Exuma Island Hopping Swimming Pigs Tour with Lunch from Nassau

The star of this Exuma day trip is not just the swimming pigs. You also meet rare rock iguanas, stand beside nurse sharks, snorkel near a sunken plane, and finish in clear shallow water. It is a big day packed into eight hours, with music, snacks, drinks, and a crew that keeps things moving.

I like the variety, and I like the fast powerboat. You see far more of the Exuma Cays than you could from Nassau by slower transport. Crews led by people such as Winston, Alex, TJ, Jasmine, Keith, and Joey have earned praise for friendly help and good energy. The catch is simple: you spend a lot of time at sea, and the speed can make the ride windy and chilly.

The day in a nutshell

• A six-stop route: Allen Cay, Compass Cay, Great Exuma, Big Major Cay, Norman’s Cay, and a beach or sandbar.
• Animal encounters: See Bahamian rock iguanas, swim near nurse sharks, and feed the famous pigs.
• Fast transport: The powerboat covers a lot of water, but expect roughly four hours aboard.
• Lunch is included: A Bahamian-style buffet and cold drink are served at a local restaurant on Great Exuma.
• Useful onboard comforts: Water, soda, local beer for adults, light snacks, a restroom, and snorkeling equipment.
• Best for active visitors: You need moderate fitness, and the tour is not permitted for pregnant travelers.

Why this Exuma trip packs in so much

Exuma is far from Nassau, so the main choice is how to spend your day getting there. This tour treats the crossing as part of the experience. The powerboat moves quickly through bright, clear water, passing small cays and private islands along the way. Music plays, drinks and snacks come around, and the ride itself becomes one of the day’s attractions.

That does not mean the boat time disappears. It does not. You could spend about four hours sitting aboard, broken up by the stops. Some people will find the ride relaxing and fun. Others will want more time on land. I would book this only if you are comfortable with a full day on open water.

The small group limit of 25 helps. You are not being moved through the islands in a huge crowd, and crew members can offer a hand when you climb in and out. The route also has enough variety that one stop can rescue another if a particular activity is not your favorite.

Allen Cay and its rare rock iguanas

The first stop is Allen Cay, where Bahamian rock iguanas live. This species is found only on three small islands in Exuma, which gives the stop more meaning than a quick wildlife photo opportunity.

You have about 20 minutes here. That is enough for a close look and pictures, but not enough for a long walk or a slow nature outing. The crew explains what to do around the animals and how to stay safe. Follow those instructions, keep your movements calm, and let the iguanas come toward you rather than chasing them.

This is a short opening stop, but it gets you off the boat early and gives the day a clear sense of place. You are not visiting a generic beach with imported animals. You are seeing a species tied to these small Bahamian islands.

Compass Cay and the nurse sharks

Compass Cay brings the day’s boldest animal encounter. Nurse sharks gather around the marina, and you can enter the water near them under the crew’s direction. The sharks are used to people, but they are still large wild animals, so this is a moment for calm attention rather than reckless excitement.

The stop lasts about 40 minutes. That gives you time to get into the water, take pictures, and enjoy the unusual setting without turning it into an all-day swim. Crew members help with boarding and explain what you should and should not do around the sharks.

This may be the highlight for you. The pigs get most of the publicity, but swimming near nurse sharks offers a more memorable sense of the natural Bahamas. If you are nervous around deep water or unsure about getting in, you can still watch from the marina area, but the experience is built around entering the water.

Bring a towel and something warm for afterward. You will be in and out of the water all day, and the speedboat wind can feel surprisingly cool even under strong sun.

Great Exuma lunch at the one-hour mark

A stop on Great Exuma provides a needed break from the boat. Lunch is a Bahamian-style buffet at a local restaurant, with a cold drink included. The meal is not just a box handed over on the dock. It gives you a chance to sit, eat properly, and reset before the afternoon stops.

The lunch stop lasts about an hour. That matters because the day has a quick rhythm. You move, swim, climb aboard, and move again. A real meal makes the schedule easier to handle, especially if you are traveling with children or anyone who gets tired on the water.

Food quality can vary from day to day, as it does anywhere, but the meal is one reason the price feels more reasonable than a simple boat transfer. You are paying for transport, several site visits, equipment, drinks, crew support, and lunch in one package.

Big Major Cay and the swimming pigs

Big Major Cay is home to the famous swimming pigs, and this is the stop most people have in mind when they book. You have about 45 minutes to feed and swim with them. The pigs come into the water and gather near visitors, creating the silly, photogenic scene that made Pig Beach famous.

Keep your expectations sensible. This is not a quiet beach day with pigs wandering past at your own pace. It is a popular attraction, and the stop is short. Your best pictures may come quickly, so have your camera ready while also paying attention to where you step and how you handle food.

The crew gives instructions about interacting with the pigs. Listen closely. Feeding wildlife requires care, and the fun depends on keeping both people and animals safe. You may get wet, so protect anything that cannot handle salt water.

The setting is part of the appeal. The water around Big Major Cay is clear and bright, and the pigs provide the comic relief after the more serious shark encounter. If you are choosing only one animal stop, this is the signature experience. If you want the day’s most interesting wildlife moment, I would give the nurse sharks serious competition.

Norman’s Cay and the plane wreck

At Norman’s Cay, you can snorkel around a sunken plane wreck. It is often linked to Pablo Escobar and the drug trade of the late 1970s, though the story is presented as a rumor rather than a settled fact.

The snorkeling stop lasts about 30 minutes. This is not a traditional reef snorkeling trip with a long session underwater. It is a focused stop built around seeing the wreck in clear water. One person who praised the experience called this part amazing, while another pointed out that the tour is not mainly a snorkeling trip.

That distinction matters. If your main goal is extended time with coral, fish, and underwater scenery, choose a dedicated snorkeling excursion instead. If you like unusual places and a bit of mystery, the plane makes a strong addition to this route.

Snorkeling equipment is included. You should still bring a towel, a cover-up, and sunscreen. The sun can be strong, and the wind from the boat may make wet clothing uncomfortable during the next ride.

The final beach or sandbar stop

The last stop gives you time to slow down. The captain chooses a sandbar or beach where you can swim, sunbathe, and take pictures before the return run to Paradise Island. It lasts about 35 minutes.

This may sound like the least important stop, but it helps balance the day. The iguanas, sharks, pigs, and wreck all ask you to look, listen, or follow instructions. At the sandbar, you simply enjoy the water.

Conditions determine exactly where you stop. A sandbar can be especially appealing because the water is shallow and clear, though the available site depends on the day. Do not expect a long beach afternoon. Think of it as a final swim and a quiet pause before the ride home.

What the powerboat ride is really like

The boat is sleek and fast, which is the main reason this tour can reach so many places in one day. It also creates the main comfort issue. Wind hits hard at speed, and several people found a light jacket or hoodie useful, even in warm weather.

You will spend long stretches seated. The crew provides water, soda, light snacks, and local beer for those aged 18 or older. There is a restroom onboard, which is important on a full day away from Nassau.

The ride is not described as rough by everyone. Some people found it smoother than expected. Still, open-water conditions can change, and the tour requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions or because the minimum number is not met, you are offered another date or a full refund.

I would pack:

• A towel
• A light jacket or hoodie
• Sunscreen
• A swimsuit and dry clothing
• A waterproof phone pouch or other water protection
• Sunglasses that fit securely

Is the $438.90 price fair?

At $438.90 per person, this is an expensive excursion. The value depends on how many separate experiences you would otherwise try to arrange. The price includes the boat from Paradise Island, landing and facility fees, lunch, drinks, snacks, snorkeling equipment, and six distinct stops.

It also saves you from piecing together transport to distant Exuma Cays, a restaurant meal, animal encounters, and a return boat. For a single day, that is a lot of coordination handled for you.

The price is harder to justify if you want long periods at each location. The advertised stop times are short, and weather can shorten them further. One family found that disappointing when each stop ended earlier than expected. You should book with the understanding that this is a fast sampler, not a leisurely private charter.

For a special occasion or a first visit to the Bahamas, I can see the value. You get the animals, the wreck, the lunch, and the scenery without spending several days in Exuma. For a tight budget, or for someone who prefers one activity done slowly, it may feel too costly.

Who should book this tour?

I would recommend it to you if:

• You want to see several famous Exuma sights in one day.
• You enjoy speedboat rides and do not mind long stretches on the water.
• You are comfortable swimming near nurse sharks.
• You want both animal encounters and a beach stop.
• You prefer an organized day with food, drinks, equipment, and a crew included.
• You have moderate physical fitness and can manage repeated boarding and swimming.

I would hesitate if you get seasick, dislike wind, need lots of time at each stop, or want serious reef snorkeling. It is also not permitted for pregnant travelers and is not recommended for cruise ship passengers, likely because the early start and full duration do not fit well with a ship schedule.

The crew can make a real difference. Names associated with especially well-liked departures include Winston, Alex, TJ, Jasmine, Keith, and Joey. You cannot assume a particular person will be assigned, but the company has a strong pattern of attentive service. Expect crew members to help you aboard, keep drinks moving, explain safety rules, and add context about the islands as you pass them.

Should you book it?

Book it if you want a big Exuma sampler and accept that the boat ride is half the day. The mix of rock iguanas, nurse sharks, pigs, a mysterious wreck, lunch, and a sandbar is hard to match in one organized outing.

Skip it if your ideal Bahamas day means lying on one beach, snorkeling for hours, or moving at a slow pace. At this price, the decision comes down to variety versus time. If variety wins, this Born Free Charters trip gives you one memorable, action-filled day from Nassau.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Carnivale Bahamas, 1 Marina Way, Paradise Island, at Sterling Marina in Hurricane Hole, The Bahamas.

What time does the tour begin?

Check-in and departure are scheduled for 8:30 am.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the starting meeting point on Paradise Island.

How long does the tour last?

The full experience lasts approximately eight hours.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served at a local restaurant on Great Exuma and includes a Bahamian-style buffet and a cold drink.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water, soda, light snacks, and local beer are included. Beer is available only to people aged 18 or older.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included for the stop near the plane wreck at Norman’s Cay.

Can I cancel for a refund?

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 refunded or accepted.

Is the tour available in bad weather?

The trip requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. A different date, experience, or full refund is also offered if the minimum number of participants is not met.