a packed day of classic Exuma sights and do not mind paying for convenience. Families with older children, couples celebrating a special occasion, and active visitors who want a single big day outside are a good fit.

It also suits people who value service. The crew is expected to keep drinks and snacks moving, help with photographs, and create a lively boat atmosphere. Music is part of the mood, and the tone can feel more like a friendly day out than a quiet nature trip.

I would hesitate if you need a slow pace, shade, or a predictable ride. The schedule is long, the boat can be wet, and the most popular stops may feel brief. People with severe seasickness, limited swimming ability, or a strong dislike of open-water speedboats should think twice.

What to pack for the eight-hour outing

Keep your packing simple and practical:

• Swimsuit and a complete dry change of clothes
• Towel and waterproof bag for your phone
• Reef-safe sunscreen and a hat
• Sunglasses with a strap
• Comfortable sandals or shoes that can get wet
• Motion-sickness medication if you normally need it
• Extra protection for passports, wallets, and cameras

The boat supplies bottled water, soda, snacks, and alcoholic beverages. You still need personal sun protection and clothing suited to repeated spray and swimming. I would wear a swimsuit under quick-drying clothes from the start.

Cancellation, timing, and booking cautions

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 8:00 a.m. start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The activity may also be canceled for poor weather or because the minimum number of participants is not met, with a different date, another experience, or a full refund offered.

The tour is often booked well ahead, with an average lead time of about 46 days. That makes sense for a high-demand Exuma day trip, but early booking should not replace a final confirmation. Check the meeting point, group size, departure time, and transportation plan before the day arrives.

Should you book the Exuma swimming pigs tour?

Book it if Pig Beach is high on your list and you want to combine it with sharks, iguanas, lunch, a plane wreck, and a sandbar in one long day. The food and drinks help justify the price, and strong crew service can turn the demanding boat journey into a fun outing.

Skip it if the $499 price feels uncomfortable, if you want a quiet beach day, or if rough open-water travel would spoil the experience. My main advice is to confirm the expected group size and prepare for a wet, fast ride. With those points clear, this is a high-energy way to see far more of Exuma than a simple Nassau harbor cruise.

FAQ

Where does the Exuma boat tour start and end?

It starts and ends at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Bahamas, Marina Drive, Paradise Island, New Providence. The scheduled start time is 8:00 a.m.

How long does the activity last?

The tour lasts about eight hours. The boat ride itself can take a substantial part of the day, with one detailed account describing roughly two hours for the return journey.

What stops are included?

The route includes Allen Cay for rock iguanas, Compass Cay for nurse sharks, Pig Beach, Black Point for lunch at Lorraine’s, the underwater wreck of Pablo Escobar’s plane, and an Exuma sandbar.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet-style lunch at Lorraine’s in Black Point is included, along with snacks, bottled water, soda, and alcoholic beverages for people aged 21 and older.

Is private transportation included?

No. You need to make your own way to the meeting point unless you arrange help through your hotel, resort, or another local transportation provider.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you can be offered a different date or a full refund.